I’m 29 weeks with my second baby. With my first, I went into labor naturally at 40+3, and didn't go to the hospital until I was 5 cm. I waited to get an epidural until I really needed it but unfortunately had multiple failed epidurals. The first was placed by a resident and an attending came in and fixed it. That one worked for a few hours but then wore off. I was having very intense back labor and was in so much pain without a working epidural. Finally, another anesthesiologist came in when I was 10 cm and having active contractions with no pain management. He wasn’t able to remedy it.
Though I was able to get to 10 cm, my baby didn’t move past station 0 despite about 2 hours of pushing. At this point I had been in labor for over 30 hours and was so exhausted from the pain. I think this may have stalled labor but I don’t know.
Ultimately, I needed a c-section for the arrest of descent, so a fourth anesthesiologist finally took an ultrasound of my back and found a slight anomaly and was able to place the needle so I had pain management for the c-section.
I am so afraid of the failed epidurals and arrest of descent happening again. For my first birth I did “all the things,” including hiring a doula, staying active the whole pregnancy, doing the miles circuit and curb walking, dates, avoiding induction, laboring at home as long as possible and I still ended up with a c-section.
I'm looking for guidance from anyone who had a similar experience. Did you try for a vbac and was it successful? What made the difference? Did your epidurals work the second time?
I’d also love thought on whether a Webster chiro is worth it. I met with one, but she wants to see me 2-3x a week until delivery. With working full time, and having a toddler, adding time driving to and from the appointments after work would be a considerable time commitment. But if it really makes a difference it might be worth it. I welcome everyone’s thoughts!