Vaginal Birth After C-section

My sister-in-law had 2 vaginal, 1 C-Section (due to breach position), and a V-BAC on the 4th child who weighed in at 10 lbs 3 oz!!!

I am SO glad to see this post! I will be attempting VBAC w/ my next baby, but it is literally not allowed in Monterey County. I am considering traveling to Santa Cruz County, or just waiting until I'm in active labor at home and then going over to the hospital here.

Please message me and let me know what I can do to help you!! I want to at least have the chance to attempt trial of labor, and to help in any way all other women out there who want the same!

A.

Just wanted to make sure you were aware of an organization that exists to support VBACs "ICAN," which would put you on the track to alot of great info and resources to use:

http://www.ican-online.org/about

Also on the data side, to make your case, Kaiser has found a statistical benefit to VBAC, and therefore goes to VBAC as first option whenever possible, and would be valuable info to incorporate into a proposal.

For more stories, also approach your local chapter of the Holistic Moms Network, as there are many women in this organization that have had and advocate for VBACs.

Good luck and good work!

R., I have had three VBAC's. I am so thankful that I had that opportunity. My 1st birth was an emergency c-section (although I guess the incision was such that I could do VBAC's later). My baby did not make it, and when I was pregnant the next time, I was terrified of losing that baby too. This was 14 years ago, so at that time luckily the doctors were pushing for VBAC or I would never have had the amazing birth experiences I did. My doctor told me they would monitor me very closely, and if there was any sign of distress, they would do a c-section. All of the three VBAC's were amazing experiences - even though due to my past history they were all induced w/ pitocin (a week before my due dates). Well, by the time I had my last daughter (now 7), they had me sign a consent form acknowledging I understood the risks of having VBAC. Had it been my 1st VBAC, I would not have signed & insisted on having a c-section given how nervous I had been before my 1st VBAC!! The form listed all of these scary things that might happen w/ a VBAC (sort of like where they list the 1 in a million chance for anything you can dream up). As I had already been through two VBAC's at that point, I didn't hesitate and signed on for my third. The recovery from the c-section was rough; w/ the VBAC's I was up and around in no time. I don't think my birth experiences were any different from any other (induced) births, but I cherish them as amazing, powerful experiences. I am so glad my 1st VBAC was in the mid 90's when doctors were pushing to lower the c-section rates as opposed to now when the insurance companies have everyone leery.

My first son was determined not to be born! We finally had to induce labor. Then, after an hour-and-a-half of pushing, his head hit my pelvis and there he stayed. We ended up needing to do an emergency C-section to deliever him.

For my second son, I wanted to try a VBAC. My doctor agreed to it. I went into labor spontaneously and enjoyed the whole walk-thru-contractions, sit-in-a-warm-tub, have-hubby-massage-back kind of labor that I had always dreamed of. Then came pushing (3 hours!), using suction and all the tricks of the doctor and . . . he was stuck on the pelvis again. And so, he was delievered via another emergency C-section.

Although I was not able to deliver either boy via vaginal birth, I am forever gratful that both doctors allowed me to try. I know that I tried everything possible to birth those two boys vaginally -- there was nothing left undone. My boys were born safely and happily.

I have met other women who were forced into a second c-section. They all complain bitterly of the lack of options and choice. I may have also had two c-sections but I am grateful to the doctors who let me try to have a vaginal birth. I have no bitter feelings towards them or towards the hospital for the outcomes. I feel empowered as a woman and as a mother to be able to make choices about my body and about my child's future. I would make the same choices again with a third child/pregnancy and would fight to find a doctor who would honor my right to chose.

I should have the right to determine how my pregnancy ends. If I want it to end in abortion, that is my right. If I want it to end in full-term delivery, that is also my right. Shouldn't it be my right to determine what delivery option I chose?

I.

I had 3 VBAC's after a "failure to progress" from being induced. I was induced with all 4 of my kids and all of my Vbac's were successful. You are able to have epidurals during a VBAC. I was hooked up to an IV and was given not really permitted to move around during labour (which you are not likely to do with an Epidural anyway.) It was a bit more hassle, but so worth it! My recovery time was so much shorter and easier plus it permitted me to be free to have more children (if I choose,) than if they were all c-section.
MY OBGYN told me that he would probably only do 4 c-sections at most to one mother. That is everything goes well and heals well. I didn't want to feel limited.

