What can I expect with a possible VBAC?

I am possibly having a VBAC. I am 20 weeks along and have been seeing a midwife this whole pregnancy. She said that later on in the pregnancy I will see the high risk ob and he will determine whether or not I am a good to go for a VBAC but from what the midwife can see and based on my history she said I was a good candidate.

How close to my due date will they let me know for sure if I am good to go for a VBAC?

How long past my due date will they let me go, if at all?

Do they induce with VBAC patients or will they automatically just do a c-section if the baby isn't coming on his own?

Anything else I should know? I am honestly terrified to go into labor. I was in labor with DS for a LONG time after being induced. I got to 10cm and pushed great but after a few pushes, DS heart rate went down and they did an emergency c-section. I know what to expect from a c-section. I didn't feel a thing during and the recovery pain wise wasn't terrible.

With a vaginal delivery, I have no clue what to expect. What if the epidural doesn't work, what if it does but you still feel stuff. My sister mentioned the "ring of fire" That terrifies me lol

Re: What can I expect with a possible VBAC?

Basically, you just have to wait it out and go into labor all on your own. You can't be induced. My OB said he would let me go to 41 weeks, but if she didn't come on her own, he was doing a repeat c/s at the end of that week.

I was the perfect candidate for a vbac because the only reason I had a c/s with #1 was because he was breech. I never even went into labor, my water broke, they did a sono to check his position, he was still breech and I had the c/s.

I just saw my OB the entire pregnancy, I never had to see anyone for high risk. (my ob did my first c/s so he knew my history).

My OB checked for size of the baby all along. He said if he felt like the baby was going to be larger than 8 lbs, he would prefer a c/s over trying for vbac. I had a sono each week to check for size, and they were pretty accurate, although they can be up to a lb or so off in either direction.

I went into labor during my 38th week. I got the epidural at the hospital and got to 10 cm in no time. I did push for 3 hours, but nothing was painful and nothing slowed me down. Yes, right when they come out, you feel like fire down there! It lasts a second and then your baby is there and you don't worry about anything else!

I would definitely talk it over with the high risk OB, since you did labor with your first and still ended up with a c/s.

Good Luck! It was one of the best decisions I ever made, and I hope to deliver vaginally for #3 again!

Message edited 11/12/2011 4:33:50 PM.

Re: What can I expect with a possible VBAC?

Are you using stony brook midwives? I am and am in the same situation and using them. I dont think I'm the best candidate though, I never got past 6 cm, that was after being induced for 4 days at 42 wks.

I'm 19 1/2 wks now. Once I'm 24 weeks we'll set up consult with ob/gyn for 30/31 weeks. It sounded like at that point I would know whether or not VBAC was an option. They also explained I can pretty much say what I want to do. For example have a c/s sch for 41 weeks if I don't spontaneously go into labor on my own. I think 41 wks was the limit though.