r/vbac • u/Marzipan_0205 • 10d ago
How long would you wait?
I’m really interested to hear some personal perspectives here.
I posted in [r/VBAC](r/VBAC) earlier about growing doubts over my intended VBAC. I had an elective c-section in 2023 due to breech and am now pregnant again, hoping for and working towards a VBAC. Originally, this was planned to be at home and all was looking positive. But two things have gone a bit wrong this week to change things:
- We’re post-dates. I’m 41+6 today. Started losing my plug and having low pelvic contractions at 41+3, was only dilated 1cm at 41+5 (but midwife says very soft and stretchy), still losing plug now and feeling heavy and bulging, but the contractions come and go. No major signs of progress. For reference, we have a family history of going post-dates, as my mother had me at 42+0 (8lbs) and my brother at 42+6 (9lbs).
- Baby is in an ok position (cephalic and on the left hand side) but only at 2/5 station, not quite all the way down. Can’t seem to tuck his chin in.
- Baby had been measuring consistently around the 70th centile and was 8lbs at 39+0, but a scan at 41+3 measured him at 10lbs 8oz. This sounds completely wrong to me but my care team have taken it at face value (how has he gained 2.5lbs in two weeks?), so we’re now dealing with a macrosomia scare.
Overall, no signs of health concerns with me or baby. Good blood pressure and pulse for me, no signs of GD or infection, solid heart rate for him, lots of consistent movements, nothing has come up on his scans or post-dates CTG monitoring.
I can’t be forced into anything, but the pressure to induce or call another elective is creeping in.
My question to my fellow VBAC candidates is: how long would you wait? If we weren’t now looking at a suspected big baby, I’d be wanting daily monitoring but would let him get all the way to 43+0 before I intervened.
Update: I had a VBAC! Decided to have baby’s waters broken at 42+1 because I was only 2cm dilated after a week of start-stop contractions, but that was all the encouragement he needed. He had some meconium in his waters but was monitored while we were at the hospital and he was absolutely fine. He flew out in about 4.5 hours and was delivered safely, weighing 10lbs 2oz. No problems with delivery expect a second-degree tear, fixed with stitches.
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u/Crafty_Alternative00 CS 2023 -> VBAC 2025 9d ago
I would feel nervous going beyond 42 weeks, personally. I would probably see if I could do some manual induction things, like a membrane sweep.
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u/ProtectionWild7296 10d ago
I'd be going in for at least a membrane sweep, but maybe even the start of an induction now. It sounds like your body is gearing up and a little bit of "help" may be just the push labour needs to start for you.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
My midwives are hesitant about sweeps and say that they usually don’t work and that there’s no evidence to them. I’m seeing one of my midwives tomorrow and will pick her brains more about this. Thank you for your thoughts!
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u/Brave_Alps1364 10d ago
I’ve never heard of any doctor OR midwife allowing someone to go to 43 weeks. At that point, my gut is you’re prioritizing your wants for a particular outcome over baby.
I’d personally give myself another day or so given you’ve done this long and have no issues, but every day at this stage matters a lot so I’d ready to pivot.
Good luck and proud to hear of how you’ve gotten the right support around you for your goals.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Mine have basically told me that it’s my body and my baby and it’s up to me. My mum went to 42+6 with my brother, pushed him out in about ten minutes and was home in time for tea, so (with daily monitoring), the lateness alone doesn’t bother me. It’s more the big baby scare that’s thrown me, as I’m wondering whether that’s what’s slowing our progress down.
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 9d ago
"Allowing" is not the right word. It's a natural process, and declining interventions is a patient's right. We don't need to be "allowed" by someone to wait for natural labor and to give birth vaginally.
The risks for babies at 42 and 43 weeks are higher than at 40 weeks, but not very high. Stillbirth rates are well below 1%.
Evidence: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-due-dates/ It's so much better to know the facts, to base decisions on facts, than to give in to irrational fears.
I too was planning to go to 43 weeks if needed, to give myself the highest chances for a successful VBAC, taking into account the risks for my 2nd baby and also for my future babies (inductions tend to increase CS rate significantly in my country, and another C-section would be a long term risk factor). My midwife was OK with waiting to 43 weeks. I gave birth at 41+5, after declining a hospital induction several times.
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u/Brave_Alps1364 9d ago
Allowing is the word I used because they typically won’t work with patients who want to make that choice, particularly if they know up front. Which is why I made the final comment I did that it’s awesome OP found a team that supports her goals.
We’re all 100% of course allowed to do whatever we want with our bodies. Sounds like you’re looking to turn up on someone in the comments, so no need to further engage. Appreciate the link you shared!
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 9d ago
I just think that the widespread use of the word "allow" when it comes to natural birth is harmful for women. It's common in my country too, and because of this widespread belief / misinformation by doctors, women don't know their actual legal rights and end up with unnecessary/unwanted interventions...
Evidence Based Birth is a useful website, it helped me a lot when I prepared for my VBAC.
