VBAC help

Sorry for posting in this forum, but I really need some help / advice / reassurance from those who have had 2 or more kids.

DD was breech so I had an elective c section. This bubs is head down at the moment (33+2) and so we are looking at a vbac. (DD flipped head up around 36 weeks, so nothing is set yet obviously.)

We had an appointment with an obstetrician yesterday to discuss vbac options but came away with more questions and concerns than when we went in. Of course, we thought of them all on the way home, not when we were there! But she did kind of rush in, give us a prepared spiel, and send us on our way. And we are seeing our mw soon and will discuss it with her, but I really want some real life help from those that have "been there, done that" please.

From what we were told, I have to go into hospital as soon as labour starts and sit / lie on the bed hooked up to the foetal monitor. And there I stay until its all over and I am holding my new baby. That could be hours. No walking around, no relaxing hot showers or sitting in the birthing pool. No going through the initial stages at home, just full on intervention. I know its for the best for me and bubs, but I find the idea just so depressing and un-relaxing, something not to look forward to, something that wont be much of a 'magical' experience. Something so controlled that I might as well have another c section.

I guess what I am after is some idea if it really is like this, or if we are worrying about nothing... the delivery suite up here isnt exactly nice, its so clinical, and the idea of spending a potentially considerable amount of time there isnt appealing. What are other peoples experiences of vbac?

Thanks.

Yes I think it definately depends on what your midwife thinks. I had #2 by c sect and #3 naturally. My circumstances were slightly different though as they were prem so had to have constant monitoring anyway. But from what I remember being told, you go to the hospital once in established labour. They do like you to be on the monitors as much as possible and if you have any bleeding (which I did for #3) then they want you constantly monitored. They did let me off to have a shower and sit and eat breakfast (was in labour for 2 days) but I was on it 95% of the time. The leads are quite long though so I was able to move around a bit/stand/sit in chair/lean over side of bed etc as long as it's picking up the cxs and babies heartrate ok. But I can't see why they wouldn't be able to just have you on the monitors say for 20mins every hr or so if you are labouring well with no bleeding or scar pain (which I also had lol). Talk to your MW about your concerns and see what she feels about how much monitoring she recommends.

Hey there.
I had DS by emergency c section and am currently 3 weeks away from having #2. I was in your situation trying to make a decision. I'm not a huge believer in a vaginal birth being the holey grail but everyone has their preferences of course.
The best piece of advice i was given was to follow your heart. If your heart isnt in a vbac for whatever reason then its not going to be a great experience. Same for c section. You need to think about what you would regret and what you would be ok with if that makes sense!!
For me the decision was made for me but I knew I would regret going through the labour and ending in section anyway.
You need to do what is right for you

I found it really depends on the MW, mine always said that after the initial monitoring then I could do what I liked and she would monitor me using the doppler. Of course it didn't happen that way due to fetal distress I had to be monitored the whole time, (murphys law- still had a VBAC though).

Try to be firm in what you want and talk it over with the MW, the good thing is that when you are in the hospital, it will mostly be just you and your MW in the room so as long as she knows what you want she will hopefully let you do as much as you can. And definately stay at home for a long as possible, there really is no reason to go to the hospital in the early stages.

Hi there,
I have just had my vbac a week ago and for e it was a wonderful healing experience. Like you, i didnt want to be monitored constantly. I had a fantastic mw who recommended i stay home as long as possible (as long as my scar wasnt hurting), we then agreed on intimitent monitoring once at the hospital. This meant i could walk around, shower etc when i wasnt being monitored. This was our agreement as long as babys heartrate and everything else was looking good. As it turns out i didnt need to worry because i only had half an hour of contractions before i needed to push so had to get to the hospital quickly, by the time i got there i didnt care about anything and was monitored for the next hour or so until baby was born
Good luck!!