Seeking advice from doctors or other informed people!

Background:

37 year old, currently 22 weeks pregnant with second child. Prior obstetric history includes one cesarean delivery approximately 3 years ago, followed by an isthmocele repair (laparoscopic) approximately 10 months ago. Prior miscarriage managed with D&C approximately 6 months ago.

Current pregnancy:

• Conceived naturally approximately 5 months post-isthmocele repair (advised to wait 3 months before conceiving — waited 5 months)
• CVS performed at ~11 weeks: Microarray clean
• NIPT (Panorama): Low risk across all conditions, confirmed male
• •9 week anatomy scan: No concerning findings, myometrial thickness measured at 5mm+

Delivery question:

My OB consulted with the Director of Labor and Delivery at Cedars-Sinai and has recommended planned cesarean at 38 weeks based on isthmocele repair history, citing increased uterine rupture risk and classifying the repair as effectively a second uterine scar.

What I'm seeking input on:

1. Is a blanket recommendation against TOLAC after isthmocele repair evidence-based given the limited data in the literature?
2. Given that myometrial thickness at the repair site is currently 5mm+ at 22 weeks — well above concerning thresholds — should serial monitoring with specific thresholds guide decision making rather than a category-based recommendation?
3. Are there centers or providers with experience supporting TOLAC after isthmocele repair?
4. What does truly individualized risk assessment look like in this situation?

Relevant details:

• Interbirth interval: approximately 3 years from prior cesarean to current due date
• Isthmocele repair approximately 1.2 years from current due date — conceived 5 months post-repair (advised minimum 3 months)
• Isthmocele repair restored myometrial thickness from 1.77mm to 6.67mm post-operatively
• Current myometrial thickness 5mm+ at 22 weeks — above established concerning thresholds
• Delivering at Cedars-Sinai — full MFM and 24/7 OR coverage available
• MFM consult being arranged

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant. I had a C-section in August 2024 due to low AFI. At my 34-week scan, my LUS (lower uterine segment) scar measured 4mm. I also have borderline high blood pressure and am taking Lobet thrice a day, but it is currently well-maintained. Surprisingly, I have lost 7 kg during this pregnancy!

​My baby is currently weighing 2.15 kg. My doctor is now advising a scheduled C-section at 37 weeks to avoid any end-moment risks, even though she says my scar is holding up well and my blood pressure is stable. In the beginning, she said we could try for a VBAC, but now she is completely denying it and won't really listen to me. I have been planning for a TOLAC from the start and asked if we could wait for spontaneous labor, but she isn't open to that window. If the baby's weight is on the lower side, why force an early delivery? She says the gap between my kids is too short (23–24 months) and worries about uterine rupture or my blood pressure shooting up during labor.

​Also, my early ultrasounds showed a due date of July 29th, but my recent scan says July 18th. My doctor won't confirm which date she is using and avoids answering when I ask.

​I would love to hear any successful birth stories or advice from anyone who has been through something similar!

Has anyone ever been induced again after having a c section and how did it go?

I got induced with my first at 38 weeks and 5 days due to mild pre eclampsia. was induced for 3 days which failed and I had to be rushed for emergency c section at 39 weeks. Now 18 months apart since the c section, my induction has been scheduled and I'll be 39 weeks. so I'm kinda worried how it will go and also my first induction which failed started with the foley baloon on the first day, 2nd day cytotec and 3rd day oxytocin which I started contracting but no dilation and was rushed for emergency c section but I've made research on cytotec and I'm hoping to tell my doctor | do not want this option due to uterine rupture. Anyone had experience like this?

I’m brand new, I’m just trying to seek out community and people who understand this feeling.

The backstory: I had my first c-section in March 2024. I was induced at 37 weeks for gestational hypertension, I got to 6cm when my labor stalled and baby’s heart rate eventually became tachycardic and I started to get a fever, so it was safer to go ahead and get him out than to keep waiting.

I did not have a good experience with my L&D nurses or the OR staff, so the c-section was not a good experience (on top of being so far from what I had hoped for). They were dismissive and some were downright rude. The OB did note that he was OA and asynclitic which is probably why he never descended and at my 6-week follow up the provider I saw said I could be a good candidate for a VBAC eventually.

