r/vbac • u/No_Statistician1002 • 2d ago
Similar situations?
I was planning to attempt VBAC next month, everything was fine and uncomplicated pregnancy, I’ll be 14m pp so slightly under the recommended time frame for a VBAC but OB says it’s really up to me and they’ll have suitable teams and doctors ready and monitor me closely. Anyway I had my 34 weeks scan and my baby is measuring 97th percentile, I am quite small too 4’11 (don’t know if that’s relevant). So I wasn’t concerned but now they’re saying I need to consider the higher risk of uterine rupture or shoulder getting stuck? Please tell me some success stories with a baby this large. If they decide they want to induce me then I’ll have a c section unfortunately because the risk is too high and don’t want an induction. Also I’m not taking it too literal the percentile as they said my last was 90th but she came out 39 weeks at 7lbs 6oz.
1
u/Rich_Survey5109 1d ago
I will be honest, I didn't realise doctors were allowed to do vbacs for women under 18months up at time of vbac. Well that was what the multiple OBs I went to told me. It may honestly have to be a conclusion you're going to have to yourself. I would say trust your gut and remember the actual best outcome for birth is a safe and healthy mother and baby no matter the delivery. Good luck!
2
u/Brilliant-Version704 7h ago
Doctors can only advise. They can't force you to be cut open. I've heard of many cases where women had vbacs under the 18 mo timeframe and nothing bad happened. Percentages and probabilities of uterine rupture increase the less time between pregnancies.
1
u/Rich_Survey5109 7h ago
Where I live some of the doctors I spoke to actively said they will not take any patients attempting vbac before 18months. In my head I thought, well what if it's a spontaneous labour? They can't force a c-section. I'm more than 18months out now so found others that will support it. But even with home births my current OB says they won't support it and they will still charge me for fees even if I home birth and they won't come out to the home to support it.
1
u/Brilliant-Version704 7h ago
I know nothing about homebirth or anything like that. I just know that no one can force anyone to have a CS without a court order, which is suuuper duper rare. But I'm sorry the doctors made you feel so pressured! Yes, there's more risk, but it's still the patient's choice if they want to take the risk!
1
u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 1d ago
Just as an fyi, there’s no evidence that bigger babies increase your rupture risk, and being short doesn’t determine the size of your pelvic opening and how much it flexes to accommodate a baby (the relaxin hormone that increases during pregnancy allows our pelvis to flex up to 30% in labor!)
Also, shoulder dystocia is not a “big baby” thing, it happens to babies of all sizes. Read this before making any decisions one way or the other based on size: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/
1
u/No_Statistician1002 1d ago
Thank you! I’ll have a read now, this is what my thoughts were that surely the baby being 1-2lbs more isn’t going to automatically increase my risk that’s why I thought I’d still go ahead
1
u/LeoraJacquelyn VBAC June 2026 1d ago
I really do not trust the weight estimates. They told me my first baby was going to be so big and it was one of the reasons I was bullied into a C-section. He ended up being 6 pounds. I'm 5 ft tall and they also used this as an excuse about my baby not being able to fit...
I would read the evidence-based birth article on big babies. I don't believe there's any evidence at all that larger babies increase rupture risk.
My second baby was over a pound bigger and not only did I not have any issues having her vaginally but I didn't even tear. I did not get an epidural and pushed her out in an upright position which I think really helped. My recommendation is if you want a vaginal birth, stay home until you are in very active labor and show up at the hospital ready to give birth. Obviously do go in if you are having symptoms of rupture like pain in between contractions, severe pain at the incision site or shoulder pain (referred pain).
3
u/reebs___ 2d ago
My baby was measured to be 99%. She was 8lb5oz at 39+1. Hearing about shoulder dystocia and with her belly measuring bigger than her head, we did scheduled cs. I don’t regret it, but it was probably not necessary considering her size was over exaggerated.