r/vbac

I’m 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant with my VBAC baby. At this point, labor could start at any time. If it doesn’t, I’m scheduled for a repeat C-section on July 9.
I really want to have a successful VBAC, and induction isn’t an option in my case. I’m feeling anxious because I don’t know if I should just wait and hope labor starts on its own before my scheduled C-section.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you go into labor naturally just days before your scheduled C-section? Any advice, experiences, or words of encouragement would really mean a lot right now.

Hi, I’m currently 15 weeks pregnant with my second child, and I wanted to know people’s experiences both positive and negative with vbac births?

My daughter, we got diagnosed with preeclampsia at the end of my pregnancy, which lead to getting induced. This caused fetal and maternal distress and in the end she was delivered by emergency c section.

I would love to have a natural/vaginal birth. Just to experience that would be amazing. Terrible I’m sure 🤣 but amazing. For me my biggest thing is I don’t want to be induced, and my fear is labouring and still ending up in emergency. If I have a c section I want it to be my choice and be calm and controlled.

I also have long term hypertension since my daughter’s birth, which I am medicated for.

Hi everyone, I’m feeling incredibly overwhelmed, isolated, and honestly heartbroken right now. I really need some advice or just some words of comfort from anyone who has been through something similar.

I am currently 36 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I had my first C-section in August 2024 due to low AFI. For this pregnancy, I have been desperately hoping and planning for a VBAC. My baby is currently in the cephalic (head-down) position, and I have no scar tenderness. For the past week, I've been experiencing severe pubic bone and lower back pain with a ton of downward pressure. I was really hoping this meant the baby was engaging and that my cervix might be starting to dilate!

However, at my appointment today, my doctor didn't even perform a cervical check. Instead, she strongly pushed for an elective C-section and basically told me a VBAC is out of the question for me.

She cited three reasons:

Short gap between kids: It will be about a 23-24 month gap between my deliveries.

Baby's weight: Baby is currently tracking on the higher side (estimated 3kgs \pm 450g).

Higher BMI: My BMI is on the higher side.

She told me that if we try for a VBAC and something goes wrong, they "only have 2-3 minutes to save the baby" and that my uterus might never heal properly. She completely shut me down when I asked to at least wait for spontaneous labor, telling me "it’s not safe, don't even think about trying."

To make things harder, she said the exact same things to my husband. Now he is terrified and is echoing her, saying we shouldn't risk my life or the baby's life. She told me to come in and get admitted on Saturday, July 11th for a scheduled delivery (I will only be about 37 weeks and 3 days then).

I feel like absolutely nobody is listening to me, my body, or my wishes. I feel completely cornered into a major surgery that I don't want, and I'm devastated that my husband isn't on my side because he's acting out of pure fear.

Has anyone with a 2-year birth gap, higher BMI, or a bigger baby successfully had a VBAC? Is it normal for a doctor to schedule an elective C-section so early at 37 weeks without giving spontaneous labor a chance? How do I handle this with my husband and doctor over the next week?

Thank you so much for reading. ❤️

Is there anyone out there who has done a TOLAC after 2 c-sections with a uterine window noticed at the time of second C-section?

Not pregnant yet, but trying to figure out my options while also trying to be logical and safe. I had an urgent c-section due to malpositioning of baby and 40 hours of active labor with my first and 21 months later an emergency C-section with my second after an unsuccessful TOLAC due to short cord wrapped tight around her neck. They told me during the surgery that I had a uterine window. Tried looking at the reports and I don’t see any measurements or anything. I now am 13 months pp and don’t plan on getting pregnant for at least another a year and a half. I want a minimum of four kids and do not want to lose my fertility even once I’m done having kids.

There’s not much research out there, nor have I seen very many stories so I just want to know if there’s anyone out there who tried, and what their story is?

I need some hope!

Has anyone had a successful VBAC with a short gap between pregnancies? If so:

How many weeks + days were you when labour started?
Did labour start naturally?
Did you do anything you think helped kick-start labour?

My background:
- Planned C-section in April 2025 for a breech baby (found out just days before). The section itself wasn’t traumatic, but it definitely affected my introduction to motherhood.
- Conceived 5 months postpartum.
- Current pregnancy has been low risk.
- There’ll be 14 months between births.
- I’m now 39+4
- Repeat C-section booked for 40+5 (NHS).
I’m torn. Part of me wants to keep the section booked because of worries about whether going beyond that increases risks… but I so want to experience spontaneous labour and a vaginal birth and to care for my
toddler without the operation recovery etc.
Right now I don’t even feel like my body is getting ready to give birth though 😅.
I’d love to hear your positive stories, esp if you were convinced labour would never start and then it did!

EDIT: Thank you all so much!! I got so many wonderful insights from a lot of you. I can't wait to be able to support other moms in their pregnancy/birth journeys!

