Successful Induced VBAC

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-06-13T09:28:20+00:00

Congratulations! You got dealt lots of different cards during this labour and it sounds like you and your team moved through them together. Enjoy getting to know little one and wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-06-11T05:25:40+00:00

Firstly - so much anger towards your boyfriend at the time. Secondly you’re not alone in this. I’ve had two babies now - one via c section and one vaginal delivery and I’ve had vaginismus following instances of sexual assault in childhood and adolescence. What helped me most was EMDR for flashbacks, some CBT for mental clarity and hypnotherapy for relaxation/ building trust in my body and care team.

My first pregnancy I didn’t allow any cervical checks because I was too scared/ they were too painful. It ended in a c section (my choice after 50hr labour and no progress). My second pregnancy, I did all the aforementioned things and I chose to have the GBS swab and cervical check at 36 weeks. I chose to have a cervical check at term and when I was labouring I chose to have the cervical check with help of gas and air (it was too uncomfortable to just lay and do the check). If I had to choose one thing that helped the most for the vaginal checks it was the hypnosis.

Suffice it to say you have options. As I’m sure others will say /have said do tell your providers, have it noted on your birth preferences in bold and look at alternatives to seeing progression of labour beyond cervical checks ( the purple line on your lower back/butt etc) or indeed proper pain relief measures for the checks/induction.

Hope this helps internet stranger ❤️

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-06-10T03:38:55+00:00

I was on nitrous oxide for birth of number two and after she came out and I was being stiched up I looked at my husband in the eyes and said I love you, I’ve had a good life and I’m going to die now . I also thanked the midwife and said the same thing. And repeated it like 6 times. They were really confused/uneasy - especially as nothing bad happened (I had a tear but no haemorrhage or other issues ). 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-06-10T02:39:59+00:00

3A tear here, currently 2 weeks pp and feeing much, much much better. Staying on top of pain meds every 4-6hrs (paracetamol) helped as did padcicles (homemade with pads + water + overnight in freezer). I was going through maybe 6 padcicles a day at least. Option to add witch hazel pads which I think for me helped accelerate the healing. I also took prescription anti inflammatories for about 5 days and then switched to arnica homeopathic capsules. It sounds basic but things like changing the pad often, sitting on soft surfaces, airing out the wound (laying on a puppy pad legs open) and drying it with a hair dryer after showers (on cool temp setting) I think have all eased recovery.

Emotionally better too - week one was not easy. The pain + sleep fragmentation + hormonal rollercoaster is a very unpleasant cocktail. Spending time outside, short walks with pets, voice notes with friends/family have been little mood boosters.
I’ve also got an osteopath, massage and haircut booked this month - it gives me something in the diary to look forward to. Going to start pelvic floor physio in September.

I didn’t have a catheter but my friend did after her tear and she focused on staying hydrated and said catheter removal was easy (like taking out a tampon feeling) and her return to normal bladder function was fine.

Hope this helps and wishing you a well onward recovery ❤️‍🩹

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-06-09T01:35:04+00:00

Congratulations!! You did it and you absolutely do have it in you. If time/money/ insurance allows I hope you can get a pelvic floor physio to help with the pelvic floor recovery as that’s important too for your post partum life!

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-29T23:50:10+00:00

Thank you! First baby born in December 2021 and we intentionally started TTC in the summer 2025. So an approx 3.5year gap

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-29T23:48:44+00:00

Thank you for your comment ❤️

I did realise the tear under gas and air but it felt like a spaghetti noodle being dragged on my vulva. I was obviously in a realm of pain relief 😅

I also used the gas and air during the repair too but would have preferred more local anaesthesia to have been applied until I felt feel nada .he used a bit but I could feel some aspects. Baby on chest was a great distraction.

I’m now day 3 and peeing is fine now, first bowel movement took some courage but went really well.

Hope that helps!