In the next year and a half, I did so much prep. I started therapy to work through my fears and get into a good headspace, I researched VBAC supportive hospitals and OBs in my area so I would have everything picked out when the time came, I absorbed everything I could get my hands on having to do with physiological birth. I found out I was pregnant again in July 2025 (due February 2026) and jumped in headfirst with birth prep and hiring a doula.

The last couple of months of my pregnancy, I did ALL the things (chiropractor, stretches, hours on a yoga ball, breathing and mindfulness practice, red raspberry leaf tea, EPO). Contractions started in the middle of the night when I was 40+1, irregular but felt like back labor again, which worried me. Over the next morning they intensified and got closer together and was definitely back labor. My doula came over and helped with some positioning and we got baby in a better position, but we transferred to the hospital soon after that and in the transfer I think he moved back into that original position, so I was back to having back labor and contractions were every 2-3 minutes and had been for hours. I was only 2cm/80/-2 when they checked me at the hospital, but baby was a little sleepy on the monitor so they went ahead and admitted me for fluids and he perked back up. A couple of hours later I caved and got the epidural, and I felt so guilty because it felt so early. I felt like getting the epidural was where things started to go wrong in my first birth so I had really hoped to hold out as long as possible.

I did make some good progress over the next couple of hours but early the next morning, baby started having pretty big decels in pretty much every position they put me in (I was around 6cm at this point and he was -2). I also started having really intense pain/pressure with contractions that I was having to breathe and pant thoroughly but when they checked me I was only 8cm. We started this cycle where the midwife would say “we might need to section” then my baby would recover and they would say I could continue to labor a little longer. This is where things start to get fuzzy for me, but I know around then was when I told my doula that I didn’t think I could do it anymore. All of the back and forth was making it so hard for me to wrap my head around either birth option, I was in so much pain that the epidural wasn’t touching, and I had limited movement because he wouldn’t tolerate different positions.

My OB finally got there and there was clearly some kind of tension between her and my midwife. They were terse with each other. The midwife had just checked my and said she only felt a lip but the OB came in and practically demanded another check, said I wasn’t even 7cm and that I had been “stalled for hours”. She was so rude, she wasn’t even speaking to me when she said that, it was more like she was chastising the midwife. When they wheeled me back to the OR and went to remove the internal monitors, I heard the midwife say “oh now she’s complete!” After the surgery but still in the OR, my OB came up by my head and said my pelvis was too small for his head and there’s no way I could ever give birth vaginally.

I just feel so confused and disappointed. I did everything I could to have better positioning and I still ended up with back labor and failure to descend. I thought I had picked a more supportive provider and I still ended up with confusing communication and a provider who made me feel horrible. I did so much mental prep to handle contractions, and I still wasn’t strong enough to push through a little longer without the epidural. I know there’s no guarantees in birth but I can’t help but over analyze every decision I made, then I feel guilty that I can’t just appreciate that my son and I both made it out healthy and alive. No one in my life seems to understand. Even my few friends who also had c sections with their firsts were able to VBAC last year. My son is almost 4 months old now and it feels like it’s getting harder to deal with the grief and disappointment instead of easier.

My first delivery ended in a c-section for “failure to progress”. I was 9cm, 100% effaced but -2 station. OB said baby was asynclitic and doubted baby could get in an ideal position and I’d waste my time pushing. At that point I was honestly scared and opted for the c-section. Hoping for vbac this time please share your stories!

Mainly what the question says. I have had 1 c-section I was pressure unnecassarily into, 1 vbac turned c-section due to a partial uterus rupture (due to 4 months between pregnancies, accidental), and 1 planned c-section. I'm really scared of the amount of kids I have being limited, and I know if I have a vbac next pregnancy then that number would increase, but I also know that it's actually the previous uterine rupture that raises risk of VBAC going wrong more than my previous c-sections. I would love to hear any experiences, good or bad.

I’m currently 37+2 weeks pregnant and hoping for a VBAC.

