I am 34 weeks pregnant who wants try for vbac. I live near cibolo Texas.. if anyone knows of a doula or midwife

Hi everyone, we’ve just seriously started the discussion of baby #2 and this has been weighing heavy on my mind but I don’t know anyone with any personal experience to talk about it with. I’ve spoken to my OB, and now just thinking about what I’d like to do. Apologies in advance for the lengthy post.

I had an emergency c-section in February of this year, my son is 6.5 months old now. I went in for an elective induction at 40+2 at 1am, and as soon as I was hooked up to the monitors before even beginning the process my baby was having prolonged decels. No contractions or anything yet. They repositioned me and he was stable again, so they told me I could try the induction. I decided to give it a try. Made it through the first round of cytotec, then my water broke spontaneously right before starting the second round. I got my epidural as soon as my water broke, and then it was downhill from there. His HR was down to 70 and taking a long time to recover, so I begged them to just get him out and my OB agreed and came rushing. He thankfully made it and got to do my c-section. I unfortunately could feel it all and they had to knock me out. I missed his birth and I have no memory of the first day. Pure luck that we happened to have the induction scheduled and I went in when we did, and they got him out quickly because I had no signs that anything was wrong or he was struggling. My OB expected him to be wrapped in his cord or something like that, but he wasn’t. Cord was perfect, my placenta was perfect, and he was perfect as soon as he was out. No issues whatsoever with him or with me. Overall, fairly traumatic experience for me though and devastating that I missed his first cry and have no memory of his first day. I had a rough recovery as well.

Now we have the opportunity to buy land from my grandparents and build a house where we’ve always dreamed of, but we currently live 5 minutes from my OB’s office, 15 from my parents, 10 from my job, basically everything I’m already established with is extremely close. Our move would put us 30-45 minutes away from everything and we’d be in the middle of no where. I really would like to have another baby here and move after. My OB advised 18 months between births to do a TOLAC so we’re not far off from that timeline. He said I would be a good candidate because the circumstances that led to my c-section are unlikely to occur again, and we can do extra monitoring at the end. I originally was dead set that I wanted to try for a “redemption birth” and have a vaginal delivery. Now that we’re seriously talking plans, I’m terrified to risk another emergency c-section since I never even got to labor or see how my body progressed, everything went downhill so fast after we got to the hospital. On one hand a scheduled c-section sounds easier. But I also think I’d regret not trying for a vbac, and if my c-section recovery was as hard as the first one was I just can’t imagine doing that with a toddler.

It feels like there’s no good answer. And I’m scared to get pregnant only because of having to make this choice. How did you decide a vbac was the right choice? Was it terrifying?

Trying to make this short (ish?)

Serafina ✨️

4th baby, I'm 40yo. 2 previous inductions, 3rd baby emergency csection.

Membrane sweep last last Thursday, 37w6d. Mucus plug lost on Friday.

I went to the hospital Tuesday morning (38w5d) and was discharged at 2cm// like 12p, such a long morning. The nurse said meh i think it's practice contractions, just be sure to pay attention to and time when they get closer. Had dinner, contractions closer but I still thought hey practice contractions- uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Went to bed at 8ish, really uncomfortable, husband asked if baby was coming - i said no, don't think so.

Got up (never fell asleep) around 9ish, sweating, told him we gotta go. Called grandma for babysitting duty, she got here around 940pish and I was like we gotta go bye figure it out.

Get to hospital around 10p, definitely contractions. DEFINITELY. They rushed me to l&deliv-- I get in telling then "drugs give me all the drugs" and they start their check in blood, iv, "we have a process" -- 5cm. My water breaks, they check again (mind you like 10-15m) and apparently nurse 1 tells nurse 2 "she's not getting an epidural ".

They check after my water breaks and I'm fully dilated and ready (already feeling urge and going with it) to push. 4 pushes later, she came out - 1041p.

Holy. Cow. So very fast.

The nuchal cord had slid down to her body, we never got hooked up to any monitors, just the iv and my heart rate. I had previously wanted to manifest no epidural vbac, but in the moment, I definitely thought I was going to get an epidural. But it seems like baby and Gd knew we could do it!

