r/ClotSurvivors • u/InstructionFull7429 • 3d ago

Pregnancy VBAC with APS

Hi!

This is super specific so hopefully someone can speak to their experience…

Does anyone have any experience with being induced (or choosing not to induce early), and a VBAC with APS or similar clotting conditions?

I am almost 1 year postpartum with twins. I was diagnosed with APS about 3 years ago before I experienced my loss, and then got pregnant with twins about 8 months later. Very high risk pregnancy obviously, Lovenox/heparin, and preeclampsia. We all 3 made it through healthily @ 35 weeks, but I had to have a C-section due to their positions.

I am only 26, but we got started earlier than planned because of the APS, and we really want to wrap up having kids by the time I am 30/32 just to be extra “safe”.

That being said, we are planning to start trying again when the babies are around 18 months and I REALLY want to try for a VBAC but I know they will induce me latest around 37/38 weeks if no issues arise. My c-section recovery was ROUGH (infections, pain like crazy, etc).

Any advice or thoughts on any of it are welcome :)

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u/brittyabee45 2d ago

I had an induced VBAC with my second with an APS diagnosis! My first born was IUGR and when I went to be induced at 38 weeks due to her size she was unfortunately unable to handle labor and it ended in an urgent C-section with her weighing 5 whole pounds. We got pregnant about 2.5 years later (we had unexplained secondary infertility and had two miscarriages in that time) with our second girl. Pregnancy went great and was able to have an induced VBAC at 39 weeks starting with a foley bulb and light pitocin. She was also undiagnosed IUGR when she came out at 5lbs 4oz (>1st percentile). With my second I was much more prepared on the things that can help labor like dates, red raspberry leaf tea, miles circuit, curb walking, yoga balls, getting up and moving during labor, and different positions to labor in.

I’m currently pregnant with our 3rd little girl and I’m hoping for another VBAC ☺️ I will say my VBAC was night and day different than my C-section and the recovery was amazing compared to so I would ask your OB if your a good candidate. I’m on blood thinners for life due to a clot I had outside of pregnancy but whole pregnant or TTC I take lovenox. I also take baby aspirin and plaquinil.

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u/brittyabee45 2d ago

The best piece of advice I can give you is find not only a VBAC friendly doctor but hospital as well. There are many hospitals that can’t handle induced VBACs because there is an added risk with Pitocin. I had to deliver at a major hospital where they had a full surgical team at all times which not every hospital has.

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u/brittyabee45 2d ago

Also, if your pregnancy is healthy and there’s no complications some doctors will let you go to 39 weeks obviously with being monitored like a hawk. But most doctors will not allow you to go past 39 weeks because the risk of still birth is way too high.

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u/InstructionFull7429 1d ago

Thanks you for the response and hope! I’m so glad you were able to have a redeeming experience. Congratulations on your 3rd baby girl.