I say if you really want to give your body a chance to due this on it's own than go for it! There is no guarantee one way or the other. Just go into it with a clear head and the knowledge that you MAY end up needing a csection. Try and relax and just breath. I haven't experienced a csection. However I can tell you that my body stalls out around 5cm dilated. I have to take a shot of Staydol (sp?) to help me relax and then I dilate rather quickly after. I have managed, even after stalling with 3 of my 5 previous births, to deliver vaginally each time. Good luck no matter what you choose and happy and healthy delivery to you!
Well considering it is obvious that the interventions are what ultimately led to your first c section, I'd say f what you think to the ob and go for your vbac.
Of course, keep am open mind as you never know how it will go! Hopefully you get your vbac!
Intervention is really what probably caused you to stop dilating and regressing. You should try for a natural and I'm sure things will go great no need to schedule a section based on last labor
It's funny you mention the interventions, sunshine, because I told the doctor today that I strongly felt the second epidural was what caused the regression and that had it not been administered I would have progressed (albeit slowly perhaps) and he told me that was highly unlikely. But I remember my labor nurse telling me it was a distinct possibility that it could happen. And I felt pushed to accept it and pushed to then do the c.
My SIL had a cesarean after a failed induction. With pitocin and an epidural her body just kind of stopped trying. After he was born her doctor at the time claimed she'd never deliver vaginally because her baby was "too big" and her hips were "too narrow."
Two years later with a supportive doctor, she went into labor on her own and delivered an even larger baby with zero complications and a perfect, textbook VBAC.
Your body won't make a baby too big! I absolutely think it was the interventions that caused your regression. I had pitocin with my first and multiple times during my 22 hour labor I regressed because my body was so stressed. I was beyond lucky the baby managed to tolerate it or I could easily have been in your shoes. I believe you can birth this baby if you avoid the interventions this time!
Also I will add.... with my oldest I was 5'3" 120lbs when I got pregnant. She was born weighing 7lbs 8oz 21inches. The doctors has to use forceps as she kept "retreating" and her heart rate dropped. They then told me that if I had more children and they were larger than her that I would not be able to have a vaginal delivery.... I went on to deliver an 8lbs 7oz 21.5inch baby and an 8lbs 5oz 21.5inch baby..... trust me your body can do amazing things!
I allowed myself to be induced at 41+2 because I was "overdue". After 21 hours of labor and dilating to only 4cm, my son's heart rate dropped and I had an emergency C-section.
Fast forward 6 years...
I refused induction unless a true medical necessity arose. My doctor pushed for induction at the end of my pregnancy and I said no. I went into labor on my own at 41+4 and had a medication free VBAC to an 8lb 4oz baby girl.
I will be having my 2nd VBAC next month.
Epidurals tend to have 2 completely opposite effects: they can help you relax and help labor progress OR they can stall labor.
I also recommend attempting a medication free birth. The first step in that is refusing induction- even at 41+3- if there are no medical issues. A possibility of a big baby or simply being overdue are NOT medical reasons to induce. The next step is to stay home for as long as possible during labor. The less time that you spend laboring in the hospital, the less time there will be for unnecessary medical interventions.
That was my personal plan and story and it worked beautifully.
Thanks, Jennifer! The doctor is actually against inducing me as well-he feels that will just cause undue hardship on me and baby girl. He would want a c scheduled at 41+.
It is refreshing to hear that I'm not crazy thinking the meds didn't help and probably hindered my first labor. (Although, on some level that makes me feel like I failed myself)
I will talk to my husband tonight to get his perspective as well (although he will just support whatever I decide) but hearing the success stories is bolstering my faltering courage!
deleted-user·
I say if you really want to give your body a chance to due this on it's own than go for it! There is no guarantee one way or the other. Just go into it with a clear head and the knowledge that you MAY end up needing a csection. Try and relax and just breath. I haven't experienced a csection. However I can tell you that my body stalls out around 5cm dilated. I have to take a shot of Staydol (sp?) to help me relax and then I dilate rather quickly after. I have managed, even after stalling with 3 of my 5 previous births, to deliver vaginally each time. Good luck no matter what you choose and happy and healthy delivery to you!
