Been offered VBAC attempt no 4 still in shock!! feedback required.

[blackduckies]

Hi I am needing a bit of help here, I have been offered the chance of a VB after 1 VB and 3 c-sections. I am a bit shocked to say the least but am now feeling unsure, it would be nice to birth vaginally again.
History:
VB with 1st DD, water broke, labour did'nt really start, I was induced I had a very bad back labour baby was turned as she was pulled out. Vac was used then forceps, not a very rewarding experience..but I still did it!!!

DS water broke, another posteior bub, when I was induced he went straight into fetal distress and an emergency c-section was performed.

DD another posterior presentation but I went into labour and was going really well until it all halted at 8cm, OB broke my waters as baby was starting to get stressed, she had already pooed, OB tried to reach her but no luck, so off for another emergency c-section, good thing she was well and truly stuck with a big groove around her head to prove it..a good experience to a point, very pleased to have gotten to 8cm in the way I did.

DD decide to try again, water broke, posterior labour that did'nt progress well, bad back pain and lots of blood gushing every contraction, I decided I was scared of rupture of my uterus, not a lot of support in the room..DH great, but midwives, really not present, not sure if they thought baby no 4 she knows what she is doing or just did'nt care, plus I got calls of 3cm dilated and next time was told 5cm, then 8cm then hospital OB came and called it 3cm, that was the end of me.

This baby is a little WHOOPS DH was booked for a vas and now here we find ourselves with a surprise package instead, so we are going with it. Have changed hospitals picked out an OB with an excellent rep, expected to go straight to c-section so was very shocked when he asked did I want to try again???

Thoughts /ideas would be very helpful, is this just crazy talk, my history is not great why would he offer it???

[Rommy'sMummy]

So...you have birthed vaginally, you know your body can go into labor spontaneously, you can progress but you seem to get posterior presentations. I guess the question is what do you want to do? Would you rather go straight for a more controlled birth and have a planned section or try for another vaginal birth?

Its a really personal decision and obviously you and your OB will discuss the risks and the need for extra monitoring; you might be able to get this one to turn anterior for an easier birth maybe too. Sounds like you have a good OB.

I am about to try for a VBAC after one c-section without having labored at all with the first one. And I am excited! I dont want another section because I dont think my body needs to birth that way, I dont want the longer recovery time and I would rather my baby get the stimulation and hormones associated with VB. But that is me. Not you. Very personal choice.

[mummato3]

Oh wow what an opportunity! I have to ask where this is Ob is? It really is up to you and what you feel comfortable with...its not what the dr thinks you should do or his own personal opinion. Have a chat with your hubby and suss out what you are both feeling.

[julie_ann_jules]

its completly up to you! I noticed u are in gippsland! Is your ob Dr Simon??? If so he is amazing! (I had a VBA2C with him this year). He is an amazingly skilled ob who has a great trust in a womens body but dosn't take stupid riske if its him you'll be in great hands!
If it was me I'd probbably attempt the VB and if it ends in a cs then it ends in a cs. It would mean your baby gets to choose their birthday and you would labor so you'd have all the benefits of the hormones that come with lobor
Again if it is Warragul hospital they will have you in the KYM program. The KYM midwifes are amazing. They were with me every step of the way. I was wonderfully supported and cared for. I also choseto have an Independant Midwife with me. If that is something you would consider let me know I and I can give you her details
The KYM midwifes wouldn't leave u and DH alone, especially if u chat with them before your labor about it

[blackduckies]

Hi thanks for the replies, I guess I am really surprised i had'nt heard of it before i thought VBA3C was a bit different, so thought maybe he had'nt read my notes properly yes it is Dr Simon.. and i think I will need to do a lot of thinking and talking beforehand.. to help make the decision.. I wondered if anyone had heard of
VBA4C and if there was more risk????
Pam.

[jasp]

Wow, how lovely for you to have the choice!

I think the decision to attempt any VBAC comes down to - how would you handle it if it failed? (I have just posted this in another thread - but here goes again!)- I don't mean to sound negative but for me when I am trying to make a decision, I like to look at my worst case scenarios & decidee which I can live with.

It sounds like you have a great OB who is not only very trusting of you but skilled also. If you want to give it a go, why not? You could look at it like - you might end up with another CS - but that's the only ohter option anyway.
Or you might prefer to know that that's what you are in for rather than the uncertainty of an attempt.

It would be interesting to see why your OB is so confident. If he sees no difference between a VBAC & a VBA3C, I would go for it...

All the best, whatever you decide

[fluff-a-holic]

WOW if only i had that choice next time round hun you have to choose what is right for YOU!!! no one else can help you decide
good luck

[Hannahbanana]

Thats fantastic that there is actually an OB out there willing to give mums who want to VBAmultipleC a go.
I have heard good things about Warragal Hospital and the KYM program too in regards to VBAC.
Youtube have a few stories of VBAC after multiple CS that are very inspiring if you are interested, search VBAmultipleC and they should come up.

Having said that, it is totally a very personal decision and you do need to weigh up YOUR pros and cons about giving it a go as someone else said.

If you do decide to go the VBAC route, I think you need to give yourself the best chance of not having another posterior baby/labour (stating the obvious I know) because to me that seems to be the obvious reason for the CS's.
Visit the spinning babies website for ideas to get the baby in a good position, also capers bookstore (online) has an optimal foetal positiong book that tells you what to do to get the baby to a LOA position (same sort of info as the spinning babies website). I'd also visit the chrio or oestio on a regular basis to keep your hips and pelvis in line. Start now too so that the baby has every opportunity to get into a good position.

Best of luck with what ever you decide. It is very exciting to be given the opportunity to VBAC after 3 CS and also a massive decision to make as well, but keep in mind there are women who have done it before so it is acheivable with the right support and positivley beliving that you can do it. Remember you have had a vaginal birth before, so your body does know what to do. GOOD LUCK!!

[blackduckies]

Girls for those who are interested, talking to my OB last appointment he tells me that they now only do a CS a week before baby is due.They have my dates a week out and won't change them, so will be performing a CS around my due date.
It has started me thinking that maybe i should give it a go. I can handle the fact that maybe I will need another CS after labouring, at least I know i gave myself a chance, thats good enough for me.
I am hedging my bets and waiting till closer to the time before making a final decision.

[Rommy'sMummy]

Give it a go Blackduckies! I achieved my VBAC on Sept 14th 2009. It was a natural, unassisted, drug free 4 hour labour, 10 minute 2nd stage and physiological 3rd stage. Had my 4.1kg boy on his due date after 6 days of pre-labour and a stretch and sweep by my OB in the morning of the day he was born.

It was the most awesome and amazing experience of my life. I couldn't be happier with how it went (would have liked less stitches perhaps but thats ok).