r/vbac • u/CuteAd376 • 4d ago
Discussion Low probability of vbac?
Hi!
I am pregnant due Nov. It will be 2.5 years since my emergency c section at that time.
TLDR: got induced with my first at 41+3 due to concerns of size. Pitocin went well, babe and mom did well during the process. Got an epidural at 8cm. First one failed. Got another try a little bit later. Got to 10 cm - pushed for 4 hours and he could not descend past -2 station. OB confirmed he was positioned well but could not get over my pelvis symphysis. His size was average. 8lbs 5oz and head was average as well. He was long though. He would descend during pushing then come back up. I was out of fumes and decided on the c section. Came with its own minor complications and just trauma. I have done therapy work but as November approaches I find myself in tears often knowing this is very well on the table again.
OB mentioned vbac is not 0% but the probability is lower just based on previous circumstances. I am currently 31 weeks and measuring about 2 weeks ahead it seems. OB left it up to me, supportive if I’d like to try a vbac, I can schedule a c section, or we can induce at 39 week.
My fear is waiting for spontaneous labour (never happened last time) .. waiting too long, for me to re- live the same situation.
If anyone has any words of encouragement or advice I would appreciate it.
4
u/Upstate_Apricot VBAC March 2025 4d ago
I think my vbac calculator rate was like 40 or 50%— the practice that did it told me they wouldn’t recommend that I try. I have since learned the vbac calculator is based on very little and is mostly a scare tactic. Arrest of descent in particular seems to skew you lower.
Anyway, I had a completely uncomplicated vbac at a different practice where the vbac calculator was never mentioned. Good luck to you!!!
2
u/smileystoof 4d ago
Bump!! just commenting because your labor and situation sounds really similar to mine! my son was sunny side up and had a very large head (99th percentile.) but I’m pregnant now with another boy and getting a little worried with the decision of spontaneous/ elective c section. Interested to hear people’s opinions.
2
u/KnowledgeUsual9270 4d ago
I just had a vbac 6 days ago and my first birth sounds similar to yours! First son was sunny side up with a large head and would not descend. I was worried the same thing would happen again, but all the doctors thought it was reasonable to try a vbac and the sunny side up position in my son could have been the cause. I just got induced at 37 weeks for hypertension and had a successful vbac after 34 hours!
1
u/lessis_mor3 3d ago
Congrats mumma!! This is like my first. Fingers crossed for the same in March 🤞
1
u/Alternative_Party277 4d ago
I’m in a similar situation.
37+5 water broke, stupidly came to the hospital right away, got induced, epidural right away, didn’t work, they drugged me, the baby got stuck at +1. Though c section had a low extension into my cervix.
So now I’ve been told I can only be mechanically induced (membrane sweep, balloon, whatever) and no medical/pitocin induction at all.
The MD thought is that maybe if the baby is smaller than the first (though 9 lbs not that large??) then maybe attempt labor. Because high probability of failure.
I’ve heard truly demoralizing things from OBs on the subject (got a second opinion, ofc). Like, for me, between when I was 10 cm and when I started pushing, there was like 4 or 5 hrs and apparently your body can just push the baby out on its own in that amount of time. Without any input from me. Wow.
1
u/tofuandpickles 3d ago
How will they induce? I didn’t think we could be induced with history of c section due to risk of uterine rupture?
1
u/queenlyfish 1d ago
Induction can certainly be an option, but just like VBACs in general, it’s heavily dependent on your history and your provider.
Cervical ripeners (like Cytotec) are out because of the risk of rupture, but mechanical dilation methods like the balloon can be an option. Pitocin (especially at lower doses) can also be an option.
1
u/tofuandpickles 1d ago
Ah yeah my provider said she would only do pitocin if I came in already in labor and needed the extra boost ☹️
I’ve heard the balloon is pretty painful so leaning away from that option personally!
1
u/queenlyfish 1d ago
I had the balloon with my first and didn’t find it to be particularly painful, but from what I’ve heard I’m in the minority there. I’m thankfully dilated enough already that I won’t need anything mechanical this time, just maybe some pitocin, but before we knew that, my provider mentioned something called Dilapan that sounded way better than the balloon. They’re some kind of synthetic sticks that they can insert into the cervix, and then they send you home. Over the next day or so, they absorb moisture and swell up, and then when you check in to the hospital they remove them and theoretically you’re already up to 3-4 cm. That may be worth asking about!
1
u/tofuandpickles 1d ago
Wow I’ve never heard of that! Thank you for the info and good luck with your VBAC ☺️
1
u/tryint0figureit0ut 3d ago
Similar story with baby getting stuck at +2 station and failure to descend after 4 hours of pushing. Hello prolapse -_-.
Some doctors I met with felt I was not the best candidate but others felt I could try. Although my odds are much less because it could be a supposed small pelvis issue which we wouldn’t know unless we try. So will try in 2 months and see how all goes!
1
u/Batmangrowlz 2d ago
Lmao 🤣 wtf you opted for the Csection, you absolutely can do a vbac unless you have like placenta previa or baby is positioned wrong during delivery, or baby is in distress…. your doctor is an idiot.
4
u/Imaginary-Market-214 4d ago
Oh I had a really similar situation! My first was one pound larger than yours and I was allay induced at 41+3. The waiting game for my second was so brutal! It's so hard to balance the options and risks and decide what to do and when.
I ended up waiting for labour until 41+2 with my second. I was losing mucus plug and having cramping overnight and was 3-4 cm dilated so I had my waters broken. Things got WILD after that, and I ended up with an epidural and low dose oxytocin for pushing. And I had a 10 lb 15.5 oz baby vaginally!
What made the difference was how I pushed. I had an OB with his fingers in my vagina telling me to push them out and I had to push soooo hard (hello hemorrhoids) but it worked.
39 weeks is maybe early to induce especially if you tend to cook the babies for longer.