Renee·
Thank you for the encouragement!
deleted-user·
Go as late as they will let you! You'll never know if you don't try!
Renee·
Thanks, RAWR. I have guilt 3 years later that I didn't hold out a little longer with my son and I don't want to face that feeling again.
deleted-user·
Well considering it is obvious that the interventions are what ultimately led to your first c section, I'd say f what you think to the ob and go for your vbac.
Of course, keep am open mind as you never know how it will go! Hopefully you get your vbac!
deleted-user·
Intervention is really what probably caused you to stop dilating and regressing. You should try for a natural and I'm sure things will go great no need to schedule a section based on last labor
Renee·
It's funny you mention the interventions, sunshine, because I told the doctor today that I strongly felt the second epidural was what caused the regression and that had it not been administered I would have progressed (albeit slowly perhaps) and he told me that was highly unlikely. But I remember my labor nurse telling me it was a distinct possibility that it could happen. And I felt pushed to accept it and pushed to then do the c.
deleted-user·
My SIL had a cesarean after a failed induction. With pitocin and an epidural her body just kind of stopped trying. After he was born her doctor at the time claimed she'd never deliver vaginally because her baby was "too big" and her hips were "too narrow."
Two years later with a supportive doctor, she went into labor on her own and delivered an even larger baby with zero complications and a perfect, textbook VBAC.
Your body won't make a baby too big! I absolutely think it was the interventions that caused your regression. I had pitocin with my first and multiple times during my 22 hour labor I regressed because my body was so stressed. I was beyond lucky the baby managed to tolerate it or I could easily have been in your shoes. I believe you can birth this baby if you avoid the interventions this time!
Renee·
Thanks, ladies. I need the reassurance. I know in my heart that I will regret not trying.
deleted-user·
Also I will add.... with my oldest I was 5'3" 120lbs when I got pregnant. She was born weighing 7lbs 8oz 21inches. The doctors has to use forceps as she kept "retreating" and her heart rate dropped. They then told me that if I had more children and they were larger than her that I would not be able to have a vaginal delivery.... I went on to deliver an 8lbs 7oz 21.5inch baby and an 8lbs 5oz 21.5inch baby..... trust me your body can do amazing things!
deleted-user·
You asked what we would do....
Let me tell you what I DID...
I allowed myself to be induced at 41+2 because I was "overdue". After 21 hours of labor and dilating to only 4cm, my son's heart rate dropped and I had an emergency C-section.
Fast forward 6 years...
I refused induction unless a true medical necessity arose. My doctor pushed for induction at the end of my pregnancy and I said no. I went into labor on my own at 41+4 and had a medication free VBAC to an 8lb 4oz baby girl.
I will be having my 2nd VBAC next month.
Epidurals tend to have 2 completely opposite effects: they can help you relax and help labor progress OR they can stall labor.
I also recommend attempting a medication free birth. The first step in that is refusing induction- even at 41+3- if there are no medical issues. A possibility of a big baby or simply being overdue are NOT medical reasons to induce. The next step is to stay home for as long as possible during labor. The less time that you spend laboring in the hospital, the less time there will be for unnecessary medical interventions.
That was my personal plan and story and it worked beautifully.
Good luck, in whatever you choose!
Renee·
Thanks, Jennifer! The doctor is actually against inducing me as well-he feels that will just cause undue hardship on me and baby girl. He would want a c scheduled at 41+.
It is refreshing to hear that I'm not crazy thinking the meds didn't help and probably hindered my first labor. (Although, on some level that makes me feel like I failed myself)
I will talk to my husband tonight to get his perspective as well (although he will just support whatever I decide) but hearing the success stories is bolstering my faltering courage!
deleted-user·
Make the choice that you will be happy with.
I will say that if I had scheduled a repeat C-section at 41 weeks, that's what I would've had- and I would've missed out on my beautiful VBAC at 41+4.
I've learned to trust that my body and baby will know when it's time to go into labor.