VBAC after previous complicated pregnancy

[madmumNika]

Hi everyone,

I realise there are a few VBAC threads on here but just wondered if anyone has had a VBAC at term after a previous emergency c-section that was before 36 weeks? How did you find it?

I had DS at 30 wks v suddenly due to severe pre-eclampsia/HELLP syndrome, by emergency c-section within 3hrs of diagnosis. I'm now 20 weeks pregnant with no.2 and being monitored closely, but hoping to get to term without any sign of PE! I would like a VBAC but the first local hospital said no, however the bigger hospital I've now been referred to have said yes so long as no signs of probs! I would really like an active birth- is that possible while strung up to various monitors (which they have explained they'll have to do)?

Is there anything I should put into my birth plan, when I get to writing one (putting it off til past 30 wks as scared of jinxing everything!)?

Thanks for reading all of this. xxx

[RedTartanLass]

don't know the answer for you but just bumping for the evening crew!

[ejt1764]

The perfect group of people to discuss this with are the ukvbachbac group on yahoo

I joined them last year and they are an absolute wealth of information.

Just for your info - if you don't want continuous monitoring, you don't have to have it ... if they go ahead against your wishes, then that's assault!

I'm pg too and hoping for a vbac this time - I am going in all guns blazing, and hope to be able to do it on my terms (ie no cefm - active birth etc.)

Good luck

ejt

[lulumama]

am happy to talk VBAC....and help with your birth plan

if you search the archives, for VBAC and Lulumama, you'll find lots of info....!!

you can refuse CFM, and request intermittent, as an active birth is a big help in getting you a good birth expereince....

[Bubble99]

madmumNika. If there are no signs of PE then I imagine they are saying that you will need continuous monitoring simply as a precaution purely because of your previous ante-natal history.

I am not in awe of midwives/obs as I had a stillborn son 2 years ago purely because of their incompetence. HOWEVER I am uncomfortable with the blanket statement of..
" If they go ahead ( with CM) against your wishes, then that's assault."

I would suggest that their wish to monitor continuously is borne solely out of a wish to safely deliver your baby.

[Doulaklaw]

Hi there is a good Ozzie site that give a good example of a birth plan with loads of options to choose from - www.cares-sa.org.au/

Also check out www.vbac.org.uk/

I have a load of links I can provide you with if you want to know more. Please just ask.

Having had PE previously does not mean you cannot have VBAC and your best chance is to wait for labour to start spontaneously, avoid unecessary interventions and do your research first!

HTH

[madmumNika]

Thank you everyone for the info & links

As I had PE last time I think I will need monitoring and would want it for peace of mind, but may ask for intermittent monitoring and also I'm sure I read somewhere that someone managed to still move about a bit and use a birthing ball while hooked up.

Still a long way off yet but know where to come when I have more questions! My new consultant seems quite supportive about it, which is great.

xx

[lulumama]

i ended up with CFM, but was able to move, and was encouraged to stand up and rock and sway with the contractions, during my VBAC...

biggest hurdle is not having supportive obs/ midwife, but you have that, so go for it !

[ejt1764]

bubble - a lot of the time the midwives are so overstretched that it's easier to leave you hooked it to the machine than it is to do the intermittent monitoring. The bare fact of the matter is that if anybody in a hospital gives you a treatment against your wishes - it is assault.

madmumnika - good luck with it all!