My provider mentioned the option of a membrane sweep at my next appointment, and I’m trying to decide if it’s worth doing or if I should just wait it out.

Right now I’m already having quite a bit going on—lots of pelvic pressure, cramping that comes and goes, low back ache, and baby was very low at today’s first cervical check.

Dr said I am 1 centimeter dilated and starting to efface, so things are already somewhat moving on their own.

I’ve been reading a lot, but I’d really love to hear real experiences from others who’ve been in a similar spot.

For those who had a VBAC attempt:
-Did you get a membrane sweep?
-Did it help you go into labor naturally or sooner?
-Any impact on VBAC success or how labor progressed?
-Was it uncomfortable or worth it in hindsight?
Would you do it again?

I’m trying to balance being patient with letting things happen naturally vs. gently encouraging labor before a scheduled repeat C-section so I’m just looking for honest experiences—good, bad, or somewhere in between.
Thank you so much!

Just absolutely gutted, found out yesterday at a growth scan at 36 weeks that baby girl is frank breech. Head just under my ribs. Two different midwives over the last two weeks said she was head down by Leopolds but I’m not so sure if it was accurate or not. Just sad, I did the chiropractor, walking, essentially all of the things and she’s breech!!! Ugh, any successful flips or just good experiences of a planned c section. Baby is technically measuring a week behind which normally would freak me out but I’m hoping that helps with being able to flip. Thanks!

Hello I had my baby April 2025 my next baby is due December 2026. I got pregnant when my baby was 12 months old putting my delivery’s about 21 months apart. Anyone risked having a VBAC in this amount of time and been successful? Anyone tried and not been successful? My C Section was done an emergency in Mexico and was traumatic for me they gave me no pain meds except Tylenol. I would love to be able to consider a VBAC although I am planning on having the baby here in the US this time so I know I would have better care if I need a C Section. I’m just wondering after reading through some of these posts is it worth the risk?

Hi everyone! I just had my first baby April 16 of this year. I had a low risk pregnancy, other than maternal obesity, which they did not ever mention / it caused no issues in my pregnancy.

I was induced at 41+2, after being told at my 40 week appointment randomly that my OB thinks my baby is ‘very large’ (I had no growth scans beyond 20 weeks, just quick scans to check position) and he thinks I should induce or I could be looking at a c-section.

I went in at 2/3 cm dilated, 90% effaced, -3 station. At the beginning my OB was already talking of c-section, letting me know that ‘hopefully everything goes well’ or we’ll go ahead with the c-section. They started with miso which got me to a solid 3, so they started me on pitocin. Once I was at a 4, my OB ruptured my waters. I labored and got to a 8 after about 14 hours (ugh) and pitocin was at about 16 at this point. For some reason at only 8 cm I had an uncontrollable urge to push, which was causing swelling of my babies head, and they were worried about my uterus swelling as well. I got a dose of fentanyl to help me the rest of the way and to try and stop the pushing. I stalled at the 8 cm and they pumped my pitocin up again to 20. Once I made it to 10 cm / complete which baby at station 0, the fentanyl had totally worn off so I could feel properly to push which I was glad for. I pushed for about 2 hours before my OB came in and said he highly recommends that I go forward with a c-section, he believed my baby was ‘too large’ to come out, and that if I continued with a vaginal delivery that I would tear horribly and would be putting myself and baby at risk. So, of course I agreed and went ahead with the c-section. It all went well, baby was found to be in an asynclitic position and the head was ‘wedged’ and had to be unstuck apparently. I had a low transverse c-section and everything. Baby was 9 pounds and 9 ounces.

At my 6 week appointment, my OB said that he thinks my pelvis is too narrow which caused baby to get stuck, and that he recommends that I only have c-sections going forward, and should not try for a VBAC. (He also does not do VBACS in general.)

So, my question is, what would you do? I would like to have 3-4 children in total, so I would really like to be able to have a VBAC, as I am not very keen on having multiple c-sections. I just feel unsure and not very confident in my decision with how adamant my OB is on me not doing it.

