VBAC: Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

What a great thread idea!

Some other good VBAC info that I compiled awhile back that may be encouraging to those considering it.

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"Both vaginal birth after cesarean and repeat c-section involve some increased risks to mothers. However, without a clear, compelling and well-supported need for c-section in the present pregnancy, planned vaginal birth is safer overall for you than a planned repeat c-section. With supportive care, 75 or more out of 100 women who plan VBAC give birth vaginally." -Maternity Center Association

10 Reasons to try VBAC, from About.com:

1. VBAC is usually safer for mom and baby.

2. VBAC reduces the risks of infection to the mother.

3. Labor is good for babies in most cases.

4. Not having surgery makes mom's recovery easier.

5. VBAC reduces the risks of respiratory problems in babies.

6. VBAC involves a shorter hospital stay.

7. More than 80% of women will be able to have a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean.

8. Breastfeeding is usually easier after a vaginal birth.

9. VBAC is can help prevent injury to your internal organs, like your bladder, intestines, or even the need for an emergency hysterectomy.

10. VBAC is less expensive.

Other Resources:

International Cesarean Awareness Network
http://www.ican-online.org/

Victorious Birth After Cesarean
http://www.victoriousbirth.com/

VBAC.com
http://www.vbac.com/

BirthRites: Healing After Cesarean
http://www.birthrites.org/

GentleBirth.org ICAN/VBAC/Cesarean
http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/icanvbac.html

Homebirth Referrence Site (UK): The VBAC Pages
http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBAC.html

MaternityCenterAssociation: What Every Pregnant Woman Needs To Know About Cesarean Section (FREE download!)
http://www.maternitywise.org/mw/topi...n/booklet.html

MaternityCenterAssociation: Should I choose VBAC or Repeat C-Section? Options: Things to Consider When Choosing Between VBAC and Repeat C-Section
http://maternitywise.org/mw/topics/v...n/options.html

Know your rights! “Refusing Treatments and Demanding Care: Federal Protection of the Right to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, Theory: A Gentle Halt to VBAC Bans” has some great information on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and other regulations governing hospitals which can be used by women who desire VBAC even if the hospital has a policy or ban against VBAC! http://www.birthpolicy.org/

Also, from a VBAC list:

“The federal Emergency Treatment and Advanced Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals to admit women in active labor and to abide by their treatment wishes until the baby and placenta are delivered. The act was originally passed to prevent hospitals from dumping patients who can't pay, but it's since been applied in all sorts of other ways, and it includes specific provisions that apply to laboring women.

The attorneys we've consulted on the VBAC ban issue have told us that hospitals are much more afraid of being found in violation of EMTALA(pronounced with a short e and a short a) than they are of malpractice suits because the act is routinely enforced and each violation subjects them to fines between $50,000 and $100,000.

I can_t emphasize enough how important it is for anyone who may find themselves in this situation to memorize phrases such as "It's a violation of my rights under EMTALA to force me to undergo a cesarean," or "I'm invoking my right under EMTALA to refuse a, b, c . . . " It doesn't matter if the hospital in question says it bans VBACs-according to EMTALA, you have the right to be admitted to any hospital once you’re in active labor and once you’ve been admitted, you have the right to refuse any recommended treatment. You can also remind them that VBAC isn't a treatment it's the natural culmination of a normal physiological process. Cesareans are the treatment, but you all know that

Also, it's helpful to know that EMTALA begins to apply once you're anywhere within 250 feet of a hospital-you don't have to be in the ER. You can be standing in the hospital parking lot, and if they so much as touch you against your express consent, then they're in violation of EMTALA.”

About.com: 5 ways to find support for VBAC
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/vbac/a/vbacsupport.htm

Childbirth.Org: VBAC FAQ
http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBACFAQ.html

Childbirth.Org VBAC Checklist:
http://www.childbirth.org/section/VBAC.html

A few book suggestions:

Silent Knife by Nancy Cohen, Lois J. Estner

VBAC Companion by Diane Korte

The Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Experience: Birth Stories by Parents and Professionals by Lynn Baptisti Richards



Jennifer

Thanks for posting all this. It's very interesting to read. I'm more scared of a second c-section then I was of the first. We haven't decided anything yet on more kids but it's nice to know I have rights.
My OBGYN told me if my baby was over 7lb they wouldn't want me to labor seeing as I could get my son out.

You might find this a helpful article: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pelvis.asp

I'd strongly suggest seeking out a care provider that is truly supportive of VBAC and that has faith in women's ability to birth babies. An obgyn making a statement like that seems to be setting you up for failure.

There are so many variables to labor, your troubles with birthing your son may have had nothing to do with his size. Sometimes, it's just a matter of how they're positioned. Many women who had cesareans go on to birth larger babies vaginally.



Best Wishes,

Jennifer

My son was actually sunny side up and coming down in an angle so who know I might have been able to get him out if he was coming down right. I will be very picky when it comes time next time. Thanks for the info. When I had my DD I was also told I was very small I had to push for over 3 hrs then I finally got her out. She was 7 lbs that's why they say well we know you can get 7lb out.

