VBAC -Vaginal birth after caesarean
 Mar 25th, 2008
(Mar 21st, 2008)
Advantages:
Quicker recovery time, less risks
Disadvantages:
Could happen anytime, may not be succesful
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Value for Money
Side effects
Effectiveness
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  chicken82
About me:
Hi,
Im Lucy, 26, live in Bristol, and have 2 boys.
All comments and constructive critisim greatful...
Member since:11.03.2008
Reviews:15
Members who trust:2
Review rated by 9 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
This review received a counterstatement by a party concerned
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When I discovered that I was pregnant with my second child, the first thing I was thinking about was what went wrong when I had my first child. I was 19 years old when I had my first baby, and I went in to labour naturally, a day after my due date. After spending the day in labour, I eventually made my way to hospital at 7pm, still feeling ok, and not in too much pain. I went in to be checked over, and expected to be sent home again. However, on arrival I was 3 cm dilated so in established labour, so they told me to stay.I was comfortable and labouring well, but at 11.00pm I hadn't dilated any further. They gave me some pethadine to help me rest while we waited for the next examination at 3am I was checked again, but still hadn't dilated. They broke my waters at this point to try and speed things along. At 4am I had more pethadine, as the pain was increasing, and was examined again at 5.30am. I was now 4cm dilated, but it was clear that it was a very slow process, so they put me on a syntocinon drip to help the contractions. Then my unborn baby's heart rate started to drop. I was monitored, but the trace kept losing him. At 6am I started on the gas and air and they decided to take blood from his head to see if he was in distress. The sample was unable to be used, but a Dr decided he was happy with the trace, so I continued. At 8am I was over contracting because of the drip, so they lowered the dosage of the syntocinon. Again the trace wasn't looking good, I had an epidural and they took another blood sample from my baby. The blood sample was unable to be used for some reason, and after 13 hours of going at it in hospital, the decision was made that I would need a c-section. It was gently explained to me that my baby wasn't enjoying himself, and he couldn't keep going too much longer. The operation was started at 9.27am and at 9.30am my beautiful baby boy was born, healthy and weighing in at 6lb 6oz. My recovery was fine. I found the first few days fairly uncomfortable, with an achy back, and I couldn't walk too far, but the actual wound was dead. No pain there at all. I was however tired and I found getting a comfy position to breast feed very hard. A few weeks later, and I was still tired - and I was still bleeding. I was sent for a scan, and put on antibiotics. I had an infection on the
Pictures of Members Advice on Ceaserean Sections
inside of my scar. Luckily it soon cleared up with the antibiotics. After about 6 weeks I was back to normal. No back ache, and not as tired. My scar healed up well, and I never really gave anything about the experience a second thought.And then I was pregnant again. I hadn't really realised that I felt I had missed out on any kind of experience having a c-section. At the time I was so fed up and tired, I just was glad it was all going to be over. It was only when the prospect of having an elective section came about, that I suddenly realised that I absolutely didn't want that at all. I talked to my partner, and explained. We decided between us that I would go for it, if the consultant I would be under agreed.
I was going to see a consultant (as all women who have had previous sections do) when I was 15 weeks pregnant. It seemed like such a long way off! Eventually my appointment came round, and the consultant was very supportive. He said it was fine for me to proceed with a VBAC, if that's what I wanted to do. He explained that it was possible that I might have the same problems with dilation a second time round, but that I would be closely monitored at all times, and as he put it 'if it's not happening, it's not happening' and I would have a section. He told me that an elective section would be booked for me for 12 days after my due date, as they wouldn't induce if I was late.
I didn't worry too much though as I had gone into labour naturally the first time around.I spent the next few months obsessing about labour - would it go ahead as planned? I prepared a birth plan, and started to take raspberry leaf tea capsules from 36 weeks, to help the labour.
Sure enough, I went in to labour on my own 5 days before my due date. I laboured throughout the day, having very irregular contractions, which weren't lasting long at all. I made it until 7pm, and the pain started to get bad. I made my way to hospital, and was examined by a midwife at 8pm. To my joy I was already 4 cm dilated - so already at the furthest point I got to previously! I started on the gas and air, as he put the heart monitor on me, and situated a venflon incase I had to go the theatre. It became apparent very quickly that the baby wasn't too happy, and at 9pm they broke my waters to check its colour (as a visual sign of distress) I was 6cm by this point, and the waters clear. Soon I asked for some pethidene - but I was told I couldn't have any, as things were moving on too quickly - I was not impressed!
