VBAC experiences with a small age gap

My first was awful, 3 hours of actively pushing before an emergency c section where my baby coded and had to be resuscitated. Traumatic delivery, super rough recovery, etc. Second was induced due to a failed NST so I was worried it would end the same, and they actually had to try to calm my contractions so my doctor could get there in time 😅 from the time i got admitted to the time she arrived was less than two hours, including them breaking my water, getting an iv in (took like half an hour all on it's own), and them cleaning her off before putting her on my chest. the only rough part was she came fast enough the epidural didn't have time to set in so I basically gave birth on Tylenol 😅 the anesthesiologist got pulled into a c section so I didn't get my epidural until like 10 min if that before she was born. Super easy recovery, I'm actually like 20 lbs lighter than I was before pregnancy with my first, and feel healthier than I've felt in years (except for being tired lol).

I want to do a vbac too! I've had 2 cesareans and I've been praying to have a vaginal. Then I was diagnosed with preeclampsia (at 25w) so they scheduled my cesarean for baby to get pulled at 37w.. still holding out hope for a miracle vaginal birth as this is my last baby♥️

I had an emergency c section at 37 weeks with my first. My second baby was a VBAC via induction with the balloon catcher and hormone drip. I have a 16 month age gap xx
It’s definitely doable but listen to your body, and the doctors and midwife’s advice when you get to labour if you choose vbac, as you can always try and for whatever reason labour does progress enough or you end up having a c section. You’ll know that you tried but getting your baby here safely for you and baby is what’s best xx

My first was pretty bad. Ended up having to be induced due to bleeding and after 17 hours and pushing for 2, her head was too high so they tried forcep causing a big bleed that ended in c section.
My first was 20 months when I had my second. Went into labour naturally at 38 weeks and it progressed very quickly as I was fully dialysed after 3 hours from my first contraction. Unfortunately this was too quick & I ended with placenta abruption and a 3rd degree tear causing 2.5 litre blood loss as had an assisted forceps delivery.
Still better than having a c section as I could give my first cuddles and carry her without pain. I found recovery so much easier.
Just remember to listen to your body and it’s okay if it doesn’t work out perfectly as long as you & baby are safe xx

how big is your gap since last section?

I went for a home birth with my first and it was a dream and you can imagine what I wanted was the opposite of a section (an unmedical birth) so I was devastated. I laboured 20 hours at home with him and was 10cm you could see his hair but he was back to back so got basically dragged into hospital in an ambulance (not dragged I wanted to go for the baby but I had fought all day to keep trying at home)

I have this probably unreasonable fear of my scar rupturing because an awful nurse came into my room the morning after my section when I was still drugged up, vulnerable and alone and started scaremongering about the dangers of sex and contraceptives to go on and how if I don’t wait 3 years I WILL rupture and also how I will never get a natural birth now

how long is your age gap?x

@Jasmine my daughter was born about 2 months before my son turned 2

thanks that’s really helpful. It’s so hard to know what to do because on one hand I could choose a planned calm section but I’m obviously putting an end to even giving it a go, but on the other I could give it a go and then end with the same chaotic traumatic section I had the first time again 😕

Unfortunately I don't have any advice as I'm still currently pregnant but I can say I know how you feel about the feelings of having vbac over elective. My little girl will be 11 months old when my little one is due. My little girl was aslo an unplanned section as I knew something was wrong despite the Labour ward telling me different so I pretty much had to demand a section. I secretly just want a vbac as I feel this will probably be my last baby but I know in a way a section is probably the way I will have to go to be able to have help with childcare

I'm in the same boat. I'm currently 36+4 pregnany and my little one is 14 months. Had an emergency c section with him after being in labour for 18.5hrs. After so many discussions and statistics thrown at me etc, I've opted to try for a vbac this time. Recovery should be a lot easier and I won't feel bad about not being able to pick my first up. They've assured me that they will be monitoring my progress during labour and if there is a risk of a rupture they'll take me in for a c section immediately. They also won't allow me to be in labour for longer than a few hours if there is no progress.
They also said if this is the case and it results in a c section, the recovery won't be as bad as my first section. As I'll be taken in quicker so my body won't be as tired and weak as it was the first time round.
Hopefully will go well for us!🤞🏼

oh my gosh you are me but now! Got my fingers crossed for you

Following because I want a VBAC after my first was a grade 2 emergency c section under general anesthesic after 136 of being in labour ..after over 26hrs after my water breaking I was then taken down to theatre...for some reason my spinal didn't work so i could move one of my legs and not the other I could fully feel the first cut thats where i said "stop! I can feel that" and they said "we should put you to sleep ,is that okay? I said" yes" in a moment of panic..they quickly put a mask over my face and giving me a injection so I'd fall asleep ....worst experience to be honest I don't want to do through that again ...what I wanted was to have a birthing pool not all that other stuff ...I was induced 3 times with that not working ..I had 3 failed epidurals ...and the cervical checks where horrible

oh god I am so sorry that happened to you 😞 at first I just automatically leaned to a section again because I think I wanted it planned and to be NOT what happened to me the first time. But can’t help but feel like I’d be settling for just another thing I still don’t want

Mine was successful with a 15m gap. My first was an early c section for placenta previa so hadn’t laboured before but it was really fast and no problems. I felt the same way, the decision is so hard with the uncertainty and I had the same feeling of missing the experience. All the best with it whatever you choose x

thank you! 🙏🏽

How did you find the birth and recovery in comparison after being able to do both?x

The VBAC was miles easier for me. I was only in hospital 45 minutes before she was born and home within 12 hours. She was 9lb and I had some 2nd degree tearing but it was really manageable, I was caring for my toddler the next day. I know some people have difficult experiences so I don’t want to portray it as all sunshine but it was worth the risk for me x

I think it depends. 15 months is pretty close so I don’t think I would risk it with that. But that’s up to you. My kids were 19 months apart and I had a vbac and it was great. But idk if I would have tried if they were closer than 18 months

i 100% get where you are coming from, i had gestational diabetes and reduced movements with my seconds so it nearly was a C-section again but i wanted to try for the same reasons as you, i wanted that experience and to be able to have birthed my baby naturally. I would say have a birth plan for both options and try and be as open minded to both options as possible, but you’ll know which will be best for you and baby when the time comes xx

I had a misscarrige today 😞