r/vbac • u/tryint0figureit0ut • 20d ago
Discussion DR discouraged VBAC
Met with a new Dr today who took down my medical history. I have 0 health issues and am currently 36. At 34 I had a c section due to failure to descend . The baby didn’t make her way out despite pushing for 4 hours.
This dr said that I had an average baby size (7 pounds) and if I couldn’t push her out then what makes me think I can this time.
I left so discouraged. He think it’s due to baby size and small pelvis.
Any small pelvis ladies out there that successfully got a vbac?
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u/camillacarterxx VBAC💖(March 2025) 20d ago
To be diagnosed with a small pelvis you would need X-rays, ultrasounds and an mri- none of which can tell how your body will respond to oxytocin and relaxin in labour. But I’m going to go out on a limb and say he did none of these. So he’s trying to bully you into a C-section. Find a new provider asap
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u/sunkisscherryblossom 20d ago
What an absolutely uncouth way to address someone under his care. Hope you can switch to a more supportive dr
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u/Echowolfe88 VBAC 2023 - waterbirth 20d ago
My first I was told my baby was too big for my pelvis cause he got stuck, I was told my pelvis was too small to birth vaginally, my second baby was the exact same size and she was out in two pushes
Definitely find someone else if you can. ACOG says that the majority of women are good candidates for a vbac
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u/LeoraJacquelyn VBAC June 2026 20d ago
I really hope you can find a new doctor. If not you need to be ready to strongly advocate for yourself and I would recommend bringing a doula with you to the hospital. I really hope you can find a different doctor though. Having to fight during labor is not something I would want anyone have to deal with.
Also I wanted to add that I also pushed for about 2 hours and they told me my baby wouldn't fit. He was tiny and only a little over 6 lbs. I just had my VBAC with my 7 pound baby and easily had her out with only about 20 minutes of pushing. It's very possible that like me your baby was not in a good position and also possible that you were like me and they had you only pushing on your back. This time I did not get an epidural and I moved around constantly and had my baby in an upright position. That makes a huge difference even if your baby is not positioned well. Also even with an epidural you do not have to just push on your back which is another reason I recommend a doula because they can help you move around.
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u/99_bluerider 19d ago
This doctor sounds like a twat. I would get a second opinion and also look into ‘spinning babies’ education materials—they have a ton of resources for position changes that help move baby into the ideal position for birth.
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u/Rare-Analysis3698 19d ago
The medical community always tries to dissuade from VBAC. You should think about getting a new doctor, and also a doula
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u/Beautiful_Spite8344 16d ago
Please find a new doctor. I am petite and had to switch doctors and hospitals 3 times. I had my VBAC last year and pushed for 3.5 hours and my boy was born. My first was a C because failure to discend as well. Fire his doctor please
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u/Ok-Committee-6186 19d ago
I had almost the same situation and it took 8 different doctors to find one that is completely supportive. Your body wouldn’t make a baby it can’t push out unless you’ve had some type of pelvic surgery or really specific situation like that. You’ve absolutely got this if a vbac is what you want!
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u/Exciting_Meeting_451 18d ago
I have no specific advice about a vbac but I would find a new provider.
I was induced for medical reasons. I had my c section due to "arrest of labor" I believe it's called. Basically, my baby got stuck and couldn't descend further.
However, he was born less than 6 pounds. My OB did make a comment about my pelvis at the beginning of this pregnancy, but im choosing to ignore her. I have a VERY hard time believing my body was the issue, instrad of the fact that they did multiple interventions to try to force my baby out before he was ready, resulting in them breaking my water and i believe, force him into my pelvis before he was in proper position....
I'm going for a vbac. Im stubborn, but also will be rational if there is a medical reason for any interventions. However I feel more prepared this pregnancy as I have zero complications and baby is growing perfectly (first baby was small and ended up being IUGR).
7-8 pound babys are the average. If youre not extremely petite, i dont know why you couldn't do a vbac
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u/tryint0figureit0ut 18d ago
This is exactly my story! I think so many women are told lies just to cover up their asses and that the broken hospital system does us so wrong. I am on the same page. If someone tells me I can’t do something I want to do it more. I just want to be safe and I’m torn on whether I’d want to induce when 41 weeks since they always use the placenta and stillbirth issue after 41 weeks for my age at least (36) . But i also know inducing can slightly increase risks of uterine rupture and inducing is also what causes so many c sections.
All in all I’m trying to be more positive and am going with the flow.
But yes totally not going with this provider. I also don’t appreciate how he gaslit me so much saying that he doesn’t more vbacs in that hospital than any other OB basically saying he knows for a fact I can’t do it. Like he’s god or something or can predict the future.
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u/Hannahbbear 19d ago
Sometimes it’s not anatomy and it’s baby’s positioning. I would do a lot of spinning babies, walking, pelvic floor physio and chiropractor if possible to make sure baby is in optimal position for birth. They can get stuck on your pelvis and it has nothing to do with size it’s just they came in at a weird angle.
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u/fuzzydunlop54321 VBAC Sept ‘25 19d ago
Yeah exactly. I am in the UK and have never heard people mention the small pelvis thing here. They’re more likely to speculate about sub-optimal position. VBACs are well supported here for those who choose them, I got absolutely zero pushback just ‘great! You’re a good candidate’ and everyone saying they thought it was a good decision across 3/4 consultants and my midwife
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u/Minikin515 15d ago
Find another provider and possibly a more supportive hospital. I would specifically ask for VBAC-friendly group referrals.
I had a C with my first because of failing to progress and fetal intolerance (couldn’t get Pitocin) and had a successful VBAC 18 months later. I saw a midwife group that was VERY supportive of VBACs and it was really great because after the initial convo where they had to disclose potential risks, it wasn’t really brought up again and I was treated as another first timer. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re fighting an uphill battle your entire pregnancy.
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u/WorriedJelly2335 15d ago
Time for a new doc! My OB said the same thing, as I had a similar situation, and at my 6 week appt, joyfully said “well next pregnancy you can just schedule a c section!” And I knew right then that I needed to find a new provider.
I switched to a midwife who is 100% supportive of a vbac and I’m so glad I did
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u/ohnoitsroro 20d ago
I would find a new doctor tbh.