Home Birth after C-section?

I’m thinking of putting a home water birth in my birth plan, and just wondering if anyone else has had one? I had an emergency csection with my first at 28+2 and I really want a birth on my terms in an environment I’m comfortable in. My BMI has been brought up already so many times so I’m expecting it when I make this request, too.
Just looking for some reassurances & other plus size home birth stories 🩵

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I would speak to your midwife at your next appointment. I was told at my 12 week scan that due to a previous c-section I wasn’t allowed a home birth or to go to the home from home (Only place you can have a water birth). My BMI isn’t high.

my next appointment is my birth plan one, so I just wanted to go into it prepared.

I didn’t even mention birth at my appointment and was told from the start. I’m sure every hospital has their own guidelines as well. So I’d definitely mention it but not be too disappointed if your told the same as me.

ah OK, she hasn’t said it thus far so I’ll have a chat with her about it at that next appointment & see :)

You will almost certainly find that it is not recommended to deliver outside hospital with a previous section, especially a section under 34 weeks. This is because of the risk of the scar opening up. This happens in about 1 in 250 to 30p cases so rare but can be catastrophic.
However, it is entirely your decision where and how you want to deliver this baby. Ultimately, you will be supported in whatever decision you make, but they will have to (legally) ensure that you are making a fully informed decision and that you understand the potential outcomes.
The most likely thing is that everything will be absolutely fine! But they wouldn't be doing their jobs properly if they didn't discuss risks and benefits with you. BMI is less of an issue as home birth pools are inflatable so they can just step on the side to empty it in an emergency if needed.
Hope that makes sense and sorry if I've come across negatively, I just think it's better to be prepared for the conversation! Xx

thank you so much, that’s really helpful! Somebody has to be that 1 in 250/300, so it’s understandable. I just worry so much how much more traumatised I might be if I have to deliver in a hospital alone 😔 xx

why would you be alone? X

we don’t have any options for childcare of our son when I go into labour, and this ones due right before Xmas so thins out options even more xx

Ah that's such a shame. And so stressful for you! It is worth considering that you may need to be transferred in to hospital at some point during your labour and being prepared for that just in case. If it isn't something you've considered might happen, it might have a significant impact on how you view your experience. Sudden changes in birth plan that weren't expected can be traumatic so it is definitely worth thinking about every eventuality. Xx

oh absolutely, I’ve considered that for sure I’m just not sure how I’d cope being there from the off. My first birth was one of those “nothing from the birth plan, completely unexpected issues” so it’s a real thing to think about zx

@Shanice you can do this, whatever happens. And you will be supported in your choices. It will feel like everyone is trying to put you off. They're not, it's just they have to make sure you understand the possible outcomes. Otherwise theyd be letting you and your baby down.
Please let us know how you get on! Xx

I thought you couldn’t give birth naturally again after a c-section? My sister was told she wouldn’t be able to give birth naturally if she had any more babies

@Pagan most people can. Sometimes something happens in the operation that means we'd recommend you don't. Xx

it’s maybe due to the reason she had a c-section or the hospital’s policy. I know the more c-sections you have the more they advice you to get a c-section as your changes of a rupture increases after everyone.

The hospital I am with fully support VBAC and have said I can have one only if I go to the labour ward. It would mean they could quickly move me into have a c-section if something did go wrong.

you can usually, as long as its been just about 2 years between them and you’ve only had 1. That’s my hospitals policy anyway xx

Hey girl I’m going through the same thing your going through . I’m a bigger girl wanting to have vaginal birth when I do get pregnant . But Im really trying to avoid a C-section again . Because Im scared of not being able to have as many kids as I would like . 🫠

And I’m aware of the risk but I know . I can have this next baby vaginally just don’t know if the hospital will support it .

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I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

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