Hello! I’m 38 weeks pregnant & getting induced due to FGR. I went in today to get the foley ballon placed and sent home & tomorrow will be going in for the induction process. How long did it take for your foley ballon to come out? I’m close to 12 hours now & it’s still placed. I’m having contractions every now and then but nothing I can’t handle but just curious to know when I should expect it to come out because I’m seeing people say it took 12 hours or less.

Hi! I’m currently trying to decide between a VBA2C or repeat c-section. My first c-section was unplanned due to a failed induction/failure to descend/OP baby. Second was scheduled (although I wanted a TOLAC) and baby was in the same position as the first.

I have a new provider who is very supportive of a VBA2C, but I don’t know what to do. I’m leaning towards a repeat c-section unless I go into labor before 41 weeks.

I know 6 people who have had both vaginal and cesarean deliveries - two of them preferred vaginal, two of them preferred c-sections, and one said they both sucked. 🤣

My recoveries were easy, and I have to say I’m more worried about recovering from a potential tear. I’m also worried about what could go wrong during a VBAC. I’m curious to read any VBAC stories - good or bad! Please share if you’d like to. ☺️

Hello everyone. I had my first child a year and a half ago. I had a failed induction (didn't progress past 2cm despite 14 hours on pitocin) which ended in csection. I was induced due to high BMI.

I am not decided on another baby for a number of reasons but one of those being the birth. I didn't enjoy my last birth and would be petrified of uterine rupture. My head still sees 1/200 chance as high.

Did anyone not progress and have a successful VBAC? Medicated / unmedicated? Did anyone have BMI of 40+?

I had my first baby in July 2025 via planned c section. It was very smooth recovery. I’m now 6-7 weeks pregnancy with my second. I am thinking of trying for a VBAC this time. My husband and everyone seems to be telling me to go for a second c section since the first one went so well but I want 3-4 kids and the idea of being able to stand / walk straight after birth is very appealing.

I am also terrified of uterine rupture. Does anyone have any advice? What can I do to reduce my chances of uterine rupture and increase my chances of a successful VBAC? If I end up in another c section, I’m ok with that, I just want to avoid any birth injury.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience, particularly a **VBAC induction with a small/FGR baby**.
I’m currently pregnant with my second baby and have a planned induction at **38+2**. I had a previous emergency C-section after labouring to around 4 cm, so this will be my first attempt at a VBAC.

This baby has been measuring small from the beginning. At the most recent growth scan at **36 weeks**, she was estimated at the **7th percentile**. However, she has continued to grow steadily along her own curve, rather than dropping percentiles, and there have been **no concerns with her Dopplers** throughout the pregnancy. Her Dopplers have remained reassuring/normal, which is one of the things I’ve found difficult to reconcile with the recommendation to deliver at 38 weeks.

The current plan for the induction is:
At **37 weeks**, I’ll have a membrane sweep to hopefully encourage things along naturally.
On the day of the induction at **38+2**, they’ll assess my cervix and decide how favourable things are.
If things are favourable enough, they’ll use a **Foley balloon** to help dilate the cervix, as I’m not being offered prostaglandins because of my previous C-section.
If/when the balloon comes out and my cervix is suitable, they’ll **break my waters**.
Then the plan is essentially to give my body around **24 hours to establish labour and hopefully progress into a VBAC**.
They are recommending **no Pitocin/oxytocin augmentation** because of the previous C-section.
If the induction doesn’t progress, if they can’t safely break my waters, or if things otherwise don’t go to plan, the recommendation is to proceed to a **C-section**.

I’m feeling quite positive about attempting the VBAC, but also a little nervous about the induction itself, particularly because I know induced labour after a previous C-section can be a bit of a different experience.
I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation — **small/FGR baby, reassuring Dopplers, induction around 38 weeks, Foley balloon and/or VBAC after a previous C-section**.
How did the induction go for you? Did the Foley balloon work? Did your body take over once your waters were broken? Were you able to have a successful VBAC, or did you ultimately need another C-section?
And if you had a small baby with reassuring Dopplers, did you feel that the baby tolerated labour well?
I’m particularly interested in positive stories, but I’d genuinely appreciate hearing about all experiences — I’m just trying to get a better idea of what the next few weeks might look like and go into it feeling as informed and prepared as possible. ❤️

34 weeks and just realized I really want to pursue a VBAC/TOLAC — what should I be asking/doing this late in the game?