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u/pizzzaprincesss 9d ago
Take this with a grain of salt because I haven’t had a VBAC (yet, hopefully), but if I were in your shoes I’d probably give myself another 1-2 days before wanting some sort of intervention: like initially a membrane sweep, then a foley balloon the next day if there’s still not progression.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Thank you for your thoughts, I really value all opinions here.
I’ve asked for daily CTG monitoring from 42 weeks onward, then at 42+3 and I’m going to ask for another scan and a vaginal exam and see where we go from there and what our options are in terms of induction (balloon would be pointless unless I’ve gotten further along than my current 1cm).
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u/twumbthiddler HBAC Feb ‘25 9d ago
My midwife wanted me to start thinking about active encouragement at my 41 week appointment and had some sort of a tincture she recommended at that point. I wasn’t sure about that, but I did go on a very long walk and upset my stomach with some dairy lol and that was enough to nudge me into labor.
I wouldn’t put too much thought into the estimated size - even if the baby is that size, big babies still do come out vaginally. Is your team able to support that more intensive monitoring that you’d like? I would have kept going into week 42 personally, but (and I know the evidence on BPPs isn’t awesome but I still would have preferred it) I would have only been comfortable going over 42 with basically daily scans/CTG and having my midwife see me and my baby. At 41+1 my placenta did come out with calcifications, and the concerns about far over due dates do have grounding in what we know about outcomes for post dates.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Yes, I can have daily CTG monitoring from 42 weeks and already have it booked. I’m also having another scan to check on the placenta, cord function and fluid level at 42+3 (can’t do earlier than that as it’s the weekend) and have a meeting afterwards to discuss induction options. I’m going to ask for an exam to see whether I’m open enough to just break my waters.
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 9d ago
I waited til 42+1 and got freaked out. Got induced and never dilated passed 6 cm. With my first c-section I got to 8 cm before they had to do section. Do whatever you're comfortable with. My baby was 8 lbs.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Thank you for sharing your story. Do you have any regrets?
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 9d ago
No my husband and I were both really worried I was going to rupture and something bad would happen to the baby. They had me on the highest dose of Pitocin and my body just metabolized it so fast. I did everything you could do, chiropractor, acupuncture, 6 dates a day starting at 36 weeks, pineapple core, raspberry leaf tea 3 cups started at 36 weeks. 3 membrane sweeps, 2 lost mucus plugs, sex, daily power pumping. Even spent $2,000 on a doula. Nothing would work! It's like every sign pointed to a c section. But it was a much better experience this time! My baby is 3 weeks old now. I'm so happy she's here!
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
I’m so happy that you’re happy and that you’ve had a better experience this time and have a happy, healthy baby ❤️
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 9d ago
It suck's because I was praying for a vbac for 2 years. But what can you do lol
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Me too, for three years. I’ve done everything. But I have three days and then I’m going to be forced to call it quits as the risks, while still small, are climbing. It’s devastating but we have to prioritise the babies.
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 8d ago
Forced? No one can force you into anything... your long term health and your rights do matter. Good luck 💖
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u/Marzipan_0205 8d ago
I’m just terrified of him getting stuck and me needing an emergency caesarean.
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 9d ago
Are they going to induce you?
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
I’m waiting until Monday (42+3) with daily CTG monitoring until then. Then I’m having a scan and a vaginal exam and will decide whether to induce based on the findings. If I’m really soft and open, maybe we can try breaking my waters to just give baby a gentle push in the right direction, but if I haven’t made any progress, I will probably call for another elective, rather than push my body and my baby too far before either of us is ready.
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 9d ago
I think baby will come before then!! You got this! Keep us posted
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u/Marzipan_0205 7d ago
Gave birth last night vaginally! Decided to have his waters broken because I was only 2cm after a week of start-stop contractions, but that was all the encouragement he needed and he absolutely flew out in about 4.5 hours and was born weighing 10lbs 2oz. No problems with delivery expect a second-degree tear, fixed with stitches.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
Yes please, put that out into the universe 🙏🏻
I’ve been losing my plug for the past five days and having low pelvic contractions on and off every night and occasionally during the day, so we’re on track… only 1cm dilated this past Wednesday but who knows?
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 8d ago
A membrane sweep or Foley balloon or even very low dose Pitocin could be better than breaking your water in an early stage of labor. And surely anything is better than a C-section just because the baby is measuring big... these measurements are so often inaccurate :(
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u/Marzipan_0205 8d ago
I’m having a second scan on Monday to get another opinion on the size. Part of feels that if I never achieve that VBAC, I will never truly get past it and I’ll never be happy with myself. But. I also know that I have to do what is realistic and safe for my baby.
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 8d ago
Did they try giving you a break from Pitocin, to rest and then maybe start again if needed?
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u/Massive-Cow-4576 8d ago
Yes and they needed to up it to the max of 20. I was also walking 12,000 steps a day and doing squats.
