Thread: VBAC

Just found out I'm pregnant with number 3. Bit of a shock- not planned but still good news. Not getting too excited yet as obvioiusly its very early days and I've had an early m/c before.

However I am getting scared about the birth. Previous 2 boys were born by c section- first one fine, second was a fairly hideous due to scar tissue from first section. Now I'm wondering whether going for a VBA2C is possible or mad.

I'm not a kate winslett - must give birth vaginally to be a real woman - type. I'm just scared about another section! But then I'm also scaed about a vaginal delivery and the placenta getting stuck!!!! Think I've been reading too much. I've never been scared of birth before so this is a bit new. Don't want to spend the next 36 weeks turning into a gibbering wreck- so wise words please!

Hello Nez and CONGRATULATIONS

There are 2 websites that a regularly touted as resources (though I have been told to take them with a pinch of salt and to draw your own conclusions - something about the website owners being involved with a book called The Silent Knife - which apparently would scare you half out of your mind and put you off a VBAC )
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...8267868-3806864

http://www.ican-online.org/
http://www.vbac.com/

There are specific discussions on VBA2C on these sites as well.

I've heard this is a good balanced book: Dr. Bruce Flamm called "Birth After Caesarian: The Medical Facts". http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...8267868-3806864

I guess why you had the previous c/s is important to and goes some way to determining whether a Trial of Labour would be possible as well.

You should probably stop reading everything you find though. The Internet scares the life out of me!!

Congrats again and I hope you keep well

Hi Nez and congrats

I'm no expert on the subject but I think it is possible to have a VBAC (even after two) but you may find you face some opposition from the health professionals over it. A lot might depend on how long ago the last section was.

Start off by asking your midwife and take it from there. I'm sure there must be lots of info on the net - have you tried doing a search?

sorry I can't be more helpful but good luck

there you go - Pie beat me to it and was much more use :laugh

Thanks! That's very helpful! I had first section due to non progression following an induction (after 18 hours of full on labour I was less than 2cm dilated- contractions were strong but not getting into rhythm.). That section was fine to be honest. The problem with the second section was although I was nervous I expected it to be fairly straighforward. it hink they forgot I was awake though as after opening me (before ds2 was out) I heard "quick call a consultant". "where is he?" "not available" "well he has to get here" and they wouldn't tell me why. It was because my bladder and uterus were stuck together with adhesions - all the consultant did was tell them where to cut. After the birth I had to have a catheter for a quite a long time and had a drain- and becuase it was unexpected it was a bit of a shock. I think I'm being a bit of a wuss really!

It was the usual thing as well- no proper explanations. So I now know that my baldder and uterus are still stuck together (oh my god will my bladder burst during pregnancy? (see my mind is racing!) I read a long time ago that adhesions get worse with each subsequent section so now I'm worried that it'll be a right mess down there. Or is all the mess on the outside so th womb is fairly clear? I did read somewhere that they can do a vertical section if that's the case -which made me feel better.

And then there's VBAC. If the risk is similar to a VBA1C then I would be happy to try, but if its much higher not really. Of course friend of a friend had a rupture! Also baby is due betwen xmas and new year- so I worry about staff numbers! A lot of the VBAC stuff can be a bit militant though iykwim, which also makes me a bit nervous. I just want to choose the option that is likely to have the fewest side effects! And of course produce a healthy baby and a helathy me.

Aaaaagggghhhh I have moved to a new area so I don't know the system down here at all. I think I need to have a long chat with the midwife. I think I would be happier if a scan showed the baby was in a good place as then I could stop worrying about placenta accreta (where it gets stuck to the womb)- usually happens with placenta previa. At the moment my scar is twinging quite a bit whcih makes me think my god its implanting in the scar I'll need a hysterectomy! Which is stupid as I vaguely remember it twinging in my pregnancy with ds2.

Thanks for this though. Talking about it really helps get it out of my system.

I would think that the 'mess' is outside the womb, I remember reading that its incredibly rare for bladder tissue to invade the womb as it were.

There are some references here about VBA2C specifically http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/CSANDVB..._after_2_cs.htm though to be honest I'm not sure how reliable it is. It does say the risk of rupture is roughly the same though.

I don't think your fears are stupid or anything. We all worry when we're pregnant about something, no matter how logical or illogical, you just have a much more focused point of worry!

Have you or could you see the notes from the last c/s? It maybe helpful them in the cold light of day so to speak. The calling the consultant etc sound terrifying, it must have been unbearable listening to them whilst you could only lie there

I know that you can't have an MRI in early pregnancy, and I realise that you may not have a very helpful OB but MRIs can show up adhesions etc...maybe it would give you a clearer idea of what is what. Of course assuming you could even get anyone to agree to an MRI you would have to wait till later in the pregnancy.

Your mind must be racing with a thousand 'what ifs'. You do have months to think about it and figure out what you want though. I hope the m/w is helpful on this, when will you book in?

Sorry for the rambling message, baby is drooling all over me!

Congratulations Nez :cheer

I had a VBA1C, and did lots of reading internets beforehand..Pie's links look familiar!
I didn't read 'Silent Knife' - for some reason I thought it was pro-VBAC and against the increase in sections, anyway, decided it sounded too scarey.
I planned for VBAC as I had nerve damage after my section that meant I was in pain for most of the year after, and didn't want to spend time in hospital after the birth (discharged myself in 6 hours this time)..it was a very hard decision and I found that none of the medical staff really wanted to discuss it with me..I had to push to get a meeting with a Dr (I was honoured by the consultant himself) - who said for my case the risks of death were equal either way, and that I had so much damage caused by the mis-management of my 1st birth that I wouldn't even save myself pelvic floor etc. damage by having a second section..charming!
If I were you, I would try to enjoy the pregnancy for now..that baby's going to come out one way or another..and push for a clinical meeting to discuss the risks in your particular case when you're further along the line. The only thing you may want to think about is that if you may want a VBAC some hospitals are more likely to 'allow' you..I changed hospitals because I wanted one which would give me as much support as possible if I attempted VBAC...and in fact, if it hadn't been for a skilled midwife, and a determined registrar I would have had another section.

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper, I've heard this is good, don't know if its available over here though.

I'm due to have a VBAC this time and I must admit I do feel quite worried about it. I met my consultant the other day and she felt I should deliver normally. I have had very quick labours in the past and one of my main concerns is getting to the hospital on time.

At the moment though, ignorance is bliss and I'm trying not to think about it until much nearer the time.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, it is nice to have someone else to share things with.

Well I read and reviewed Silent Knife - it is NOT scary and it is VERY much pro-VBAC.
I would suggest you read the new Michel Odent book called the Ceasarean - you might find it useful. He will be on woman's Hour (Radio 4) on Wednesday if you want to hear him on sections. I know several "pro-section" people who found his book excellent.

Why did you have a second section? This may be an indication as to whether a section would be more advisable this time. (and for your first section - why were you induced?)

When your sections were is irrelevant to achieveing a VBAC. And you can VBAC after 2 sections though you will find morfe relucatnce. Rupture is rare, happens to "normal" births too and there are many signs to a uterus rupturing before it becomes dangerous. Death of mother or baby in a proper rupture is VERY rare (in industrialised countries). Many wombs have a dihescence (that's a small opening often called a rupture but it is NOT the same and NOT dangerous but it makes great scary story for friends&#33

I am hugely biaised but it might be good for you to consider looking into having a doula. We do loads of VBAC (most very successfully) and we know more about this topic than some midwives do! You can speak to one without committing to hiring her.

Do you mind saying where (which part of the country) you're in ?