What was your experience?
My first birth was an emergency caesarean with complications. My second birth was a VBAC. The best way I dealt with my experience was by researching what went wrong the first time and working out how I could avoid the same things happening when I had my second child. Before I fell pregnant for the second time I started researching VBAC. I realised there was no reason why I couldn't have a vaginal birth. The feeling that I was in control was most important in my successful VBAC.
How did you feel about the process and outcome of having a VBAC?
I felt positive about the process and outcome of having a VBAC. As soon as I started my research I knew it was what I wanted for my second birth. As I had worked out what had led to my caesarean first time around I then set about doing everything I could to increase my chance of having a VBAC. Therefore I knew I had to have a supportive caregiver, I knew I would have a better outcome if my body went into labour naturally and I researched and practised Optimal Foetal Positioning (OFP). I tried to be positive and rather than thinking "What if I end up with another caesarean"? I focussed on achieving my VBAC.
How difficult was it to find medical support?
It wasn't difficult for me to find medical support as I chose an obstetrician who encouraged me to have a VBAC. I wouldn't have kept seeing this doctor if he hadn't been supportive. I was aware that I would increase my chance of having a VBAC if I chose someone who was prepared to support my decision to VBAC. The private hospital I was booked into also offered a VBAC preparation class which I found useful. I did, however, find it difficult right at the end of my pregnancy when I was 7 days overdue and my obstetrician had to go away for a week. I had to see another obstetrician who, I discovered, wasn't very supportive. He wanted to book me in for an elective caesarean two days later and he gave me a list of reasons why. The best thing about my preparation for my VBAC was that I felt confident enough to say to this doctor that I happy to wait (I also disagreed with some of the reasons he had given me for having to have the caesarean), as both myself and the baby were healthy. Three days after an elective caesarean was recommended I went into labour naturally and my second baby was born by VBAC after a 5 hour labour.
What would be your advice or suggestions to women considering a VBAC?
My advice to others is to research and become knowledgeable about VBAC. I searched internet sites, read lots of books and articles; not only about VBAC but natural childbirth, and also read other women's stories about how they achieved their VBACs. I would also recommend finding a supportive caregiver and if you aren't happy, keep looking until you find someone you are happy with. I swam at least once a week to try and get my baby in a good position and this made me very fit which also helped me get through the labour. I wanted to give myself the best possible chance to achieve a VBAC. I also think it is important to recognise feelings of disappointment if the birth doesn't go as you would have like it to. As part of my preparation I knew I might have to face having another caesarean, but I didn't dwell on this. I knew I would be disappointed if I ended up having a second caesarean, but I also knew I had done as much as possible to help to achieve a VBAC.
What were your partner's reactions/feelings to you having a VBAC?
My husband knew how much I wanted a VBAC but he didn't really understand why I had such a strong desire to have a VBAC. He was supportive, but felt I was 'obsessed' with wanting to achieve a VBAC. He even thought at the end of my pregnancy when a caesarean was recommended to me that we should go with the elective caesarean. I think that was based on his fear that I would have another terrible experience if I attempted a VBAC but ended up with a second emergency caesarean, so perhaps it was best to book in and have a positive elective caesarean experience.
Once our second baby was born he was shocked but extremely happy. My VBAC was very straightforward; I think he was shocked it went so well after the drama we had experienced with our first birth. Because the birth was such a positive experience for us both he finally understood why I had been so 'obsessed' about VBAC! He now relates my feelings about my VBAC as me having that sense of achievement similar to training for, and completing a marathon, or reaching the summit after climbing a mountain.
How did you feel emotionally about achieving your VBAC?
I was euphoric after my VBAC - and this feeling stayed with me for a very long time. I was just so happy and so proud of myself, not just for having a VBAC but for being able to be in control of my birth experience. I felt all my research and preparation had paid off. It was such an empowering experience, not just the actual birth, but the months and months I had spent beforehand preparing for it. My recovery after the VBAC was so much easier than after having a caesarean. My VBAC helped me to come to terms with the feelings I had following my traumatic first birth experience. I'm looking forward to doing it all again in three months when baby number three is due!
Discuss VBAC stories with other EB members in our forum.