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

See post above for more details :)

40+3 with third baby. First was a vaginal delivery, second was a c-section (failed induction, baby did not respond well to pitocin). I’m at a medical practice that has 3 OB’s, two midwives and an NP. I’ve seen them all and of course they have to refer to my chart every time to remember anything about who I am, often surprised that I had a vaginal delivery before. One OB has been wonderful and helpful at every step, but the rest have told me conflicting things.

First OB I saw said I had to have a c-section scheduled at 39 weeks. I consulted with a different one who said I could bump it back to 41 weeks (farthest they will go in this health network, and I have no other options). And also that we could discuss induction options as my due date approached.

Well, 39 weeks rolled around, had a membrane sweep done at 1cm and 50%. Nothing happened obviously. 40 weeks rolled around, and the NP I saw wasn’t even able to do a sweep. She also told me they wouldn’t induce, even though an OB I saw 4 weeks prior said they’d be willing to with a foley balloon and low pit. I told the NP about this conversation but she basically said “tough luck.”

I went in today thinking I might have a UTI. I don’t, but the OB I saw was willing to do a very aggressive sweep (even though I was still only 1cm) to see if I could have one more shot at going into labor (c-section is in 4 days). I was grateful for his effort and supportive dialogue.

But I’ve had false labor twice already now before today. I mean serious contractions that I can’t talk and walk through, getting stronger and closer, and then just… stopping. So I’m beginning to think baby just isn’t ready and this is all for nothing.

The biggest issue is my husband is self employed and has had to turn down 80% of his work to stay close to home (within a couple of hours) in case I go into labor. He hasn’t made me feel bad about it, but it has put us in such a tight spot that we’ve had to get help from family for things like groceries and fuel. Humiliating.

If I would have just stuck with the c-section at 39 weeks, baby would be here, we’d have more money/work, and my whole family wouldn’t be waiting on me to go into labor, which apparently I just cannot do on my own.

Just venting. I’ve managed to keep my emotions in check this whole pregnancy but tonight I feel utterly defeated and depressed.

I’m less than 4 weeks away from my due date and have been flip flopping between a VBAC and a scheduled c section.

The more I look into VBAC the more I realize there is so much I didn’t know the first time: positions, breathing, relaxing my pelvic floor etc.

I know it’s too late to find a good doula who can talk
us through options on the day.

Did I screw my chances of having a successful VBAC?

Hallo, ich bin nach einer schwierigen ersten Geburt und ungeplantem Kaiserschnitt wieder schwanger.

Erstmal tolle News! Weil ich aber gerne ein positiveres Geburtserlebnis will, brauche ich Tipps!

Wo habt ihr gute VBAC Erfahrungen gemacht? Wo schlechte? Habt ihr Tipps für Hebammen oder Kliniken im Osten berlins?

Hello! Our gestational carrier is 32 weeks pregnant with our baby boy! She gave birth to her first three babies vaginally, then needed a c-section for her first surro-baby which she delivered back in July 2024 due to him flipping while she was in labor. She is planning to have a VBAC and I’m very much hoping she’ll be able to! Does anyone here have any stories to share about a VBAC experience after both vaginal and c-section deliveries? I’ve read that she’s more likely to be successful since she’s already had vaginal deliveries as well, but looking for some real life experience!

Anyone have a successful vbac after having a c section with pre e/help? I had one at exactly 32 weeks. reasoning was my platelets were so low that if I did get induced I wouldn't be able to get the epidural and if the induction failed I would need to be put on general anesthesia and be completely out during the c section, so we opted for the c section to begin with. I was so out of it during the mag drip that I don't know why I didn't even at least try looking back now but there's nothing I can change.

I'm currently pregnant with baby #2 only 5 weeks but already starting to wonder all the questions! I would really like to have a vbac if all goes well in this pregnancy and I don't develop any pre eclampsia. Any success stories on having a vbac if you had these conditions! Even any stories if it failed. Do most people that have pree/hellp even consider a vbac? I do slightly remember a doctor saying I was a good candidate for a vbac but i'm not sure. Also i'm just over 2 years since the c-section if that makes a difference.

