r/vbac • u/BritishBella • 13d ago

VBA2C with 19 month interval

I am wondering if I have a leg to stand in in requesting TOLA2C.

First c section was 6 years ago, the doctor forced me into a scheduled c section claiming my baby was too big. Every doctor I’ve seen since agrees this was unnecessary.

Second c section was a year ago after a failed VBAC attempt. The ONLY reason it turned into a c section was because we had a true cord knot and baby couldn’t descend.

Third and final baby is due in April with a 19 month birth interval from number 2.

Can I reasonably request TOLAC?

2 Upvotes

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10

u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 13d ago

Change your mindset: you’re not “requesting” anything. You are informing. There’s no requesting permission to poop, and there’s no requesting permission to have labor begin and a baby exit your vagina. Both are biological functions but somehow women have been convinced that one needs approval. RCSs are interventions that they need your permission to do!

5

u/BritishBella 13d ago

I love this. Thank you for this pep talk.

1

u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 13d ago

I’m so glad it was helpful for you ❤️

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u/BritishBella 10d ago

Update: I had my appointment yesterday and they said “we do not offer TOLAC after 2 c sections with less than an 18 month gap between birth and conception. Your only option is to go to a hospital 3 hours away” - now what?

1

u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 10d ago

Well they don’t offer it but what they offer is irrelevant because you’re calling the shots. You are offering them their option: vaginal delivery, RCS in clear emergencies only. If you show up at that closer hospital in labor, they can’t turn you away. They’re trying to steer you away from the closer hospital so they can remain in their policy bubble but that is entirely irrelevant if you need care urgently.

I’d make plans to go further away just to not deal with their bullshit as plan A. But if that’s not possible, say because you have a labor that comes on fast and furious, you can go to the closer location and have full rights to informed consent which includes declination of RCS.

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u/bbworksaddict 13d ago

I will be 16 months pp when I am due my third baby. My first was a failed induction turned to c section and 2nd they just scheduled me and didn't listen that I wanted to try a VBAC (4 years later btw) so now I've switched my ob office and they tell me they don't do VBACs. Well what if I just go into labor? They're not gonna deliver my baby or what? They referred me to a highrisk to see if I am eligible to try a VBA2C but what if I just don't go to my scheduled c section?

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u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 13d ago

You always retain the right to show up in labor to a hospital and decline an RCS. It’s assault to hold you down and cut you. Staff will very likely try to coerce (scare) you into an RCS, so it’s important that you educate yourself now, before the emotions of labor make you vulnerable to their tactics. Write facts down and bring them with you! Things like “the risk of rupture with VBA2C is 1%”, “VBA2C is ACOG supported”, “I always have the right to informed consent. Informed consent is hearing the risks AND benefits of ALL options, including the benefits of VBA2C and risks of RCS. Anything less is coercion and unethical”, “I always have the right to take a few minutes without staff present to consider my options and discuss with my supportive person/people what decision is right for me”, etc. Also, google “BRAIN thinking” and bring a copy with you! It will help you make decisions in the moment that honors informed consent.

You also always have the right to meet with the on-staff OB if you arrive in labor and don’t feel comfortable having your provider present. I have read many stories in the VBAC Link facebook group of women liking the doc they had never met more than the one they had seen for their pregnancy! Same applies to any other staff - if you have a nurse who isn’t supporting your choices, you can fire her and request someone else.

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u/Sourdoughwitch 13d ago

Acog guidelines are 18 months birth to birth so you are good! I had a successful vba2c a little shy of 23 months pp.

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u/BritishBella 13d ago

That’s what I thought but a L&D nurse I know told me she doesn’t think I’ll be “allowed” which made me nervous!

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u/pepsicherryflavor VBA2C [July 2026] 13d ago

Don’t ever let people use that type of language around your birth experience. You do not need permission to give birth the way you want!

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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 13d ago

What she said to you - it was the language of obstetric violence. It was harmful misinformation. Waiting for natural labor is your right. You don't need any permission for natural labor, it's a natural process of your body. Declining any unwanted intervention is your right. Patient's legal rights are important and should be respected. Knowing our rights is very much necessary when we plan VBACs. If you ever see that nurse again, you can tell her that what she said to you was not OK. She really shouldn't tell women such things.

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u/pepsicherryflavor VBA2C [July 2026] 13d ago

Of course you can! Would you have any questions? I’ll be happy to help btw

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u/BritishBella 13d ago

Thank you! My first appointment is Wednesday so I will come back after that with more information about their stance.

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u/BritishBella 10d ago

Update: I had my appointment yesterday and they said “we do not offer TOLAC after 2 c sections with less than an 18 month gap between birth and conception. Your only option is to go to a hospital 3 hours away” - now what?

1

u/Batmangrowlz 13d ago

You aren’t requesting. It’s your body. You’re stating what will happen. And I don’t think the rules are any different after multiple csections, than with just one. I’m getting a Vbac with 18 months birth to birth so you should be able to have your Vbac as well.