The VBAC Risks Are

Death to the Mother
Death to the Baby
Permanent Disabilities for the Baby

The risks also increase dramatically with other factors such as more than one previous C-section, or the use of induction or cervical ripening drugs.  I knew nothing about the increased risks.

VBAC with Uterine Rupture - Our Story

We had a wonderful doctor who respected our wishes to attempt a VBAC.  He wanted to schedule a C-section, but believed things would go okay with a VBAC.  He also suggested inducing labor 2 weeks early so the baby would be smaller and chances for a successful delivery would be greater.  We felt the baby would be born when it was ready.

Ten days past my due date we reluctantly agreed to an induction with pitocin.  I was on pitocin for 13 hours and absolutely nothing happened.  The Doctor said we could go ahead and take her by C-section, or come back in two days and try again, placing Prepidil (a cervical ripener) on the Cervix on the day in between.  Of course we were against the C-section, so I returned to the hospital the next afternoon where the doctor inserted the gel.

I immediately went into intense labor.  I could barely make the call to my husband to get to the hospital!  I requested an epidural after about two hours because the contractions were very intense.  My water broke, and five hours later I went  from 0 dilation to 10.  (between checks!)  We were so thrilled!  I had never progressed with my two previous labors.  

I pushed for 2 and 1/2 hours.  At two hours the doc said he would give me another 30 minutes and if the baby didn't come out we would do a C-section.  I was ready to push all night.  They could see the baby's head.  By the way, my OBGYN stayed nearby the entire time.  It was 1:00 in the morning at this point.  I know he didn't have to do that.

Then things went terribly wrong.  I felt an intense pain on the upper left side of my abdomen and the epidural did nothing for this pain. I told the nurse and she wasn't sure what was wrong.  I said "Something is NOT right, please get the doctor NOW".  Thank goodness she listened to me.  The doctor was by my side within a few minutes.  He carefully explained that we should go ahead and do a C-section. I said "OKAY LET'S GO NOW!!!"  I knew something was wrong and they couldn't move fast enough in my opinion.

Things get fuzzy for me after that.  I remember the intense pain and throwing up on the way into the operating room and barely being able to move.  My abdomen had become hard as a rock, and my husband says you could clearly see the baby's shape.  We believe it was about 20 minutes from the time I felt the rupture until they got her out.

I could feel them pulling the baby out and it seemed like forever before I heard her cry.  My husband says that they were trying to resuscitate her for about 10 minutes.  He says she came out gray and lifeless and stayed gray for a long time. A team of people were working to get her to breathe!  My husband witnessed the birth of our other two children and says they did not look like this.  Finally I heard her cry.  They brought her to me for a moment and then whisked her off to NICU.  (I didn't know anything was wrong at that point)

In recovery I find out that I have had a complete hysterectomy and that the baby is in Intensive Care.  My uterus ruptured down the left side and destroyed one ovary, the cervix, and ripped down into the vagina.  It was completely devastating for us.  The doctors basically said that they weren't sure if the baby was going to make it.  When the uterus ruptured her oxygen was cut off and she aspirated on some fluids.  Apparently some of her organs had begun to shut down due to lack of oxygen, and she was not able to breathe right on her own.

The NICU doctors seemed very grim but I refused to believe it possible for us to lose her.   I finally made it to NICU the next evening.....and there was my angel......tubes coming out of her everywhere.  It broke my heart.

Finally after 4 days she came off the respirator and I got to see her face.  She was beautiful.  Her first feeding was with my milk through a tube that went through her nose and down into her stomach.  Soon after that I was able to hold her in my arms and nurse her.  It was so hard going home after the fifth day without her.  Finally after 10 long days we were able to take her home.

She seems perfectly healthy and has rarely even been sick.  We are truly blessed.  It is really a miracle that she survived. She is such a strong spirit.

Make an Informed Decision about VBAC

VBAC and Uterine Rupture Personal Stories

Mias Friends
The Story of Emily Faith
Uterine Rupture and VBAC, Why Take the Risk?
Uterine Rupture with Attempted VBAC, Baby Has Problems
Uterine Rupture by Shari
VBAC Gone Wrong - Healthy Little Girl With Cerebral Palsy
VBAC Disaster
Jacob's Story: A Uterine Rupture Survivor
Laura's Uterine Rupture
Our Angel Hannah Grace
Caitlyn's Birth
Morgan's Story

VBAC and Uterine Rupture Support Groups

Meghan's Wish - For those struggling to make a decision and Uterine Rupture Survivors
A Uterine Rupture Support Group - For those that have Experienced Uterine Rupture