VBAC - The Debate!!

Sherryl - posted on 09/05/2009

I had a c-section 8 years ago, and 2 vbac's since then. Both times I was given the option for a reapeat c-sect, fortunatly my choice was respected and I got my v-bac's! I found the first vbac very empowering and after 4 hours of natural labour I delivered my baby with the help of vacuum extraction. My second vbac was an even shorter labour and was assisted by having my membranes broken.

Both labours had to be monitered, and I had to deliver in a major hospital.

Ivanna - posted on 09/04/2009

Congrats on wanting to try this route. I am a mom of 3 under 3 and I recently founded an online advocacy site for expectant moms and moms of infants. www.empoweredmommies.com. We have a dedicated doula that goes into detail about VBACs (latest findings, research, etc). Good Luck!

Kelly - posted on 09/03/2009

I had my first child c-section in Sept. 1992 and my second one VBAC in November 1994. There are risks involved, this should be discussed with your OB/GYN, I was told that it not advisable to attemp a VBAC if your incision was vertical. There is also a greater risk of your uterus rupturing during a VBAC, which could mean an emergency hystorectomy. I have also heard that some hospitals will not allow VBAC deliveries because of the increased risks, so you may need to check with your hospital.

I was lucky and did not encounter any of these problems, and did feel that it was easier to recover from a vaginal birth.

Cindy - posted on 09/02/2009

My first child was a c-section because he was sticking his hand through the birth canal, I had 4 other children after that and they were VBAC. I did fine no complications, but the doctors and the nurses watched me closely, incase something unplanned happened.

Megan - posted on 09/01/2009

Yeah glad to hear that! When are you due? I hope all goes well for you! :)

Janine - posted on 09/01/2009

Thankyou to all you yummy mummies for your advice. I had my scan yesterday and was told not only was i having a baby boy - so that makes 3 of each but that my placenta was laying in a nice position and not near my scar. Given that and my pregnancy and birthing experience, i was told i have a 95% chance of having a successful VBAC. I am totally delighted at this news as it is my option of choice. And just quietly - I hated having a c-section because i couldnt be with my babies straight away.... So yay for me!!! lol

Maria - posted on 08/12/2009

Hi Carrie,I am a mother of 6 and would like to share with you about my friend (here in Australia) whose first babe was 11lbs 10ozs and she required a C-section,her 9 subsequent children have all been born naturally.Apparently Drs in Ireland are used to caring for mums of big families and have more confidence with mothers that present with your situation .They are also prepared to do more C-sections on a particular mother than any other nation.I would put this down to their years of experience(with these particular situations) unlike your Dr and the fact that they believe life is sacred and I'm sure there would be a lot of prayer upholding the mother and babe.One of my sisters has had 5 C-sections (and a lot of prayer) and has 5 beautiful healthy children.I find that fear is often the factor motivating a Dr speaking those words to you.What the Dr said is a possibility but I feel they should give people the statistics so that the parents can choose rather than be running scared.P.S I am also a rusty midwife,blessings,Maria.

Paige - posted on 08/07/2009

I also wanted to add that there is a VBAC group on COM if you're interested.http://apps.facebook.com/circleofmoms/gr...

Paige - posted on 08/07/2009

The risks of a repeat cesarean are greater than those of a VBAC. Do your research and make sure your doc is really on board. Ask him for his success rates for VBACs, it should be at least 75%, that's the national average.



Here's a great site with lots of info about the risks of vbac vs csection: http://www.ican-online.org/vbac/home. There are also forums where you can talk to other moms who've been there.



I had my daughter via csection and she was 7 lbs, 11 oz. I had my son via VBAC and he was 9 lbs, 6 oz. It can be done, many many women have done it. You can too if you want. Good luck.

Tammy - posted on 08/07/2009

Ok, it is very possible to have a VBAC. Yes there are risks, but as long as your doctor knows that your last delivery was a c-section and has an accurate history, you should be fine. I was told this by my doctor and my c-section with my daughter was considered an emergancy c-section cause she was breach and they couldn't see her other leg on the ultrasound to try to deliver her vaginally (Thank God! that would have been painful) Anyway, my doctor told me that since he was prepared for that and that I was cut horizontally not vertically, that the risks involved with VBAC were reduced and that they would just have a room on stand-by when I went into labor just incase. I had complications with my son, but not because of the c-section.. I had back labor and my back locked so I couldn't push properly. The only problem I have had... getting my tummy muscles tight again!!!! Just make sure your doctor is informed about any complications that you had during the c-section and any other pregnancy... the more they know... the better off you are!



And for the person who said they were planning on having a tubal and that is why their doctor recommended the c-section... DON'T LET HIM FOOL YOU! I had a tubal after my third child... I had him VBAC and they told me that they wanted to give me time to heal before doing it. Two months later, I was in getting the tubal. It isn't as invasive as a c-section so it is out patient surgery. Do your research before ever letting a doctor make that decision for you. If he won't listen to what you find out, then use a different doctor!

