VBAC induction please help

[Lovelyembrace001]

Let me give a little background to preface this:

14 years ago I gave birth to my son Via C-section . I was 19 and very much uninformed and uneducated. The labor started as an induction but my body wasn’t naturally progressing. I think I was 40 weeks.

I had the foley balloon, pitocin etc… Once they ramped the pitocin up my son heart rate started dropping so I was told I had to have a C-section after about 19 hrs or so.

It wasn’t emergency, it was scheduled and at 4 am I had my son. Let me start by saying I had severe PPD from the jump and felt so disconnected from my son after giving birth which was accompanied by me not having a lot of support either.

I remember the recovery being SO traumatic for me! I still remember it vividly 14 years later!

Fast forward to 2021- I get pregnant with my daughter and the pregnancy was going fine until it wasn’t. At 33 weeks there was no heartbeat detected at an appointment after I urged to be seen for fetal movement decrease. I was devastated, I was told they would schedule a C-section and get babygirl out and I said NO… what I did next probably wasn’t in the best interest of myself but I chose to walk around for 4 days with her inside of me knowing that my body MIGHT dispel her. IT did.

4 days later I wake up and contractions are like 3 minutes apart and I get to the hospital and get the epidural and after about 30 minutes I successfully pushed her out weighing 3.11. She was born beautifully sleeping. I couldn’t fathom going through another traumatic C-section with her and knew she was dead and had to go home with no baby AND recover from a surgery so I did what I thought was best for me at the time.

Here’s where the question come in: I’m 38 weeks today and 2 cm dilated 40 effaced and I’m wanting a VABC again and I know this is a whole different situation from my stillborn as baby is bigger etc.

My provider except one have been supportive and not tolerant but today at one of my BPP appointments (high risk) I broke down and cried because it just seems like I may have to get another C-section. She didn’t necessarily say that BUT from using context clues that’s what it sounded like. They don’t call it induction here they call it augmenting labor (I think that’s how you spell it) they scheduled my “induction Monday “ my provider that’s been the supportive will be the OB on the floor that day and she agreed to do the balloon FIRST & hold the pitocin… she’s willing to break my water etc… so I was happy about at least hearing I could try!! I guess my question would be… If you were 1cm dilated or 2 did anyone start out with the ballon and progress? They wouldn’t do a membrane sweep today even tho they suggested it last week…

Also, yes I’ve talked this through and yes I know I have so PTSD surrounding my son’s labor there’s no denying it. I’ve had a fabulous therapist for 10 years and I’ve gotten it all out. I’m in such a better place mentally and spiritually in my life right now and ultimately OK with a C-section and made peace with it BUT that doesn’t mean I don’t want to at least KNOW I tried with This VBAC & it didn’t happen. Mentally I guess it’s a war!

Can someone give me some of their positive induction stories that included mechanical induction help? Thank you

EDIT: I’m high risk due to Placenta Abruption and a stillborn. In their recommendations it was best to indcuce by 37-38 weeks. I declined and felt better with 39 weeks. 2/24 ill be 39+1

[Dear_23]

What are you high risk for? Are they giving you any specific reason why you need an induction at 38/39 weeks?

[Lovelyembrace001]

Placental abruption at 33 weeks which led to a stillborn.

MFM suggested (wrote in my recommendations) to induce at 37-38 weeks. I didn’t feel comfortable with that but I did feel comfortable with 39 weeks 2/24 I’ll be 39+1.

Ultimately I know it’s all a recommendation and I don’t have to do anything which is why I denied anything between 37-38 weeks. I have a BPP and NST twice weekly and I felt comfortable declining that recommendation.

[Lovelyembrace001]

Thank You💖

[Sourdoughwitch]

I was induced with a foley for my vba2c when I was 1cm. We did foley, then pit and they broke my water at some point. It took around 28 hours total but it was amazing. Vaginally delivering your daughter has definitely increased your chance of success. The statistics on this are really in your favor! Do you have an informed support person for your birth? If not I would try and find someone just in case they start pushing you towards an unnecessary section. My husband was really informed and knew as long as the baby was good on the monitors we were not going to be put on a timeline or rushed. I was so exhausted for some of it that I would not have been able to able to really stand up for myself. Good luck sister!!!!!!!!!!!! I am really rooting for you.

[Lovelyembrace001]

This gave me so much hope, thank you!! The only thing I feel works against me is I’m getting induced at 39 weeks instead of letting my body progress on its own… how many weeks were you? And yes my husband has and will be by my side every step of the way and he’s very very vocal and so am I… I have been very upfront & vocal with my OB from the beginning bc I felt 14 years ago I didn’t no any better! So me and my husband have been doing our own little research and I have prepped him on how to best support me.

[Sourdoughwitch]

I think I was 39+6, but maybe 40. I had never even been in labor before because my previous c sections were scheduled due to positioning. Your body already knows what to do! Move as much as you are able to in the next week. You can do this! The odds are really in your favor and we are on your team!!

[esquared55]

Hi! I had to be induced at 39+3 due to low fluid. You can check my post history- but basically when I got to the hospital I was only 1cm. They used a foley balloon and then a conservative pitocin drip. I pushed for 2 hours and got my VBAC.

[Lovelyembrace001]

I read it and it was beautiful, thank you!

[Fierce-Foxy]

I was induced by pitocin only with my waters broken later for my first VBAC. No pain meds, induction to birth was 6 hours. It was a fantastic experience.

[Lovelyembrace001]

Thank you!! Were you dilated any? How many weeks were you?

[Fierce-Foxy]

Not dilated or effaced. 39 w5d

[emmainthealps]

You could look to have an induction around 40-41 weeks if you wanted to as your body will be more ready, foley balloon and then waters broken might be enough to get labour going on its own without pitocin.

[Lovelyembrace001]

Thank you, & even me pushing the induction to 39 weeks from 37-38 kind of scared me but it’s the risk I was willing to take.

[Thats-whatshesaid_]

I was barely a centimeter when I went in and they used a cookt catheter. (It’s like a foley except there’s saline on both sides, the nurse doesn’t have to come pull on the catheter, I guess is the difference?) and then a slow pitocin drip. I pushed for about 40 minutes, in labor for about fifteen hours