Has Anyone Had a VBAC?

Dear C., a VBAC should be discussed with your dr. because the more c/s you have had the more risky it is to have a VBAC . Because our uterus has scars on it and it can become very thin and with labor your uterus could upture. Your dr. would know the best answer for you. there have been plenty of women who have wonderful results with having a VBAC,as well as women who have problems. The risks are also for you as well as the baby . best of every thing S..

I don't have any experience with a VBAC but a very good friend of mine does. She had an emergency C-Section with her first child and had home birth VBACs for the next two. She writes a blog that you might find useful. http://empoweredbirth.typepad.com/ One caveat is that she is a big proponent of home birth so just focus on the VBAC information if that is what you are looking for. I am sure that you will be able to find some midwife/doctor/hospital which will support you. Good luck.

I recently heard that Stanford is allowing VBAC's. I am a natural childbirth educator (Bradley Method). We have many mom's who do have VBAC's. The important thing is educating yourself about the real statistics and being willing to advocate for yourself. The book and websites below will give you the information you are seeking.

Some great resources:
http://www.vbac.com/
http://www.ican-online.org
Henci Goer's book- The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
The Birth Book by Martha & William Sears

Best of Luck!

R.

I've had two VBACs. Both were completely successful and I'm greatful I went that way. The recovery time is so much faster and you have to use a lot fewer drugs post delivery. But, my first baby (the Cecarian) was (1)small, (2) breech, (3)and I had already dilated completely when they found out she was breech. Ie. it had nothing to do with me not progressing or the baby being too big or hours and hours of labor. If that were my situation, I would have to look at things very differently.

I had a VBAC with my second child. My first was an emergency C-section, the cord was wrapped around his neck. With my second child the doctor said I had a good chance of having no complications with a VBAC because my ER c-section was not because there was something that went wrong with my body.

I had an epidural because 1) I don't do pain 2) If they needed to do another ER C-section again I was already preped.

It was a touch decition for me but it all turned out good :0)

Hope it helps. T.

I have not had a VBAC but have a friend who had c-section for twins and then a VBAC at home. You may be more likely to find a VBAC midwife for a homebirth than a VBAC hospital.

You may have trouble getting a VBAC in the hospital if you had a section due to failure to progress. It depends on how far you progressed. I believe they like to know you got to 6cm on your own that way they know your body knows how to work. In a home birth setting I don't think this info will worry them.

I had a vaginal breech in the hospital so I know how it is to be unusual in the hospital setting!

C.

Hi C.,
I have 3 children, my 12 yr old daughter was an emergency c-section, my 9 yr old was a VBAC, he came so quickly (1hr from the time my water broke at home, no contractions prior) that they didn't even have time to do an epidural so it was alnatural which was extremely painful. the doctor thought he didn't need to be a cesarean. my 13 month old, I had a new doctor who I really liked but she didn't think it was a good idea for hime to be a VBAC, and the hospital doesn't allow them anymore. She had also told me about a bad outcome that a colleague of hers had. she told me I could refuse a csection if I really wanted to and they would have to honor my wishes but it was not recommended. for me it was the right thing to do. it is possible to have VBAC's but I really think it depends more on your body. I would recommend you just find a good doctor you trust and see what they say. good luck.
S.

Hi C.

I have had all 3 ways to deliver. My first son was natural no epidural. I had twins emergency c-section. And I delivered my baby 3 1/2 months ago via VBAC and let me tell you I don't ever want another c-section again. The recovery time is so much faster and and its easier once you get home to do things with the baby. Wishing you luck.

K.

I had a C-Section with my first after pushing 3 1/2 hours they determined he was too big and they were right he was 10 lbs 15 ozs. , a VBAC with my 2nd and a C-Section with my third due to medical reasons. If I had another I would go with the VBAC only because it is safer for the baby. I understand some circumstances requiere a baby to be delived via C-section but if you have the choice I recommend a VBAC. The fluid doesn't get pushed out of the baby during a C-section and they are more likely to develop lung infections at birth. My youngest spent 1 month clinging for his life and this was most likely the cause.

Now I will be honest I had much more pain with the VBAC than with either C section and it took me twice the time to recover but it is safer.

Please don't send me hate emails for my opinion, I am just stating what the doctors told me when I had my youngest and my opinion. I had 2 c-sections so I fully understand that there are some times that it is necessary.

I had 3 VBACs with no complications. My first was an emergency c-section (prolapsed cord) and the rest of my kids were born vaginally in hospitals. My youngest just turned five, and unfortunately it seems to have become harder to find support in your decision, which is a shame! I went with a doctor/midwife practice for my last 2 and I loved them. The thing about the hospitals not being prepared for a VBAC freaks me out... my c-section was as big an emergency as a uterine rupture (the big worry with a vbac), and it scared me to know that had I had my first at that hospital she probably would have died? Why go to a hospital that can't handle an emergency? Isn't that why you're in a hospital in the first place?

Thanks for asking, I am also looking for this info since I had an emergency c-section the first time around and am now preganant again.

Just want to let you know that I have Kaiser and they have been very supportive and educational about VBAC. So even if you are not a member you may be able to find some resources there.

Good luck!

I haven't had one - but get Ricki Lakes
new book called "Your Best Birth" or go tot her website for resources on this www.yourbestbirth.com

Look for a midwife to deliver at home or a birth center. There aren't many hospitals able to do VBACs b/c insurance companies won't insure them! Some dr's want to do them, but have their hands tied b/c of insurance!

My first (now 22 yrs old) was a C due to breech. My other two were VBAC. I loved being able to bound out of bed the next morning after the births! But if you're risky for labor, why push it (so to speak)? I'd just confer with your OB all the way and do what's best for you and your baby.

