Yes EPPM, that's why it caught my eye - was expecting that one!

Thanks twoplusone. I was surprised they tried to make me go to 40+10. I know there is no significant reason not to, other than that it increases my chances of having to give a VBAC a go and I am really ambivalent about that so I'm glad I got the earlier date.

I feel much more relaxed about it all now, whatever will be, will be and I know I can put the date back if I want to. Just hope they have air con if I go into labour on a hot day!

Leningrad.. just want to say good luck..
I had an elctive cs with my first,and have gone on to have two VBACS (both very fast second satge) which I wanted.
My elective cs was at 36weeks and both VBACS were 40+2. The hospitals..(one in the UK one in Germany) both gave me a sweep on my due date as they did not want me to go to far over my dates. I was also told I wasnt allowed to be induced by any other means other than a sweep.. even though between first VBAC and CS there was 7.5years, and between both VBACS 3years 1month. I am expecting number 4 in feb, and tbh expecting the same to happen again.. This one is in yet another hospital in another part of germany.
But anyway.. as I said Good Luck hun xx

I take it you're aware of the original?

Love the poster on your profile, very funny!

Tell you what, I'll do the pregnancies, you do the births!

You really are a just a number, such a shame, we could do so much better. It's not entirely the fault of maternity services, we've lost of lot of info, support and advice from our communities and nothing has properly plugged that gap yet.

Anyway, I feel better now my little rant is over. I'm glad I've got the date. That's what I wanted and I would have been furious with myself if I'd left without it, as we nearly did.

Now I can relax and if I go into labour, great, we'll head in and see what happens. I'll be flagged as potential CS anyway and it really can't be as bad as last time (hopes again)!

I was not so secretly hoping for twins this time too... would love another child, but cannot do another pg... I hate it, and it hates me!

But, more seriously- we shouldn't be 'anonymous people' - we should be individuals. especially as we all have diifering physiology, family circumstances, past gyn histories etc.Statistics should have no bearing on treatment.
I was so pissed off with my community m/w from the outset- she never listened to a word I said- about my previous pg, my heart condition, medical history etc etc
She even referred me to a MH m/w even though I told her I hadn't had any problems for over a decade FFS...

I have to say my elcs was pretty robotic for them too. But at least this time, I knew what to expect, and was desperate to get home to dd for her b'day...

That's exactly it EPPM, from the minute we arrived last time (at 6am as directed, then they didn't start the induction until midday!), they looked bored and disinterested on the central station. It can't be very satisfying for them having this constant stream of anonymous people coming through demanding x, y and z.

It's a surprise, can't wait to meet him or her. Love our names - almost want boy/girl twins so we can use both as we won't have any more. Only almost though, I sat watching the tennis last night thinking these periods of calm and quiet with no demands made of me will be few and far between in a few weeks for another few years!

I think having to argue and fight this time for what I want; a VBAC attempt up until 40 weeks with a CS scheduled at 39/40 weeks, has just annoyed me and further destroyed any residual faith I had that we would be more involved/consulted and treated better this time. How can they not even make the right noises about us having access to a Senior Midwife? I know it might not happen on the day but at least pretend we can ask!

I don't want to be just a statistic in their efforts to reduce CS levels, however laudable that effort is overall. My circumstances are specific to me and I should not have had to argue with them about it. I honestly expected to have to argue with them to give a VBAC a chance beyond the 39th week, not to have to insist on setting a CS date at 39/40 weeks at all. I thought the CS date would be a given.

It really does feel like a factory process, doesn't it? It is so impersonal, and they are always so busy and hassled, and one seems like such an inconvenience to them
I felt just the same, and my hospital is a women's hospital
Well, I know I said it previously on another thread, but my 2nd section was an entirely different experience- really the polar opposite of DD's birth- emotionally and psychologically... the recovery was quick too, and without all the guilt, disappointment, the stress, the 'what if?'s too...

You have to go with what you want, and what will make you most comfortable, whatever that may be.

Not long now though! (is it another DS, or a surprise?)

BTW, the not wanting to go to 40+10 is for two reasons: hedging my bets, increased risk of major problems post-40 weeks (small risk overall, but increased post-40 weeks nonetheless).

I can change my mind and put the CS back nearer the time so that's an option too. Which makes their reluctance to just book it in the first place even more annoying.

Hi EPPM

I just know the set up there (big mat hospital). They moved me mid-labour last time, didn't say the arm might lead to the sudden and excruciating onset of contraction pains (hadn't had any to get to 2-3 cms), didn't get me an epidural when I asked for one, didn't help or support me during labour (or pay attention to DS's monitor) and will not commit to a senior midwife attending this time. They also want a cannula in and I don't.

It is a real conveyor belt and shift changes just make it all worse. I will probably be on a timer for the various stages too. The odds of success aren't great.

I'm just really annoyed that he actually told me they were leaving it until 39+6 to 'give me every chance'. Every chance of being left in agony only for it to end in intervention probably anyway it seems to me.

