Those who planned to have a VBAC..

For those who wanted to have a VBAC, what factors affected whether you actually had one or not?

I had an emergency c-section with my first and am considering having a VBAC for my 2nd. I know there are some things beyond my control that will affect whether I can have one- for example, my dr. said that if the baby is measuring big, then he would not want me to go beyond 39 weeks and that I would have a c-section at that point.

What else was considered and was a factor in whether you ended up having one or not?

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

Finding a truly VBAC-friendly practitioner was the most important factor IMO... I didn't want my doctor to set up parameters around a normal, healthy pregnancy. (Obviously, women with GD or pre-e or other health issues have to play by different rules). I absolutely had it. My group had an 88% success rate of VBAC. The hospital affiliated with my group had the second highest VBAC rates on LI. They totally knew what they were doing with me. My EDD wasn't a hard deadline; I didn't have growth sonos; I never had a section date set up "just in case."

Beyond that, it was a lot of luck. I had no major health issues. The baby was in a good position. I would up going into labor on my own 11 days before my due date. Labor was fast - she was born 7 hours after my first contraction.

Good luck!!

eta: A lot depends on the reason for your original section. If it was something re: the baby (my older DD's heartrate crashed) VBAC rates are higher than if it was an issue with mom (pre-e, some kind of genuine issue with a pelvis, etc). Get your hospital records. You really just need your Operation Report and the Notes section.

Message edited 4/30/2014 8:39:32 PM.

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

My dr said I couldn't go past 40 weeks and couldn't be induced.
He said the worst thing that could happen (success rate wise) would be for my water to break before I was feeling contractions.
That is exactly what happened. My water broke and I was feeling fine. He said I had approximately 24 hours to deliver or I would have to have a csection.
Almost 24 hours later to the minute ds was born via vbac.
My dr did give me a little pitocin after I got the epi to help things progress.
Good luck!

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

During my second pregnancy, my doctors were supportive of a VBAC but the criteria was that I could not be induced and that I couldn't go past 41 weeks. We were supposed to have scheduled the c-section for one week past my due date, but when I got the official paperwork in the mail I was scheduled ON my due date. That date happened to be a significant one for us anyway, and frankly, as a result, I just got spooked that the repeat c-section was "meant to be" and so I didn't fight the date.

In the end, I didn't go into labor (although I was contracting) by the due date and I had a repeat c/s...and a third eventually.

Good luck!

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

I had a successful VBAC in August 2013. DS was almost 9lbs and 23 inches (he was big and I'm 5ft.) I was just over 40 weeks. Had a C-section in 2009 as a result of a failed induction. I was induced due to severe pre-eclampsia. I did dilate to 6cm that time though.

The most important thing was that my OB was pro-VBAC. And even though she was, I still felt I had to constantly remind them of what my goal was just in case. My BP did go up again this pregnancy and I was monitored very closely especially at the end. I was on medication throughout. The hospital staff was surprised that they let me VBAC such a big baby. I think my OB never really believed the growth sonos even though he measured over 7.5lbs at 38 weeks or so.

My OB's said that one of the things that made a successful VBAC more likely in my case was the fact that I had dilated before so my body "knew what to do."

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

I wanted a VBAC sooo badly with DS and my OB was completely supportive. At 40w6d my fluids were getting low and my blood pressure was spiking.... my OB won't induce for a VBAC (which I totally understand) so I just did the 2nd C. It was soo much better for my first which I had after 36hrs of labor. Recovery was great, off meds within a few days.

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

Thank you so much for all of your responses! I plan to talk about it more in depth with my dr at my next appt and now I have so many questions that I wouldn't have thought to ask. After I had my DS my dr. said he does VBACs but now I'm curious as to how many he's done successfully--- hopefully I can figure out a way to ask this??

My first c-section was because DS was not dropping at all after hours of pushing. He was also over 9 lbs so they thought c-section was the best/safest option at that point. If this baby is big also, I will most likely have another c-section, which I'm totally fine with, but I want to explore all options first.

Thanks again!

Those who planned to have a VBAC..

My doc was pro VBAC and did not schedule a c section but again he would not induce or let me go more than 1 week over. with DS my water broke but i had no contrtactions so was induced but DS's heartrate kept dropping with the Pitocin so ended up with an emergency C after 36 hours.
With DD i went over and ended up with a C but I didnt mind. Recovery was so easy the 2nd time around. I was up and showered by myself within 12 hours before the doctors even got to see me. The Doctor let me home within 48 hours of having a C and i took no meds except for Motrin for the journey home from the hospital just in case. Good Luck.

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

I cant completely answer your question as I am still waiting for LO to come but my practice is very laid back and pro-vbac. They will let me go as close to 42 weeks as I can - they will also allow induction if I choose. Right now I am 40w4d and still waiting. They even said it was ok if baby was measuring big - its more about the pelvic area being wide enough and everyone is different.

My practice is more a play-it-by-ear type so im just waiting for now to see what happens.

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

my dr and hospital would perform a vbac. I would only be able to go to my due date. Dd2 flipped breech at 35w then flipped back at 38 but I had already made up my mind to do the c/s because I was very uncomfortable and really didnt think I would go on my own.

Re: Those who planned to have a VBAC..

I really wanted VBAC. I talked to every doctor in my practice every visit and told them. I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page. Some were more encouraging than others but all said if everything went fine and I did not go past my due date (they would not induce) I could try.

Except DS#2, like his brother, was breech.
Tried spinning babies website, chiropractor, even spending time upside down in a pool to try and move him. Finally decided version was the last resort - one of the doctors told me they wouldn't try it with a previous c-section but the doctor I really like and the one who was known for versions said he would. So, we did and it didn't work - well, he flipped but flipped right back.

So, I ended up with the section a few days later anyway.