Hi! I'm a student doula working on my certification through Birth Arts International. I also posted in r/doulas, but I'm looking for a few more people who are willing to let me interview them on their VBAC experience. Mostly interested in hearing your birth story (or stories!) and about how you prepared for your VBAC. Feel free to message me if you're willing or comment and I will message you! Thanks in advance!

My due date is August 1st and my doctor will be away July 28th to August 5th. So right in the middle when I am most likely to go into labor. I am so conflicted now. Maybe this is a sign to just schedule a c section. He told me today that a scheduled c section would likely be on the 25th or 26th. When I’m right at 39 weeks.

He doesn’t like to induce for VBACs, so it doesn’t sound like that is an option and I would really rather not induce as well. I’ve also been dealing with some borderline hypertension, so he doesn’t want me to go much past my due date, so waiting for him to return on the 5th also doesn’t sound like an option either.

For my first, labor started at 40 weeks 4 days, so I have a history of going past my due date. That resulted in an emergency c section due to fetal distress. It ended up that the cord was wrapped around his neck. I also had postpartum preeclampsia.

One more element is that I’m 18 month postpartum. So right on the borderline of what’s recommended.

I was ideally hoping to go into labor naturally on the 28th - 1st. But now that would mean getting a random doctor at the hospital who may or may not have much VBAC experience. I’m also worried about getting postpartum preeclampsia again if I go past 40 weeks.

What would you do in my situation?

Howdy everyone!

Okay, so I just moved from my previous hospital where I had my crash c section. Started care here at almost 30 weeks so this team doesn't know me or my medical history as well as they'd like. They seem supportive, they basically told me that this is my decision and I need to weigh my odds and go from there so here I go.

My last care team saw me as a great candidate and the surgeon who did my previous C section even told me she'd recommend me for a VBAC if I was willing with a future pregnancy. I think I've got quite a few things going for me, this new Dr had me do a VBAC calculator today and ill share all my red and green flags below. If you've had similar red/green flags and were successful/unsuccessful id appreciate some insight. Thank you for any input and advice! I wanna give this thing a try!

🚩 My red flags -No previous Vaginal birth -Overweight (BMI of 29) -possible pre eclampsia risk (they put me on asprin for high blood pressure but it wasnt extreme, just precautionary)

💚My green flags -My last birth was a crash c section due to baby's heart condition not recovering while pushing (labored for 10 hours and pushed for 2) -Spontaneous labor -Water broke on my own -Physically fit -27 yrs old -Did not have a stall in labor last time, natural flow -Got a 70% success rate on the little VBAC calculators online (tried several and they ranged from 69-80% success) taking that with a grain of salt -lower belly incision -No previous uteran injury (fibroids or surgery of any kind) -Fell pregnant after previous baby turned 18 months (2 months before they turned 2) -carring a singleton pregnancy again

I feel like my odds are good, I'm irrationally terrified of my VBAC ending with a rupture and possible hysterectomy which would be awful. Of course all that matters to me is that baby is healthy and alive but I do plan to have more babies after this pregnancy so loosing the ability to carry would obviously devastate me. Hubby and I are open to adoption, we just love kids and want the chance to raise kids in a loving and supportive home. My Dr said a VBAC is a great idea if I plan to have more because risks increase for me and future babies the more c sections I have. Just trying to navigate the crazy world of "whay ifs" while staying positive AND realistic.

I’m a first-time mom, and throughout my entire pregnancy I’ve done everything I could to optimize for a vaginal birth. I took classes, hired a doula, stayed active, worked on my birth plan, and spent months mentally preparing for labor. Then, just a couple of weeks before my due date, I found out my baby is breech.

Today, at 37+3, I had an ECV. I went in hopeful after hearing some success stories, but unfortunately it wasn’t successful. I honestly wasn’t prepared for how painful it would feel. To me, it felt like someone was twisting my insides or trying to snatch my baby out of my uterus and physically flip him. I know everyone’s experience is different, but that was how it felt for me.

The pain itself was one thing, but what made it even harder was that I couldn’t fully relax because I was so worried about my baby the entire time. Every push made me think, “Is he okay?” Even though the team monitored him throughout and his heart rate remained reassuring, it was incredibly emotional.
After two attempts, we stopped because I just couldn’t tolerate any more.

Now I’m home feeling so disappointed and can’t stop crying.. I know I gave it a chance, and I don’t regret trying because I would have always wondered “what if.” But I’m grieving the birth I had pictured for months.

Unless my little guy decides to perform a miracle on his own, I’ll be having a planned C-section in about two weeks.

I’m honestly scared. while I know C-sections are common and can be beautiful births too, it’s not the path I imagined. Right now I’m mostly anxious about the surgery itself, the recovery, and how different everything will be from what I had prepared for.