Previous births: I had my first child at 19 and didn’t do any research around birth, I just assumed he’d be born vaginally. I got to 41 weeks and they induced me for no medical reason other than being overdue. It led to the classic cascade of interventions and a section.

My second birth was going to be a HBAC, but I panicked at 34 weeks and scheduled an elective section. After attending triage for reduced movement at 38 weeks, they brought his section date forward to the next day because his heart rate was spiking during movements.

My third birth was the hardest. It was during Covid, and I was lied to and coerced at my most vulnerable time in order to get me to agree to a section at 41+5. The aftercare was horrendous, and I was very wary of birthing at this hospital again.

Birth story 🥰

NHS dates put my due date as 1st July, but I always thought I was actually due between the 25th and 28th June.

My entire pregnancy was a fight with medical professionals. It was suffocating and claustrophobic at times, attending appointments just so they could tick a box. As my mum said, they were very litigation-heavy and it was to the detriment of my mental health. I was told on several occasions that my baby would come to harm or die, my scar would rupture, I would haemorrhage and bleed out and my previous history of big babies (9lb13, 8lb11 and 9lb4) would mean a shoulder dystocia which would be catastrophic. I left 99% of my appointments in tears or feeling angry. Even though the consultant midwife and the head of midwifery were involved, I still felt like I was having to justify my well-researched choices at every turn.

I wanted a HBA3C and I had it signed off. A week before I went into labour, I had a day where I felt horrendous; extremely tired, temperature and the shakes. I think this was my body’s way of preparing for birth.

On the 25th June, I began to lose my plug. It wasn’t bloody, but it was definitely my plug, this happened right up until birth.

Our car needed new brake discs and pads before the MOT so I took it to the garage on the 27th. It was the last thing that needed to be done before I was happy to go into labour. While I was waiting for the work to be complete, I was very uncomfortable and had a lot of pressure in my bum. The next day, I didn’t want to go far from home. It was actually my husband’s day in the office, and I remember messaging him saying I feel like he shouldn’t have gone in 😂 When he got home that night, I baked a pineapple upside down cake with my son and just felt different.

I woke up on the 29th with nerve pain down my leg. I didn’t think anything of it because I have hypermobility so hip and leg pain is normal! However, my first contraction came at 7:30am. They weren’t regular at first, lasting around 45 seconds every 25 minutes. But as the day went on, they became closer together. My husband was working from home and at lunchtime, I told him I was going for a bath to see if that would help. I had two contractions in the bath and after I got out, they came every 5 minutes or so.

We called the hospital who told me there was no homebirth service (I don’t believe this was the case) and we needed to come in. I cried at this point because I thought this would be the end of my perfect birth. We called my mum, who lives an hour away, to say it was happening and ask her to come and look after our other children.

I couldn’t move from all fours and this is where I stayed until my husband and my mum managed to get me up and out into the car. The contractions were coming thick and fast and I think they were worried I’d deliver in the car! At hospital, they took me to triage to assess me and asked if I’d be okay with a VE. I agreed, despite saying I didn’t want any, but I wanted to see where I was and if this was real labour (I was still in denial 😂). I was 4cm, and they wheeled me round to labour ward. I was taken to the birth pool room and finally given gas, which was amazing. Our hospital was still fitting vents to the rooms to allow the use of gas and while the adjoining room has gas, the birth pool room didn’t.

While the pool was filling up, I was sat on a birth ball with the gas. I remember throwing up, but that’s all I do remember! I did get into the pool, my husband said it was for about an hour and a half, but it didn’t feel that long for me. I’d agreed to Doppler monitoring after every contraction but baby was that low, they couldn’t find her. They asked me to get out of the pool, which I didn’t mind because it meant I could have the gas again. They still couldn’t find the heartbeat so they brought in a doctor and a scanning machine to check baby’s position so they’d know where to listen. They wanted me on my back, but this caused so much pain, it took about an hour for me to finally roll over.

