VB after C-section (weeks, women, result, decrease)

[miasmommy]

I had a horrible experience with my birth. I went to the hospital after 14 hours of labor at home. I was dialated to 8. I said I felt great and was handling the pain quite well. I wanted to walk around but they said I HAD to get hooked up to monitor the baby. When I was lying down the pain got a little worse and the doctor scared me into believing I wouldn't be able to handle the pain any further "since it only gets worse." They told me that 95% of women get epidurals and that I'd be crazy NOT to get one. So I got one at 9 centimeters? I got a fever of 106 and they put me on antibiotics. The baby started moving all over moved from "head down" to breach! Which I blame on the drugs which caused the fever! So they said I needed an emergency C-section. I refused and said I wanted to push. They drugged me and did it without my consent. When I awoke, they coaxed me into signing the surgery consent form AFTER they forced me. I said I wanted to breastfeed and NOT to give my baby a botte, but they did. I did NOT sign the form allowing the Hep B vaccine, I wanted to wait, yet I find out at her first appt that they DID give it to her!

Basically, I have a healthy daughter with no damage (that I can see) but does anyone have any advice for this NOT happening the second time around?

Has anyone had a VBAC? Is it difficult? More painful? Successful?

Has anyone had a tub birth? No drugs?

Now, I lasted up to 9 centimeters with pain, but tolerable. Were they right when they said the pain gets worse?

[TouchOfWhimsy]

One of my best friends had a VBAC... she tried to have a homebirth, and ended up transferring to the hospital. The doctors were threatening her and saying she had to have a C Section, but she kept on refusing... right up to the point where she pushed out her babe vaginally! She's currently pregnant again and is planning a homebirth.

Depending on your state, you may have a very hard time getting a doc to agree to a VBAC. You may want to look into a birth at a freestanding birth center or a homebirth with a midwife.

I had a water LABOR and wow, it was awesome. Unfortunately, at the hospital that I delivered at, they only allow laboring in the water and not birthing in the water. When I got out of that tub, the pain hit me like a wave and I ended up with an epidural... I was already transitioning in the water, and was doing fine with the pain before I had to get out. I think that if I'd continued in the water, I would have been absolutely fine with no pain meds. Intervention-free is the way to go whenever possible. Good luck!

[miasmommy]

Yes, I have contacted and switched to a midwife. I'm in illinois and they DO do them often I read. The midwife said since it was most likely the cause of the drugs, it probably WOULDN'T happen second time around. They do a bath at this hospital, but I never thought to ask about the labor vs actual delivery.

Thank you for the info. I also agree that no drugs is best!

[crazyme4878]

I think a duala or midwife at this point is a great idea. Even if things go wrong and you need to have a hospital birth, the duala or midwife will be your voice and fight for the choices you chose. My heart goes out to you! All human-relation problems are magnified when you are in labor (as well in the following weeks) because of the situation and of all those wonderful hormones flowing through you. Can you switch hospitals as well? Even if you have to drive a little further, it seems like it would be worth it.

I also labored in the tub the second time--WOW! It was wonderful!

[okpondlady]

In Oklahoma OB/GYN's insurance is overwhelming with a VBAC. All that I have talked to won't do it. I would switch Dr AND hospitals. No one should be forced to have a C-Section without consent. Of course, they were probably convinced they were doing the right thing too. Having said that, I would switch hospitals but I would NOT have a home birth. A Douala (to help you stand up for your rights) or a midwife would be less likely to do unwanted interventions in a hospital. BUT a home birth following a section would be dangerous I would think. Just my opinion.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

Actually, homebirthing is considered very safe for VBACs as long as the incision was horizontal and there are no other risk factors. Since there are no interventions during a homebirth, there won't be artificial rupture of membranes, pitocin, etc, that are likely to result in complications leading to a repeat C-section (which is more dangerous to most women than a VBAC). I personally would also consider how far you are from a hospital... if you are within a 5-10 minute drive, that's different than if you are an hour away, in case there are rare complications! Of course if someone is not comfortable with a homebirth, then there are other options in most states that can be just as intervention-free as a homebirth.

[miasmommy]

All the research I have done DOES say that a homebirth is SO much safer (even after c-section). There is a doctor in my area who has delivered over 30,000babies at home and NO c-sections in his history! However, like someone said above, it comes down to where YOU are comfortable. I think I would be most comfortable in a hospital setting AND having a doula/midwife AND trying for the water birth AND/OR being able to walk around!

My incision is horizontal. The midwife did say it is safer to try vaginally rather than c-section as long as there are no complications.

I know I can do it. I can't wait to give it another shot. I have changed hospitals too. I will be about 20 minutes from the new hospital, that should be alright?

I asked my mother alot of these questions, it's hard to remember for her she says it was "so long ago" lol.

So, what about the pain. Does it hurt more since I had a c-section? I mean the pushing/contractions?

And what about the pushing. The reason I took the epadural at 9 centimeters was because the nurse said I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, that it only "gets worse." I can't imagine it getting worse after going through much of my active labor WITHOUT drugs.

[okpondlady]

For me at 9 it didn't get any worse than 10...... but that is me.

[crazyme4878]

I think it was just plain wrong for the nurse to imply the pain will increase dramatically and that you wouldn't be able to handle it. Billions of women have over the millenium. Don't fall for the scare factor. Of course it is going to hurt--badly, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to handle it.

Take a week to focus on reading only ways to decrease the pain naturally, making notes, then inform your midwife that you want to discuss the pain issue in-depth at your next appointment. Also think about your own pain levels from the past. And involve your husband, making a list together of what methods you want to try first, second, third, etc. (and remember to bring the list to the hospital). And who knows, the labor might be super quick. My first came out sunny-side up, and therefor took forever. I think the only reason my doctor wasn't even coming close to suggesting a c-section was because the hospital only did 20-30 births a year and who knows how often--if at all--they did c-sections. Anyhow, my second was born in seven hours. I didn't believe the doctor when he said he could see the head and only one or two more pushes would do it!

But in the end, don't beat yourself up if you havie drugs or a c-section. We do what we can and no more, enjoying a healthy baby is the end goal.

[nrfitchett4]

Originally Posted by miasmommy

Yes, I have contacted and switched to a midwife. I'm in illinois and they DO do them often I read. The midwife said since it was most likely the cause of the drugs, it probably WOULDN'T happen second time around. They do a bath at this hospital, but I never thought to ask about the labor vs actual delivery.

Thank you for the info. I also agree that no drugs is best!

wait??? your having another baby when you admit you can't afford insurance on the first?