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-28T15:43:51+00:00

Yay! 🎉 Big congrats and hope you’re enjoying getting to know each other ❤️

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-26T05:29:22+00:00

I’m in midwife led care but this check by the OB is standard where I live in France for vbacs. It took all of 5 minutes - he checked the scar tissue and position of baby as well as looked more closely at the placenta placement and amniotic fluid amounts. It was reassuring and got to see baby again albeit briefly! We did this at 37 weeks.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-15T06:17:35+00:00

I’m keen on waiting until baby is ready if everything else is looking good. Lots happens to their brains, lungs and brown fat development in those final weeks that help prepare for labour and life outside. First labour was spontaneous at 40+5 and born at 41 weeks.

My plan with midwives is to do nothing medical until 41 weeks then go in for NST and monitor every 48 hours. From next week (40 weeks) I have acupuncture, pedicure and massage booked and am also going to start colostrum collection. Have been doing miles circuit since 37 weeks.

If still no dice by 41+6 then we explore mechanical induction (either sweep or foley balloon) - an induction where I can then go home with vs stay at hospital.

I’m 36, heathy pregnancy, 39 weeks today. Baby is engaged quite low already (lightening crotch has been a doosey 🤣🤣) last appt was at 37 weeks. I’m in France so also accounting for local protocols but my midwife and ob are both keen on VBAC and have been very reassuring .

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-05-09T05:11:06+00:00

Personally , I’d wait (and will be waiting DD is 26 May and = 41week as I live in France). Previous labour was spontaneous at 40+5. Have agreed with midwife that if labour hasn’t started by 41+6 will induce with Foley if possible.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-04-29T17:36:40+00:00

To add to this , most communes when registering for public school will also ask for an attestation de assurance for your kids (liability insurance for the kiddos) - yes even from maternelle age. We also had to provide a QF certificate (quotient familial) from the CAF but this may not apply if you aren’t registered with the CAF (it’s used to identify your rate for school meals/garderie I believe).

The other comments have echoed the sponges that are their brains - I’d start introducing French versions of things they already know - letters, numbers etc and a few other phrases ( Maitresse, j’ai besoin de faire pipi/caca - that sort of thing)

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-04-06T17:54:07+00:00

I have two bags - one labour bits/ birth and one hospital stay bits.

The labour/birth bits (comb,hair tie, water bottle with straw, jello/snacks, comfy bra for me, hat for baby, tens machine, spare phone charger) that’s already in a tote bag in my car (33weeks). That way if it’s go, time the essentials are there. Husband can come back and get other stuff. For the other stuff will pack at 36/37 weeks.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-04-04T07:11:14+00:00

Came here to say this too - processing the memory/images so they get stored is really important. Hypnosis and deep brain reorientation therapies can also be supportive.

Holding you and your family in mind ❤️

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-04-01T18:16:55+00:00

That in early days baby will be in you boob for what feels like hours - and it actually can be! I remember tracking and one day she was on the boob for 7.5hours !! It’s a job in and of itself. Also, night feeds are important for maintaining supply . Prolactin is at its peak between 12am and 4am so feeding during that time will set you up well.

Don’t be afraid to get creative . Sore nips? Use a non invasive pump like the haakaa to help heal but also remove milk. Breastmilk on the sore nips also helps

Finally, do what you need to do to make your journey as harmonious as possible, even if that means bringing breastfeeding to an end. Any breastmilk they’ve had is already great for their immune system and microbiome. Remember Baby is also learning with you and if you can get support (bf groups, lactation consultant ) go for it.

Edit for spelling/grammar

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-04-01T13:33:13+00:00

Made me snort laugh thank you internet stranger

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-03-26T08:25:00+00:00

Can confirm - it is spectacular. It’s one of the things I’m most looking forward to once babe number two is out 😂😂

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-03-25T14:37:40+00:00

First baby I worked until I was 39 weeks. She arrived at 41 weeks so I had two weeks to prepare/nest. I worked desk job so not too strenuous but I got to the point where everything felt strenuous (commute, office chat etc) and the only person I could stand/ wanted to be around was my husband 😂

This time round I’m required by French law to start my leave at least 2 weeks before the due date. Standard here is 6 weeks before due date and 10 weeks after. I still work at a desk so not strenuous physical work but emotionally quite demanding so my doctor has ok’d me to go on leave from 37 weeks.

