VBAC after pre-eclampsia
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VBAC after Pre-eclampsia is possible!
I delivered my first baby daughter in August 2008 by emergency caesarean section due to severe pre-eclampsia onset during labour. It was the most traumatic experience I'd ever had.
Ever since I have wondered whether a VBAC (vaginal birth after C section) could ever be possible for a pre-eclampsia survivor. So I have done tonnes of research.
My conclusion is that VBAC is possible.
Unless your pre-eclampsia (eclampsia, hellp or PIH) strikes again, there is no reason why you shouldn't have a successful vaginal birth.
Here I will try to share all I know about VBAC: the risks, facts, advice and chances.
Everything you need to know about pre-eclampsia and my pre-eclampsia story
Are you hoping to have a vaginal birth this time?

Items I've bought for my piece of mind :)
VBAC - what you need to know.
Risks :VBAC vs elective C-sectionPlanned repeat cesarean may be the safest choice in a small number of situations, but for most, the overall risks of surgical delivery outweigh VBAC risks.
For detailed evidence, please see here
My tips:
Get hold of your previous maternal records
What really happened during last labour? What dilation/effacement/station did you reach? What type of incision do you have? Is it a single or double suture?
Hire a doula
For those who are not familiar, doula is a support person who attends to the emotional and physical comfort needs of women before, during and after childbirth.My doula has been absolutely briliant.She has had a number of VBACs herself,has a great knowledge of medical stuff and experience with other women as a doula.She is constantly in touch with me giving me tips, ideas and encouragement.After delivering my Anya,she has become a dear family friend.
If you are in UK like me, here is Doula UK association
Write a birth plan
Mine was divided into 3 stages of labour and mentions things like intermittent monitoring (as opposed to constant),heplock vs IV,freedom of movement,no pain meds unless asked, no oxytocinon unless an emergency occurs,etc.
It is also useful to prepare a second birth plan in case you end up having a C again in order to make the whole process less scary and give you a bit more control.
Find out your hospital's VBAC protocol
and start asking questions as early in the pregnancy as possible.Always remember it's your body,your baby, and it's never too late to switch hospitals or choose homebirth!
Comparing continuous electronic monitoring of the baby's heartbeat in labour using cardiotocography (CTG, sometimes known as EFM) with intermittent monitoring (intermittent auscultation, IA)
Do as much research as possible
Get informed.Know your rights.
Have a homebirth!
Or if you are not brave enough like me (I was dreading pre-eclampsia coming on at the last minute), at least try to stay at home and active for as long as you can. For pain relief, I was going to use my TENS again and a proper birthing pool (my bath tub is way too small).
http://www.waterbirth.org -all you need to know about waterbirth.
GivingBirthNaturally.com - also gives great info
Eco Birth Pools and other essentials
Stay positive!!!!!!!!!!
Red raspberry leaf tea/tablets
Raspberry leaf contains high concentrations of the alkaloid 'fragarine' (also called framamine) and flavonoids, which are believed to strengthen, tone and relax the uterus and pelvic muscles.
Raspberry leaf also contains calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, manganese and magnesium and vitamins A, B (1 and 3), C and E. It is therefore regarded as a nutritive tonic (as well as a 'yin tonic').
I have been browsing numerous forums to see whether it has worked for any VBAC-ers.The response is mixed:while some absolutely swear by it claiming that it made their contractions more effective and speeded up the 2 stage of labor (the pushing bit),while others are adamant that it is a waste of time. The thing is there is no medical evidence as such so it's impossible to tell. :
VBAC chances:
please see here
Recently I have stumbled across this VBAC success calculator. I thought I'd share but do not take it too seriously! :)
Symptoms of Rupture:
It is also important if you wish to VBAC to understand the symptoms of uterine rupture.
* Extreme pain (may or may not be felt through epidural, though it usually is because of it's severity)
* Bulge in the abdomen (where the baby may be sticking through uterus)
* Excessive bleeding
* Shoulder pain
* Loss of baby's station
* Cessation of labor
* Heart decels in baby
VBAC GUIDELINES by Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists(UK)
VBAC and Induction or Acceleration of Labour
How to Manage Your VBAC Fears
My favourite web resources:
Pre-eclampsia information and forumsPre-eclampsia Foundation
The Pre-eclampsia Site
Action on Pre-eclampsia
Diagnosis and Management of Pre-eclampsia - American Academy of Family Physicians
Good articles in the press on the mechanisms of preeclampsia:
The New Yorker: The Preeclampsia Puzzle - A must read!
New York Times: Silent Struggle: A New Theory of Pregnancy
Breastfeeding/parenting/etc
Kellymom.com - This is my Bible!!!
Mothering.com/discussion
Important resources for planning VBAC
VBAC/C-section information
ICAN
www.vbac.co.uk
www.naturalchildbirth.org
www.childbirthconnection.org
www.caesarean.org.uk
www.vbac.com
http://vbacfacts.com
plus-size-pregnancy.org-GREAT info on C-sections and VBAC
Top 100 Natural Birthing Blogs
Labour and birth - Great tips!!!
http://www.gentlebirth.org - Check out their Midwife Archives -Great stuff!
http://www.homebirth.org.uk
http://spinningbabies.simplwebsite.com
http://www.midwiferytoday.com
http://activebirth.org

Buy at AllPosters.com

KudoSurf Me!
The books that will help you prepare for VBAC
I have read quite a few. These are the best out there according to us, mamas, and the critics!
Documentaries on VBAC I have enjoyed and highly recommend:
Anyone out there with a VBAC experience?
Let's share and support one another!
Click to join VBAC_and_Preeclampsia
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home-birth.net
Dec 10, 2010 @ 10:27 pm | delete
- Great post! thanks so much for supporting VBAC and homebirth.
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herbie66
Nov 11, 2009 @ 3:12 am | delete
- Welcome to the 'Pregnancy and Baby' Group
( http://www.squidoo.com/groups/pregnancy-baby )
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irbit Jul 2, 2009 @ 10:01 am | in reply to PK | delete
- I am so sorry you had such a hard time. Eclampsia is a real B****. I am glad your precious son is doing well. I am preggas but things are not looking too good. Well, we are tough cookies :) I am going to run home now and give my daughter a huge hug. Take care and if you still have questions or want to share your story, come visit us on http://preeclampsia.org/forum/
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PK
Jul 2, 2009 @ 8:41 am | delete
- I was very moved reading this, thank you for sharing. I suffered severe eclamptic siezures during an induced labour just 2 months after you but for me it resulted in multiple organ failure, a hysterectomy and a long time spent on Intensive Care. My baby was in a very bad way and I didn't meet him for several days. Talk about natural birth and maternal bonding etc, I don't remember anything past the agony and then it is a blur for days. All is 'well' with both of us now and he is amazing and lovely... but I am left without the chance to have more children and this is very tough - all because of eclampsia. Good luck with your next birth, I really hope it goes well for you this time. I know how traumatic such emergencies are and I too had little knowledge of it beforehand either. Take care, and thank you again for the information.
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big JJ
Jun 23, 2009 @ 9:50 am | delete
- wow, great site, i never thought about this kind of stuff in my pregnacy
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femi
Jun 15, 2009 @ 1:01 pm | delete
- This is informative. Good job done.
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Let's raise some VBAC awareness
Check out my other babies related lenses :)
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by irbit
My name is Kat and I live in London. Just a few weeks ago I was preparing myself for a natural birth after my traumatic experience with nasty pre-eclampsia... more »
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