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Author
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Topic: VBAC questions
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bluehouse
Junior Member
Member # 478
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posted 19 January 2005 11:27 AM
In August 2002, I gave birth, via c-section, to my son. I was 42+ weeks pregnant, my cervix was ‘high and hard’ and a CTG showed my son was in distress. We agreed to have an emergency Caesar. I had not experienced any contractions at all.
Upon delivery, my son had low blood sugars, was small (2.6kg) and had consumed meconium. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and was deteriorating. The paediatrician advised that my son may not have survived a vaginal birth and we were - and still are - incredibly grateful to have a healthy beautiful son.
I felt last pregnancy that I had gotten caught up in the idea of a ‘natural’ childbirth. I’d been to active birthing and massage classes and read a lot of material. It struck me that I should have focused more on the safety and health of my child rather than the sense of achievement I would get from a vaginal birth.
I am due to have my second child in 4 weeks time. I have elected to attempt a VBAC. My reasons for this are: to try to avoid the lengthy recovery time of a c-section and through this to enable me to be more active with my toddler, who will have enough adjustment to make in having a new baby around.
I have tried to take a relaxed approach this time round for preparing for the birth and am taking a ‘whatever happens, happens’ approach. My obstetrician and I have agreed that if my body goes into labour then we’ll give it a go – but if not, we will not try induction or any other means to bring on or speed up labour.
I feel doubtful that I will even go into labour this time, and as such don’t feel entirely prepared for if I do.
My questions for the midwife are:
· Given my previous experience, is a VBAC likely to be successful?
· Is there anything I can do to maximise the chances that the VBAC is a success?
· Is it desirable to avoid all pain relief during labour? If so, what if the pain gets too much for me to handle? If not, when should pain relief be taken?
· If required, is there a ‘best’ time to abandon a VBAC, so as to avoid an emergency c-section under a general anaesthetic? (This is the only scenario I really want to avoid.)
· Given that continual foetal monitoring is not advised, how can I ensure the safety of my unborn child?
· Is there anything else I can do to prepare?
Grateful for your advice – I think you offer an amazing service!
Posts: 1 | From: Canberra | Registered: Jan 2005
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Mary
Moderator
Member # 461
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posted 22 January 2005 03:47 PM
It is wonderful to hear a story of where a caesarean was really very necessary and resulted in the safe arrival of a baby. Well done!
My questions for the midwife are:
· Given my previous experience, is a VBAC likely to be successful? Absolutely. Every pregnancy and birth is different. In fact you sit at the top of the list of success, 75-80%.
· Is there anything I can do to maximise the chances that the VBAC is a success? Believe in yourself and your body's ability to birth this baby vaginally. Practise visualisation, relaxation, and hypnobirthing, remain active in labour, changing positions regularly and 'rocking' your baby out.
· Is it desirable to avoid all pain relief during labour? It is more favourable to have as natural a labour as possible. If so, what if the pain gets too much for me to handle? If not, when should pain relief be taken? BUT plans do change. Listen to your body. You want to remain as relaxed as possible to allow the cervix to dilate and the baby to move down into the birth canal. If you are anxious and labour is stalling/slowing down because of this, and you have tried all the natural remedies, then I'd suggest having pain relief.
· If required, is there a ‘best’ time to abandon a VBAC, so as to avoid an emergency c-section under a general anaesthetic? (This is the only scenario I really want to avoid.)It is very rare that a caesaren would need to be performed under GA. It takes about 20 minutes for an anaesthetist to insert an epidural and there are usually indications for a caesarean so that planning can take place.
· Given that continual foetal monitoring is not advised, how can I ensure the safety of my unborn child? It's not that CFM is not advised, more that the research shows there is no difference in fetal outcomes when comparing CFM and intermittant fetal monitoring. If, due to your previous birth history, you'd feel more relaxed and comfortable with CFM, then choose to have it. The most important thing is that you are relaxed, so that you can get on with the job of labouring and giving birth to a healthy baby.
· Is there anything else I can do to prepare?
Believe in yourself, relax, visualise the baby well, healthy and in a good presentation for birth, try some hypnobirthing, keep moving in labour, have good support from a known midwife or doula, and most of all, enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy!
Have a beautiful birth
Midwife Mary
Posts: 22 | Registered: Dec 2004
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