Am I crazy??

[angeltoes]

To be thinking about having a VBA2Cs? :confused:

I was beginning to think after two "once a c/s, always a c/s...". But the more I hear about other women attempting it, the more I want to know if it could be a reality to me.

So my situation then, is this: With DS1 I had severe pre-eclampsia and had a c/s at 30 weeks. DS2 I got a bit further and after careful monitoring and hospitalisation for 2 weeks prior, I had another c/s at 34 weeks.

We are now trying for #3. :yelclap::yelclap:The circumstances surrounding both my births were very, very traumatic, we almost lost DS2 2 days after he was born. Obviously, I would love nothing more than the opportunity to birth my next baby vaginally. Even just to experience labour would be nice! :rolleyes:

So in your experience as midwives and doulas, am I crazy to be thinking I might have a chance at a VBA2Cs? I am in Geelong, so not a major city and I'm sure I remember them (docs at public hosp) telling me when I had my last c/s that I would have to always have one if I wanted more children.

Would having a doula or IM help??

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this :ecomcity: but I really appreciate it. All comments welcome.

[studentmum]

Just wrote you the best post ever and my browser dropped out so I lost it :hair:

Anyway it went something like this: :ecomcity:

Hiya! :wave:

I am not a mw or doula but I am a 3rd yr nursing student and attempting my vba2c in jan '09 after #1 unnecessary cs in '00, #2 failed vbac ending in cs '03.

I have assumed that your ds2 was early due to pre eclampsia (pec) as well? I was surprised they didn't induce you with either of them but I assume that was based on how unwell you were or how distressed the baby was?

Although you've had pec twice the chance of it occuring a 3rd time is 25-50% I think you should talk to your GP about low dose aspirin and/or calcium as these have been shown to reduce the risk of pec ocurring again.

If you have no complications with #3 then you should definitely have a go at vba2c. A very experienced mw told me that vba2c mums should be treated the same as vbac mums.

As for a mw and doula ABSOLUTELY have both! I had no support for my first vbac and no birth plan, it didn't go at all how I wanted it to but I was too tired and in pain to communicate that things weren't going how I wanted them to at the time. I couldn't do this without my mw and doula, I am sure.

I think it's best for you to empower yourself with as much info as you can, fill yourself up with heartwarming stories and gain some confidence and courage from positive ppl around you.

To famously misquote Lord Tennyson...
'Tis better to have tried and failed
Than to have never tried at all'

I feel that even if this vba2c fails for me the healing has been done in the planning and I think more than a vaginal birth for #3 I want to feel at peace about my previous births the process helps.

:flowerz: My baby + My body = My choice :flowerz:

I wish you all the best ttc #3 and hope your 3rd birth is an empowering one which ever way it goes.

God bless,
Sarah :sunshine:

[angeltoes]

Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for going to the effort of reposting that reply! As I said, much appreciated. :hugs:

Secondly, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!! :bee: And good luck with your own vba2c.

Yes, I had PE with ds2 also. (I tried to go back and edit that in, but my computer froze so I cracked it with it and turned it off! :p)
With ds1 I was admitted at 30 weeks and 3 days later was told I was having my baby! They did an internal but I was no where near favourable and I think because of my bp being so high, I was told I had to have a c/s right away. I was too scared to argue, and besides, there was another issue (that is quite a long story) that had me extremely tramatised at the time that I was in condition to be making rational decisions.

Ds2 was the same in that I had an internal and cervix wasn't favourable again. I was told that because I'd had a previous c/s that I can't be induced, all they can do is break my waters and see what happens but they couldn't get to them.

Hopefully next time I will make it a lot closer to term (I was told that I could expect to get to 37 weeks next time, how they can tell me that, I don't know..).
Best case scenario is I go into labour on my own - and stay home, if I am well, for as long as I can!!

Oh, s'pose I'd better get pregnant first. ;)

[wildfire]

I totally agree with Sarah, hook up with a good naturopath as there are lots of things you can do to prevent PE happening again. Also her point about support people is crucial. Hire an independent midwife or doula if you can afford it, otherwise look for a trainee doula or a mid student who supports natural birth. You are going to need to be very strong to get what you want, so be prepared to fight!

And good luck!:hugs: you *can* do this.

[lilpearl]

Yes, if you are well and able, there is no reason why you can't have a VBA2C's. There is no reason why you need another caesarean just because you have had them in the past. All the best! I agree a doula or independent midwife is a great idea.

[studentmum]

Oh, s'pose I'd better get pregnant first. ;)

Good luck with ttc:fingerscrossed:, sending you :goodvibes:

Sarah :flowerz:

[StudentMeg]

There is absolutely no reason why you cannot aim to achieve a vaginal birth. As long as your pregnancy is healthy and both you and the baby are doing well, the risks are very very low. The risks of further surgery are actually greater than those of a VBAC.
I'm not sure what Geelong Hospital's policies are regarding VBAC, but I know that the Royal Women's are supportive of it. I am conducting my follow through at the RWH, so if you want a free 2nd year midwifery student who supports VBAC, I'd be more than happy to help. I know being in Geelong you are out of their catchment area, but if Geelong are not supportive of VBAC, then the Women's may take you in light of the fact you are deemed "high risk". I label I might add, that I don't agree with.
All the very best to you, I truly hope you achieve the birth you want and that you are supported in your choice. Just remember, no one can do ANYTHING without your consent.

[annsam]

I have a VB2C client at the moment (doula). Its definitely doable. C/S risk is greater than a vaginal birth regardless. Go for it. What do you have to loose?

[Lila]

hello angeltoes,

no, you are not crazy! :hugs:

having had 2 traumatic births, it is more than understandable you "crave" the experience of a vaginal delivery.

do your research and what all the others said, find yourself a good naturopath and acupuncturist.
hopefully this time around you won't develope PE at all and go fullterm!!!

[angeltoes]

Thank you all for your replies.

Lila - can I ask what the benefits of a natropath (just diet and supplements??) and acupuncture??

Thanks again.