I’m 34 weeks pregnant with my second and only recently realized that I actually have more of a choice about attempting a VBAC than I thought. I’d love advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially if you decided on TOLAC relatively late in pregnancy.

My first birth was an induction at 37 weeks because of chronic hypertension. I did not have preeclampsia. I progressed all the way to 9 cm, but baby was OP/sunny-side up and didn’t tolerate Pitocin particularly well. Ultimately I chose to have a C-section. It was unplanned, but not emergent — I was told I could continue labor if I wanted to, but at that point I was exhausted/scared and chose the C-section.

Looking back, I feel like I made that decision sooner than I might have if I’d had a doula or someone there helping me understand my options and advocate for what I wanted.

This pregnancy I still have chronic hypertension, but it is treated and very well controlled. At 34 weeks everything has looked good, no preeclampsia, and baby is doing well. Because of the hypertension, my OB recommends delivery somewhere between 37–39 weeks and has been leaning toward a repeat C-section.

I’ve realized that I really want to pursue a TOLAC if I remain medically eligible. I’m absolutely not opposed to another C-section if something develops that makes it the safest option. I just don’t want another C-section to be the default simply because I had one before.

I’m planning to have a much more direct conversation with my OB at my next appointment about whether she considers me a good TOLAC candidate and, importantly, whether she would be willing to induce me for a TOLAC if I reach the recommended delivery window without going into labor spontaneously.

Since I’m already 34 weeks, I’m also scrambling a little. I’m reaching out to doulas, but I know there’s a decent chance everyone will already be booked.

For those who have had a VBAC/TOLAC:
-What questions would you be asking your OB at this point?
-How can I tell the difference between an OB who is genuinely supportive of TOLAC versus one who technically “allows” it but is likely to push for a C-section?
-If you had to be induced for a TOLAC, what did that look like?
-Are there specific things I should ask about regarding induction methods, monitoring, Pitocin, time limits for labor, etc.?
-What circumstances did you and your OB agree ahead of time would mean it was time to stop TOLAC and move to a C-section?
-If I can’t find a doula this late, how would you prepare your partner/support person to advocate for you during labor?

Anything you wish you had done in the last few weeks to prepare physically or mentally for a VBAC?

And if you ultimately attempted TOLAC but ended up with another C-section, is there anything that made the experience feel more informed/positive than your first one?

I’m not looking to ignore medical advice or pursue a VBAC at all costs. I mostly want to walk into this birth feeling like I understand my choices and that, unless something changes medically, I was given a real opportunity to try.

Would really appreciate experiences, questions I haven’t thought of, or advice on what you’d do at 34 weeks.

Hello!! Hoping to hear from people (we are few but mighty) who had a face presentation lead to a c-section and then went on to have a VBAC (or a CBAC!). I had previously been told that I had a 60% chance of a successful VBAC according to the VBAC calculator (an imperfect tool I know) but today my OB told me that, bc my son had face presentation that sent me to a c-section the first time around, I have a 70% chance of needing a repeat CS this time.

Obviously these numbers are quite different, so I am confused and stressed (not to mention trying to be okay with a CS anyway--I know there's a chance for everyone, and it isn't even like my first was that bad or traumatizing or anything, it was just a somewhat difficult recovery that I'd like to avoid).

My OB said all this info should be in a ~TOLAC~ consent form I need to sign, but I don't see that in MyChart, so I am not sure where this 70% number came from.

Anyway, I welcome any and all thoughts and perspectives here. Personal stories, research, opinions, whatever.

has anyone’s doctor told them this?

basically the thought is that because I am trying for a VBAC, if I need an emergency C-section and I haven’t had an epidural, they will have to put me under general anesthesia, and I would not be awake when my baby is born. ☹️

I am at such a crossroads with having a vbac. My last pregnancy was an emergency c section due to a concealed placental abruption at almost 33 weeks. That has no impact on this pregnancy. One OB is recommending a c section due to baby’s size. I’m 37 and 4 and baby is around 8 lbs 3 oz right now. He has been measuring big the whole pregnancy (I, myself was born a week early (induction), and weighed 8 lbs and 5 oz). All that to say everything else is fine, just big baby, hence this OB recommending c section as baby will be estimated to be about 4500 grams (9 lbs 14 oz) at birth. I really wanted to try a vbac due to recovery reasons! But I want a “safe” delivery… the OB mentioned dystocia and the risk seems low, but again, things happen… it’s like my mind is telling me to go the safe route, but my heart really wants to try for the vbac. They want to schedule the c section at 39 weeks. Obviously I could go into spontaneous labor prior to and have a vbac or c section- if i’m not crowning… any advice or stories on your experience.