Hi R.,

My first child was breach and in distress...he was a c-section...When I got pregnant with number 2 my doctor offered VBAC this was 26 years ago...my local hospital was not set up for them, so I had to go to the high risk doctors in Sacaramento...even though I wrote everyone who I could think of at the hospital to change policy...45 days after I delivered, my local hospital was finally on board...I had a total of four vaginal births after my c-section. I am now experienceing the births of my grandchildren...luckily my OB doctor has cared for two of the three, he has been very accomidating with flexing the rules, my daughter who birthed last year pushed for 3.5 hours, normally after two its suggested to have c-section...the whole core of her family was in the room, we were breathing and pushing as a team...he let us be successful and Mom was feeling pretty normal in a couple of days...

I too believe that surgery is to prevelant today, my daughters sister-in-law who had vaginal last time, but had health concerns because she won't eat right or exercise during any part of her life, is due to have a c-section this time...easier to control and you "get to pick the date"...

Best wishes on your venture...T.

I had a VBAC with my 2nd child and was glad I did, although I do think it has prevented me from losing my pouch in the lower abdominal area.

I desperately wanted to go through a vaginal birth with both my kids, but complications in my first pregnancy prevented me from being able to deliver vaginally the first time around. I was in so much pain and so miserable after having my c-section with my first child that I wanted to avoid it at all costs. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle having a c-section with my second child because my first child was 2 years and 9 months old at the time I was due to have my 2nd child and he was an extremely "busy" and active toddler. My husband had to leave for academy training almost immediately after I gave birth, so I didn't have him to rely upon, either.

The hospital (Kaiser) didn't require me to have a c-section (I live in California), so I was determined to have the baby vaginally.

Personally, I feel if the mother has been made aware of the risks, but still wants to have a VBAC and there is no immediate danger for her or the baby, she should have that choice. It is her body and she has to live with the ending result of her decision. Maybe the hospital can have the mother sign a waiver so that it doesn't become a lawsuit later on. I know some states require any future births after c-section to all be c-section, but I'm glad I live in a state that doesn't require it.

i'm in the process of writing my entire birth story that ended in an emergency csection that left me with PTSD. my husband are going to do things different next time...at home with a midwife. please email me and keep me in the loop about anything your group does:

____@____.com

thanks!

Hi R.,

My name is J. and I have two children, ages 26 months (son) and 5 months (daughter). My first was born via c-section for reasons still sort of confusing to me. My second was delivered successfully via VBAC. I am THRILLED beyond belief that I was able to have a VBAC. It was hard work (4 and a half hours pushing) - but I got great support and assistance from the residents, RN's, and a nurse-midwife at Kaiser Oakland.

If I can provide you with anymore information about my experience, please let me know.

J.

Hi R.!
That is really wonderful to hear your story. I too, had my first child by cesarean; only to be told that my hips were too narrow to ever deliver vaginally. 5 1/2 years and 10 years later, I was able to deliver 2 healthy baby girls vaginally.
The first VBAC went extremely well considering the circumstances, but on my last pregnancy- my doctors were under the impression that I would not deliver vaginally; ACOG already issued the statement about once a cesarean, always a cesarean.
My doctors were concerned, and were very excited to be present when I was due. One doctor told me he would let me attempt to deliver naturally because of my past c-section. I replied to him, "We're not going to attempt anything, because I'm going to give birth vaginally. Period."
I was right; my daughter came out naturally with perineum massage and there were no complications whatsoever.
If you should need more, feel free to contact me.

Hi R.,

What a great plan - organizing support for for VBAC! Are you aware there is already a great organization that does this? International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) is an fabulous organization who's mission is to prevent unnecessary cesareans through education, to provide support for cesarean recovery, and to promote VBAC.

The website www.ican-online.org is full of great information. And we have a small chapter ICAN of Mt. Diablo that meets monthly in Lafayette.

I wonder if your goals mesh with those of ICAN?

H. W.

I delivered my daughter via emergency cesarean in 2003. I walked into the hospital at 9 cm and then found out she was breach... no time to try to turn her, so they rushed me to OR, called my doctor, and delivered her via cesarean. In 2005 I delivered my first son vaginally. My doctor actually saw no problems with it, since my daughter was small (6lbs, 1oz), I had no trouble progressing, the only reason they did the cesarean was that she was breach (and he appeared to be head down), and that they always have an Anesthesiologist there at Mercy Folsom at all times. In 2007, I delivered my Second son VBAC. He was breach through most of my pregnancy, but, my doctor actually turned him in the womb at 37 weeks, so that he would be head down and all ready to go. My recovery time with my 2nd and 3rd deliveries was much easier and faster, even though my cesarian recovery was textbook. I know only one other woman who has had a VBAC. Everyone else is shocked that I attempted it, but to me, it seemed the most natural thing to do.

