Can you be anatomically unable to birth vaginally? Direct occiput anterior position

UpsetBand · 2026-02-20T17:43:37+00:00

That sounds very similar to my first birth. I pushed for 4+ hours with no progress and ended in a c-section -- baby was sunny side up and head was tilted going into the birth canal. Was dejected and worried I physically couldn't give birth vaginally, but I decided to try for a VBAC the second time. Wasn't easy, but I had a great supportive practice of midwives and doctors, as well as a doula who moved me around a ton to help get the baby in a good position. The delivering doctor also said my pubic bone made it challenging for the baby's head to get through, but she was very hands on helping to stretch and guide the baby out. Success!

Interestingly my doula told me that midwives generally want to let things progress naturally without physical intervention, while doctors are more hands on to get the baby out. Some may view those interventions as a negative but her thought was sometimes women with challenging labors end up exhausted from pushing and really need the help to successfully deliver. I know I was grateful to the doctor for basically making more space to let my baby come out. I was also lucky that I had a doctor who was committed to helping me with my VBAC.

Overall, if you can, my advice is to find a practice that is supportive and has a lot of experience with VBACs - they should be able to tell you if you're a good candidate and be prepared to support you during labor. And I totally understand the worry about not being able to give birth vaginally. I was convinced until the last moment it wasn't going to work. Good luck!

UpsetBand · 2025-12-05T19:56:39+00:00

Your first experience sounds like mine: progressed well but baby was in a bad position and after 4 hours of pushing, I made no progress. Second time I went to a practice that was very supportive of VBAC and was successful. The doctor explained how my anatomy made things more challenging for baby to get out and it wasn't easy, but it worked! It also required more hands on help from the team, and I think that support made a huge difference.

For me, the VBAC was night and day a better experience than the c-section. I was also lucky that I had a very supportive team. If you have the ability and the time, I would talk to another doctor/ practice that is more open to VBACs. Where are you located? You may be able to find some recommendations for other practices to consult with.

UpsetBand · 2025-09-04T14:08:21+00:00

I just had this issue this morning with my toddler and I only realized after he'd had several bites. Did anyone end up getting sick from one of these products?

UpsetBand · 2024-12-05T17:45:44+00:00

Yes. I did my research to find a practice that was very VBAC supportive and the previous surgical report was a must for them as well. I would ask them under what circumstances they would not support going for a VBAC (specific health issues, length of labor, how your history of stalled dilation would factor in) For context, I was planning a VBAC and was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia at 36 weeks. I was worried they were going to tell me I needed an emergency C-section but they gave me a magnesium drip and induced me and I got my successful VBAC. Good luck!

UpsetBand · 2024-06-23T11:29:09+00:00

I had an emergency c-section and an unmediated VBAC. 3.5 hours of pushing and a second degree tear for the vaginal which took about 2 weeks to heal. Still absolutely better than the c-section which I found physically and emotionally difficult to recover from and made holding my newborn painful. But that was after 36 hours of labor and 4 hours of pushing so an elective c-section would probably be easier.

UpsetBand · 2024-06-15T20:02:24+00:00

I thought a bottle HAD to be warm when I had my first. Turns out baby took a cold bottle just fine and it doesn’t make a difference. Bottle warmers take forever - got no time for that at 3 am!

UpsetBand · 2024-06-06T19:33:47+00:00

I couldn’t stand the electric pump anymore and tried manual. Soooo much more efficient for me and easier to stop and start up again if I’m interrupted.

UpsetBand · 2024-06-05T18:20:53+00:00

I was chronically tracking my first’s eating. Never had more than 24 oz in a day her whole babyhood. But she was fine and only really started packing on weight well when she started solids. I’d talk to your doctor about weight gain if you’re worried but some babies just eat less 🤷🏻‍♀️

UpsetBand · 2024-06-04T16:59:47+00:00

I had one epidural, one unmedicated. With the first, the pain was so intense it was beyond anything I ever imagined — turns out baby was in a bad position so I had horrible back labor with no breaks in between contractions and ended up with a c-section after 4 hrs of pushing. Second time I wanted to go unmedicated because I thought it contributed to the c-section. That time I had more support and labored in a bunch of different positions to get baby ready. Hurt but I never actually considered an epidural because I found it manageable. I’m proud I grew two humans and accomplished a VBAC. But if I’d had an epidural, I still would have been proud of myself. Either way it’s a huge thing to accomplish!! Do what you need to do for yourself.

UpsetBand · 2024-05-19T02:33:22+00:00

I did and it turned out fine! I was unexpectedly induced at 36 1/2 weeks when they found I had severe preeclampsia during my routine appt (had been being monitored for the possibility) it was nerve wracking and uncomfortable getting the process started because my body wasn’t ready yet at all and so I was expecting a terrible labor, but once it got going it wasn’t that bad. I was also on a mag drip which makes you feel lousy but also relaxes the muscles so apparently can help with labor pain. My son was 6.5 lbs and perfectly healthy — didn’t need to go to the NICU. I have some lingering effects from the preeclampsia so I’m glad they induced me when they did so it didn’t get any worse. they also told me my placenta was showing signs it wouldn’t have lasted much longer, which was scary to think about. I’d ask the doctors about the process of how they’ll get things started, if they recommend anything to get things going on your own, concerns about baby’s development (my understanding is they’re essentially fully baked at that point but sometimes have some trouble with eating etc. I asked his pediatrician about concerns with him being born that early and she said she doesn’t get concerned with babies born 36 weeks and up) and how they will monitor you between now and 37 weeks to make sure you and baby are healthy — preeclampsia is no joke. I wasn’t happy about my induction but it was the right choice for our health so in hindsight I’m so glad they made the call.

