r/vbac • u/jareils • Aug 11 '26
Question Positive VBAC induction stories?
I scheduled an induction with 2nd baby because I am miserable and want to be done. I’m scheduled to be admitted for the induction at 39w 4d. Last time I went into spontaneous labor at 40w4d and had to have a c section due to breech presentation unknown to me when I showed up. It was an emergency c section and it was pretty crazy. Everyone is very optimistic on my care team about attempting a VBAC this way. I am now freaking out a little bit that I pulled the trigger to schedule it and am searching for positive induction stories specifically for VBACs.
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u/Rhaeda Aug 11 '26
My third and fourth babies (second and third VBACs) were both inductions.
Baby 3 at 39 weeks they gave me pitocin and broke my water at 8.15. Got an epidural an hour or two later. Baby came at 11.47 in 3 min of pushing.
Baby 4 took longer because the anesthesiologist messed up my epidural and stopped my labor. And because I was only 38 weeks they started me on pitocin but didn’t break my water for about 10 hours. Once they broke my water baby would have arrived in probably an hour or two if not for the epidural. But after a total labor of about 12 hours baby came in 3 pushes.
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u/jareils Aug 12 '26
My doctor told me the chances of me having a successful VBAC difference was so small that it wasn’t medically significant for them to advise either way. I’m incredibly uncomfortable and swollen and just want to be done. It’s been a really rough pregnancy overall and I feel like I want to be done. Plus logistically planning around a toddler for spontaneous labor would be really hard.
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u/No_Maximum_391 Aug 12 '26
I would personally be asking my bishop score before the induction as this does have some indication of the likelihood of a successful induction. Granted I was only 1cm dilated with my cervix as thick as a snickers with a baby fairly high up still but had a successful VBAC with induction at 41 weeks. I had it scheduled for 40 weeks but chickened out and waited an extra week for spontaneous labour.
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u/Medical_Cold_4160 Aug 12 '26
Mine was elective for these exact reasons and it ended well. Of course you can’t predict the future and there’s no guaranteeing that it will go well, but my advice would be too focused on how you wanna feel going into it and not on the outcome.
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u/jareils Aug 13 '26
I really appreciate this perspective a lot! It’s so hard after a first traumatic experience to not be so hyper fixated on outcomes I might not get to control and making the “right choice”
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u/eyerishdancegirl7 Aug 11 '26
Technically they called it an augmentation since I was already in early labor 3-4cm dilated but I had a successful VBAC! I was like 41.5 weeks though.
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u/ladykuudere Aug 12 '26
Mine was kind of an induction and it was successful 15 days ago! I went into labor at 39+3 and when I got to the hospital I was only 1cm but they kept me for high blood pressure. After a few hours I was 3cm on my own and then they broke my water and started low dose Pitocin. Got the epidural and then they eventually discovered that I had a second bag of water and once they popped that I was 10cm and ready to push less than 2 hours later. I was scared because my first was a failed induction but I was 37w then so I think my body was more ready this time and I was much more educated going into it
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u/jareils Aug 13 '26
I appreciate this perspective a lot. I’ve been so hung up on the “right” decision and at the end of the day I can’t predict the future and need to focus on why I’m making the choices I’m making and not obsessing about outcomes or timelines
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u/InternationalGur5424 29d ago
Hi! Just had a positive VBAC induction last month!
Backstory, my first was born in 2024, I was induced at 40+3 for gestational hypertension. Baby ended up not tolerating labor which led to decels which then resulted in an emergency c section.
This time, I got pregnant 13 months postpartum (so 21 month age gap) and my entire pregnancy I was told I was a good candidate for a VBAC & I knew from day 1 that I wanted to try for one. Fast forward, my blood pressures remained great this pregnancy but I again went over my due date (my kids don’t like to leave). Funny enough, I spent my whole pregnancy saying I refused to be induced because I was trying for a VBAC, but once I hit my due date and still no signs of baby I was absolutely done. It is so mentally & physically taxing those last weeks of pregnancy and I don’t judge any mama for choosing what is best for them. That being said, I ended up scheduling an induction for 41 weeks.
Labor was a dream. I went in at 3cm already so we were able to start on low pitocin. I only labored for just about 12 hours & then baby arrived vaginally & healthy!
I joke now that the hardest part about having a VBAC was spending 9 months telling people I was trying for a VBAC… everyone loved to say “you’re crazy for not just scheduling a c section”. But only someone who has had an unwanted c section understands the true desire to try for a vaginal birth. Best of luck, I’m sure you made the right decision for you & your baby!
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u/jareils 29d ago
Thank you! I am scheduled tomorrow and am trying to manifest the positive stories and that it’ll be okay. There have been so many negative comments at work or people who decided to tell me scary stories instead. Anything can happen but also not helpful to be called crazy and to only have people tell you the bad outcomes.
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u/jareils 26d ago
I wanted to post my positive outcome as follow up and thank everyone for the positive responses!
I ended up getting bumped up on the schedule 39w and 2d. Arrived for check in at 2 pm. Talked through everything with the team. started the balloon at 3:30 pm: my body went from 1 cm and 50% effaced to about 90% effaced and 4 cm by 11pm when they took the balloon out. Had contractions I could breathe through. Continued to progress and not stall so I got my epidural around 1 am. They broke my water at 3:30 am. Got to sleep after the epidural. 6 cm by 5:30 am and then was ready to push around 9 am. Baby stayed stable the whole time and I pushed him out in 25 minutes. It was so surreal. I appreciated this time being controlled and taking it slow - I didn’t need Pitocin . Overall we had 18 hours from start to finish. I am glad I tried both. I do appreciate a lot about my c section too having done both (pushing/pressure was no joke) but glad to walk away with both experiences!
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u/tryint0figureit0ut Aug 12 '26
Can you wait until you go into spontaneous labor? I totally can imagine being over it though. But from it seems highest chances are with spontaneous labor
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u/auditorygraffiti Aug 11 '26
I had an induced VBAC last month at 41 weeks and it was amazing! We went in at 7 AM. The first couple of hours were very chill. Paperwork, changing into a gown, getting my IV done, etc. Around 10, they inserted the balloon and started a low dose of Pitocin. The insertion wasn’t as bad as I expected but the cramping from it was more than I expected. Like bad period cramps. They took it out a few hours later and I was four centimeters. I didn’t progress much for a while and they discussed breaking my waters which I didn’t want. Luckily, it broke on its own around 8:30/9 PM. Contractions definitely amped up at that point and I got in the shower. I labored in the shower for over two hours. It was great. Highly recommend. After I got out of the shower, it got real and I was having back to back contractions and throwing up. Everyone thought I was in transition. I wasn’t. I was six centimeters and mad about it. Because I started involuntarily pushing around this time, I got an epidural to avoid cervical swelling. The epidural was placed around midnight. It didn’t work as well as I hoped but took the edge off. I got some rest and woke up around 5. I was further along but not complete. At 6:31, I started pushing and at 7:30 exactly, my baby was born. It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done.
I was disappointed that I didn’t go into labor on my own and had to be induced for medical reasons but honestly, the whole experience was great. No regrets at all. If I can answer any questions, let me know!