I originally had c section since my first baby's head was in the birth canal and his heart rate dropped a bit (which I believe happens anyway. I didn't dilate further, and I believe the in house doctor just wanted to wrap things up and not wait any longer!

Needless to say, I was willing and able to have a V-BAC. With my same obgyn for the second pregnancy, I researched my options and risks. I asked him questions, and made it clear that my intentions were to have a V-BAC. He tried to discourage me, and I just felt that he didn't have my best interests at heart. He would not work with me toward my goal, so with only 2 months to spare until delivery, I visited another doctor, who reviewed my case. She said that I was healthy and there was no reason why I couldn't
try for a VBAC. I was elated and proud of myself for standing up for what was right and what I knew in my heart to be true. I have a beautiful 2 year old girl as my reward!

So stand up for what you believe in, and find a doctor who supports you in your efforts.

I am newly pregnant with #2. #1 was born via c-section. Waiting to see if I'm a VBAC candidate - fingers crossed. I'm signed up with UCSF (ob/midwife team) because I hear they are the only hospital in SF that will allow VBAC. St. Luke's is much closer to my home but they just stopped doing VBACs and kicked out their midwives.

Could someone please explain what the VBAC fuss is about? I know it has something to do with the risk of uterine rupture along the scar line (and therefore the need for a full-time, in house anesthesiologist), but aren't the "normal" risks for mother and baby associated with major abdominal surgery (i.e. a c-section) much greater than this slight risk of uterine rupture?

Hi, I am a mother of four... My first baby, a son, was a vaginal birth--- no problems other than the normal pain. My second, my daughter, was coming out breach (w/ the back of her head facing down, is what they said) and I was in labor 12 hours before they decided to do an ultrasound and found out why I was having pains and not dialating. Anyhow, they had to take her c-section. My third child, a son, was vaginal, no problems there.... my fourth was vaginal because he was breach (up-side down), I am not sure if my daughter was considered breach, not sure on the "exact description" of that. I am not sure if you wanted more details than that, if you do let me know. But, that's how it went for me, I know a lot of people keep telling me "oh, they don't like to do vbac's" well, I did it twice w/ no problems. I think some women just think they'll do w/out the pain of labor and that's the route these doctors are taking these days, I'm not sure. My oldest breathed his first breath in 1990 and my youngest in 1999, so that kinda gives you the time frame. Good luck on this:)

Hi there, I am a mom of three and a half year old twins and a 15 mo old baby! The twins came as a huge surprise at 30 weeks. The entire way through my pregnancy I had told my doctor who I love that I wanted to have them naturally............no drugs, no nothing, just naturally. Anyhow when I went into full blown labor at 29 1/2 weeks and they had to stop labor with Magnesium and tirb, I held on for 5 days. At the fith day I was done and my daughter began coming throught he birth canal. At that point the ICN doc came in and demanded they do an epidural and open me up. This was due to the risk of head trauma being they were not fully developed. I was SOOOOO dissapointed and very upset, but had to follow the orders at that point. It was an emergancy delivery and I knew it was in the twins best intrest to listen to what he had to say! So at that point, I had a c section and the twins were both OK. Anyhow, when I found out I was pregnant again with a singelton, at 14 weeks along, (was told we couldn't get pregnant again, ha ha)I was very clear with my doctor that I wanted to do a VBAC. He was very supportive and said if all went well with the pregnancy and I made it far enough along, that he would allow it. Long and the short is that with number three I was induced on my due date (by choice of mine) and delivered a beautiful baby boy VBAC with no drugs and all natural. It was the most amazing experiance ever. I went from being in labor for 4 weeks, but not dialating, to having to have the doctor break my water at 4 PM, dialated only to a 2 1/2, to delivering him at 4:54 PM. I went from a 3 to a ten in a matter of ten minutes!! It was crazy, and very incrediblly painful, but wouldn't change it for the world!!! It is something every woman should be offered especially with a situation like mine when with the first birth/births I had really no choice!!! Good luck and hope this helps!

Kim

I have had two C-sections & two VBACs.
My oldest ds was born via Csection due to transverse presentation, we tried all sorts of things to get him to turn but we bullied into a scheduled C-section. Two years (and much research later) my second ds was born via a drug free VBAC- different doctor and hired a doula for this birth. Two years later, we were set for VBAC #2 when dd began emerging bottom first(my blood pressure was up-which is not usual for me- I knew something was not as it seemed with the baby.)One hour later, she was born via emergency Csection. Twenty eight months later, my youngest ds was born VBAC.
Please let me know if you have any questions, I would love to help however I can, as this subject is very close to my heart.

