What to Expect When Planning a VBAC.
"Pregnant, yet again, for the third time.
However, having had an empowering birth after caesarean last time,
I was not plagued with thoughts of self-doubt in my body’s
ability to birth naturally.
Instead I had a firm belief in myself to give birth with strength,
courage and serenity, like countless women before me."
To gain a full understanding of what to expect during a VBAC, Birthrites
encourages you to read some of the many books available. There is
a suggested reading list at the back of this booklet. You can also
contact Birthrites, or a similar local support group (again there
is a list at the rear of this booklet), which offers women support
and information about their future birth choices after experiencing
a previous caesarean/s.
"My labour started and I was told to go
to the hospital when my contractions were 3-4 minutes apart.
Arrived at the hospital and was immediately hooked up, plugged in,
I.V'd, vaginal checked, you name it…."
Each individual childbirth professional (doctor, midwife)
will have their own personal requirements for a VBAC labour (some
professionals are supportive of VBAC, but not all). Some of the
requirements that may be discussed with you are:
-
Time limits on the duration of both the pregnancy
itself, and each stage of labour
-
Intravenous access - which is having either a
drip (I/V fluids), or a bung (catheter, but not attached to a
drip) in the vein in your arm, in case of emergency.
-
Use of continuous, or intermittent monitoring
– either using a CTG or a foetal stethoscope
-
Eating and drinking during labour (some allow
this, others worry about 'if' a caesarean should become necessary
and the risks of inhaling vomit during the surgery, etc)
-
Use of labour inducing drugs - to induce or augment
(speed up) labour. There is an increased risk of rupture involved
with the use of these, and this needs to be taken into consideration
when deciding upon the pros and cons of such
-
Whether or not an epidural could be used for pain
relief in labour
All women wanting a VBAC should be encouraged to find out as much
as possible about the reasons for these interventions, and the possible
consequences of their use, so as to be able to negotiate with their
Childbirth Professional an appropriate birth plan for their individual
VBAC labour.
