Jump to content

Recent VBAC experience at King?s?


Recommended Posts

Hi,


I am currently weighing up whether to try for a VBAC at King?s. I?ve seen the separate thread on ELCS vs VBAC but wondered if anyone could share their experience of VBAC (or attempted VBAC) at King?s over the past couple of years? I?m particularly interested to know whether you were given the option of using a pool, and also if you had continuous electronic fetal monitoring how much you were able to move around? I?d be really grateful for any insights - I don?t have to decide for another few weeks but am trying to work out what my key questions and thoughts are before my next obstetrician/midwife appointment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Klh - king?s have been really supportive and basically said it?s my decision whether to have an ELCS or try for VBAC after EMCS. So far I have seen 2 different obstetricians and found them both to be really constructive.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi klh, I too have had great support from Kings after raising my case to the obs team and consultant midwife Charlotte who is absolutely brilliant. (prev birth at Lewisham was more than a little traumatic) We have agreed midwife led centre for VBAC and all going well have agreed on IA monitoring as opposed to CEFM and birthing in a pool. I would recommend looking into having a doula too to ensure things don't get lost in the mix on the day and to give you full support if you do decide to go this route.

The research on VBACs is very positive and if all else is well there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to have a perfectly natural birth this time around.

Hope that is helpful and good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi klh

I found King's and associated midwives to be extremely helpful when I was trying to decide whether to try for a VBAC after EMCS. They basically said any decision was up to me. The only thing they were less positive about was the idea of a water birth. Basically said I shouldn't do it (because of monitoring concerns). However a good friend of mine was adamant that was what she wanted (at home) and was well supported once the decision was made. I also didn't have continuous monitoring until I had my epidural. I ended up having another EMCS, but felt good that I had tried a VBAC, and was far less traumatised by the idea I had "failed" (daft I know) the second time round! Sorry for long post... main point is ask for what you want- I think you will be well supported. The Obstetrician I saw was also amazing btw... Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there

I had a home VBAC with the Electric midwives team from King's, this was signed off with a long one-to-one meeting with the consultant midwife at Kings. Obviously a home birth is not for everyone and so personal that I would not recommend it to anyone directly but I would massively recommend the Electric team for VBAC. Even when they do hospital births they are geared towards low intervention, as much as is safe for mother and baby. Although I was not connected to a continuous monitoring device (as it was at home) I had a midwife with me as soon as contractions were in full flow, as birth neared she was almost continuously listening to my daughters heartbeat.

I also had a doula and it was invaluable in terms of feeling really supported through the whole process, felt really expensive in advance of the day itself but now I think it was the best money I've ever spent. Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd like to add this in case it's of help, although not at King's - I had traumatic EMCS with my first and wanted a VBAC with my 2nd. (and may have already posted on the other thread so apologies if repeating!). I felt that a VBAC was the only option and would 'fix' the first experience iyswim.


My obstetrician agreed to a VBAC converting to a section at the first glimmer of 'not normal'. But around the 32-4wk mark she decided we'd have to book an ELCS as my baby wouldn't stop wriggling, she called it 'unstable lie'. I was heartbroken and at term was indeed 'hopping up onto the table'.


However, what followed was so calm and controlled (and quick!), so unlike my first birth, that I realised that all I'd needed was to have a calm, controlled 2nd birth, and the method didn't really matter. With hindsight it was probably for me than going through labour naturally and worrying the whole time about the possibility of things going wrong.


My point is, good luck with & go for your VBAC, but if things unravel, don't lose heart, you can still have a positive experience.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there,


It was a while ago 11yrs I had a vbac at Kings, it was something that I really wanted and they really encouraged.

I had C section in my first pregnancy due to him being breech and in hindsight, a big head!!! In the run up to the birth they monitored the size of my baby, if it had of indicated that she was getting too big they would not have proceeded. The initial sticky point for me was that they do not like you to go overdue with a Vbac and as nothing was moving that quickly I had various sweeps and even talks of a balloon to try and get things moving.

Eventually that did happen, the second slightly sticky point was that they advise you to go to hospital as soon as the contractions start, I did this and did get sent home to wait for the contractions to get a bit closer together. It was more of an inconvenience, who wants to be going to and from the hospital whilst in labour.


The baby does have something to attached to them whilst you are in labour and you are always monitored so its not quite as holistic as perhaps some people would like.


Despite being a long labour which did end up being assisted in the end with a vontose, it was absolutely fine, I had constant care with a midwife and the consultant was present for the birth and also checked in with me.


I think a lot is dependant on why you had the C section in the first place, but the team really encouraged and supported me as I really wanted to go for the V bac. I think there can be assumptions and negativity around c sections but I don't think it's an easy option and I personally didn't want to have another one if I didn't have to and Im pleased that the hospital really supported me in this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Hi my mum has a lovely frenchi Teo   he needs to be walked , as mum (80) is a bit fragile . he is a lovely dog , a bit nervous when around other dogs . Mum lives in Rast Dulwich . how much do you charge ?  
    • Plenty for sale online from various ticket vendors but you'll need to part with £250 and upwards by the looks of it. Out of interest i kept an eye on the prices for the England and Italy Euro final. At one point they were on offer for a couple of grand each. On the day sellers were obviously getting itchy feet and prices dropped somewhat but never went any lower than £400. That was a few hours before kick off. There was plenty still available half an hour before kick off.   Having been to Wembley a couple of times for play off finals i found it to be not a great place to watch football. Sat three rows back from the pitch side advertising hoardings for one game and way way up in the gods for the other. We felt to far away from the pitch on both occasions. Up in the goods was just stupid because we felt cut off as well.  I don't think it was rebuilt with acoustics in mind either. Even with most of our 25k fans singing it never sounded loud because it's pretty much uncovered and too open.   Happy hunting!
    • It doesn't work as a commercial venture.  Bit churlish to say I told you so.  I told you so.  I'll send less greetings cards.  What pees me off is international postage where you can no longer send light letters at 10 grammes, normal ones up to 20g, now all at the much more expensive 100 g  Didn't we vote to take back control and price everything according to irrational units like ounces? That's some obscure humour btw   
    • Available from Monday April 8th 2024, 2on2Walkies take pride in doggie care and only walk 2 furry friends at a time. I make sure that they get plenty of doggie interaction and socialisation in the park as well as making friends. Back home happy and tired I always check that the water bowl has fresh water and always make sure the doggie is left comfortable before I leave. I'm fully insured and have a couple of slots available for local walks to either Peckham Rye Park or Dulwich Park.  Thank you!  
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...