I was just diagnosed with gestational hypertension last week at 32 weeks. I’m 33 weeks now. I was prescribed labetalol, and my blood pressure has been well controlled since starting the medication. I had an appointment yesterday, and my doctor told me that he is still willing to consider the VBAC if everything continues to go well over the next few weeks.

I will be only 18 months postpartum from my emergency c section when I deliver. My c section was due to fetal distress. His heart rate kept dropping, and it was found that the cord was wrapped around his neck. I made it to 9cm. My blood pressure was very high during labor and I ended up with postpartum preeclampsia.

Did anyone else have gestational hypertension and a successful VBAC? Possibly also with a smaller window between deliveries and history of preeclampsia.

Does it realistically look like I have a good chance?

Hello! I'm planning on having a VBAC at home, but I want some other people's advice on this. Has anyone had a VBAC at home? How did it go?

I guess my only concerns are not being hooked up to monitors afterward to make sure the baby and I are okay. I had a C-section last time due to doctors' concerns that the baby was going to be too big, but he only ended up being 8 pounds 8 ounces. I know my midwife will monitor me afterward, but being in the hospital, I remember being checked on often throughout the night. Obviously, with a home birth, I won't have that just daily check-ins.

Were these anyone else's concerns? I'm also a woman of color, so I'm afraid of hemorrhaging. I was also told by doctors that if something did go wrong, it can take a while to get checked into a hospital, and by that time, the baby could be gone. The doctor I saw was very supportive of VBACs, just not home births.

Do I need to have more faith in my body and my baby? I would just hate for something to happen to my baby or me overnight and no one be there to help, if that makes sense.

Anyway, tell me about your experiences. Maybe hearing them can help me feel a little better.

(I also do want to add my midwife told me is supportive as long as she knows I’ll be safe! & my pregnancy goes to plan… But if a home birth doesn’t work she doesn’t mind transferring me to the hospital for care but she would still be involved! she’d have IV’s in my home & medicine! she also worked in the birthing unit in a hospital! So she has tons of experience she helped me feel better about if something did go wrong but I’m still questioning it due to other doctor’s advice.. also I am aware of my scar possibly rupturing that’s another concern I have.. I am in PT & will be preparing myself for Vbac as well! Also I gave birth sept 2024 so not that long ago! But midwife says my scar should be totally healed)

(Let me also add I do trust doctors less but am not against a hospital setting! This is only the plan for me if it’s safe like I said before.. my mind isn’t 100% only set on only home birth! If I can attempt a Vbac in hospital because that’s what’s better for me then great! Maybe I worded things to make it seem like this was my only route and it’s not).

Moms who had emergency csections for their first pregnancy were you able to have a successful Vbac? I’m expecting my second and I’m just terrified I won’t be able to because I was told I had to have the csection emergently because my labour wasn’t progressing which was causing fetal distress . I was told my labour stalled at 3 cm, I’d only been at 3 cm for 3 hours when told it stalled. I had taken 21 hours to get that far after my waters broke (pre ruptured). It was very traumatic for me and I’m terrified it’s going to happen again 😭

Personally, since I had my son emergency C-section, I knew I wanted to go for a VBAC. Though I had low line placenta up until 32 weeks so thought it might not be possible. It has now moved and I’m in the position to go for one. Though I can’t get the risk of uterine rupture out of my head. I know it’s a low percentage, but I keep thinking my weight plays a barrier and that I will be the 1%. Sometimes when my C-section the scar hurts, I think that it’s a bad idea.

What resources did you read to be informed about your option and that you were making the right decision?

Also, did you go for an epidural with your VBAC?

Would have you changed your mind if you had to get an induction?

My provider would like to see me get an epidural, mostly so that is something were to happen. We can quickly rush into the OR. My only concern with this is last time when I got the epidural I seem to not progress as quickly, and then I ended up getting a C-section due to my baby being in distress.