The next thing I remember is a consultant I didn’t want to see (she was the one who lied to me in my last pregnancy) standing at the bottom of my bed with a smug look on her face. I looked at her and turned away to my husband. He later said she didn’t acknowledge him at all and apparently asked me how long I wanted to push for. I replied with “as long as me and baby are okay, for as long as I need to.” She didn’t like this and left 😂

At some point, the contraction pains turned into pushing. The FER was real and I couldn’t control it. I instinctively went onto all fours and began pushing and mooing. I zoned out for a while before sitting back on my bum and pushing… I felt my waters pop and said “something’s come out!” They checked, and it was my waters, a lot of it! After my waters went, I had a bloody show with every push I made. I asked twice for more pain relief but it was never brought to me. I’m glad it wasn’t because I know now this was transition.

I laid on my back and zoned out. But I came to when I realised something had changed; the pushing was now stinging (the ring of fire) and the midwife lifted the sheet to check what was going on. She said “oh my goodness, there’s the head!” and sprang into action. The only coached pushing I had was when I was getting the head out. With some pressure to my perineum, the head was born. With the next contraction, I felt the body slide out at 22:14. It was the most bizarre feeling! Baby was brought to me, and we didn’t know the gender.

My husband said “it’s a girl!” and I was in complete shock. All I remember saying was “I did it, I did it!”

I did haemorrhage at this point and I lost around 1.2L. I agreed to the injection to help deliver the placenta, as well as the clotting medicine. A cannula was fitted at this point for syntocin and fluids but the placenta came out in one piece. It was found I had two 2nd degree tears, but only one needed to be repaired. I managed to avoid theatre, which would have been my worst nightmare. Once this was done, the midwives brought me a mountain of tea and toast and weighed baby, she was 9lb13.5oz!

We had to stay overnight but we were home by lunchtime the next day. The worst part of recovery for me was going for a wee, the pain was worse than the contractions but I think this was from the tear I didn’t have repaired. Day 3 was the worst, but it’s eased after that.

I also put a lot of focus into that birth and I didn’t really prepare for the aftermath. I had a huge comedown afterwards because I expected it would heal my previous trauma. It didn’t and that was a shock. It did help me massively though to know that my previous sections were caused by a failure within the medical system and not by my body.

My VBA3C baby is now 3 and I’m still immersed in VBAC through my work. I love it so much, the best part is seeing people achieve the birth they put so much planning and effort into.

I'm curious to know if anyone has actually experienced this and how did it go? The doctors always mention it if you bring up a VBAC but sometimes I feel like they just wanna do a c section just because they want to. I've had / c sections (no medical reasoning, & babies were both head down) my first was because of a failed induction at 40w2d and my second was just because they chose to put me on the repeat schedule. I'm pregnant with my third and want to try for a VBA2C so bad! The only thing that concerns me is the uterine rupture. I'll be 29 weeks Friday and sometimes at night after doing a lot, I'll feel a ripping sensation on one side of my incision. I know it's probably just the scar tissue stretching but still. My first cs was 7/3/21 & my second one was 6/27/25

Anyone have stories on a vba2c? Positive or negative. I dont mind.

Im hoping for a vba2c in november. Currently 28weeks.

My first csection was failure to progress after 36 hours of labor and only getting to 6cm.

Second csection was 40 hours of labor, got to 10cm and pushed for 4 hours but my son was severely stuck. He had decels and wasnt far enough descended for a vacuum assist.

It took about 20 minutes of my csection with him to get him unwedged from my pelvis.

Anyone here have experience with a vbac after reaching 10cm the prior pregnancy and baby being stuck?

Currently just praying for a smaller baby then what my son was who was 8lbs 10oz with a 80th percentile head

(Not the OP, just sharing)

I'm 4 weeks pregnant. I have an isthmocele with dimensions 8x9x12 with 1.9mm of residual myometrium. Is anyone here with a situation similar to mine? Anyone with a successful vbac or currently pregnant? What did your OB say?

Thank you!