Also, you can only have a VBAC if you had a lateral C section. Vertical C and it won't work. At least that's what I was told 20 years ago.

Good luck!

HI C.
I had a scheduled C section with my little girl so I'm curious about VBACs as well. From what I've read, there seems to be a new shift in thinking in the medical field and VBAC are no longer considered risky, rather-they are preferred over another C section. Go figure!!
Good luck!
N

Hi C.,

I had my son via C-Section because he was breech. I wanted a VBAC for my daughter. Had to change my OB to do it. She was also breech up to 38 weeks. I had a version and she was successfully turned and was born 4 days later via unmedicated, natural, vaginal birth with no complications which is what I wanted. She just turned 3.

The hospital that I delivered at no longer does them. I was so upset when I found out. The group still practices, but they cannot perform them at the hospital so their hands are tied.

Few OB's do them because they have to be present the whole time you are in labor when you arrive at the hospital. OB's in solo practice can't obviously do this - it's just not feasible!

I found a practice with multiple midwives and that worked well though the OB, who was an advocate for VBACs, was present also as required.

I was not doing anything drastic or heroic or risky. I had always said that if things progressed well, I wanted to try for a VBAC, but would always use the C-Section as a fallback if necessary. Things went well and I had full confidence in my midwife, OB and Doula.

I also made sure that I was well-informed.

An organization that may be worthwhile to you is:
ICAN: International Cesarean Awareness Network.
They have local chapters and you can talk to representatives and get on their email list. Women share their C/S experiences and offer support to those trying for a VBAC.

You can google ICAN or go to: www.ican-online.org
If you find a local chapter representative, you can call or email for information and get on the forum list and view the emails and get a feel for the group. You can post questions and participate in the forum or just observe - no pressure.

The doctor who did my version was not my OB. I'm pretty sure that he still does VBACs - but he is located in Santa Cruz. Let me know if you would like his contact information. His office may know of other OBs still willing to do VBACs.

I am so lucky, (and grateful!), for the birth of my daughter. I was so glad that I tried it, but each individual circumstance is different and unique. I respected the midwives and the OB and did not go against advice. We only proceeded as all was well. However, the experience will only be positive IF you work with positive people. If you truly want to find out if this is possible for YOU - you need to talk to OB's or midwives who are advocates of this and who will discuss it constructively with you. Most OB's don't have the TIME to do it and reject it as risky to put you off. The ones who are willing to give their time, truly believe in it.

Hope this helps and good luck....

S.

Hello C.,
I just want to toss out the idea that your local hospital may not let you have a VBAC. My husband and I have been trying for our second child for over a year now. I had an emergency c-section with our daughter and REALLY wanted the experience of a vaginal birth. I called my new OB (I hated my old OB) to see if she supported VBACs and the nurse who answered the phone said, "yes, she strongly believes in them; however (the local hospital)does not allow them." That answered my question, unfortuantly. I don't want to sound like a downer, but thought I'd share.
Best of luck!
C.

San Francisco General has midwives (12 of them) on staff that encourage VBACs. You would serve yourself well if you use a Doula to encourage and support you. At UCSF they have one midwife and CPMC I think they don't have any. You just have to interview the hospital and OBs to find out if they match their philosophy. Good Luck.

My first child was a c-section. My second 2 were v-bacs which just means they were born normally. There was no special procedure. I had to go to Mercy San Juan to deliver and it was a challenge to find an ob who would do it. It's a shame b/c multiple c-sections are much more of a risk of uterus bursting at any time in the future. :(
Now that you've had 2 though you probably are at higher risk. I would speak with an ob who does v-bacs. They will tell you if it is safe after 2 c's. They don't want any problems either.
Good luck!

A cousin of mine had an emergency c-section for her first baby 6 weeks premature or so. Her full term daughter was VBaC with no complications 2 years later. So... it is possible :) Best wishes!

I had a VBAC 2 1/2 years after I had an unplanned c-section. My first child was delivered via c-section after I pushed close to 4 hours with no progress. He was 6lbs 11oz. when he was born. 2 1/2 years later I had my daughter VBAC, same head size, but my daughter was 8lbs. 2oz. Since my water broke with my son, I felt pretty confident that it was going to with my daughter as well. I made a deal with my OB. We scheduled the c-section, but if my water broke before my scheduled date, then I would try for a VBAC. She reviewed the risks with me, but knowing that their are risks in childbirth anyways, and since my OB delivered the first child she agreed to the VBAC. One note, I was in a city hospital with an excellent OB dept. and NICU and 24hr. dedicated OB Anasthesiologists(sp?) My experience with both procedures were good. As I said I pushed for a long time with my son and had an excellend C-Section recovery, my daughter I had a shorter labor with contractions all in the front, my son was back labor and that was horrible. Obviously the recovery for a VBAC was a lot shorter, but discuss with your dr. My doc is one of the best and I wouldn't trade her for the world. Don't know if this helps, but feel free to email me with any questions.

I tried for a VBAC with my second child. It did not work out for me - ended up being a C-section - but I was glad that I tried. It gave me a second chance of experiencing a natural birth which I really wanted, and it also validated my previous experience of needing a C-section. I think I always had a doubt in my mind that "I didn't try hard enough" or "I didn't know enough". The second time I went into the experiencing with an open mind but a birth plan that said "do not suggest a C-section unless absolutely needed or if requested by patient". The hospital staff were excellent and respected my wishes. After 16+ hours and being exhausted, I still wasn't dialating properly so I chose the C-section. I didn't want to try to be a hero, I just wanted a healthy baby in my arms.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

N.