Tania - posted on 08/06/2009

I have vaginal births (easy and uncomplicated) with my first 3,,,an emeregency section with my 4th (which was hideous as the anaesthetic did not work!) but my 5th child was born vaginally with not a problem.. My babies were all small as I have a problem which leads me to have babies prematurely...I would imagine it depends on the birth in it's own right. If you are having one and you have had your other babies naturally there should be no problem...twins are special and more complicated of course...Good luck with all those children. Good fun but hard work I know xx

Shannon - posted on 08/06/2009

My first was a c/s due to her being breech. the next two deliveries were VBAC, (the second of those was twins). they both went fine. My last one, just this past May was also a VBAC with no problems whatsoever. I would take a VBAC over a c/s ANY day. Just be sure your doctor is really on board with it. Some doctors will run to the OR the first chance they get. They are afraid of the liability. My twins were born almost 10 years ago. They were VBAC, but even my doctor wouldn't do that today with twins. Too much liability. Good Luck!

Roni - posted on 08/06/2009

My first was a c/s after 27 hours of labor (and pushing for 4 hours) because she had her head turned to the side and was stuck. My son was born VBAC after 3 hours of labor and 9 minutes after we got to the ER, not the hospital or Dr. we wanted to go to, but if given the choice, I would VBAC before c/s any day!

Lynn - posted on 08/06/2009

Since you have had both vaginal and section deliveries, you know what the recoveries are like. Recoveries for me were much better after natural birth. My first two were c/s. I have had 8 v-bacs. I strongly prefer the natural delivery and would do everything in my power to avoid the sections. Statistically the risks associated with VBAC for you and the baby are much less than with repeat c/s. And each c/s compromises your reproductive health. I hope the decision is yours to make. In some areas of the country you would have no choice; it would be a c/s. Blessings in your decision and in the birth of your newest treasure.

Malinda - posted on 08/06/2009

I'm due any day for my VBAC, so I can't tell you about my experience just yet, but I will recommend that you read the book "The VBAC Companion." I found it very empowering, funny, and informative.

Tamika - posted on 08/06/2009

My first was a c section after 20 hours of labor, my son decided to look at mommys thigh on the way down and got stuck, My second was a VBAC after 25 hours of labor. I was so pleased, my next child will be a home birth with a midwife and doula. If the doc thinks medically its ok, then go for it.

Shana - posted on 08/06/2009

I had a c/s with my first pregnancy after a 40-hour labor because my baby weighed 10 pounds 10 ounces! Thankfully, I changed OBs for my next 2 babies and was able to have a VBAC. My subsequent deliveries were nothing like my first and were smooth and uncomplicated. I cannot thank my doctor enough for letting me have that experience. I wouldn't change it for the world and there were no complications. Good luck!

Brooke - posted on 08/06/2009

I was looking forward to delivering my first vaginally, however she had other ideas... frank breach as well. So when we decided to have our second child I fully intended to do a VBAC, and my Dr. was very understanding and encouraging. Although I started having issues with high blood pressure and swelling and my Dr. decided he did not feel comfortable with me delivering VBAC anymore. So we scheduled a cesarean and come to find out we were just in time. My baby's cord was wrapped around her neck and she started going into distress during the procedure. The Dr. also discovered that I would never have been able to deliver vaginally because of my pelvis.

I commend you on having six! Two is enough for us. I wish you the best with the VBAC!!

Heidi - posted on 08/06/2009

I have delivered five full-term babies. The first was no problem, all natural delivery, two weeks beyond my due date. The second was an unscheduled c-section (she was frank breech), also two weeks beyond the due date. The next three were all vaginal - no problems with the deliveries, the doctors were careful about feeling the uterus (during regular appts.) to see if there was any weakening near the incision and they did induce me about a week early with each of the others. I did gain about 45-50 lbs. with each child, so there was plenty of *ahem*... "pressure" on my body! I went to regular OB's and delivered in hospitals. Having VBAC's was not a problem for me.

Megan - posted on 08/05/2009

Hi there I had an emergency c/s with first and VBAC with 2nd. I loved my VBAC experience. Being informed and knowledgable is so key. Also finding a midwife/dr. who is very pro-vbac and supportive and has a high vbac success rate too. I had my VBAC with amazing midwives in a freestanding birth center. Check out the ican website---very good info. I also have started a VBAC blog as a support, info, and place to help those considering VBAC. If you are interested it is www.thepathtovbac.blogspot.com. If you have any questions I would love to help.

Carrie - posted on 08/04/2009

My first pregnancy was a nightmare that ended with a c-section. After that, I went on to have two VBAC's without any difficulty. For my fourth child, my OB recommended c-section due to the fact that I also wanted a tubal, but he made it clear that it was my choice. He also warned that with multiple pregnancies, the uterus has a tendency to become weaker. With a weaker uterus, VBAC deliveries can cause the uterus to rupture which could result in death. After hearing that, I chose to go with the c-section, even though I didn't really want to.

Krista - posted on 08/04/2009

Whoa.....SIX?! LOL. You must be an immensely strong willed woman! With a lot of stamina! LOL!



Anyways, I haven't experienced this......yet. I had to have a c-section with my first due to his heart beat being irregular. I desperately am hoping for a v-bac as well. A lot of my nurse friends said to seek out a midwife, who will do everything in their power to get you your v-bac as long as it's safe enough to do so.