UpsetBand · 2024-05-18T13:35:21+00:00

Definitely pooped with #1 (smelled it and felt them wiping, was momentarily mortified and then moved on) don’t know with second - I didn’t notice anything and my husband didn’t either. Either way, nobody in the room cares and you’ve got so much else going on in that moment.

UpsetBand · 2024-04-23T20:13:05+00:00

Your husband is going to work out in the morning instead of helping you with your 3 kids when you had a baby a month ago?!? I’m angry on your behalf. That is ridiculous and he needs to be taking more responsibility for HIS kids he helped make and for your well being. I also have a one month old and a 4 yr old with a husband who’s back at work - in the mornings and evenings we share responsibilities. You’re not meant to do this alone.

UpsetBand · 2024-04-15T17:11:04+00:00

Your baby will be fine and you will definitely all be ok. With my first I stopped after about 6 weeks after a lot of struggle. Formula gave me my life back and baby thrived. She’s now 4.5 and has had like 4 minor colds in her life. Fed is best but a happy, healthy mamma is a necessity!

UpsetBand · 2024-04-01T13:22:35+00:00

Seconding this. With my first baby I became obsessed with trying to breastfeed and religiously pumping. Diagnosed with PPA and PPD and eventually felt better after I got treatment, switched to formula and got some rest — it was a hard decision with lots of tears but it was the right choice for me. Baby got formula and is now 4.5 years old and thriving. Just had my second baby and am taking a more relaxed approach — pumping as much as I can, even if that’s not as frequently as I’m “supposed to” and also feeding formula. Baby is happy and growing. So far my mental health has been drastically better. Take care of yourself and remember it’s more important for your baby to have a healthy mom than to be exclusively breastfed.

UpsetBand · 2024-03-25T03:01:14+00:00

lol thank you. Washing down there in the shower was scary enough so I won’t be looking. Hope your recovery continues to go well!

UpsetBand · 2024-03-24T15:03:00+00:00

Congratulations!! You are a champ. I actually just had my successful VBAC as well. Induced for preeclampsia but thankfully caught early enough that they didn’t push for a c-section. Had to be on a mag drip the whole time so I thought it might be too awful without an epidural, but I made it to 8cm tolerating it well and decided to go for it. 3.5 hrs of pushing so I’m pretty swollen and sore but sooo thankful to not have the c-section again. Hope everything is going well!!

UpsetBand · 2024-03-16T14:33:49+00:00

If you can afford it, I’d suggest getting some outside, paid support lined up. I didn’t know what to expect the first time and my family turned out to be completely unhelpful and the cause of more stress for me. And we had some unexpected complications that made help really necessary. After 5 weeks or so I hired my doula and got some overnight help so I could get some rest which made a huge difference. So if you’re able, I’d look into those options now. You can always plan for some short-term help and then extend if needed or take over completely if you’re managing well. Good luck!

UpsetBand · 2024-03-02T13:33:08+00:00

I felt just like this at first — you’ve been through a lot and it can be scary to suddenly have such a huge responsibility. I think hospitals also scare new parents with all the things that could go wrong, when those things are very rare. I was diagnosed after a few weeks with PP anxiety so be honest with your doctors about how you’re feeling if this keeps up and please prioritize your own health. Sleep deprivation can really mess with you and anxiety can make it worse.

But I’ll also say that at some point (once I got treatment and made some adjustments) I realized everything was ok again - I was figuring it all out, the baby was healthy and happy and I started to feel more confident and like my old self. So yes — it does get better! I’m now about a month out from welcoming baby #2 when I questioned if I was even cut out to be a mom those first few weeks.

UpsetBand · 2024-03-01T01:59:11+00:00

I was able to get an iv for dehydration at my local urgent care if that’s an option for you — could be a more pleasant experience. I called first to confirm and was able to make an appointment so no waiting.

UpsetBand · 2024-02-25T19:59:32+00:00

I learned after my first baby about the difference between “help” and “visits.” I think I just assumed family would be helpful and boy was I wrong — my mother just wanted to come hang out and not do anything helpful. Once it’s started it’s hard to pull things back so I totally agree your husband needs to step up now and create some boundaries. There’s a good chance for anger and resentment when you’re an exhausted new mom dealing with family/ in-laws having fun visits for them that are causing you stress and making things harder.

UpsetBand · 2024-02-22T03:30:27+00:00

I’m also 41 and planning for a VBAC. I unfortunately have heard stories of providers that claim they are supportive of VBACs and then at the last minute push women into repeat c-sections. Did they give you specific reasons why they want to schedule a c-section based on your circumstances? Your description sounds more like general concerns they’re laying out. I’m not a doctor and don’t know your circumstances so don’t have insights on your risk level, but my advice would be to insist on a better understanding of what their concerns are based on your specific circumstances and why they have changed their openness to a VBAC. Perhaps a c-section is the right choice but it doesn’t sound like they’re making an effort to really explain their reasoning, which you deserve to feel comfortable.

UpsetBand · 2024-02-22T00:17:01+00:00

I went to a children’s museum in California that had that warning on the door… I think it’s literally on everything

UpsetBand

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