But the trace still showed that he was unhappy, so a Dr was called. They told me I may need to be taken in for a section, but that they would connect a trace to his head to keep a closer eye and take a blood sample like last time. At 9.20pm this was done and I was then 8cm. The trace from his head gave a much clearer indication of what was happening. I was so close - surely it wouldn't all go wrong now?
Just 7 minutes later I needed to push. The checked me and I was fully dilated - and they told me to go for it! The doctors stayed in the room the whole time incase I needed to be taken to theatre, so I had lots of support. After 30 mins pushing the baby was again in distress, so after giving me a local anaesthetic 'down there' attached a vountousse to his head, and out he came! He was born healthy at 10.02pm, at 7lb 2.5oz. I couldn't believe I had done it! I was elated! I was stitched up, then out of bed immediately, and into a bath. I was shaky on my legs - but felt healthy. Shortly after I was up on the ward - asking to go home! I felt so well! I always assumed I felt bad after the c-sect, as I had had a baby, and it isn't meant to be easy, but it was only after a natural birth I realised it wasn't childbirth that had made me feel that way - it was the fact that I had had major surgery!Unfortunately for us we had to stay in hospital for a couple of days as my son needed some antibiotics, but we were soon home. I settled into having a baby again quickly, and found it all easier. I could move around easily, play with my older son, and get in and out of bed comfortably - and breastfeed. I had a little back ache, but that didn't bother me. I am so pleased that I had a VBAC. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I have had 2 very different experiences, both amazing in different ways, but I would not opt for a c-section having had the experience of both. Natural all the way for me!I now run my own website all about labour, as my fascination didn't end after I had a successful VBAC.
VBAC stats and information.A woman who has had a c-sect will be under consultant care. After a c-section a woman's chances of having another are a lot higher. They can opt for an elective section, or opt for a 'trial of labour' most doctors and midwives will support this, unless there is a medical reason why it wouldn't be the safest option. If a woman who has had a section will not be induced if she goes overdue. An elective section will be booked for about 12 days after the due date. This is because of the increased risk of uterine rupture.After a section, the woman's womb has scar tissue on it. During labour it is possible for the tissue to come apart. Although this is rare, induction can increase the strength of contractions so is avoided, as are oxytocin and syntocinon in labour. There is only a 1 in 200 chance of uterine rupture, and other complications are much more likely. A woman attempting trial of labour is 5 times more likely to have a section again due to other reasons that rupture. Because of this, a woman attempting VBAC will be continuously monitored with a heart trace at all times while in labour. This would give an early indication of any difficulty. A drip site will also be sited upon arrival at hospital incase of the need to perform an emergency section. The chances of having a successful VBAC are down to many factors. The further dilated you were in the previous labour gives you a better chance, as well as if the reasons were the opposition of the baby or failure to progress - as this is unlikely to occur again.
75% of women attempting VBAC are successful.With any type of birth there will always be higher risks associated with certain types of birth. Vaginal birth makes breathing difficulties, haemorrhage, infection and clots less likely. It does however make perineal damage and incontinence more likely.An elective caesarean makes infection, incontinence, surgical damage and clots less likely than with an emergency section, but a higher chance of breathing difficulties and haemorrhage. An emergency section makes haemorrhage and hysterectomy less likely, but brain injury higher than the other two types of birth.VBAC is considered to be in the medical profession the safer option, as it poses many less risks associated with caesarean. It is however the woman's choice. The decision should be discussed with health care providers, and the decision taken to suit the woman, and allow for her needs and wants. Useful resorceswww.vbac.org.uk
www.vbac.com
www.vbac.co.uk
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02.04.2008 13:33
Great review - when I was pregnant with my son he was too distressed and the doctors seemed more keenon giving me a C-Section rather than helping me have a vaginal birth. Luckily I went on to have a vaginal birth, which made it much easier for me. Loving the picture too. Kerry xx
02.04.2008 12:38
That was very interesting, thanks for sharing!
29.03.2008 11:51
Great review! I had a section with my son as I had 3 failed inductions. I hated ever minute of my section, but was glad in a way as I was in so much pain and my son was a huge baby! If we have another I would love to have a natural birth and so would not be induced as I was told after that increases the chances of needing a section. Love the picture too! Lisa x