Can I have a vaginal birth after having a C- section ?

Maritza - posted on 09/28/2009

WOW. The Hospital who sent you home after your water broke, was it the same hospital you delivered your other succesfull VBACs ?

Becky - posted on 09/28/2009

I had 2 successful VBACS after the birth of my first by cection. First doctor told me that my pelvic opening was too narrow to deliver a baby unless the baby was well under 7 lbs. 2nd doctor delivered my son VBAC with no meds weighing in over 7 lbs, 3rd doctor delivered my 3rd baby VBAC with NO meds weighing in over 9 lbs!! My 4th baby was scheduled to be my 3rd VBAC when my water broke I went to ER and they said OH No its not your water and sent me home. (I went home slowly leaking fluids) Had ultrasound next day and the tech told me my water levels were extremely low and I said I wouldn't doubt it since my water broke yesterday and they sent me home saying it was urine. (I knew it wasnt urine because I had just used the bathroom then had a gush of clear fluid) Ultrasound tech called doc and doc wasn't concerned. Went home went to bed that night i woke up to go pee and felt a gush of fluids. Went to er got admitted docs still wouldn't admit they messed up. I was at 10 cm starting to push when i developed a high fever and baby's heart rate just kept decelerating dangerously low with each push so we went in for emergency c section. Baby was born not breathing and once they got her breathing they realized that SHE too had a fever. Apparently i developed a uterine infection due to my water being broke for so long and nobody recognizing it but me. I could have had my 3rd successful VBAC if they had just listened to me when I told them my water broke 2 days before i actually delivered.

Naadine - posted on 09/11/2009

it depends on a few things: why, what, and how you had the c section. why- was it breech, did the baby not drop, was it transverse (horizontal)... and how did you have the c section? most commonly doctors are using an incision that follows the bikini line. this is common, and the most easiest, when the baby is in a normal presentation (cephalic-head- first). even a vertical incision is alright if the area is stitched and heals well. what method was used to sew you up? did they use staples or sutures? usually, and since it has already been a period that long since your c section, vbac's (vaginal birth after c section) are very possible. if you talk to your doctor, and discover whether he/she is opposed or not, you can work together to make it as safe of a delivery as pregnancy. if something does turn out against it, don't be discouraged by another c section- better a safe and healthy baby then something going wrong with a vaginal delivery!!

good luck!

Donna - posted on 09/10/2009

I have recently had a baby via emergency Csection, and have been told it is possible to have a vaginal birth after this however only if baby comes of its own accord. Most if not all doctors will refuse to induce after a csection as it is generally a harder labour and can put pressure on the wound. So decision can still be up to you and your preference.

Jodi - posted on 09/10/2009

I moved to Sweden while 7 months pregnant. My OB in South Africa had planned a c-section, as this is what I had done with my 7 year old son. When we visited the midwife in Sweden we were told that here a c-section is only done in cases of emergency. So although I had psyched myself up for another c-section, we started planning the vbac. On the 1st of Jan 2009, my little Ethan was delivered, and it was the most amazing experience ever! I felt so much more connected with him than my first, and although it was painful, it was not nearly as painful as the c-section. If I had to have another baby, (maybe try for a daughter :o) ), I would definately do vaginal delivery again! Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy your baby!

Emma - posted on 09/10/2009

I had a section with my first after faliure to progress and my doctor was really encoraging for me to have a vbac, the only thing is you have to be monitored throughout laour so no birthing pool/home births etc, and they will only allow you to labour for 12 hours max. I ended up having another section in the end, but always new it was a possibility. Do what you feel is best for you, a natrual birth would have been so lovly

Elissa - posted on 09/09/2009

it depends on why you had a c-section in the first place. but for the most part lots of women are allowed to try and deliver naturally. for a VBAC the conditions usually are that u head to hospital once in labour as they like to monitor you pretty closely and they dont usually let you labour for more than 6hours as the uterine wall tends not to contract equally due to the previous c-section scarring. however, most women are able to do it u just have to be prepared that u might need to have another c-section should u fail to progress. at the end of the day, its your body and your doctor might not agree with it but most will respect a patients wishes.

Krystel - posted on 09/09/2009

My Ob is against it.. He says there are too many Possible complications. My SIL had found a Dr. that said he does it. So some Dr.s are willing to let moms try it Vaginally.. But I think that you are in a safe zone to do it, since it has been a good while.. Good luck and I hope you will be able to do it.

Michelle - posted on 09/09/2009

Yes it is completely safe in most cases. I had a vbac with my daughter 16 months after I had my son by c section. You sometimes have to convince your doctor to do it. They are often quick to jump to a repeat c section. It's easier for them in a lot of ways (it's scheduled, there aren't as many variables in the delivery). There is always the possibility that you will still need a c section (failure to progress etc) but I believe it is up to some 85% of women who try for a vbac are successful. I was and it's a lot better recovery. I would recommend trying it.

Ashley - posted on 09/09/2009

I know that my OB said that she prefers to have moms do vaginal, and said that even though I had a cesarean, she would like me to try vaginal delivery for my next one. If you keep on having cesareans, your abdominal muscles get weaker and weaker. So it can be done, but talk to your OB to make sure that they feel it is safe for you. I know I want to try it! I was pretty bummed that I had a cesarean, but my little stinker was breech!

Good luck to you!