Saturday, June 13, 2009

VBAC

VBAC is vaginal birth after cesarean. This delivery will be a VBAC because Maddie was breech and after attemping an ECV (external cephalic version) her heart rate dropped to 50 and she had to be yanked out quickly (3 mins)- the epidural barely had time to take ;) So I was originally told that to avoid uterine rupture I had to have this baby before 40 weeks because that was the rule. Well..... this baby is not cooperating. I then started asking questions:

"Will I be able to have a VBAC for the next child?"
"no, after 2 C-secs you cannot have a vaginal birth"
"How many C-secs are you allowed?"
"3 usually, if you space them out we can squeeze in 1 more but then more than 4 will be very dangerous to you and the baby"

OK, for those of you who don't know, Jake and I practice natural family planning- so spacing out and limiting to 4 kids is a great suggestion, but not a promise I can make. Therefore, this baby HAS TO BE VBAC!!!!

Conclusion: I refused the C-sec scheduled for Monday the 15th, had it rescheduled for Monday the 22nd. The baby will then be 41 weeks and 3 days. Hopefully that will give her time to come, but honestly if she waits longer than I will be forced to refuse the next c-sec as well. If the office kicks me out I may be having a HBAC (home birth after c-sec) hahaha *nervous laugh*

Here are some great research articles on the 0.1% increased chance of uterine rupture if waiting past 40 weeks for VBAC:

http://vbacfacts.com/2009/04/05/vbac-class-bibliography/

http://www.acog.org/acog_districts/dist9/pb054.pdf

So many prayers are needed here- the longer you wait for VBAC the less successful it is. Please pray she will come soon!

3 comments:

  1. Wow, Corrie! In an world where so many women are getting induced early and having elective c-sections, I'm proud of you for waiting it out for when Annie is ready to come! I hope everything works out and I'll be praying for you! Keep us updated!

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  2. I am proud of you too, Sis!

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  3. Total stranger here -- your post came up on my Google Alerts. I just had my second baby March 30. He was a VBAC, 9 days overdue, and he was born at home (on purpose!) So glad to see you're doing your research and thinking ahead to future births, and how this birth will affect them.

    Jackie
    Birth Doula, CD(DONA)

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