Natural or Epi for a VBAC?

Hey ladies I am 11 weeks as of today pregnant with baby #3. I had to have an emergency c section with with youngest baby due to him being breech, having placenta previa, and my water breaking at 32 weeks 6 days which has resulted in having a T'd uterus.. I have found a doctor that is willing to let me try to VBAC at my local hospital. My question is, should I attempt an "all natural" birth or get an epi? With my first born I did have him vaginally but was induced at 41 weeks. They gave me the cervical cream stuff the night before and at 8 am they turned my pitocin on and because of the intensity of the contractions and the frequency I got my epi at only 2 cent. So after 5 hours and 17 minutes of pitocin and labor I had my LO after only 3 pushes. So do you think I'll have it in me to do it all natural? I'm just worried that im going to get to the point of no return on not have a epi and have a melt down lol

I'd do natural but that's just me. If you do get an epidural, wait until you're at least 5cm as it can stall labour otherwise. Maybe get a doubla for extra support?

What exactly does a Doula do? Sorry I suck lol

I figure for my future children I'll try to hold off the epi as long as possible, but once I'm in too much pain to enjoy being in the birthing process, I'll get an epi.

If you're going for a VBAC, an epi can increase your chances of C-section when you're already an increased risk for C-section. I'd try it natural.

Wouldn't me being in excruciating pain stress the baby? I'm just trying to weigh all cons and pros of each option because I really don't want another c-section unless it is 100% needed medically.

Quoting MommyBear2692:" Wouldn't me being in excruciating pain stress the baby? I'm just trying to weigh all cons and pros of each option because I really don't want another c-section unless it is 100% needed medically. "

going through natural childbirth will in no way, harm your baby. It's the healthiest thing you could ever do. That being said, nothing bad will happen if you choose to get an epi and be more comfortable.

Quoting MommyBear2692:" Wouldn't me being in excruciating pain stress the baby? I'm just trying to weigh all cons and pros of each option because I really don't want another c-section unless it is 100% needed medically. "

not all labours are exactly the same, so maybe you won't be in excruciating pain  

& no, it does not stress or affect the baby as much as drugs do.

Quoting MommyBear2692:" What exactly does a Doula do? Sorry I suck lol"

lol no you don't. doulas are there to help & support you during labour in any way they can! they have different techniques & breathing patterns for you to try to help alleviate the pain, etc. If you are going for a VBAC in the hospital I would absolutely get a doula

Alright I think I'm gonna try to go all natural.. And have my doctors tell me when I get to the point where either I get an epi then or not at all so at least I can have the option. It's all a little scary because I haven't really had the chance to be in labor and feel much. Plus we are planning on this pregnancy being our last so I want to be able to have a full on experience since this should be the last baby.

I'm gonna have to do some more research on the whole doula thing but it seems like it would be helpful to have one there. How do go about finding one? If you know that is lol.. Sorry like I said totally new to the whole natural birth thing

Quoting MommyBear2692:" I'm gonna have to do some more research on the whole doula thing but it seems like it would be helpful ... [snip!] ... there. How do go about finding one? If you know that is lol.. Sorry like I said totally new to the whole natural birth thing "

Look for midwives and ask them starting there.

I had a med free birth with my last. It was horrible, but not any kind of pain I haven't felt before. It was just like really bad gas pains. I didn't even feel pain when pushing, just felt constipated.

Quoting MommyBear2692:" I'm gonna have to do some more research on the whole doula thing but it seems like it would be helpful ... [snip!] ... there. How do go about finding one? If you know that is lol.. Sorry like I said totally new to the whole natural birth thing "

well you could try google. there are a few other sites. um one sec

http://www.findadoula.com/

http://www.dona.org/mothers/find_a_doula.php

http://doulamatch.net/


I know that having a doula can statistically lower your chances of a c-section, epidural, pitocin, forceps, etc. by a lot. If I find a link to that I will let you know, I can't remember though lol.

Lol thank you for the info!! It's much appreciated!