Recent VBAC experience at King?s?

[chica9]

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.

[klh]

Watching with interest but also interested to hear how difficult or easy it was to agree with King?s an ELCS after a previous EMCS.

[chica9]

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.

[klh]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[klw]

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!

[tortor]

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!

[mother of jack]

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!

[prit]

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.

[alethea]

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.