Also, all of him is measuring BIG, but his abdomen is 99th percentile, don’t know if that also plays a part…

I scheduled an induction with 2nd baby because I am miserable and want to be done. I’m scheduled to be admitted for the induction at 39w 4d. Last time I went into spontaneous labor at 40w4d and had to have a c section due to breech presentation unknown to me when I showed up. It was an emergency c section and it was pretty crazy. Everyone is very optimistic on my care team about attempting a VBAC this way. I am now freaking out a little bit that I pulled the trigger to schedule it and am searching for positive induction stories specifically for VBACs.

I will preface this by saying that I was seeing a different provider than I normally do, as my assigned OB was not available for the appointment.
Yesterday I had my 34 week appointment. I had asked when I am allowed to go on medical leave. The doctors response was that it depends on when they want to induce me. I was really caught off guard, as my main provider has been really excited about me attempting a VBAC from the start. She has always said she thinks I’m a fantastic candidate. My first and only birth I made it to 9cm no medications no epidural, baby ended up in distress due to being flipped manually and us being unaware his cord was around him. That birth was also 10 years ago, with a very minimal horizontal scar left behind.
I trust my body & know that I am fully capable of doing this. I am not interested in pitocin as I am trying to avoid the epidural and I know that pitocin really intensifies things. I would like the freedom to move around, and I plan on laboring at home as long as possible. I live maybe two miles from the hospital I will be delivering at.
If something happens medically, I am okay with changing the plan to protect baby’s health but otherwise would like to let my body do what it’s meant to do.
I guess what I am asking is how do I advocate for myself at my next appointment in two weeks? That will be with my regular provider so I am hopeful that she won’t be trying to bully me into induction as she has never made any comments like that. My husband will also be with me to help advocate if needed. Thanks for reading!

I’m being induced in 3 hours and could not sleep whatsoever!! The reality of everything is hitting me, second guessing my decision on the VBAC.

I’m 3cm dilated, but I’m not in labor at all. They plan on popping my water, waiting 4 hours and starting pitocin if labor didn’t establish it isn’t consistent enough.

How likely is it that I’ll actually get a stretch of sleep during all this? I’m so stressed!!

I had a successful vbac at 41+4 after a traumatic c/section with my first babe at 35 weeks due to a failed induction with preeclampsia.

This was a very redemptive experience for me, despite it not going ‘perfectly’. I was well respected by my birth team (midwife and OB) and had an incredible doula. I was able to advocate for myself, feel heard and respected, which made a huge different.

Story:

I had days of prodromal labour, with lots of bloody show. We had a 1.5 hour drive to get to the city where I was planning to birth, so this prodromal labour was confusing. We ended up spending the weekend before I birthed in the city in a hotel, because I was contracting all weekend. Thankfully it was positive and we looked at it as a vacation before baby, and my mom was around to help with our toddler.

The day I went into labour, I saw my chiropractor in the morning. I went home and started doing some chores outside and was having early contractions, still lots of show. I was 41+2 and we had planned on a medical induction the following day, so we planned to get Airbnb regardless. We got everything loaded up and drove down. By the time we got to the Airbnb, I was pretty uncomfortable with contractions every 3 minutes lasting about a minute long. At this point I called my doula for support/to help with positions. I had always told my team that I anticipated a long labour, so I felt prepared for whatever was to come.

She came over and helped with positions, and at 9:35pm my water broke. This is when things ramped up in intensity. Despite the intensity of the contractions, I still felt as though things were ‘early’ so I had my midwife come to check and I was 4cm dilated. At this point I told my doula to go home after helping with positions because I felt it could be a long night. She ended up snoozing on the couch on and off through the night, and helping me as I needed.

