u/Cute-Huckleberry2496

I recently posted about being past 40w and declining an induction for my TOLAC. I so desperately wanted both and was so nervous it just wasn’t going to happen for me. I wanted to share my positive VBAC birth story.

I FINALLY went into labour at 41w (after a day of walking for miles, gardening, doing a “labour inducing workout” and having a complete emotional breakdown about my body being broken and thinking I would be pregnant forever).

I had bloody show in the evening and started getting regular cramps at 11pm. Those cramps quickly turned into contractions and by 1am I was having 1 min contractions every 5 minutes 😅. By 3am the contractions were very intense and I was also contracting every single time I moved/changed positions. I was nervous the hospital was going to turn me away but managed to labour at home until 6:30am.

When they assessed me I was 3cm dilated but so soft that the nurse accidentally popped me open to 6cm. I got the epidural soon after and that was an absolute godsend. I still felt every contraction and was able to labour in tons of positions including in all 4’s and squatting (which was my goal).

They broke my water when I was 9.75cm dilated. I ended up having a cervical lip and that took a while to soften. My contractions weren’t super consistent/regular and I was definitely worried I would need some pitocin but my doula was fantastic and had me doing nipple stim and some wild positions to get things moving.

I pushed for nearly two hours and in the end I had to push on my back (which I was really trying to avoid). But baby’s heart rate wasn’t doing so hot and the OB wanted to get him out ASAP. I delivered a baby boy weighing a whopping 9lb7oz (was not expecting that at all). I ended up with a second degree tear and had a fairly significant postpartum hemorrhage. But I got my VBAC and I’m so damn proud of myself.

I’m 40+3 and desperately want a VBAC (and ideally going into labour naturally). I had my first 3 years ago via scheduled c-section due to breech position.

I saw my OB today and I am 1cm dilated (no change in 2 weeks), 30-50% effaced, my cervix is anterior and baby is probably around -2 station. Apart from the dilation, these are all improvements since last week. I have very regular (but pain free) Braxton hicks contractions but have not lost my mucous plus and no other signs of impending labour.

My OB discussed induction (foley balloon then likely pitocin or breaking water) and wanted to schedule for after 41w. I declined scheduling an induction at this time and I’m really trying not to second guess my decision. My OB was not pushy, but discussed the risks of going past 41w. I’ll be doing extra monitoring - US and NST every couple days after 41w. I will likely schedule an induction if nothing has changed by 41+3.

I want to trust my body but I’m simultaneously second guessing my decision. What would you do?