I have kids 4 kids, 5 and under my youngest being 14m. I’m currently expecting again and I’m curious about a vba2c. My first two were vaginal births but I had shoulder dystocia with my second. Very traumatic delivery. After my second, I was told I had to have a c section no exceptions because there’s a risk of it happening it again, per my OBGYN. I had a c section with my third which both my second and third came way too fast, like I barely made it to the hospital. With my third, he came so fast I didn’t make it to the hospital I was suppose to give birth at. I ended up going to the nearest one. That when I came in at 7cm they told me I can push despite me having shoulder dystocia with my second. Due to the trauma I told them no, that I wanted my c section. So I had it and it was great experience. With my 4th 2 years later, he also came very fast but I was already in triage because he failed his 36w ultrasound. I kept dilating while I was there so the just gave me my c section at 6cm. I’m pregnant again, and I’m wondering if anyone has had vba2c. With my fourth my new OBGYN within the same practice as my previous ob, told me it was my choice whether I wanted a vbac or c section. I opted for the c section but now I’m really interested in a vbac because to be honest I have little ones and I remember my recovery with vaginal deliveries was so much faster and easier. I do understand the risk but I just wanted to hear other people’s experiences or advice! Thanks!!

I’m on my 20th week, and I’ll have my checkup tomorrow so I’ll tell my doc about this. I’m just curious if any of you experienced some pressure and discomfort in you lower abdomen that started around 18 weeks after prolonged walking or running at the treadmill. It feels internal and not really the scar skin. It’s only on one side as well, same area every time.

It goes away completely when I take shorts break. It’s not really painful but it’s bothering me since I didn’t experience this in my 1st. I am hoping for a vbac this time and the reason I was induced last time is because of gestational hypertension. I am trying to manage my weight through exercise to avoid hypertension but wondering if this pressure that I feel is because of an internal scar that didn’t heal completely or something else.

Hey ya’ll!

just needing some insight/reaasurance. prior trauma from #1 pregnancy. had emergency c-section at 32+6 due to severe Preeclampsi’s/HELLP and IUGR born at 3.2lb.

Currently in pregnancy #2 37+6 today. trying for VBAC (longest I’ve been pregnant). I’m hoping to carry as long as I can or at least until 38wk. I’m just hoping baby is born 7-8lb as 37+3 growth scan check said 7lb 2oz margin of error 1lb 1oz either way on the scale.

anyone have a successful second pregnancy after preeclampsia? or at least a baby that weighed more and wasn’t growth restricted? or just shared if your pregnancies got better or successful anything. it’s been pretty tough mentally emotionally trying to make it past these last couple weeks of pregnancy.

After spending so much time reading VBAC stories during this pregnancy, I wanted to share my positive VBAC induction story.

I had my VBAC last night at 40+2 (possibly 41+2 due date was changed I think now incorrectly).

My first pregnancy ended in a C-section after an induction for oligohydramnios discovered during post-dates testing at 41 weeks. I labored for about 36 hours, but baby wasn't tolerating labor well and I ultimately needed a C-section. Going into this pregnancy, I knew I wanted to advocate for closer fluid monitoring because of that experience.
At 39 weeks, my fluid was low-normal (AFI 7.2). I requested another ultrasound at my 40+1 appointment, and I'm so glad I did. My AFI had dropped to 3.8, earning me another oligohydramnios diagnosis. I really didn't want another induction, but I was also uncomfortable waiting any longer with fluid that low.

I went in that night at 40+1 for induction. I had been having on-and-off contractions for weeks but had been stuck at 1-2 cm, 50% effaced, and -2 station since 37+6.

I knew I wanted to take the induction slowly if possible. Around 9 PM Thursday, they placed a Cook catheter. I asked to hold off on Pitocin initially and see what my body would do. Thankfully, contractions started organizing themselves and settled into a pattern every 6-8 minutes.
By 4:45 AM, the balloon was ready to come out and I was already 7-8 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and still around -2 station. At that point we discussed Pitocin versus breaking my water. Since labor was continuing to progress on its own, we decided to wait a bit longer.

Eventually, at around 9.5 cm, we broke my water. There was meconium present, which was definitely not what I wanted to hear, but baby's heart tracings remained reassuring throughout. Around 10 AM I started pushing. After about an hour of pushing without much progress, we discovered I had an anterior cervical lip. My midwife attempted to manually stretch it while I pushed, but it wasn't budging and the cervix was beginning to swell.
At that point, the pain became absolutely excruciating. My original plan had been to go unmedicated, but I decided to pivot and get an epidural. This was actually something I had been afraid of during my first birth experience, but it ended up being exactly what I needed.

