Finally got a chance to get onto my laptop (I cant post from my i phone on the OB website?)... I had my wee man on 8th Feb and got my VBAC, I had a S&S at 1.30 on the 7th Feb at 39+3 and my MW said my cervix was well back and she didn't expect I'd be having my baby anytime soon. She did what she could and I left feeling a wee bit dissapointed. I had a few errands to run while my toddler was at preschool and felt a few wee pains, but just assumed that was from the S&S.

 At 4.30 just as my partner walked in the door I got my first proper contraction, like my previous labour it all starts happening quite quickly with me, so I downloaded an app on my phone to time them as last time my partner was a bit useless at that job and found they were pretty regular and lasting 40-60 secs. shortly after 5 I phoned the MW she said she doubted it was labour just the body settling after the S&S and to give it an hour, we phoned MIL to come over and got my DD fed and ready for bed. I phoned the MW again just after 6, I knew it was definitely all go, hey I'd been here before (haha)... She said she'd come over and check, when she got here I was a good 3cm's and she suggested we make our way to the hospital where one of my other MW's would meet us just after 8.

On arrival at the hospital the contractions were progressing. They set me up in the birthing suite and got me sorted with some gas.. The MW came and did a check I think I was about 5-6cm at that stage, she said she'd do another check at 10.30/11, I'd been so insistent all along I didn't want continuous monitoring and here I was stuck on the bed, she said I could move around but I was so sore at this stage I didn't want to move, I did make the effort and had a walk around, loo stop etc and then climbed back on the bed on all fours leaning over the back of the bed. I asked to be checked again just after 10 and she decided to then break my waters, I immediately went to 8cm and from then on it was all go... The contractions were now coming thick and fast and before I knew it I wanted to push, but when I did push my CS scar really hurt, the OB came in and was happy with baby's HB and comfortable that I was at no risk of having a uterine rupture so decided to use the ventouse just to help me to push the baby out. I didn't need to push for too long before we had the head out and then the shoulders etc... My wee George William had arrived at 12.08am  weighing 3.420kg... I did have a 2nd degree tear so was stitched and within a few hours was off to Burwood Maternity Hosp where I stayed for 2 nights. Unfortunately George ended up in hosp at 5 days old, but he is now 5.5 months and almost 8kg and just awesome!

All the best with your up coming birth Vix.  You're exactly the same as me - VBAC for on time, and elective CS for overdue, and I won't accept being induced either. 

Just have to convince my midwife now - I've got a few weeks haha.  I think it would be nice to book straight in for a CS, but it doesn't sit well for me without good reason. 

Hi Islandgirl and Blankney

I do identify with you ladies, I too had an em cs last time dd was breech. I also don't feel the "need" to have a vaginal delievery and I have changed my mind between cs and VBAC this pregnancy finally deciding that if I go on time of maybe a few days over I'm going for a VBAC, I have however decided not to be induced if I go overdue and rather go for an elective cs.

I'm pretty positive about my chances of VBAC, I've had great support from my midwives and the hosp OB. Baby is head down and I did labour well the last time (until they discovered she was breech). Alot of the info you get on the net is US based, I found a book that is UK based and has found it to be the best help in me making my decision it is Vaginal Birth after Ceserean by Helen Churchill and Wendy Savage, there are a few stories in there some straight forward births and some not, but all women achieved their VBAC.

Good luck in making your decision, I really hope I'll be on here in a few days to tell you about my successful VBAC

Hi Islandgirl - I've got some of the same questions too (see my other post in one of the CS threads).  I'm just over 11 weeks at the moment.  I'm leaning towards VBAC but if I go overdue I'm leaning towards elective CS.  I'm a bit scared of a VBAC as CS is what I know.  I did get to experience about 6 hours of labour.  Hopefully that little bit will help my body know what to do this second time. 

Last time I had an emergency CS due to fetal distress.  I still found the CS experience to be a positive one - at the end I had a healthy happy bub (and Mum), and I didn't feel cheated in any way.

Oh Amy I hope baby arrives for you soon!!

Hayley, I've not had my VBAC yet but will hopefully be anyday now, I've been the same about the monitoring, tbh everyone (MW and OB) has not comitted to intermittent monitoring by saying yes, but more of a "we'll wait and see how things are going", I don't know where you will be birthing but some hospitals have monitoring equipment that is mobile so you can move around, unfortunately we don't here in CHC.

I also asked about labouring in a bath/pool and was pretty much told no, not saying you'll get the same answer...

I think it all depends on how your labour is progressing...

So I'm just over 38 weeks and really ready for baby, I'm hoping he's here soon!!

Morning ladies

Sorry to hear bout your wee bubs being unwell Emmi, I hope they find the cause soon!

Had OB appt yest, wow, was alot quicker than I thought, very happy with me trying for VBAC, thinks it should go well and also thinks I'll go into labour naturally (I hope cause I don't want to be induced)... Baby is 3/5 engaged which I know doesnt mean alot and is head down yay! So now we wait... Made an appt for 20/2 lets hope he's here by then, I can really feel the pressure lower down...

Hope you other ladies are all good

Yay for baby being head down Amy and a good appt with OB...

Still waiting on OB appt, but have position scan next Mon (36 wks) as MW not 100% sure on position and after undiagnosed breech last time doesn't want to take any chances... So may only see OB after that, leaving it a wee bit late, but I doubt he/she will tell me anything new...

Thanks ladies,  I was aware of the fluid making it easier for bubs to move etc I just wasn't sure if there was another reason and especially in trying for a vbac. My waters breaking was my first sign of labour for me with DD and yes it was pretty much all go from there...

I'll have a look at the info on AROM its not something I've read up on so will do that...

Emmi_ wrote: Exciting Vix!! I am actually jealous you get to have a baby soon! How are you feeling?

Not feeling too bad, more worried about what's going to happen to DD while I'm in hosp than I am the actual birth... Should get OB appt soon, really want to get that and the discussion of monitoring whilst in labour out the way. MW not too sure of babies position at last appt lets hope he's head down and not breech like his sister  

Emmi just a quick ques, what would the problem have been with them breaking your waters? I know there can be a higher risk of rupture with induction is that why? Sorry for asking just wasn't too sure...