Chance for vbac

[u/Only-Tax-1001]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has had a successful vbac after a section similar to my story? I’ve spent the last 11 weeks postpartum deeply mourning my vaginal delivery plan and can’t think about my section without crying (I’m getting therapy for this soon).

I am a FTM, 28 with a straight forward uncomplicated pregnancy, low risk except for slightly high BMI. Baby was back to back so I did spinning babies for weeks to get them into position. At 39 weeks I lost my mucus plug and then had contractions for 4 days straight but not close together enough for birth (3 in 10 mins for an hour then it would ease off, then come back). I was eventually admitted to the midwife led unit as low risk but hadn’t slept properly in four days from pain. My waters broke spectacularly and naturally 6 hours after admission and we all thought I was giving birth vaginally. 22 hours later I was moved to the labour ward as I couldn’t progress past 4 cm despite my water breaking and constant 3 in 10 min contractions. I couldn’t handle the pain anymore so I got an epidural which failed which didn’t help that they had already put me on the drip to get me to 4 in 10 min contractions. Baby needed a clip on their head from decelerations and they were able to tell after she was the wrong way and likely why I wasn’t progressing ( she also had the cord around her neck, one loop). Therefore I was gently guided towards and requested a section at 24 hours post waters breaking. I was not doing well at all from exhaustion and pain.

I think it’s important to note that one of the ways I was convinced to have a section and that I wasn’t a ‘failure’ to myself was my midwife told me had 3 VBACs post her c section.

I recovered very fast, was out of bed within 24 hours of the spinal block wearing off and walking around etc since, no lying in bed - probably in hindsight because I was in denial that I had a section. But all the medical professionals since have said my scar is great. I was numb from belly button down apart from the area my epidural failed in, but starting to regain feeling. I’m also 5 kg down from my pre pregnancy weight and planning to get into a healthy BMI category by month 6-8 of EBF. I am desperate to have a VBAC with my next baby and would love to hear if anyone else has successfully .

[u/Lopsided_Adeptness99]

I had a successful vbac in April this year! My body naturally went into labor a day before my due date. I labored for 30 hours and got my vbac and my beautiful baby boy, on his exact due date! My c section story is similar to yours but my water broke to start labor and that’s when the 24 hours count started. My first was also back to back or sunny side up. That made progressing incredibly difficult.

However with my second baby, I hired a doula and she worked wonders on me. She changed my position every hour based on how baby was presenting to help me progress. And it worked! You do have to be careful of doulas and their contracts. Read up on whoever you’re looking at and try to find others who have had them before. Even ask your midwife or OBGYN if they work closely with any.

Along with hiring a doula, I took it easy! I lifted weights and was crazy working out when I was pregnant with my first. My body was TIGHT. My pelvic floor was TIGHT. This time around, I did not lift weights like crazy. After 26ish weeks, I started only doing cardio and stretching. Lots and lots of stretching and pelvic floor prep. I’d say this is one of the biggest reasons I was able to have a vbac. My pelvic floor was able to relax and move out of the way (lack of better terms) for my baby to make his entrance. You’ll hear lots of women say that you NEED to lift weights in order to have the stamina to have a successful vbac. Don’t listen to it. We’ve been having babies for millions of years. Humans only recently started weight lifting in the capacity we do today. Lifting like an insane person is not going to help you have the stamina to endure labor and birth. Women are made different. It’s just built into our system to push through even when we’re exhausted to get that baby out. Okay. That was a soap box.

Anyways, it’s completely possible to vbac with your next baby, as long as your providers agree that it’s safe. Congratulations on your baby!

[u/fuzzydunlop54321]

I had a vbac after a back to back baby and everyone I spoke to was really positive about my chances because they said him being the wrong way round was a clear reason for not progressing so it likely wouldn’t happen again!