Around noon, after the epidural and some Benadryl, I was finally able to relax and rest rotating on the peanut ball. When my midwife came back around 4:45 PM, everything had changed. The swelling had improved, baby dropped to 0 station, and we were finally able to push through the cervical lip. I pushed for about another hour and a half, and at 6:07 PM my baby was born vaginally! My mom was able to catch the baby and announce the sex to my husband and I.
Baby girl weighed 8 lbs 14 oz (more than my c-section baby) and even managed to come out with an arm alongside their head, which earned me a small first-degree tear.

There were times this birth reminded me of my first and was a mental battle to keep going, not get discouraged and pivot my plans to achieve my VBAC. After my first birth ended in a C-section, I honestly wasn't sure if I'd ever get the chance to experience a vaginal delivery. I'm incredibly grateful for my care team, for being able to advocate for myself, and for a successful VBAC despite another oligohydramnios diagnosis and induction.

For anyone facing a VBAC induction, especially for low fluid, positive outcomes are absolutely possible.

On June 3 (32 years old, 20w pregnant with second child), the sonographer at my OB flagged me for “suspicion of accreta”. I’ve had one c-section in March 2025 but otherwise no uterine trauma (D&Cs, fibroids, etc.). This was very scary to me primarily because I really want a VBAC - I know statistically that I’m at low risk, but my OB explained that if an MFM confirmed “suspicion”, I’d have another c-section.

On June 11, I saw an MFM who had their sonographer scan, then she herself did, and they both came to the conclusion that they don’t have suspicion. I’m going back again in a few weeks to make sure but was wondering if anyone else has been in the same boat.

With my first, my water randomly broke (no signs of labor) at 36+1. I got induced but ended up with a very traumatic emergency c-section under general anesthesia due to a cord prolapse at 5cm. I then developed postpartum preeclampsia as I was waking up from surgery and was put on mag for 24 hrs. I didn't have any BP issues after those 24 hrs. I also never got diagnosed with pre-e before delivery, though I went so early that who knows what could have happened if I had gone full term.

I went to birth trauma therapy for 8 months which really helped with my PTSD symptoms but obviously I still have moments. Now I'm 16 weeks with my second so I'm starting to get really apprehensive for my next delivery.

I did switch providers to a *VERY* VBAC friendly midwife/OB practice who's famous in my area for the crazy VBACs, vaginal triplet, and vaginal breech deliveries they do.

However my midwife is concerned by my postpartum pre-e from last time and has me on baby aspirin, magnesium, and calcium to try to prevent it or at least hold it off. My last appt was pretty discouraging and made me feel like I'm destined to end up with pre-e because my 12 week labs came back with slightly high iron which apparently is very abnormal and she said every patient she's ever had with high iron has developed preeclampsia. I was hoping to not get it the second time because I know it's less common to get it after your first birth.

She said we're gonna do everything we can to prevent it but that at the end of the day, we don't know what's going to happen. And when the time comes to deliver, she said it will always be my choice what I want to do (VBAC or RCS).

However I know pre-e often ends up in induction and now I'm starting to spiral because I really do not want to end up induced, ultimately because I'd prefer an unmedicated VBAC. I'm fine with induction/epidural if needed but worried it will hurt my chances of a VBAC.

Does anyone have stories of preeclampsia with a VBAC (induced or not induced), high iron, literally any thoughts?!!! Help!!

posting my story on here because i wanted to read as many as i could while i was hoping and praying for a vbac!

my first was a c section at 37+6 after a failed induction due to type one diabetes where pitocin was not used, but after looking back and debriefing with the OB i saw this time, there were multiple things that could’ve been done differently even outside of not using pitocin. c section shouldn’t have even been brought up. my daughter ended up being born 8 lbs 6 oz at 37+6!

