I am due in May with my second child, a baby girl. I had a C section 3 years ago this March with my son. I had a scheduled induction with my son. When I got there, I was in the early stages of labor, and dialated 3 cm. They adminstered pitocin, and after 13 hours, I had only dialated to 5 cm, and my son’s heart rate periodically dropped due to the pitocin; therefore, I had a C Section with my 9 lb 5 oz son which was apparently really large for my frame because people always comment about it which I think is odd. It wasn’t that bad, and the longer hospital stay was nice because I had more than enough time to work with a lactation consultant at the hospital, which I believe was part of the reason I was so successful with breastfeeding. This time around, I really don’t want the longer hospital stay because I want to be home with my son. I also won’t have as much help the week I get home like I did last time when I am still sore and unable to drive. My doctor and I started the conversation about the birth at my 20 week appointment. He said that if I was planning on having more childeren, he would reccomend to try a VBAC, but since this will most likely be my last child, a repeat C Section seems to be his reccomendation, but he did stress that it is my decision. If this baby is as large as the last though, he seems to see apprehensive about a VBAC as well since I did struggle with it the first time around. My questions for you are, how many of you out there had a successful VBAC with your second child? Why did you have a C Section the first time? If you didn’t have a successful VBAC, what caused it to be unsuccessful? I just trying to hear different experiences to help me make my decision. Luckily, it is a decision I have time to think about, but I also know May will be here before I know it!
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First I would ask why you were a scheduled induction? Were you past due?
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Yes, I was past due. I went to 41 weeks, and then I was induced. When I got to the hospital though, I was already in the early stages of labor.
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Have you talked to your doctor about how long they will let you go to try a VBAC? Or if they will induce for a VBAC? I'm not an expert but I think this isn't quite a yes/no answer. But more of a if you spontaneously go into labor before 40 weeks maybe its worth trying for the VBAC but maybe go to c-section at 40+ weeks if she's still not here? Will your OB induce for an VBAC?
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My story sounds similar to yours. My first was close to 9 pounds. I was 41 weeks and scheduled induction. I was dilated 3-4 cm before induction so they gave me pitocin. After almost 24 hours on pitocin, I got stuck at 9 cm for several hours and they recommended a csec. Recovery went really well and the extra time did help me too bc the lactation consultant helped me and opened my eyes to new things. Also...first time mom.
3.5 years later, doctors and I discussed a lot on repeated csec vs vbac. I was told similar things too..if I wanted more kids vbac is safer, recovery time is faster, etc. But honestly I was hesitating bc I was more familiar with the csec and I knew recovery wasn't all that bad. And bc first baby was big, they were also concerned about letting the baby get too big.
So my doctor scheduled an "end date csec" at 41 weeks (when LO1 was born). If I didn't go into labor naturally by that date, I would have to have the repeated csec. Even if I went into labor naturally driving to the hospital for scheduled csec, then I could try vbac.
Turned out I actually went into labor at 38 weeks all by myself (and this was right after my 38 week appointment where the midwife told me I prob wouldn't go into labor anytime soon). The baby came so fast (so different from big sister) that they didn't even have time to give me any drugs and I had an all natural Vbac. I was not ready for this bc my one thing on birth plan was epidural as fast as possible.
Recovery actually hurt a lot more down there but I was out of the hospital quicker which was great.
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@T.H.O.U.: I don't know if he will induce for a VBAC, but I do know he doesn't like to let people go beyond 41 weeks. I have read that inducing for a VBAC adds more risk, so I have a feeling that he won't. I agree that it isn't yes or no at this point because there are a lot of factors that we don't know yet, but he wanted me to start thinking about it, and I want to decide my feelings about the situation in case I was pushed in one direction.
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@misolee: Thanks for you story! It does sound very similar to mine! I am glad to hear that you went into labor on you on because I keep thinking that I won't again this time, and I hate pitocin. Do you find your VBAC recovery more difficult?