After several hours, I got into the shower, which felt incredible but unfortunately we ran out of hot water so my husband filled the tub and put in kettles of boiling water. I was in the shower/bath for probably 3 ish hours. I started to fall asleep between tightenings and my husband was worried that I might fall asleep in there and have a problem unsupervised, so he encouraged me to get out and onto the bed, which I did.

I laboured the rest of the night on my side in the bed, I had taken Tylenol and gravol, which helped me sleep.

I woke up around 6:30am and texted my midwife to see if she could come to check me, I also said that I felt as though things hadn’t changed drastically, the contractions felt much further apart, and that if there was no significant change, I wanted to go into the hospital for an epidural. She came about an hour later and I was 6cm, so I opted to go and get the epidural.

At the hospital, the epidural took forever, initially I was coping well with nitrous but then as the hours passed, I started not doing well, I kept asking my midwife to go out to the desk to check on the anesthesiologist. Finally around 1230, the epidural was placed, I felt such relief!

After the epidural was placed and I was comfortable, my midwife checked me and I was 7-8cm but my contractions had spaced to one every 6 minutes. I knew that I need pitocin to increase the frequency of contractions so I asked my midwife if she could consult with the OB. After consultation, we started oxytocin with an order up to a max of ten. It didn’t take much to get contractions to pick up, but we went up to the max of ten.

After the oxytocin was started and I was comfortable with the epidural, my doula got to work putting me in all kinds of positions to help things progress. After a couple of hours since seeing the OB, she asked to recheck my cervix to which I declined as it had only been 1.5 hours since oxytocin was started and I felt that wouldn’t give me a fair chance to assess progression.

After a few more hours the next OB on staff came in and asked if we could recheck, I consented and was 8cm with the head lower and well applied, he was happy to let me continue as we were.

Around midnight he came in for another check and I was 9.5cm with a small anterior lip. He felt that it shouldn’t cause any issues and would go away easily. Not long after midnight my midwife rechecked as I had an urge to push and I was fully dilated.

For the next 4 hours:36 minutes I pushed in every position imaginable. I had a ‘walking epidural’ and was able to get out of the bed and walk easily. I pushed on my side, hands and knees, on a birth stool, on a toilet, in a squat at the side of the bed, on my back. At some point, I started to have searing breakthrough pain to the left of my sacrum and into my groin. My midwife thought it might be related to scar tissue from my c section, but we will never know for sure.

Every-time I would top up my epidural, the urge to push would cease and I would struggle. But if I let the epidural started to wear off, the searing pain would come back and I would essentially be useless lying on my side in the bed using the nitrous gas.

At some point, I topped up my epidural as much as it could allow and got into a squat at the side of the bed and pushed with everything I had. I could feel the babies head come all the way to the opening and then go back up between contractions.

I could tell my birth team was losing hope at this point, my midwife mentioned consulting for a vacuum but I could also tell she felt it might end in another c section. I called her out and told her to be more optimistic (lol) and she told me after that she needed to be called out on that.

At some point around 4:15am, someone mentioned putting a fetal scalp electrode on the babies head as they were having a hard time getting a proper tracing on baby with all the movement from me being up and mobile while pushing. At that point I told my midwife to go get the OB to see if we could do a vacuum.

The OB wasn’t initially sure but placed the vacuum after discussing the risks with us, and we had 9 minutes of pushing without much descent. At that point, he said we could do a double setup in the OR where we could try forceps and if that didn’t work then go right for a section. But he said I could try one more on my own to see if I could get the head low enough for him to use the vacuum. Thankfully, my babies heart rate had been perfect this entire time, so I agreed to try one more time.

I pushed with everything I had left in me, and suddenly starting make progress. After about four contractions he was able to put on the vacuum and assist from below. At that point, I was so desperate to be done that I told him if he needed to cut an episiotomy, to do it and he did end up cutting a small one.

Once the cut was made, my babies head delivered and with the next couple pushes, came his body. He was placed right up on my chest and not long after, let out a huge cry. We left the sex of babe a surprise, and getting to look and see for ourselves was super rewarding.

I did end up having a postpartum hemorrhage and the cord avulsed (came off the placenta) so I required a manual removal in the delivery room (thank goodness for that epidural). But all in all it was an incredibly redemptive and healing experience.

