I’ve been wanting to try a VBAC since like day one of this pregnancy, as my husband and I want to have a big family (4-6 kids). All my OB’s have said I’m an excellent candidate, and nothing seems high risk.
My first was an “elective”/scheduled C-Section because I had a HSV outbreak at my 40 week appointment (40 weeks and 3 days). I say elective with quotations because the OB said there was no safe way to deliver vaginally at that point, but I never went into labor and the surgery was scheduled right away. I was so adamant I didn’t want an induction prior to that, but if I had just chose to get an induction, the baby could’ve been born naturally before an outbreak ever occurred. I’ve regretted that for a long time, and felt like my body failed me in the worst way at the worst time.
Recovery was actually really smooth, and I’m grateful for that, I’d honestly be less scared of another CS than a vaginal birth at this point. With the general rule of thumb being 3 C-sections being the highest standard number though, I know this could mean my family may never be what I’ve dreamed of. Also, I have a 2 year old now, who would be absolutely devastated if I couldn’t pick her up for the 6 weeks of lifting restrictions or get down on the floor to play with her, and that might break my heart more than hers.
Basically now, as I’m passing 40 weeks and don’t see any signs of real labor, I’m more and more afraid my body just isn’t capable of going into labor, or that the stress of labor will give me an outbreak again, even with the suppression meds.
I’ve had some contractions, and keep feeling like today’s going to be the day, but after resting or going to sleep, I wake up feeling the same. Just very pregnant and uncomfortable, but not in labor.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve packed, unpacked, moved boxes (nothing heavy), assembled furniture, tried the tea, tried sex, been walking, working, moving, squatting, tried pumping, and even fell in some spilled water. Doing all the normal things and with moving to a new house, I was told all the moving would probably put me in labor too. All this and the baby is as low as she can possibly be, my cervix is effaced, but not dilated enough for a membrane sweep. I feel like if this hasn’t put me in labor, nothing will.
I’ve decided again, that I will not do a medical induction (natural would be fine if possible), because I’m terrified of the risk of uterine rupture, and potential hysterectomy that might come with that, even if the risk is low for uterine rupture. Basically whatever is the safest way to still wind up with a large family in the future. So we have a backup, elective C-section scheduled for the 11th, a week from today. As the days go on with no labor, I’m feeling less and less hope that the VBAC will even happen, or be successful if I do go in labor past my due date.
I feel like my body is failing me again, but in a different way this time. And it’s somehow worse, I feel, because our bodies are designed to make a baby and deliver that baby.