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I was not successful, but I feel like I need to add the caveat that I didn't really get to try. I never went into labor (waited until past 41 weeks), and at least my doctor and the others I know of, won't induce you for a VBAC so I eventually just had to have a c-section. My OB was comfortable breaking my water if I was already dilated quite a bit, but I never dilated at all, so that's why I say my attempt "failed."
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I'm planning a VBAC in May/June.
I think the confusion over induction comes from the fact that prostaglandins (like cervidil) are contraindicated for VBAC. The typical method for inducing with VBAC is starting with a foley bulb and then breaking water or gradually adding pitocin if needed. Oftentimes the foley kicks things off sufficiently. I know several people who've achieved a VBAC following induction. I also know several who've birthed much larger babies by VBAC than the ones that were born by c-section; really, fetal position is much more important than weight.
Choice of care provider has a huge effect on VBAC results. In our area, there are a few favorites with VBAC moms; their success rates are SO much higher than anyone else's. I think that's due to both their wider knowledge base on the subject and supportive attitude. If you'd like to know the favorite VBAC providers in your area, seek out your local chapter of International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) on facebook or ask some local doulas.
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I think a provider who won't induce for VBAC is not really VBAC supportive/knowledgeable. They are simply lukewarm to VBAC, hence all the limits they place on you trying.
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@Mrs. Blue: This is similar to what happened to me the first time, so probably after all of this thinking, this is probably what will happen again, or at least that is my concern.
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@Iced Tea: Sorry, by inducted, I specifically meant pitocin. I probably should have been more specific to reduce confusion! Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the increased risk is only if you have not dilated at all, and labor is started by pitocin. If you are already dilated or in the early stages of labor, then, from what I can tell, there isn't really an increased risk. My doctor is supportive of a VBAC, he just is informing me that the lowest risk in my situation is a repeat c section, but a VBAC is still a very, very low risk as well, and he is leaving the choice up to me, and I just want to make sure I make a choice I am comfortable with.
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I don't know if I really should have voted. I said no, but I didn't really get a chance to try. Both my babies were c sections because they were breech.
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I was induced with my first son due to GD at 40 weeks. His heart rate started to decelerate after contractions and I developed a fever from having my water broken so early. C-section about 28 hours after induction started. He was 9lbs 4 oz.
My VBAC was in June 2014. I went into labor on my own around 37 weeks, but used a foley bulb and pitocin to help my body finish dilating. I had him after 70+ hours (prodomal labor, ugh), he was 8lbs 6oz. My VBAC recovery was a breeze, only pushed for 10 minutes and no tears. I am hoping for a similar experience this pregnancy.
Good luck with your decision! I know it is not an easy one to make.
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@Onyx81: the fact that you dilated to a 3 on your own gives you a better chance I think! I literally never even got to a 1 at 36 weeks with twins and 14 hours of pitocin and at 41 weeks with a 9 lb baby. I think my body just likes to hold on to its babies!
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@lilyann: Thanks! I think it is promising that some of you had to be induced with the first, but the second came earlier. That gives me hope!
@Mrs. Blue: Thanks! I hope so, but since I only got to 5 cm at most after pitocin makes me nervous. I got those extra 2 cm right away, and then I just stopped.
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@Onyx81: Maybe your body will know what to do more this time. And it could also be that last time the baby wasn't in a great position to push on your cervix during contractions so you didn't dilate. Anyway, just don't give up if that's what you want! Even though it didn't work for me, I have zero regrets about giving it every chance I could!
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Following along! Also due in May and had a csection 2 years ago this March with my daughter (breech) My anxiety for this pregnancy is really high and the thought of labor and having no idea how long it would be/what it would be like/how my baby would handle it etc etc makes me want to throw up, but my OB and MFM are both telling me VBAC would most likely be the best option for me and my baby (especially because I most likely want another child) Thanks for asking this
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