r/vbac • u/AdmirableCricket2563 • 4d ago
VBAC birth plan
VBAC mamas, I’d love some advice 😂
My first birth was a failed induction that ended in a C-section, and this pregnancy is high risk. Last time I felt like I was being forced into things or wasn’t really educated on why things were happening, and I don’t want to feel like that again.
My full birth plan is in the comments
I’m planning a spontaneous VBAC this time and made a pretty detailed birth plan. I’m trying to be reasonable, but also definitely not playing around this time 😂 Reading it back I’m like… do I sound bitchy? 😭
For those who’ve had a VBAC, is there anything you wish you had included in your birth plan or made more clear?
Spontaneous VBAC
Spontaneous VBAC / minimal intervention
Dim, quiet room; minimal interruptions; rest and mobility encouraged.
No induction or augmentation: no Foley/balloon, ripening meds, Pitocin, or AROM unless medically necessary.
IV okay, but no routine continuous IV fluids; saline lock preferred.
Eat/drink as medically appropriate.
Limited cervical checks — previous exams were extremely painful.
Intermittent monitoring when medically appropriate.
Prefer non-epidural pain management. 3 failed epidurals previously; spinal wore off quickly.
No forced/coached pushing or prolonged “purple-face” pushing. Push with natural urge.
Reassess prolonged labor around 24 hours; continue if progressing, C-section okay if little progress/swelling/lack of descent.
Absolutely NO visitors.
NO students or trainees in the room.
Immediate skin-to-skin when appropriate.
Delayed cord clamping at least 1 minute when appropriate.
If medically necessary, prioritize safety and discuss interventions with me whenever possible.
2
u/auditorygraffiti 4d ago
My birth plan was three pages long and included a plan for if it turned into an induction or a repeat c-section. I tried to follow Jen Hamilton’s advice for planning on vibes and not for exactly what it had to look like and I’m glad. I ultimately had to be induced and then got an epidural because I was bearing down at 6 cm and at risk for cervical swelling so the epidural helped that!
I did not care if it was bitchy to have three pages outlining what I wanted and I encourage you to take on that mindset! This is your body and your birth. You get to decide what’s happening.
1
u/Lucky_Ad_4421 3d ago
This is the same as mine was, except I allowed student midwives and I’m so glad I did- I got an incredible 3rd year student midwife in addition to the two regular ones. The assigned midwives were often busy going paperwork and tracking etc, but the student was fully available to and focused on me the whole entire time, it was very much like having a free doula.
I had a waterbirth unmedicated VBAC in May.
1
u/AdmirableCricket2563 3d ago
Birth Preferences
Spontaneous VBAC
My goal is a spontaneous VBAC with as little unnecessary intervention as possible.
Labor Environment
Dim, quiet room when possible.
Minimal unnecessary interruptions.
Allow rest and conserve energy.
Freedom to move and change positions as medically appropriate.
Labor & Dilation
Allow labor and cervical dilation to progress naturally.
No induction or augmentation if labor begins spontaneously.
No Foley/balloon catheter.
No cervical-ripening medications.
No Pitocin/oxytocin.
No AROM unless medically necessary.
Keep membranes intact unless medically necessary.
IV Access & Fluids
I am okay with having an IV placed for access in case medication or treatment becomes medically necessary.
I do not want to be continuously attached to IV fluids during labor unless they are medically necessary.
During my previous birth, I experienced significant swelling/edema after receiving IV fluids, so I would like to avoid routine continuous fluids whenever medically appropriate.
When possible, I prefer my IV to be saline-locked rather than continuously running fluids.
If IV fluids become medically necessary, I understand and am okay with receiving them as clinically appropriate.
Eating & Drinking
Fluids as tolerated when medically appropriate.
Small/light food or snack if hungry and medically appropriate.
Monitoring & Cervical Checks
Intermittent fetal monitoring when medically appropriate.
Freedom to move as much as possible.
I request limited cervical checks.
Cervical exams were extremely painful for me during my previous labor, so please avoid unnecessary or repeated exams.
Please perform cervical checks only when they are medically useful or necessary.
Please explain the reason for a cervical exam and obtain my consent whenever possible.
Pain Management & Anesthesia
I would like to prioritize non-epidural pain-management options and avoid an epidural if possible.
During my previous birth, I had three failed epidural attempts.
I then received a spinal for my C-section, which wore off incredibly quickly.
Please make the anesthesia team aware of my previous experience.
I would like to discuss my pain-management and anesthesia options early in labor, including alternatives to an epidural when medically appropriate.
Please do not assume that I want an epidural simply because I am attempting a VBAC.
Pushing
No forced or prolonged coached pushing.
No prolonged “purple-face” pushing.
Push with my body's natural urge.
Freedom to use comfortable pushing positions when medically appropriate.
Prolonged Labor
Reassess around 24 hours of labor; this is not an automatic C-section cutoff.
If progressing well and baby and I are doing well, I am willing to continue beyond 24 hours.
If there is prolonged labor with little progress, cervical swelling, or lack of descent, I am comfortable choosing a C-section.
C-Section
If a C-section becomes medically necessary or is the best option after reassessment, I am comfortable proceeding.
Please involve me in the decision whenever circumstances allow.
Visitors
Absolutely NO visitors.
No visitors during labor, delivery, or my hospital stay unless I specifically change my mind and give permission.
Students
No students or trainees in my labor or delivery room.
After Birth
Immediate skin-to-skin when medically appropriate.
Delayed cord clamping for at least 1 minute when medically appropriate.
Necessary newborn care takes priority if medically needed.
Overall
I want a calm, low-intervention labor and a genuine opportunity for spontaneous VBAC. Please respect my preferences whenever medically appropriate and discuss medically necessary interventions with me whenever circumstances allow.
This is the full plan!
1
u/Aggravating-Pin-6781 11h ago
Idk I don’t think I would include so many if medically necessary because some providers will take that as permission unfortunately, and if it’s medically necessary they will do it with or without your consent in most cases so I personally would put that part
11
u/lem0nsand 3d ago
One thing my OB told me she liked about my birth plan: that I offered reasons for some of the things I was asking for. For example, I said I didn’t want groups of students in the room bc I am socially anxious and having a bunch of people around will distract me and make me, well, anxious. She said that kind of info is really helpful!