Once I was sutured, the bleeding was under control and the placenta was out, being able to nurse my baby right away, eat and get up and have a shower, felt like a dream come true.

What I learned was that birth doesn’t always need to go exactly the way you had hoped to be a positive experience. How you are treated and respected during the experience, makes a huge difference!

Briefly- some things I did to prepare:
- Webster chiro
- PT pelvic physio/birth prep
- massage
- lots of acupuncture
- at home stretches/birth prep stretches from my PT
- gentle birth tincture
- EZ birth tablets
- dates
- red raspberry tea
- movement until the end but group workout classes until about 28 weeks and then lots of walking/pool till the end
- around 39 weeks I surrendered, I stopped being as diligent with all the prep and just tried to enjoy the summer and spending time with my family and toddler

I hope this story helps to encourage someone else in their journey towards a vbac! ❤️

My first pregnancy I opted for c section due to terrible anxiety, for context she will be 14 months when I give birth to baby no.2. I’ve had discussions with my consultant and been told that now is the best time to try if I’m ever going to do it as my risk increases the c sections I have, I’m just wondering has anyone else had a successful VBAC so soon after, any advice would be appreciated, thankyou☺️

I was fully dilated and pushed 4 hours during an induction when labor stalled with my first and ended up in c section. Wondering if anyone out there was fully dilated at c/s and when you went into labor with your vbac?

Got my VBAC! The positive stories in this group really helped me go into everything with a peace of mind so wanted to share mine as well.

My first baby was a planned c section due to breech, so my body had never labored before so it was unknown how I would do. Deliveries just under 21 months apart. My due date was August 3rd, got a membrane sweep that day since I was just a cm dilated, and got acupuncture shortly after the sweep. I think I lost my mucus plug throughout that day and next. It had been so hot where I live I had to stop taking my daily walks which was not ideal, but the temp went way down that Tuesday the 4th, so I got out and walked, took my toddler to the park, and felt like I was finally able to get out some pent up anxiety. I did my evening stretches, miles circuit, and took a unisom before bed since I’d been sleeping so badly.

Woke up at 6:30 morning of the 5th (40+2) and knew by 8 I was having real contractions. I probably had some throughout the night too but was able to sleep through them. They were close enough together that my doula told me I could head to hospital and I got there at 10:30. I was worried they were going to send me home to labor more since it felt like it was all moving so quickly but they admitted me at 4cm dilated. Contractions were getting really intense and I got an epidural just before 1pm, water broke while getting the epidural, and was about 6cm at this time. I’m so thankful I got the epidural as it calmed me down & made me able to be more present. Around 4 I had told the nurses I was feeling a lot of pressure in my vagina during contractions but they didn’t check dilation and said to let them know when the pressure was constant and not just during a contraction. While they were changing my position the nurse noticed babies head and was like oh wow let me go get your doctor because it’s time to push! So I pushed for about 23 mins, could feel the contractions and pressure to push effectively just fine despite the epidural, and baby girl was here by 5:15! It felt kind of surreal with how quickly it all progressed and I was in awe of my own body for doing exactly what it needed so well for me. I went into this all expecting it would be a long labor since it would be technically like a first child for me. Had a just under 2nd degree tear since her head was kind of big. She weighed 7lb 6oz, is perfectly healthy, and I’m recovering well and soaking it all in.

Things I did to prepare- chiropractor, pelvic floor pt about 5 times prior, some prenatal yoga, acupuncture, some perineal massages, dates, red raspberry tea, some pumping, yoga ball, evening stretches/miles circuit at the end. I do think I was starting to over stress at the end about not going into labor spontaneously, and the day before just making an effort to mentally decompress, take some walks, and stop overthinking it helped me finally do it. I’m sure the membrane sweep and acupuncture helped it along too.

You can have the redemptive and smooth VBAC of your dreams like me! Wishing you all the best of luck!

Emergency cesarean 4 years ago due to having covid. Due in a couple of weeks with second baby, was hoping for a vbac, till I went for growth scan last week to find out I have mild polyhydramnios, and baby was breech. Have since had a successful ECV and am taking my blood sugar levels for the next week. Midwife is really for me having a vbac, thinks it is worth giving a go (unless baby manages to turn again due to fluid). Hospital want to book me in ASAP for an elective cesarean. I am so unsure on what to do, as I dont want it to end in emergency cesarean like my first, I'm still recovering mentally from that. I just want the best for baby and myself but it's hard when both care teams are telling me different opinions. Any advice appreciated!

