How Long to Wait for VBAC?

Hi H.,
I'm a very fortunate older mom. I had my first child at age 39 via C-section. Two and a half years later, I gave birth (naturally) to my second child a month before I turned 42. My Ob-Gyn did not advise me to wait between pregnancies. Being healthy and active probably didn't hurt me. I worked full-time during and after both pregnancies (took only a short 3 months maternity leave each time). My kids are now 13 and 10, and get along well. I think the 2.5 years spread between kids is working well for us. They look out for each other and still goof around together. Sometimes, having kids can't be completely planned out.
Good Luck,
L.

H.
Hi - my children are older 10 & 14 so it has been awhile - but I still feel very strongly about natural childbirth. I believe that our county has an unusally high percentage of c-sections. In any event, although I am very active and healthy I too had a c-section with my first. It was very hard time for me & the recovery time was hard with taking care of a newborn. In retrospect, I don't think I needed it as well - I think it just wasn't time for me to give birth and we tried to rush things.
In any event, I was HIGHLY disouraged to have a vbac and a time period wasn't mentioned - my doctors just felt it wasn't a good idea. I went through a great natural child birthing class, read alot and took good care of myself. Although I had to stand strong with the doctors and nurses, (who were great by the way!) I did insist on a natural birth. They did want me to take a few precautions such as having an IV on my hand and ready in case something went wrong. That was the most painful part of my birth really - they had to try and insert that needle about 4 times..
Anyway - I had a completely natural birth with my second (4 1/2 years apart) and it was a totally different experience & wonderful. I can not encourage you enough to stand firm - providing there are no other health issues of course.
Good luck to you!
D.

Hi H.,
I tried for a VBAC about 3.5 years after the first. It didn't work, but I'm really glad I tried. In some ways, it helped me 'heal' psychologically from the disappointment of the first, because I went into it the second time with much more openness and awareness that I was doing all I could to have a natural delivery. I guess I'm thankful for modern medicine because who knows what would have happened to me or my baby without a C-section.

My only words of advice are to go into the birth experience with as much awareness as possible and please don't beat yourself up if you need another C-section. The healthy baby and mommy is the important thing!

I wish you all the best!
N.

Depends on the reason for the c-section...I had a vbac the 2nd time. My doctor thought I should plan a c section and another dr in the practice said that since I fully dilated the first time it was worth trying for a vbac and it worked. The first baby was posterior and got stuck. The second baby was anterior and fit! I never heard of having to wait that long after a c section to get pregnant and try for a vbac, unless there was something really complicated with your first surgery. Also, you never know how long it will take to conceive, so if you wait to try and then it takes a while, you could be waiting a long time. I would try when you're ready to try and worry about what kind of birth makes sense depending on the circumstances down the road. You could wait a few years and then end up with a C section anyway for a variety of reasons and then wonder why you waited. Or you could get pregnant sooner and end up having a vbac with no problem. Good luck!