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Kyra
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 11:18am | IP Logged
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I feel like such a newbie  I had an emergency c-section with my first, I'm due mid-March, and want a vbac this time, but I'm nervous particularly because my last delivery was such an avalanche of interventions (waters broke, waited for labour to start, induced, never reached active labour and did a section 18 hours after induction).
The plan is hospital birth- my midwife said the general Ontario policy is no homebirth for vbac, which is okay with me for this one, but if I manage this labour okay I might want homebirth next time.
Successful vbac stories? Herbal tea or supplements? Encouragement? Advice?
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 11:23am | IP Logged
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My first son was an emergency c-section ... I've had 4 more children vaginally since ... with no complications. The big issue is why you needed the c-section ... for me I still contend the doc was wrong about my due date and induced before Joe was ready, which caused the fetal distress and the emergency c ...
All my others have had no complications and I was able to deliver fine.
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MaryG
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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I had a planned C because of a full placenta previa and accreta, but have had 3 successful, low intervention vbacs since then. I can't speak to the homebirth hopes, but vbacs are definitely possible afterward. I'm certain Jodie will be able to offer some great herbal helps!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Kyra
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 11:44am | IP Logged
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Nathaniel staunchly refused to come out. He never descended, and I never got anywhere near active labour. Pthibbit. He was too happy inside Mama. My due date was right on according to my ovulation date, and my waters started a slow leak during my 41st week.
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 11:51am | IP Logged
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Kyra wrote:
| Nathaniel staunchly refused to come out. He never descended, and I never got anywhere near active labour. Pthibbit. He was too happy inside Mama. My due date was right on according to my ovulation date, and my waters started a slow leak during my 41st week. |
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My first C was an emergency due to a prolapsed cord. My second C was exactly the story you related except that my water didn't leak, it was broken. I *was* in labor and had dilated to 10, but Mariana never descended. It was an unsuccessful VBAC attempt. So ... we had to go the C-section route again. Ever after, according to my doctor, we'll have to have C-sections.
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JodieLyn
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Kyra, due dates are supposed to be +/- several weeks.. really a baby shouldn't be considered late at least until 42 weeks imo.  I have hombirthed most of my children except my first and with her I didnt' show up at the hospital until I was almost completely dilated. The sooner you're under medical care the more interventions you are likely to be subject to. I think it's just the nature of wanting to help things along.
I've had babies born from 2 weeks before my due date to 4 weeks after my due date. My midwife kept a good check on us with the late ones but no problems at all caused by waiting. Now having a leak can be a problem. But as long as no infection starts it can be managed without trying to force labor.
The best thing is for you to not panic over anything and stay laid back and patient.. at least outwardly. And ask for the medical reason for anything suggested.
There are herbs you can take that will help your body prepare for labor. I don't know them off the top of my head though, at least not all of them. Red Raspberry Leaf for sure. I take a tincture from my midwife that has a mix of herbs which I don't have any of right now and so I can't just list them. I'll see if that's one of the things that is online at the healthfood store she uses.
Good vitamins are important. You might check out Rainbow Light Complete at vitacost.com in addition to good prenatals my midwife tends to recommend flax seed oil, additional calcium and alfalfa for iron and such.
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JodieLyn
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Rats, I can't find it.  I know one she used to give was called 5W but I don't think she's given that to me the last couple of pregnancies.. just the herbal tincture for the last 6 weeks (give or take).
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Kyra
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| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 12:49pm | IP Logged
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I know it's not supposed to be specific- but in Ontario, where I am, they generally induce after 42 weeks, and do weekly ultrasounds after 40 to make sure the placenta is in good shape. And for vbac they're very very reluctant to induce, so I'm praying baby #2 comes out on his own before 42 weeks!
I'm blessed- midwives are covered under Ontario's health coverage, and even if things go medical they stay on as advisors and doulas.
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guitarnan
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I had a successful VBAC after an emergency C for double footling breech. (Eight doctors, such fun! I was the lucky mom delivering in a Navy teaching hospital...)
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SusanJ
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I had a C-section with my first. I was having a textbook labor progressing well but I was four weeks early and he was supposed to have been a schedule C-section because of birth defects. I was glad that I'd had plenty of labor time in part because I was confident that my body knew how to work properly. My dd was born two years later after a very short labor at home.
Induction is a very bad idea if you've had a C-section because the contractions can become too intense for a scarred uterus to handle. I have a friend who has had three healthy babies at home all at least two weeks "overdue" and is now overdue with her fourth. Some women just cook their babies longer!
Also, I credit my exercise balls with my quick, easy deliveries. I sit on one constantly in the last trimester and I think it really helps line up everything in my body really well. I've had very fast labors (45 minutes with my last one--that was a little too fast!).
Susan
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Waverley
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I too have had 2 successful VBACS after an emergency C section. I was not induced for any of the 3 deliveries so I don't have any help for you there. I hope things go well for you. Keep us posted!
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crusermom
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I have had 5 successful v-bacs after an emergency section for fetal distress with my third. I was induced on my first v-bac because I was 42 weeks. No problems. I had pitocin augmentation on probably 3 of them because I was in labor but it wasn't progressing and the baby was starting to stress. My last delivery they lost my chart somewhere in the admissions process and I don't even think they realized I was a VBAC - just that it was my 8th. I would be very hesitant to be induced - looking back I should have waited but I was at a teaching hospital where it was taught all babies must come by 42 weeks. I hope everything goes well for you and your little baby.