If you’ve had a planned C-section—especially after a failed ECV or for a breech baby—I would really love to hear your positive stories. What surprised you in a good way? Was the recovery better than you expected? Is there anything that helped you prepare mentally?
Sorry I know this is kind of a long post but I could really use some reassurance today. ❤️

Just had my 38 week appointment and baby is frank breech and she is very comfy in that position. I have a repeat c section scheduled for Tuesday and my provider said after the spinal is placed we can try the ECV and if successful, I can go home and wait for labor. Who has had an ECV? Was it successful? Was baby OK? Am I being selfish by trying to flip her. I’m torn with knowing the risks but I know down the road I’m going to want to know that I tried everything. Ugh!! Thank you all!

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with this or any advice to offer.

My first baby came at 35 weeks. My water fully broke, I did not go into labor, was induced 24 hours later, 48 hours after my water broke, only dilated up to 3cm. Ended up with a c section and was diagnosed with postpartum preeclampsia.

Pregnant again and delivering at a different hospital. Their policy is that they do not induce prior c-sections. At first I was like that’s fine, but after talking to some friends who successfully had VBACs, they all needed an induction at some point.

I am 24 weeks pregnant and I am reallyyyyy hoping/praying for a VBAC but if my hospital doesn’t even entertain inductions, I feel like I won’t even get a decent shot at it.

There is another hospital that has a high success rate for VBACs, I know they do inductions and they are highly staffed to handle any issues.

I would just like to hear any mamas out there who had VBACs or were not able to have VBACs… how important is it to be able to have an induction?Should I switch hospitals? Is it too late at this point? Given that I did not dilate past 3cm last time, would an induction even work on me? Any advice is appreciated!

34 weeks pregnant and just moved to a new area. For background, my last OBGYN told me a TOLAC was a completely reasonable option for me. There aren’t many OBs in my new area and all the highest rated ones share an office so I just picked one that is often recommended on Facebook groups. When I told him I want to VBAC he was extremely hesitant.

The bad: He went on and on about how he could get sued and how a woman had recently had a uterine rupture and she hadn’t even had a c-section before. He suggested that a repeat C-section was the safest option for me. He said the other OB’s in the office would agree. He talked about how even the female OBs all say they would all personally want a repeat c-section over trying for VBAC. His priority is safe mom and baby but a repeat c-section was the best way for him to have control over that.

The better but still not great: He mentioned that my first baby was big and since this one was measuring smaller it made him feel better. If I show up dilated and the baby is low and ready to go then it’s a different story. He talked about how in the end I’m going to do what I’m going to do and he can’t really stop me. He talked about how they would not use Misoprostol to induce and pitocin would be used instead (so induction is an option I felt?). I did read a post on Facebook of someone claiming he attended both of their VBACS.

Basically it ended in me saying “I’m sorry but I’m going to do what I’m going to do and I feel like my body can VBAC” and him saying “Let’s see how it goes. We won’t sway too far one way or the other”.

Im not scared or discouraged and am still excited to try for my VBAC, but I am unhappy with how the appointment went. I didn’t get to ask any questions about hospital policy, going past due date, or induction methods because he was coming down so hard on trying to persuade me not to VBAC. I was prepared to have to fight for my VBAC but I really wish I didn’t have to!

I have considered switching providers but I am worried that the other OBs in the office will have the same mindset or worse. I’m already so far along, and since its such a busy office with limited providers my next appointment isn’t scheduled until I am almost 38 weeks.

My plan has always been to labor at home as long as possible and hopefully show up super dilated or maybe just as the baby exits my vagina LOL. I am wondering who I might be able to call to find out which provider is most VBAC supportive. Am I allowed to test out another provider without completely switching care?

Does anyone have any advice or experiences that can help a sister out?

38weeks and 5 days today. Went for my weekly check up, I planned on getting a membrane sweep but she told me I couldn't get that because my results came back positive for GBS. My first was born via emergency c section in January 2025 at 41+1 weeks so it would be exactly 18 months apart. I'm hoping and praying for spontaneous labor, I declined induction at 39 weeks with the first provider from the same practice because he was too pushy on that and not really supportive so I asked for someone else for the rest of my visits and this Dr is more supportive of my vbac but she also told me is best not to wait it out too long and to induce at 40weeks and a few days so probably 40 weeks and 4 days. Now she also said today that if I do end up getting induced i won't be able to get misoprostol due to the fact that I'm positive for GBS since I would need to be put on antibiotics? I was so confused but also exhausted today and totally didn't clarify everything 🤦🏻‍♀️ when I got in the car I was like wth was I just told... but now I'm just thinking like is this even a good idea to try for a VBAC due to all what seems to be little complications or should I just go ahead and schedule a c section at this point? Anyone with a similar situation? 😭

I’m 6w postpartum from my VBAC and I’m just realizing my c-section scar has darkened. I’m Caucasian and the last time I checked/could see my c-section scar, it was pinkish-red. It’s now brown and looks almost identical to my linea nigra. The scar tissue also feels softer? Has anyone experienced this? I’m not complaining, I don’t particularly care about my scar, just an observation.

