vba2c questions- WWYD?

[NorwexMa]

My senario- My doc for this pregnancy is one of the few in the area that does vbacs. I've heard some great comments about him, but sometimes wonder how quickly he would revert to a c/s. He said the hospitals vbac sucess rate is 85%. I plan on hiring a doula to support me, as DH isn't crazy about blood/hospitals/pain, and would be just fine with a c/s, especially in my weak moment. This dr/hospital is 40 minutes normal driving away.
With DD I went thru labor and pushed for 2 hrs, but she never went thru my hips, so (a differnt) dr said to do a c/s. DS was c/s because, well, DD was, and I didn't think otherwise about it.
I would like to stay at home as long as possible, but realize the (small) risk of a uterine rupture. I don't want to risk me and baby's life (especially w/ DH and his entire family not being supportive of my decision) for my choice. I will also have my sister living in the town the hospital is in, but not sure a freshman wants a laboring sis hanging out with her .

Is it worth the risk to wait it out at home? Dr said I should be in when I'm 4 cm dialated (how would I know tho?)...

TIA!

ETA: Ultimately- baby and my safety/life comes first, just asking!

[mibarra]

I just went in when my contractions were 5 minutes apart for an hour as was suggested to me (if I'm remembering right), and since I had no complications a c/s was never brought up, though I did consent to internal monitoring. My first c/s was even unplanned. Walked into the hospital at 10:30, DD1 was born by c/s at 10:57. I think you just have to do what you feel comfortable with.

[jaelynsmommy61607]

I would labor at home as long as possible. Educate yourself on signs of rupture. I'm having a home vba2c so imo there is no such thing as laboring at home too long. I respect that everyone isn't as comfortable with that. One thing I'd talk to your Dr about is different pushing positions he is willing to do. The standard flat on your back is the worst as it makes your pelvis smaller.

[NorwexMa]

Thanks for the advice!

[mariamommy]

i tried vba2c two years ago, my labor went well with no rupture issues and baby was very healthy. I had 3 days of prodromal labor at home which sucked but contx weren't bad enough to go in and the hospital where I was going was 2 hrs way. After I finally did go in I labored at the hospital for another 2 day and dilated to 10. pushing was very long and the whole thing ended in another cesarean because baby was posterior and her head was coming down crooked, she was 10 lbs and didn't fit.

some women know how to check themselves for dilation, however I can't...mine's too far up there. i suppose it can't hurt to try at least to see if you can feel yours. There's lots of online advice on checking your own, try googling it.

I'm actually trying for vba3c soon...my due date is oh wow, TODAY, that's weird to type...its after midnight and EDD is 5-13. The doctor/hospital where I'm going that is supportive of me trying labor/delivery again is 4 hrs away so I better be sure I'm really in labor before I make the drive.

[MelDM]

I may be biased because of my job, but being so far from the hospital I would head in as soon as you suspect labor. You can educate yourself all you want about the signs of rupture, if you are 40 minutes away from the hospital and DO rupture..... Well it wouldn't be good. I am 100% pro VBAC (had 2 myself!), but it needs to be done safely. Good luck mama!

[vmomma]

Originally Posted by MelDM I may be biased because of my job, but being so far from the hospital I would head in as soon as you suspect labor. You can educate yourself all you want about the signs of rupture, if you are 40 minutes away from the hospital and DO rupture..... Well it wouldn't be good. I am 100% pro VBAC (had 2 myself!), but it needs to be done safely. Good luck mama!

[NorwexMa]

Thanks again mamas! Glad to hear there are docs that will let you try for a vba3c just in case I wouldn't get to try (or go like I wanted) with this one.
I'm thinking I might wait at home until I'm sure I'm having good, serious contractions, then head up there.
My sis will have an appt up there (with a roommate), and also I meet with my doula from there tomarrow nite. Hopefully one of them wouldn't mind too much if I would hang out there, then the hospital would just be minutes away. I would love to say I could walk around in a park (nice weather or day) but pretty sure DH would not go for 'public' labor, and he would be uncomfortable with it. He would feel better in a hospital I think, even tho he's not fond of hospitals either. He would be most paranoid he might have to deliver.

[dagmomma]

I had vba2c this past Aug. My hospital was an hr and half away. I went in when my water broke and labored in the hospital. Got there at 5 am had dd at 9:45 pm. It was an amazing wonderful exp that I thought I would never have. I loved my Dr. His wife also had a vba2c 14 yrs ago. So I felt very comfortable and confident with him.

[Lizbet]

I haven't gone through it yet, but my OB told me that once I had regular contractions every 5 minutes or so to come on it. He wants to monitor me because of the rupture risk (but, he assured me that the risk was small and he wasn't that concerned, though he'd rather be safe than sorry) but he is perfectly fine with me getting there in my own time and when I feel comfortable with it. Some people go in at the first contraction, others wait it out, it's all up to you.