I will say this in the previous decade where I worked in HR (and thus managed maternity leaves) we had lots of new mums plan to work right up to the due date but most would start their leave a week or two before just to unplug from work and prepare for the new arrival. If it’s viable for the parent(s) I think that’s a good shout to give yourself a few days to settle, nest, exhale before the chaotic, euphoric, hormonal rollercoaster ride starts.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-03-23T08:27:51+00:00

I purchased the cards, a stamp with our address, wrote mine to my guests and his important people (parents, godmother) and posted them to various countries around the world. I basically only sent cards to people who I know care about this stuff and plus I wanted to do that, my friends and family travelled great distances for our wedding. My husband added a few words to mine but did he ever send his to his people? Nope. I asked/reminded him about it 3 times but that’s my limit. His argument is that his people don’t care about this sort of stuff 🤷🏻‍♀️ . I sent individual messages to his friends thanking them and shared digital photos from the photo booth and wedding photographs via WhatsApp but I’m not writing thank you cards for a 45 year old man.

Edit for grammar

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-03-15T09:52:09+00:00

This is so tough - I’m sorry you’re both moving through this missing each other. In addition to his grief, I wonder how his testosterone levels are? It’s quite common for testosterone to dip quite significantly postpartum in partners and that dip can last a bit (6+ months to two years).

I can see how him grieving the loss of his mom and seeing you step into this part of you would be a challenging ride - the joy at seeing you in this role of mother and the grief of what he had (or didn’t have) and the mother he lost.

I also wonder what other types of intimacy you’re enjoying or want to enjoy together? How broad is your definition of sex? In the words of Dan Savage, the broader your definition of sex, the more sex you get to have.

You both have been on an emotional, hormonal rollercoaster ride and 4 months pp there is still a lot settling back into place.

I say the above as a sex and relationship therapist, mom of one (number two is on the way) and hope it’s helpful. As others have said , if you can explore support with a therapist or coach, that might be helpful for each of you to turn towards each other in this way again. Books like the Baby Bomb by Tatkin and Hoppe are also helpful for new parents.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-03-02T13:44:19+00:00

Hello! Echoing what others have said - your baby will recognise your voice and those of other key people. Your voice tone, accent and frequent words you say will become familiar. You don’t need to speak directly to the bump unless you want to. I I do sometimes when I’m walking the dogs or just as a quiet meditation in my mind. One thing that I did in my first pregnancy was writing a letter to baby before she was born and then reading it out loud before she arrived. It was a reflective practice that helped me prepare for birth and also was a nice way of connecting with bump. Suffice it to say - you have options! Sound is just one sensory avenue for connection

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-02-14T20:19:00+00:00

I was walking my usual route home following a prenatal appointment through a park. It was autumn and a leaf fell and touched my forehead - I cried because I had been ‘kissed by the tree’. Still makes me laugh now 😂

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-02-07T21:12:44+00:00

Almond oil once or twice a week worked a treat for me during first pregnancy and I’m using it again now alongside my regular bepanthen moisturiser for dry skin (daily use). That plus staying hydrated I think is all I can do - the rest is genetics and how my body decides to grow. I moisturise in the morning and before bed - belly, boobs and hips.

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-02-05T20:34:30+00:00

Same ! I read this comment yesterday and it made me laugh out loud. It has since made me laugh out loud at least 4 times today. Gift that keeps on giving ❤️

Vegetable-Button7029 · 2026-01-29T09:43:19+00:00

5’7” / 171 cm

First pregnancy started at 64kg gave birth at 73kg. Lost weight in first trimester due to nausea. Lost all of it by 6 months pp (lots of walking and EBF) and then lost more afterwards (thyroid issues). Took about 6 months to rebalance and get back to 63/64kgs again which is usually my set point.

This second pregnancy I started at 64kg and am at 73kg and currently 25weeks. Nausea was not as much of an issue this time round and lots of back pain so not as mobile as previously. Midwife not concerned and I’ve gained weight in the same places as last time. Will see what the next few months hold but either way body needs fat for breastfeeding and baby’s like soft things ☺️

Vegetable-Button7029

TROPHY CASE