Edit: clarity

Have any of you hired a doula for a VBAC? I wanted a doula for my first birth but decided against it. Hindsight is 20/20 and I ended up with a failed induction. I am curious what your experience was with a doula, and whether you think it was the difference between a VBAC and a RCS.

Currently 39+2 with no signs of labor/dilation/etc. I’m not open to induction due to how my body responded last time. Have had multiple docs share the later I go the more my odds of having a c section increase. Currently looking at scheduling a c section as a last resort but wondering how far out to book it.

Hey all, Im expecting my second bub in November and would love to know fellow mums VBAC experiences. My first was via a scheduled c section due to medical reasons but I’m hoping I may be able to do a natural this time round. With my medical stuff my drs have recommended if I am to deliver naturally that an epidural is recommended. Can anyone share there experiences? Also what is being induced like? I have so many questions and nobody to ask

Thanks 🌸

Currently 20w with my second. My first was born at 37 weeks due to preeclampsia and after 23 hours of induced labour and failure to progress further than 3cm, had a C-section. This was an extremely traumatic birth given I felt the entire surgery because I only had an epidural, not a spinal, and clearly it wasn’t working fully to begin with.

I just got home from my OB apt where he is pushing for a planned C-section this time around but will support my decision either way. His main reasoning being the intervals between births (my firstborn will be 20 months when this baby is born… I always thought it was 18 months between births but maybe I’m wrong?)

I want nothing more than to be able to have a VBAC but I’m soooo discouraged. Has anyone had a similar situation with a successful VBAC? My firstborn was also wedged in my pelvis but he has a huge head and I’m only 5’4” … dunno if this babe will have the same issue or not. I also feel like my odds of success would be higher if I go into spontaneous labour and don’t need an induction but that requires my blood pressure to stay normal which is obviously out of my control.

Would love to hear some encouragement/positive stories with similar situations please … so upset after today and feel like I need to just schedule the C-section to avoid what happened last time but it hurts my heart to not even be able to try :(

I had my first baby in August 2023 via c-section after long labour, failed epidural & getting to 8.5 cm dilated (then cervix swelled). Baby was posterior position & head was 95th percentile (9lbs 9oz). Although birth was not what I had envisioned or hoped for - I felt very cared for during the whole labour & c section & like super woman in the aftermath.

After I was told by the OB that my pelvis is too narrow & my babies are too big & that I have CPD & that I would need C-sections with all future births. I know true CPD is real but rare & maybe I do indeed have that but I wonder if it may have been circumstances at play too with baby in not optimal position & being larger.

I am now due to give birth again just over 3 years after my 1st c-section & wonder if this baby measures a little smaller at a 36 week growth scan & is in optimal position….do I try for VBAC, or go with planned c section ? I will be meeting with a different OB next week & will ask lots of questions. I was never afraid of vaginal birth before but am a bit now since writing it off after…I have concerns of rupture during pushing , or baby getting stuck or shoulder dystocia & causing harm to baby or myself.

Does anyone have experience with a VBAC attempts or successful VBACs after being diagnosed with CPD? Anyone opt for scheduled c-section instead as the option that felt best for them?

All I care about is the safety of myself & baby ultimately & just want to make an informed empowered decision either way.

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant with baby number 4. I am having a hard time finding a supportive care team to allow me to have a TOLAC. Unfortunately, the provider that my community recommended, immediately shut me down. When I went to meet her last week. She did not even want to review my surgical reports, so that was a devastating appointment. I'm hoping some of you may be able to provide encouragement and have some recommendations on how to continue looking for a supportive provider so I can meet my goals. I had originally wanted to do a midwife home birth, but due to the risks I've accepted another hospital delivery but on my terms this time.

So here's my background:

2018-I was induced at 39 weeks. Stalled out at 6 cm so they did a C-section.

2019- I naturally went into labor at 35 weeks, and labored to 9 cm dilated went to the hospital and they rushed me back to the OR said that I had to have a C-section due to the proximity of my last delivery.

2020- I was scheduled for a C-section but naturally went into labor 2 days before my scheduled date. I went into the hospital and they had sent me away because it wasn't the day of my C-section. They told me to come back at midnight when I was officially 38 weeks (I was 37w and 6d). When I returned to the hospital I was fully dilated, they rushed me back to the OR, did a C-section and had to use the Kiwi vacuum to assist because he was so far down in the birthing canal.

So all of this to say that my body can handle all stages of Labor, and all of my c-sections were two layer closure. I am really just wanting someone to give my body the opportunity to do what it was built to do and birth my baby naturally.

Thank you for reading and sharing your experiences!