You should really look into the policies of insurance companies on VBACs. It seems to me that is the MAIN reason why women are not "allowed" to have them. There have been articles about this in newspapers in the last few years. Insurance companies that insure hospitals will not insure them for VBACs if they do not have an extra surgeon on hand at all times to perform emergency surgery if a woman who is attempting VBAC has her uterus rupture during labor. I think that to get "support" for women to have VBACS, there must be policy change at the level of insurance companies. This is a bigger issue than whether or not each woman has a sympathetic OB who is willing to do VBAC.

In my case, for instance, in order to have a VBAC I would have had to switch doctors to find one who has privileges at the one big research hospital in our area, which would have been an hour's drive away. It is not that my OB wasn't supportive of me trying VBAC (though she doubted the wisdom of it given that I had a 10 pound baby the first time), the issue was that she has privileges to deliver at 2 small hospitals and neither of these is insured to do VBACs. These are just some important policy-level issues to consider as you think about all the anecdotes from all the women who have or have not been able to have VBACs for various reasons.

Hi,
last April I've had a wonderful home waterbirth after C-Sec, very successful (I dilated from 1 cm to 10cm in about an hour) and I wrote my birth story which was going to get published by Mothering Magazine (I signed the contract and then they changed editors and it fell through the cracks). Anyhow, I'd be happy to email it to you.

I had my daughter vaginally (2001) and then two sons (2004 & 2006) via c-section. (First son was breech and second son was a "repeat" c-section due to hospital policy.) There were no local hospitals (that take my insurance) that did VBACs when I was pregnant with my third. I would have had to drive 45 mins to 1 1/2 hours to go to the hospital that would allow the VBAC or attempt to switch to Kaiser who does allow VBACs.
Anyway, I do want to say that I was fortunate to have had no complications with either c-section, both my child and I were fine. I do not live with nagging regret, nor do I hang my head when discussing it. My choices were very limited and we did what we had to. However, if VBACs were offered at my local hospital, I would have much preferred to go that route.
D.

I had my daughter c-section after 12 hours of labor and her not wanting to come down at ALL! lol I was determined to not go through that again so my OBGYN was very willing to let me deliver VBAC. I was 6 days past my due date with my daughter and she was 8lb 7oz so I was induced 10 days early with my son and after 10 hours of labor and 25 mins pushing I delivered a healthy 7lb 13oz boy!! And for those asking I did have an epidural with both kids. My contractions were piggy backing so they basically "made" me since the baby was in distress. Feel free to email me with more questions.

R., I don't have a story of my own to tell, but I can say that's how my sister did it. She is now 51 with a 30 yo and a 25 yo. Prior to the birth of either child, she had many miscarriages. The dr said she was unable to have children. She had many problems with irregular periods. Low and behold, a new state, city, house, six months without a peroid, and she goes to the new dr to find out she is pregnant. She was young and unprepared. Her first child was born c-section. A few years later pregnant again, she learns of the Bradley method. It works for her and she delivers vaginally. Her story definately made me believe in the Bradley method.

I am sorry that I do not have a story to share but I am considering a VBAC with my next baby. I only had a C-section because they were trying to induce me at 33 1/2 weeks for PIH, and I guess the Mag Sulfate won out over the pitocin because after 2 days of being maxed out on pit and with cytotec I only got to 1cm. My question is, do you think I would be a good candidate to have a VBAC? Also, do they allow VBAC's to have an epidural? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jenn

