The VBAC Blog

Way to go on your decision to have the baby at home!! You’re going to do great. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

I am a writer who is studying to be a doula. I am writing this with my 12-week old naturally delivered son sitting on my lap. His labor was 36 hours long, and I definitely learned that a lot of the experience comes from what you have in your head. He was born in a hospital that was very in support of natural birthing.

You might want to check out Birthing from Within. It’s a great book about birthing.

You can do it!!

My daughter has had 5 children. The first was vaginal, the second one was c-section. After that one, the rest were vaginal with no drugs! She did great and all the children are great & wonderful. Thank God she finally got her tubes tied!!! Good luck, hoping this one will be a ‘breeze’ for you!

I was very happy to read that you hired a midwife! I just wanted to mention that hiring a labor doula (a professional birth support person) is also a great investment. If you wanted more information on doulas, you could go to my website at http://www.mommiesmatter.com

Having a labor doula would be especially helpful to you as a VBAC mom! Doulas are with you during your entire labor and delivery and provide emotional, physical, and informational support.

If you’re interested, let me know and I can provide additional information for you.

Had to respond about your planned VBAC. I had a C-section w/my first pregnancy because the baby was breech. No complications and very simple recovery. Not bad at all. For my second child’s birth 20 months later (in 1994 when VBACs and one-night hospital stays were all the rage, thanks to the insurance companies), I had a VBAC. I wish I hadn’t. Along with that delivery came a 4 degree tear which has since caused problems. You don’t want to know the details, but if I’d had more of a choice I would have had a C-Section instead of the VBAC. Also, since I had such a brief hospital stay we didn’t realize right away that our daughter had jaundice until a day or so after we should’ve had her back at the hospital.

So, for whatever it’s worth, I’d recommend a C-Section in a hospital. Regardless, good luck and hope all goes well with the rest of your pregnancy!

I’m on the run (have to head to work), but wanted to let you know that I applaud your decision. My first baby was a C-section, simply because he was breech (and because I’d already been in labor for 18 hours). It was such a dismal experience that I determined to avoid that ever happening again. So, I started reading. The book The Silent Knife was a tremendous resource.

Anyway, my second baby was born in the hospital–but I had done prenatal care with experienced midwives, and one of them monitored my labor at home until she felt it was time to go to the hospital. (And I had gotten a birth plan set up there in advance–something that was still necessary in the mid-80s to avoid them strapping you to a fetal monitor, an IV, and keeping you prone.)

Believing that my VBAC experience would have been worlds better had I birthed at home, and having researched the issue thoroughly (even an AMA study years ago supported home birth for low-risk pregnancies), I chose to have my last two babies at home–with the same two women. Suffice it to say that I had much shorter labors, MUCH less pain, and absolutely fabulous experiences.

Lastly, the risk of uterine rupture is ridiculously low–especially with a bikini incision. Even if you have a vertical incision, it’s still only 1 out of 100–and the few women who “rupture” (which usually is more just the incision beginning to open up, not something horrific like explosions and hemorrhaging) are almost always malnourished. (So, eat LOTS of protein and take good supplements.)

If you’d like to talk by phone (to ask questions or just get moral support), feel free to call me.

Believe me, you’ll not only be glad you did this, I’m willing to wager you’re going to become an advocate for this!

Blessings,

Carol H.

I had 2 c-sections with my first two children, then with my third, I had a vaginal birth. I was very lucky to have a doctor who left the decision up to me. I had to be monitored carefully during labor, and once contractions hit, I couldn’t go home. To speed up labor, my “bag of waters” was broken, and I was given Pitocin, but since I had an epidural, everything was smooth sailing! (Gotta love those epidurals! I felt no
pain, could still push, was not drowsy/mentally affected at all.)

I can tell you it was the best experience of my life, knowing that my body could deliver a baby, and I could experience a “normal” birth. I felt like I had some control in the situation, instead of being taken to the OR and having the experience stripped away from me. After I delivered, my doctor felt the prior incision around my uterus to see that it was still intact. It was, and I recovered quickly. It was amazing, and very rewarding. My doctor still tells me that she remembers the details of my son’s birth (it has been 6 years) and that it was rewarding for her as well, and that births like the one I had were the reason why she went into OB practice. Everone was crying in the delivery room–My doctor, me and my husband (not because of the VBAC but because we finally had a son!)… So, I hope everything goes well for you, and I am glad that you found a midwife who will help you.