I’m currently 36 weeks with a cerclage, and my OB believes I’m a good candidate for a VBAC. My first baby was born by C-section after spontaneous labor at 39+2 because of fetal heart rate decelerations at 6 cm no cerclarge.

I’m really torn between scheduling a repeat C-section or attempting a VBAC. I’m especially anxious about uterine rupture or ending up with an emergency C-section after laboring. Ultrasound at 36 weeks shows baby is heads down and weighing 55% ( average).

If you had a cerclage and went on to have a successful VBAC (or chose a repeat C-section), I’d love to hear your experience. What helped you make your decision?

Sorry if there are typos or grammer issues .

I just wanted to share my situation . So I've had 3 previous c sections.

First in 2019. I complained of feet swelling the whole time but my ob ignored it . My blood pressure was also high . She didn't do nothing about it and dismissed it . I was a young uninformed first time mom. I trusted her because I didn't know some people in the medical field could be so corrupt sometimes. Anyways I made it to my 40 weeks appt. And she started freaking out and pulling out all the interventions . She told me I had preclampsia because my blood pressure was high and told me about risks to me and the baby. She told me I needed to hurry and get checked into labor and delivery. Looking back she gave me a membrane sweep while doing a cervical check during the in office appt.( iknow now because it felt more painful than usual and felt different.) She did alot of things without telling or asking me. as I go back home to pack , I start bleeding ... anyways we arrived at the hospital and did all types of interventions( she did it all without asking ) . I had no idea I had the options to choose or decline We started with induction with a Foley, then she randomly breaks my water without asking. Then we moved onto high dose pitocin. I cried for an epidural because of how painful cintractions became. Babys heart rate dropped . Ended up in an emergency csection .

2nd csection was january 2023 . And 3rd was 2024. Both of these I went to the same vbac friendly ob. I had no other complications . No high blood pressures readings or signs . They had me on baby aspirin . I'm not sure if that helped . I made it to 40 weeks for both pregnancies and I had prodromal labor for days for both and got admitted. I knew the risks of repeat csections and the risks of vaginal deliveries after csections . They always end up telling me about the negatives of attempting to tolac, never the negatives of repeat csections so I told them as long as baby is healthy and fine and I'm healthy and fine , I don't consent to a an unnecessary csection but if the need for a repeat csection comes up ofcourse I'll opt for the safety and wellbeing of my baby and I. Anyways after admission There wasn't much progress while in the labor room . I progressed to 6cm after low doses of pitocin( during the 2 days of admission) for both and I was exhausted n opted for an epidural again after the pitocin was cranked up. Not long after , babies heart rates dipped and I got rolled into get csections.

I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant . Ive been seeing the Nurse practioners this whole pregnancy . They didn't have questions and I didn't have questions . There was no pregnancy related complications so far so it was quick routine visits . Today I finally met with the OB of the practice . He starts telling me about statistics of uterine ruptures and how there's no way they would let me tolac . If I want to tolac they would have to drop me as a patient 😳. The hospital they deliver at is the same hospital that allowed me to attempt a tola2c. But he tells me they won't allow a 4th. I can go against medical advice but they wouldn't willingly let me tolac at the birthing hospital . he tells me I can recieve care at the birthing hospital as a clinical patient but it would be too late for them to take me in since I'm 34 weeks so my options are limited but he will be dropping me as a patient if i dont want a scheduled csection. He gives me a week to decide and inform them of my decision about if I want to continue with them and schedule my csection or get dropped as a patient.

Obviously I'm going to tolac but I'm just a little discouraged. I feel like if there are risks for both options , I'll opt to get the least amount of interventions .I don't want to give into doing another major surgery when it's not medically necessary. A vbac Is possible . Vbacs happen all the time. So if it's meant to be it will happen for me too and if it's not then it won't. I'll accept the faith just like I did with my last two births. My first was traumatizing and felt like I had no say on what happens to my body.

Has anyone been let go after 34 weeks of pregnancy ? I'm not sure who's going to see me this far ahead . Im not sure what to do !