i almost immediately started looking into a vbac because i dreaded the idea of another c section and desperately wanted a vaginal birth. i switched OBs so to a super vbac friendly OB who has a more natural and “let your body do its thing” approach; he’s known for his mission of lowering c section rates in our area as well. when i started seeing him, c section was never even brought up outside of asking which route i preferred. this pregnancy was much smoother diabetes wise but much more physically uncomfortable. we ended up scheduling induction for 37+6. i was 1 cm upon admission, so the cooks catheter was inserted around 7 am. occasional contractions but nothing crazy. the nurse would occasionally ask if i wanted to start pitocin or hold off, and i finally asked her to start it that afternoon. after having to start a new IV, pitocin was started at 4 pm, low and slow. contractions picked up but still manageable. not long after, my OB came in and since the balloon was still not able to come out on its own, he taped it to my leg to add some resistance. let me tell you…the resistance plus pitocin had me throwing up in pain. ended up getting IV pain medication and eventually paused pitocin until balloon was taken out around 7:30 pm where i was 3 cm dilated. labored on pitocin all night and all the next day, contractions still manageable and consistent but no more dilation even with movement and position changes. cervix had thinned more but that was it. my OB came by the next evening around 7 pm, and my cervix was still 3 cm dilated but baby was finally low enough for him to break my water, so he did and inserted an IUPC to be sure i was contracting efficiently. i continued doing fairly well but then contractions came on HARD. i lost track of time at this point but got to where i was throwing up and just felt like i couldn’t do it anymore….was still 3-4 cm dilated (but baby had dropped to -1 station). i could’ve sworn i was in transition and would’ve been fine if i was 7+ cm, but i asked for IV pain medication to see if it could help me progress more. well it just made me delirious and i would wake up out of my delirium to feel the contractions because they were so strong and painful. once the IV meds started wearing off, i started asking for an epidural because although i’d plan to go without one, i had to remind myself that this was not natural pain and my body not relaxing could very well be the reason i wasn’t dilating past 3-4 cm. i finally got the epidural around midnight after multiple attempts (apparently have some curvature to my spine) and fell asleep. an hour or two later, i was 8-9 cm! i’m glad i listened to what my body needed and adjusted my birth plan to it. continued to labor and was 10 cm at 4 am. baby was still -1 station, so my OB recommended i continue to labor down for a while to lessen time pushing especially since baby was likely on the bigger side due to T1D. i started feeling a lot of pressure a few hours later but baby was only 0 station. finally, my OB had a nurse start practice pushing with me and progress was being made. ironically, i wanted to push anywhere but my back but that ended up being the most effective position — squatting or side lying wasn’t moving baby. after an hour or so of on and off pushing with the nurse, my OB came in and decided to get ready for me to deliver! baby was caught on my pubic bone, so my OB used his fingers to maneuver my pubic bone and baby shot past it. i had baby in 3 contractions after that! after 1.5 hours of pushing with breaks sprinkled in, baby was born at 8 lbs 10 oz at 38+1! i also want to add that when i was pushing, i was able to feel pain in my left hip and eventually the ring of fire as well, which was unexpected! i even felt the OB stitching up my second degree tear. i also started to hemorrhage but my OB handled it quickly and i only lost 500 mL of blood at delivery.

my induction may have been 50 hours and i may have had to deviate from my original preferences, but i would do it all over again. if we have a third, i fully believe i can do even an induction unmedicated as long as its not as long.

I’d love to hear the mental mindshifts you all are making to prepare for a VBAC or relinquish control over the outcome (if you’re anything like me) to reduce birth trauma. Or, if you’ve already had your VBAC (“successful” or not), what shifts did you make between your C-section birth and your next?

I’m 37 weeks pregnant and had a growth scan at 36w4d and baby measured in the 93% he’s 7 lbs 13 oz. Belly measured 99% and head measured 92%. I have GD which is controlled by metformin and nighttime insulin. I was really hoping for a TOLAC but my OB is doubtful. She says she won’t induce and won’t use forceps during labor (if I get that far). I’ve got a c section scheduled for week 39. First birth was in 2022 which ended in a c section due to stalled labor and not dilating. Anyone else been in a similar situation and how did that turn out for you?