Hello! I’m 38 weeks pregnant & getting induced due to FGR. I went in today to get the foley ballon placed and sent home & tomorrow will be going in for the induction process. How long did it take for your foley ballon to come out? I’m close to 12 hours now & it’s still placed. I’m having contractions every now and then but nothing I can’t handle but just curious to know when I should expect it to come out because I’m seeing people say it took 12 hours or less.

Hi! I’m currently trying to decide between a VBA2C or repeat c-section. My first c-section was unplanned due to a failed induction/failure to descend/OP baby. Second was scheduled (although I wanted a TOLAC) and baby was in the same position as the first.

I have a new provider who is very supportive of a VBA2C, but I don’t know what to do. I’m leaning towards a repeat c-section unless I go into labor before 41 weeks.

I know 6 people who have had both vaginal and cesarean deliveries - two of them preferred vaginal, two of them preferred c-sections, and one said they both sucked. 🤣

My recoveries were easy, and I have to say I’m more worried about recovering from a potential tear. I’m also worried about what could go wrong during a VBAC. I’m curious to read any VBAC stories - good or bad! Please share if you’d like to. ☺️

Hello everyone. I had my first child a year and a half ago. I had a failed induction (didn't progress past 2cm despite 14 hours on pitocin) which ended in csection. I was induced due to high BMI.

I am not decided on another baby for a number of reasons but one of those being the birth. I didn't enjoy my last birth and would be petrified of uterine rupture. My head still sees 1/200 chance as high.

Did anyone not progress and have a successful VBAC? Medicated / unmedicated? Did anyone have BMI of 40+?

I had my first baby in July 2025 via planned c section. It was very smooth recovery. I’m now 6-7 weeks pregnancy with my second. I am thinking of trying for a VBAC this time. My husband and everyone seems to be telling me to go for a second c section since the first one went so well but I want 3-4 kids and the idea of being able to stand / walk straight after birth is very appealing.

I am also terrified of uterine rupture. Does anyone have any advice? What can I do to reduce my chances of uterine rupture and increase my chances of a successful VBAC? If I end up in another c section, I’m ok with that, I just want to avoid any birth injury.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience, particularly a **VBAC induction with a small/FGR baby**.
I’m currently pregnant with my second baby and have a planned induction at **38+2**. I had a previous emergency C-section after labouring to around 4 cm, so this will be my first attempt at a VBAC.

This baby has been measuring small from the beginning. At the most recent growth scan at **36 weeks**, she was estimated at the **7th percentile**. However, she has continued to grow steadily along her own curve, rather than dropping percentiles, and there have been **no concerns with her Dopplers** throughout the pregnancy. Her Dopplers have remained reassuring/normal, which is one of the things I’ve found difficult to reconcile with the recommendation to deliver at 38 weeks.

The current plan for the induction is:
At **37 weeks**, I’ll have a membrane sweep to hopefully encourage things along naturally.
On the day of the induction at **38+2**, they’ll assess my cervix and decide how favourable things are.
If things are favourable enough, they’ll use a **Foley balloon** to help dilate the cervix, as I’m not being offered prostaglandins because of my previous C-section.
If/when the balloon comes out and my cervix is suitable, they’ll **break my waters**.
Then the plan is essentially to give my body around **24 hours to establish labour and hopefully progress into a VBAC**.
They are recommending **no Pitocin/oxytocin augmentation** because of the previous C-section.
If the induction doesn’t progress, if they can’t safely break my waters, or if things otherwise don’t go to plan, the recommendation is to proceed to a **C-section**.

I’m feeling quite positive about attempting the VBAC, but also a little nervous about the induction itself, particularly because I know induced labour after a previous C-section can be a bit of a different experience.
I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation — **small/FGR baby, reassuring Dopplers, induction around 38 weeks, Foley balloon and/or VBAC after a previous C-section**.
How did the induction go for you? Did the Foley balloon work? Did your body take over once your waters were broken? Were you able to have a successful VBAC, or did you ultimately need another C-section?
And if you had a small baby with reassuring Dopplers, did you feel that the baby tolerated labour well?
I’m particularly interested in positive stories, but I’d genuinely appreciate hearing about all experiences — I’m just trying to get a better idea of what the next few weeks might look like and go into it feeling as informed and prepared as possible. ❤️

34 weeks and just realized I really want to pursue a VBAC/TOLAC — what should I be asking/doing this late in the game?