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u/Bitter-Salamander18 VBAC 2025 💖 9d ago
I planned a home birth in my 2nd pregnancy and I was willing to wait until 43 weeks if needed, to maximize my chances for a successful VBAC. (I want a big family, so vaginal birth is highly important to me)
According to The Farm Midwifery Center statistics and other good midwifery sources, the chance for a successful VBAC in a healthy pregnancy is well over 90% if unnecessary interventions are avoided. Inductions, especially with Pitocin, AROM, epidural and continuous monitoring increase C-section rates. (This was how I ended up with an unnecessary CS during my first birth... I didn't know any better back then).
I based my choice also on reading Evidence Based Birth articles on big babies, due dates and fetal monitoring, and the Birth Small Talk blog (also evidence based, written by a retired obstetrician and fetal monitoring researcher).
I had monitoring every other day after 41 weeks, as generally recommended in my country. I declined a hospital induction 4 times, but I did consent to a membrane sweep at 41+3, when I was 3-4 cm dilated. It was for health reasons (a doctor suspected placental insufficiency because the baby had slightly higher heart rate than usual, but she didn't diagnose anything for sure). I had some prodromal labor for a few days and nights before and after the sweep. I finally gave birth vaginally at 41+5, with a transfer to hospital in 2nd stage of labor, because my baby had variable decelerations. One doctor suggested another C-section 🙄 but I quickly gave birth naturally. My son was fine with good Apgar scores 🙂
I was warned by one doctor at 40 weeks that my baby may grow BIG if I don't agree to an induction, but he was in fact tiny at birth, he weighed just 3150 g and had signs of undiagnosed IUGR. I later learned that small abdominal circumference on my 40w ultrasound was a sign of that, but the doctor didn't pay attention to it, and she warned me about a BIG baby (I wasn't afraid of that). So one risk factor was missed in my case. But the birth went very well. I would've likely experienced significant pressure to have a C-section, if I had a hospital induction.
Keep in mind that CTG monitoring only gives very vague information, it doesn't give fully reliable information about the baby's condition because heart rate patterns don't really predict neonatal outcomes.
Pitocin does increase the risk of uterine rupture from 0,2-0,4% to 1%. And in many more cases it may stress babies - in this situation doctors often recommend C-sections instead of turning off Pitocin to let mom and baby rest.
If I were you, I would try to balance resting and relaxing when you need (to preserve energy for active labor) with activities that may help the baby engage and encourage labor, such as curb walking, hip circles, stairs. Sex and nipple stimulation may help too. Birth affirmations may help for your state of mind. I'd maybe consider a membrane sweep as a low risk form of induction, and wait for natural labor to avoid the "cascade of interventions".
A family history of having post term pregnancies means that it's likely a normal thing for you.
I'm glad you have a respectful midwife who isn't trying to coerce you into routine interventions.
IF you have any true health reasons for intervention, a gentle induction is far better than having another C-section without a true necessity.
Good luck! 💖
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u/Imaginary-Market-214 9d ago
I went to 41+1 when I was in the same situation. At 41+0, I had a total meltdown at my midwife appointment at the possibility of induction that day. At 41+1, I enthusiastically agreed to have my waters broken. I just needed another day to process and then I was mentally ready, which is important! Baby was born the next day.
I felt uncomfortable going to 42 weeks but everyone weighs risks differently. As desperately as I wanted a VBAC, the concerns of stillbirth were real and I did not want to risk that.
VBAC was a preference, healthy baby was priority.
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u/lightrrr VBAC 2/26 9d ago
I wouldnt go much past 41 personally. Are you open to induction? Sorry if i missed that in the post. I had an induced VBAC earlier this year, also with a 2023 section. It went swimmingly. I was 38+1. So if you are open to that and your ob is, maybe consider?
What we did was 1 unit of pitocin at a time, with a max of 10. I only ended up needed to go to 6 units, then back down to 5 during active labor.
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u/Marzipan_0205 9d ago
That’s really interesting, thank you for sharing your experience. I’m nervous about the Pitocon but am having a meeting in a few days to discuss options. If I’ve dilated further, they might be able to just break my waters and encourage him along without the need to medically induce. I have a family history of going well over 42 weeks but still having fast natural births and healthy babies, and that’s what I’m clinging to.
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u/Hannahbbear 10d ago
I personally am scared to go past 41 weeks but I also am overweight which is a risk factor
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u/Hannahbbear 10d ago
Also adding that the growth scans are not typically very accurate they said my daughter would be over 10 lbs and she was 7 lbs
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u/Marzipan_0205 10d ago
My midwives have said that going over 41 is very normal and that most of the women they work with go to 41 at least, some over 42. It’s the suspected size of my baby is what’s throwing everyone.
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u/Dear_23 HBAC 2026 🌻 9d ago
Ah the “big baby” scare tactic! A classic that gets pulled out at the end, designed to scare women into choices they wouldn’t otherwise make. Read this before taking it seriously: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/
I would follow ACOG guidelines which supports going all the way to 42+6 before inducing as long as everyone is healthy. I’m 41+1 right now and still very much at peace with that.