VBAC After C-Section: A Guide for Expectant Mothers

Question
I am 26 years old and have one 22mo old child.  My last period was July 23/05.  I am currently 34 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child.  My 1st was born by emerg. c-section after 26.5 hrs of labour (she only weighed 6lbs, 15oz)  I dialated to 7cm, but wouldn't dialate anymore.  Baby's heart rate was dropping too low and so they did an emerg. section.  Although the surgeon diagnosed me with a narrow pelvis (I am 5' 2" & normally 105lbs) I am trying for a VBAC as I wanted to try to avoid a c-section if I could as last time I lost a lot of blood, became anemic, had 75% of my staples pull open and had blood oozing out of a hole in my belly for 5 weeks.  I don't beleive having a slightly narrow pelvis means you can't push a baby out.  Also, there could have been other factors that caused me problems...she was not properly positioned (neck bent backwards), I didn't walk around during labour, I was panicing from pain.  What are the chances of a successful VBAC even being diagnosed with a narrow pelvis?  

Answer
Since the problem causing the cesarean last time may have been due to the position of the baby (deflexed neck), you are a good candidate for a VBAC. However, the baby was not too large, which manes that you may have had some CPdephalopelvic disproportion). You certgainly can try for a VBAC. Just remember that the risk of rupture of the uterus is 1% in a woman with a previous cesarean section. If you show any signs of delay in dilatation or if there are any signs of impending fetal distress, or if there is a non-reassuring fetal tracing, your doctor should stop allowing you to labor and proceed to a repeat cesarean section. If the baby is smaller or if it is better situated, you certainly have a chance at VBAC. Good Luck.