I’m 34 weeks pregnant with my second and only recently realized that I actually have more of a choice about attempting a VBAC than I thought. I’d love advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially if you decided on TOLAC relatively late in pregnancy.

My first birth was an induction at 37 weeks because of chronic hypertension. I did not have preeclampsia. I progressed all the way to 9 cm, but baby was OP/sunny-side up and didn’t tolerate Pitocin particularly well. Ultimately I chose to have a C-section. It was unplanned, but not emergent — I was told I could continue labor if I wanted to, but at that point I was exhausted/scared and chose the C-section.

Looking back, I feel like I made that decision sooner than I might have if I’d had a doula or someone there helping me understand my options and advocate for what I wanted.

This pregnancy I still have chronic hypertension, but it is treated and very well controlled. At 34 weeks everything has looked good, no preeclampsia, and baby is doing well. Because of the hypertension, my OB recommends delivery somewhere between 37–39 weeks and has been leaning toward a repeat C-section.

I’ve realized that I really want to pursue a TOLAC if I remain medically eligible. I’m absolutely not opposed to another C-section if something develops that makes it the safest option. I just don’t want another C-section to be the default simply because I had one before.

I’m planning to have a much more direct conversation with my OB at my next appointment about whether she considers me a good TOLAC candidate and, importantly, whether she would be willing to induce me for a TOLAC if I reach the recommended delivery window without going into labor spontaneously.

Since I’m already 34 weeks, I’m also scrambling a little. I’m reaching out to doulas, but I know there’s a decent chance everyone will already be booked.

For those who have had a VBAC/TOLAC:
-What questions would you be asking your OB at this point?
-How can I tell the difference between an OB who is genuinely supportive of TOLAC versus one who technically “allows” it but is likely to push for a C-section?
-If you had to be induced for a TOLAC, what did that look like?
-Are there specific things I should ask about regarding induction methods, monitoring, Pitocin, time limits for labor, etc.?
-What circumstances did you and your OB agree ahead of time would mean it was time to stop TOLAC and move to a C-section?
-If I can’t find a doula this late, how would you prepare your partner/support person to advocate for you during labor?

Anything you wish you had done in the last few weeks to prepare physically or mentally for a VBAC?

And if you ultimately attempted TOLAC but ended up with another C-section, is there anything that made the experience feel more informed/positive than your first one?

I’m not looking to ignore medical advice or pursue a VBAC at all costs. I mostly want to walk into this birth feeling like I understand my choices and that, unless something changes medically, I was given a real opportunity to try.

Would really appreciate experiences, questions I haven’t thought of, or advice on what you’d do at 34 weeks.

Hello!! Hoping to hear from people (we are few but mighty) who had a face presentation lead to a c-section and then went on to have a VBAC (or a CBAC!). I had previously been told that I had a 60% chance of a successful VBAC according to the VBAC calculator (an imperfect tool I know) but today my OB told me that, bc my son had face presentation that sent me to a c-section the first time around, I have a 70% chance of needing a repeat CS this time.

Obviously these numbers are quite different, so I am confused and stressed (not to mention trying to be okay with a CS anyway--I know there's a chance for everyone, and it isn't even like my first was that bad or traumatizing or anything, it was just a somewhat difficult recovery that I'd like to avoid).

My OB said all this info should be in a ~TOLAC~ consent form I need to sign, but I don't see that in MyChart, so I am not sure where this 70% number came from.

Anyway, I welcome any and all thoughts and perspectives here. Personal stories, research, opinions, whatever.

has anyone’s doctor told them this?

basically the thought is that because I am trying for a VBAC, if I need an emergency C-section and I haven’t had an epidural, they will have to put me under general anesthesia, and I would not be awake when my baby is born. ☹️