My first was vaginal and my second c-section and my doctor was very supportive of me having a vbac with my third. She told me the risks and I did my own research and I was determined not to have another c-section if at all possible. This last delivery was no more difficult and no easier than my first was and I'm very thankful that I was able to deliver vaginally again. My doctor did say the risks associated with vbacs generally increase the more c-sections you have had.

Personally, if I ever get pregnant again, I won't consider vaginal birth at all. My c-section was not bad, but my labor was TERRIBLE. Also, I have talked to my doctor about the risks associated with VBAC, and I would have to go to a hospital in Atlanta for my labor and delivery.
I do know of a couple of women who have tried VBAC but were not successful.

Both my labors were absolutely horrible, especially the second one. But I would much rather go through it all again than go through recovering from a c-section. I feel like I cheated my daughter by not being able to enjoy my maternity leave with her like I did with my two boys and it took me those twelve weeks just to begin feeling normal again and for the pain to finally go away it took even longer. So, twelve weeks of torture versus 12 hours? I'll personally take the 12 hours.

Not saying I think you'd be crazy to have a voluntary c-section . . . okay, I guess I am! But everyone's experiences are different and I can only speak from mine. Your recovery may have been a lot better than mine. I just know I would never opt again to have a c-section and would only consent to one in the event that my child's life were at stake.

My labor was over 17 hours, and I didn't get my epidural until 12 hours into it. It only worked for about an hour. I have no words to describe how badly I hurt. I also had other problems, like Emily's heart rate dropped if I moved a certain way, and my blood pressure kept dropping really low, too. For me, it felt like labor WAS risking both of our lives. Labor was very traumatic for us both.
So, I don't think I am crazy at all for feeling this way. My recovery wasn't really bad. It took me a good six months to feel normal again, but that didn't interfere with my ability to care for Emily or with my day to day life. KWIM?

For me it did, and that's why I don't ever want one again. And for my last delivery, they were inducing me and so I was getting pitocin and then the first epidural worked maybe an hour and then stopped. They gave me a second which never worked either. Thought I would kill the guy giving it to me because he asked was I really in pain or was I just feeling pressure. If I hadn't been in so much pain I would have punched him! But like I said, all our experiences are different no matter how we deliver so we all simply make the decisions that we feel are best for us. For me, it's VBAC all the way! I would never say you're doing the wrong thing and would support whatever decision you made, just like I know you would me.

With Emily, I wasn't dilating even though my water had broken, so they gave me Pitocin, too. That stuff is so awful!
I agree, it's a personal choice and a lot of it depends on each person's circumstances. I think it's great if you can do VBAC, I wouldn't tell anyone not to if they wanted to.

I have heard Pit is horrible, luckily I had a pretty easy labor and delivery even though they were probably considered 12 hours for most people or 24 hours for the one. But what I consider the hard part was only 3-4 hours. Not that the begining was not painless just bearable. Hopefully I will never have to give in to a c-section. I would never want to fear the life of my child.

I think this is great info on the VBACs. In alot of cases, women are told wrong info on if they can give birth vagainally. I know of people that were told that. I don't think it is out there enough for women to know their rights and the facts. Great articles!!! Thanks!!

I tried VBAC, but it was not successful. I went through 18 hours of labor and then had to have a C-section.

I also tried VBAC with my second baby, and ended up with the same complications that were the reason for my first c-section. Looking back now, I wish I hadn't tried the VBAC. There was a world of difference between my recovery from first/ second c-sections and my third c-section that was scheduled. I recovered so much faster after the third c-section, and I think a big reason why was because I wasn't worn out from laboring for two days before my baby were born.

I just think it's important for women to know the risks if she decides to try a VBAC. I know someone whose c-section scar ruptured when she tried a VBAC with her second baby. There's no shame in saying I don't want to take that risk. The most important thing is knowing your options and having a doctor you can trust.

i have already been told i will be having a scheduled c-section and i am totally ok with that.

We are in a small town and it is either that or go to Calgary with my blood pressures and stuff, no thank you!

my recovery was so wonderful from my first section that i am excited to just have a set date

I am back after a long hiatus. I had a c-section in 2002 and a great VBAC in 2004. My c-section was horrible, never planned it but the dr and midwife wouldn't let me labor because I was having a big baby, 8lbs 2oz. Found another dr with my next daughter, I was also an induced VBAC, my second daughter turned out to be 9lbs 2oz (a whole pound bigger than my supposedly big baby I couldn't deliver naturally) recovery from my section wasn't bad I was up and walking about 2 hours later but of course didn't see DD for almost 8! With my VBAC I was up even sooner (even after having an epidural) and got my DD back in less than an hour!!! I went in at 8am to be induced, I hadn't planned on drugs but it was too bad so about 11 to 12 hours late I did get an epidural which they had to do 4 times, I delivered DD at 11pm that same night. I would never go back to have a voluntary c-section, knowing all the risks to my baby or I. I was able to walk around, even with being monitored constantly, my oldest was there through the entire labor and delivery (both will be here next time), I was in control and coherent unlike my section. I will be having my 2VBA1C in August. Oh I had gestational diabetes with my 1VBAC.