I am also a nurse, and have worked in obstetrics. My first child was in major distress and had to be delivered by C-section. I was under a general anesthesia and my husband could not be in the O.R. I am extremely grateful to the surgical team that delivered my son quickly so that he was not oxygen deprived. My second pregnancy was 1.5 years later and I experienced preterm labor due to a beta strep colonization and dehydration. I was on bedrest, uterine monitor, terbutaline, and was hospitalized multiple times for contractions and further dilation. He was born at 36 weeks, 6 days by C-section because I had a FUO and had a temp of 103.6. There was not time to induce labor, but my doctors were willing to let me labor, had the situation been different. That surgery was under epidural, and I was able to participate in the birth somewhat. Thus, these two C-Sections were due to the fetal distress and maternal illness, and I would not have changed a thing because my boys were born without trauma or lasting developmental delays caused by hypoxia/anoxia. My third pregnancy involved an interstate move that precipitated preterm labor in the 6th month, so I was back on bedrest for 2.5 months, with the medications, monitoring,bedrest and hospitalizations again. Three weeks before my due date I was allowed to discontinue the meds and return to light activities. A nonstress test showed that my placenta was failing, and there was an issue about whether or not my daughter was receiving enough nutrition and oxygen through the placenta. I had discussed v-bac with all my doctors and they were fine with a trial labor, as I was. My main intention was to deliver a healthy baby, by whatever means possible, not to deliver a child "my way, according to my plan" because I know what can happen when warnings are not heeded during childbirth. I was induced with Pitocin starting at around 4 pm, I labored and had a shot of Demerol around 5 am so that I could rest, asked for an epidural at noon (my husband was watching a basketball tournament in my room and I lost any hope of concentrating on breathing my Lamaze techniques, so I screamed at him to either get out of my room or get me an epidural), and was able to relax at that point. My doctor thought that I would deliver in the evening, but was keeping an eye on me because of the previous surgeries. I felt pressure at 4:45 pm, and when my nurse checked me, the head was coming, the doc was called, I pushed once and my daughter was born at 4:57 pm, looking around at all of us very wide-eyed and amazed. I was 40 years old. I asked to keep my epidural catheter in, and to have my tubes tied at the first open operating room time. My doctor had never tied tubes under epidural, but I encouraged him and said this would allow me to breastfeed and to go home the day after the tubal. I had her on Friday afternoon, had my tubes tied on Saturday morning, went home on Sunday afternoon, drove the children to preschool on Monday. V-bac recovery was much faster than from Caesarian, but again, my goal is always to deliver a healthy baby, whether vaginal, C-section, or v-bac. I was fortunate not to have any complications from having a v-bac. I told my docs that I wanted to have a vaginal delivery if possible, and to keep me apprised of how labor was progressing. It would have been devastating for my second son if he had not been delivered by c-section when my temp was so high, as well as tragic for my first son, who had the cord wrapped 3 times around his neck, tightening more and more as he tried to progress into the birth canal. My daughter had the luck the day that she was born, and all are fine today, with no deficits or learning disabilities. Good luck as you educate, and at least teach women that C-sections should not be elective, but emergency in nature. We bounce back much faster from a vaginal birth!

Hi! I will be attempting a VBAC with my second daughter, due August 7th! My first child was born in September 2005 and after 34 hours of laboring (and induction) there was no progression and I was exhausted and I was at risk for infection-so I made the decision to have the C-section. I was told, after the surgery, that it was a good thing because she was so big (9 lbs. 6.4 oz.) and my pelvis was too narrow, I may not have been able to push her out anyway..whether that was true or not-I don't know.

This time, I have elected to try the VBAC...I think I'm having another large baby, but I'm going to give it a try! Even if I just go through some labor and end up with another C....I will know that I gave it a go. I don't think my doctor is all that supportive, but he hasn't given me any grief! I am with Kaiser in Northern CA and I just had to sign a form for the VBAC saying that I am aware of the risks.

Wish me luck!

A. :)

Hi!
I had a vaginal birth the first time and a ceasarian the second time due to that the baby was breached. Both these were in Sweden. But anyway, right after the surgery the midwife told me three times at least that I definitely could have a vaginal birth the next time, one ceasarian doesn't impact that, she said.
So, if you can't find any good stories here in the US, check Sweden (who has the highest rates in the world, when it comes to safe deliveries). Sweden is very pro vaginal birth.
Good luck!

Hi,

Thanks for your post and hard work to advocate for VBAC. I just wanted to suggest that you might want to come to Blossom Birth (www.blossombirth.org) for a monthly International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) of the Peninsula meeting, to share your work.

Come join us the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:00- 8:30pm for a gathering to meet the needs of birthing women. Share experiences and knowledge in a safe and supportive atmosphere. For more information, please call Suzanne Andrews at ###-###-####.

I do agree that women should have the right to make decisions about their body. And have the right to choose. But I think women should be educated that having a VBAC does not come without risks.

A VBAC can cause a uterus rupture, and, that is exactly what happened to me. I had no idea that it was my right to demand another c-section (until it was to late), my doctors insisted on a VBAC, saying it was not medically necessary to perform a c-section for this birth. It took them 45 minutes to perform an emergency c-section after the rupture (in which time my baby was without oxygen). Had I known it was a violation of my rights to not let me make the final decision in having the c-section instead of the VBAC, then my baby would be alive today.

All women have the right to make decisions for their bodies but the final decision should be for the safety of the baby.