Sure, you can add my story to the rest. I wish I would have been able to hear other women’s stories when I was making and thinking about my VBAC, as it would have been very helpful. You will be providing other women in this situation a great service. Also, one other thing that helped me make my decision….I had a dream while I was pregnant that I would have a normal birth—it was one of those dreams that seem so real….Something about that dream just gave me the confidence to go ahead and give it a try!

Besides me not minding my own business, I just want you to know that I really appreciate your newsletter and have been receiving it for a long time now. I am hoping to someday retire from nursing to become a full time writer. Thanks a lot.

Hi. Good move on the homebirth midwife choice. My wife had 2 kids at home after we decided that doctors caused many of the problems as they appear to be heroes on. We read books and took classes on the Bradley Method of childbirth, which is basic common sense: tuning in to your body. No distraction breathing and other birthing BS that MDs and hospital used to keep them in control. Good partnership between spouses helped as well.

We were knowledgeable in nutrition and herbs, which also helped. Some insurance toward a smoother delivery: Herbs – Red Raspberry (very safe, uterine tonic you can take throughout your whole pregnancy), Squaw Vine (also very safe – look it up online. We used it a long time ago and I forget its specific benefits now); Supplements – a good multivitamin (common sense) and essential fatty acids (think of these as becoming heathy hormones in your body). A nutritionist may add a few, if you’re so inclined. Their supplements would undoubtedly be better than the expensive junk MDs typically recommend.

Our nurse-midwife became a good friend after our kids (now teens) were born. She learned from us and has recommended our herbs for everyone since us, as she
sees much less bleeding with them than without.

Happy birthing!

I had a successful non-medicated VBAC just last September. My OBGYN group is 9 strong and only 2 doctors were on board with me. I got a lot of support from those 2 doctors but that’s because they knew me from my previous pregnancy. My previous pregnancy was 4 years ago and I delivered c-section because my daughter was breech which kept me at low risk for a rupture. I also kept my weight gain in check to keep my risk low during this pregnancy. At my first appointment to confirm my recent pregnancy, the doctor (who I didn’t know) told me 1 in 50 babies die with vaginal birth and that it wasn’t worth the risk. She also told me that I would have to be induced and confined to the bed.

My research and insistance for a VBAC prompted a group meeting with all the doctors so hopefully now they will be more open to discussion with pregnant women who demand choices and a voice when it comes to their health. As far as my labor and delivery went, I had my second daughter 4 hours after I was admitted to the hospital. I felt my labor coming on around 2:30 in the morning but didn’t have strong or regular contractions until that evening. We went to the hospital around 8pm and returned home at 10pm. I hadn’t dialated. I argued about going home stating – “I live 30 minutes away. I’m a VBAC patient. I know I’m in active labor.”
But of course was ignored, patted on the head and sent home.

When my water broke at 11pm and we flew back to the hospital – I was at 10 and turned the staff inside out. The nursing staff were all whispering VBAC and when everything went successfully and I did not, in fact, need a fat epidural – nor did my uterus burst. I was kind of a celebrity. The maternity nurses were all supportive and all but one of my L and D nurses were supportive. The medical establishment is so screwy that my hospital not only had a low rate of VBAC but also a low rate of women who go into spontaneous labor. Most births are induced or scheduled surgeries. Frankly it seems criminal to me. But fortunately, I was well read and not intimidated by existing establishment.

By the way, I also had a doula who backed me up. It kept the hospital staff from really bullying me if they had been inclined. Doula’s are terrific advocates of women’s strength in childbirth.

So – good for you! You should feel confident in your choices all the way around. It sounds completely safe and reasonable to me especially since you are so close to a hospital in case of an emergency. You are the primary person who knows what’s best for you! I have 2 brilliant beautiful daughters and wish you the best with your pregnancy and delivery.

Congrats on the new baby, I just had my first one in September and the hospital doctor was HORRIBLE to me. I am working on getting her fired. So I feel for you when you find out that someone who has your life, and the life of your baby, in their hands and they aren’t a good doctor.

To ease your mind check out this site http://www.duggarfamily.com. Michelle Dugger has given birth to 16 children, two of them (at least) were not vaginal…so she has done some serious VBAC.

Let us know how the midwife goes, I am going that route for the next one. How dare someone in the medical profession not provide you with the finest care possible, which includes being honest and upfront about everything.

They’re way too ready to cut women up during childbirth. I think what you’re doing is absolutely wonderful, and I’ll be thinking of you! )

Please keep us all updated as your pregnancy progresses – I’m sure you have many, many other readers who are anxious to hear how you’re doing!