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Martha
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6 vbac here, last one was my first homebirth
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Veronika
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I had my two boys VBAC after my oldest girl was born by emergency c-section. Boy#1 was helped along by pitocin, boy #2 was not. Having experienced both, I would not take pitocin again. The contractions were too intense and I felt out of control. Long story short...after an intense and uncomfortable labor, 3 pushes later out came VBAC Baby #1. ( It can be done!)With my second son, my water broke at home and my labor progressed more quickly so I wasn't given pitocin. The labor was a breeze! There was a rest between the contractions that wasn't there with my first son, and I was better able to prepare for them and, thanks be to God, better able to push ( he ended up to be my biggest @11 lb 3 oz!). I truly feel that your body knows what it needs to do and artificially stimulating it in any way only hinders your progress in the long run. I only wish I had been able to deliver the twins in that way too. They were a planned c since one of them was breach and they were afraid I'd end up with an episiotomy AND a c section! I always regret that they didn't let me try.
Take courage, you can do this! Skip the drugs if you can.
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jenk
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SusanJ wrote:
Induction is a very bad idea if you've had a C-section because the contractions can become too intense for a scarred uterus to handle.
Susan |
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I just want to second this. I know you asked for successful VBAC stories, but mine was not. My doctor encouraged VBAC but then induced me. I labored for HOURS, ended up with a c-section and a rupture. Fortunately, my doctor was able to find and repair the artery, thus avoiding a hysterectomy. It was very traumatic for my dh (they had to knock me completely out so I didn't know anything until I woke up). I had one loss after this and wondered if trauma to my uterus had anything to do with it but I am currently pregnant and haven't had any complications- just nerves.
When VBAC is possible, I think still think it's best BUT VBAC with induction is not.
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eazheff
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Congrats on your soon to be born baby! I am a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) RN and a mom with 3 c/s under my belt to far. Emotionally, I wanted to vbac so bad with my second son, however, intelletually, I was so scared because of the vbac's gone wrong I dealt with in my job. I hated that my 1st was a c/s, I felt like I had failed somehow. But, he was in severe distress and needed to be taken. I had a sono 3 days before #2 was born and the Dr. said he did not want to vbac. I did hours and hours of research regarding vbacs. I knew the stats, but when I thought the babies I'd seen in the NICU, I knew I couldn't chance it. I know my experience may be anecdotal, but I would suggest that if you vbac do it in a hospital and never be induced. Even the pro-vbac literature states NOT to do this. I know this isn't what you may have asked for, but my heart insisted that I share. I am not wanting to be rude or scare you and I know there are many people who have done it successfully but if you do successfully vbac this time, having a vbac at home with the next baby at home is is not worth the potential cost. Unfortunately, I have seen such scary, sad outcomes of this that I must give word of caution. May God bless you and your child.
Beth
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Stacy Y
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I had a c-section with my second child due to placenta previa, and a very easy vbac after that. My fourth was a forced c-section (hospital changed it's "policy" without my knowing) and I had another v2bac with my fifth. During my pregnancy, I took red rasberry capsules which were very helpful, some great vitamins from beeyoutiful called "supermom" and also took evening primrose oil the last 6 weeks.
Long daily walks and lots of exercises (many found in this Bradly book, although I am no proponent of childbirth, especially vbac, without painkillers!) help the baby do a lot of the descending BEFORE you ever start labor. With my last baby, I had only 2 hours of painful, active labor (although I labored all day, it wasn't intese or all that uncomfortable) before she popped out easily, at 9 lbs.
Induction can set you up for failure with a vbac, as well as getting an epidural too soon. Pitocin greatly increases your chances for rupture. Try to go as long as you can at home, and then when you get to the hospital don't forget to try different positions. Lying in a bed may not be the best way to get your labor to progress! Meeting with a midwife or bradley childbirth instructor for natural ways to help labor progress is highly reccomended and was very helpful for me.
Wishing you all the best! I will be delivering #6 around the same time, but I have to have another c-section due to placenta previa and accreta. Blessings, Stacy
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Isa in Michigan
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I've had six successful vbacs after a c-section. My first c-section occurred because I had a footling breech and the external version didn't work. All other labors were uncomplicated. With my last baby, I even caught him myself while standing in the hospital bathroom!
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JennyM
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This is a wonderful thread and so encouraging for those of us who have had a c-section and hope for a VBAC. Thanks for sharing all of your experiences and advice!
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JennyM
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anniemm
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I have had 3 successful VBACs after a totally unnecessary and coerced C/s. My first one was induced on her due date (brilliant) and I didn't progress quickly enough so the OB convinced us that I "needed" a c/s. I was 21 and totally oblivious to anything birth related. I regret that, but it has changed my life and my parenting for the better.
My first VBAC baby was 10 days late and delivered w/ an epidural. My second VBAC baby was 12 days late, also with the epidural.
My third VBAC, I was done with all the shenanigans and labored at home, hired a doula, and waited, quite literally (and sort of by accident) until the very last minute. She was born about 5 minutes after I arrived at the hospital, with me standing in triage - no meds, no IV's, and I felt GREAT.
Next one's going to be at home.
Prayers! Have peace! Trust your body!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: vbac stories?