I experienced VBAC with the birth of my son who will be five in March. After having a C-section when I delivered my twin daughters, I was urged to have another but I refused. I didn’t want the longer recovery period or the surgery if it could be avoided. Fortunately, my OB/GYN was willing to let me try – or so he said.

I learned later that he really didn’t think I would go through with it and had instructed the hospital staff to be prepared for me to have another C-section. When the labor intensified, however, my son was born quickly and naturally. There was no time for pain meds or an episitomy – in fact, the doctor was summoned and arrived
in time to catch my son as he was born. It was a very routine birth and I felt that I recovered much faster than I did from my earlier C-section. Since my son’s birth I’ve noted that increasing numbers of doctors are against VBAC but I remain glad that I chose that option!

I read your article on having a VBAC at home with a midwife. I had a C-section for my first birth and was desperate to not have one the second time. I had severe difficulty breathing during my first one and had to be put under general anasthesia. It was a traumatic and painful experience.

I went to a midwife (who was affiliated with a doctor’s practice) for my second pregnancy. The level of care I received was amazing and I would recommend a midwife to anyone. In labor, the midwife was supportive and wonderful. However, I still had to have a c-section. My first baby’s heartbeat had become dangerously slow during labor and that was why I had to have a c-section the first time. The second time the exact same thing happened, except worse, and I had to have an emergency-c. When a midwife tells you you have to have a c-section, you know that you do. She stayed right by me during the c-section and made that a much more comfortable experience as well.

I understand why you are reluctant to have a second c-section. I can’t even begin to describe how strongly I felt about not having a second one, and I commiserate with your situation with your doctor, but sometimes being 2 minutes away from a hospital is too far. If having a healthy baby means being cut open, then unfortunately, sometimes that is what it takes. Without c-sections, neither of my two children would be here.

I know you have to make the right decision for yourself and your family, but I just wanted to share my story with you. I wish you the best of luck with both your birthing experience and your new baby.

As a successful VBAC mother here and a former member of the Caesarian Prevention Movement (back in the ’80′s), I would suggest that you hire a doula (labor support) to assist you and your husband during your birth. Your midwife will be nurturing and supportive, but she’ll need to pay attention to medical details during the labor and birthing process. It’s just so important to surround yourself with positive energy and folks who believe in VBAC’s and the whole natural birth process. The doula will be worth every penny you pay for her. (e.g. make sure you
and your husband get fed, massage your feet, keep you walking, etc.) My husband was not really the most comfortable with the birth process, so having someone else to help was a lifesaver.

Also, I worked with a hypnotherapist who made me a tape of the perfect birth. I listened for a couple of months to a tape that said, “My contractions are coming, and they feel wonderful!” I remember saying, “Yeah, right!” when I used to listen to the tape. But when the actual birth took place, everytime I had a contraction, I would sing, “I’m singing in the rain, What a glorious feeling, I’m contracting again!” People thought I was nuts at the birth, but because I was singing and having a good time, my body relaxed and just opened up!

Like you, my doctor at the time, wouldn’t support a VBAC in the hospital. So I paid lip service to him during the monthly check-ups in case I ended up in the hospital (which would be covered by our insurance). And we hired a midwife (out-of-pocket expense) who was scheduled to do a home birth when we were ready. It turned out my blood pressure was high and I ended up in the hospital. But my midwife was
with me as a doula. And my daughter was born VBAC in three hours, with no interventions. I had also hired a labor support person (to assist with the home birth), but because I was 3 weeks early, she was on vacation, thinking she’d be back in plenty of time!

My son is now 19 (my Caesarian), and my daughter is now 16.

Here’s wishing you a great adventure with your birth!

I had a VBAC which went so well that it was also an unplanned home birth. Here in British Columbia we have socialized medicine, and during my second pregnancy midwives were officially brought into the system so that their services would be covered by our insurance and they would be allowed to deliver babies in hospitals (instead of being allowed only to assist).

Our midwives didn’t, as a policy, recommend VBACs at home. My daughter would have been the first official midwife-delivered baby at Victoria General Hospital, but I went from the early stages of labor to the late stages with no transition. What was supposed to be a long back labor (because she was facing the wrong way) went so quickly that I never made it off the couch. The midwives notified the hospital of what was going on, just in case I did rupture and had to be transported quickly, but
everything went fine. Instead of being the first midwife-delivered baby at the hospital, she was our midwives’ first home VBAC.

If I were to have another child and could choose between a C-section and another VBAC, I’d definitely go for the VBAC. I could not believe the pain that the C-section caused; in my case (and I know it’s not true for everyone), it was much worse than the pain of giving birth unaided at home and it took weeks to recover.