I'm not usually so negative, I just have a real problem with the way the service is organised and I already feel like I'm battling and arguing with them which is not conducive to it all going well.

There is no continuity of care or attention paid to each and every individual, it's hard to explain unless you see it, it's literally moving women up and around the rooms/system.

I really, really resent the way I'm spoken to. Patronised doesn't come close!

It can only be better this time I suppose (hopes) but I am going to be furious if their attempts to get their CS stats down leave me feeling let down again. You can't put the horse before the cart. Set the service up so the support and care is there and the reduction in CSs will follow.

Ah I see... tbh if your heart isn't in it, then it is unlikely to happen. Is there a reason for the change of heart? You seemed so positive previously, has anything happened to change your mind? How well are you in general atm?
(This heat must be a killer...)

To be clear, they would give me a CS at 40+10 but not an elective at the usual 39 weeks. I basically felt they were trying to force me to have a VBAC by leaving it so late.

TBH, EPPM, I'm only preparing for a VBAC in case it happens before the CS, my heart isn't in it but I'll try if labour starts before 40 weeks. There's no reason there should be no fluid this time but who knows why there wasn't last time. Movement is better this time and we know growth is good so that's positive.

I just want it to be calm and controlled with time to think. My Dr said to request an epidural the minute I get there to try and be sure I'm at least awake this time but that will further decrease the chance of success.

No, mintyy, they initially would not book a CS for me, I never said I wanted a VBAC and in fact said that given the experience last time, I would like a CS date booked, he went away to consult someone else (whom we'd seen before and had previously just assumed/decided a VBAC was the right option, then he booked the CS, reluctantly. (He then came back and gave me a load of patronising nonsense which basically implied I was wrong to request the date.

Yes, there is a big push to reduce the number of c sections. I was allowed an elective at 39+2 after my previous crash caesarian. But then I didn't really say I would consider VBAC. I said, given the near catastrophe that I went through first time, I was too frightened of the same thing happening again and mentally I was in no fit state to attempt a vaginal birth. My very nice consultant agreed right away.

Whereas you, on the other hand, are happy to attempt VBAC and all you are really arguing about is the date of possible induction?

Anyway, I see you have your elective date. Good luck with it - I positively enjoyed mine! A thousand times better than the first time around .

Hi Lenin... cannot believe you are 35 weeks already

Is there a reason you're not happy to go up to 40 +10? (are you expecting low fluid levels this time too?)
How is your preparation for VBAC going? (can I be honest and say you don't sound particularly enamoured by the thought...?)

I think that's what shocked me: the 'we think you should try a VBAC up until 40+10'. Well, I don't. I'm not stupid, I've done all the research. If I want a CS date, I should have been given one, no debate.

FGS, they messed us around enough last time and cared for us very badly, I'm not risking that again beyond the due date if I can help it. I know it's an arbitrary date but there has to be a line in the sand somewhere and 40 weeks is as good as any.

I think it's great they're reassessing risk and offering this to those who want it but I'm not convinced we'll get the time, attention and care needed for a successful VBAC. I'd love to be wrong, we'll see.

Last Aug my consultant gave me any and every choice re CS/dates etc, but would NOT let me have a waterbirth VBAC and hence i felt he was happier with elective CS

Oh, and the VBAC has to be with CFM and a cannula of course. Absolutely no to the latter - I can't labour freely with a bloomin' needle in me!

Yes, I really couldn't believe it, they were adamant I should try for a VBAC. At one point I was told that my emcs under ga was a good outcome for them, and perhaps I viewed it a bit too emotionally!

Actually, the emcs under ga was fine, it was the decisions, care and actions leading up to it that weren't.

We nearly left without a date and were almost rail-roaded into not pursuing it, would have been annoyed with myself if that had happened.

i suspect there is also an element of not giving women what they want. after all, who knows best...?

There's a big push atm to reduce C/S.

Personally I feel that denying electives for 2nd births is barbaric. If they want to reduce the rate of C/S then they should concentrate on avoiding emergency C/S.

My hospital was wonderful with me. First DC born after failed induction, 55 hour labour and EMCS due to foetal distress.

They totally gave me the choice with DC2, after explaining pros and cons of both options, and I went ahead with the elective, which was brilliant.

No, my hospital was VERY picky with me when I was planning to have my DD (breech position, plus pre eclampsia). She was born in 2005.

i get the impression it depends on the area /consultant. I don't blame you for wanting to have more control over the birth this time round.

Oh, and my reticence re: the VBAC is because it was all so out of control last time with inadequate information and support and I don't believe it will be any different this time.

History is emcs under ga for DS due to foetal distress at 40+6 following induction due to reduced foetal movement and no amniotic fluid.

I'm 35 weeks now and (kind of) happy to give a VBAC a go if I go into labour naturally, but I did not want to wait until 40+10 when they wanted to schedule the CS if it hasn't happened by then.

I eventually got them to agree to book me in at 39+6 by their dates, 40+4 by mine.

I really thought at one point I was going to have to ask if they were honestly going to refuse booking me in even though I'd had an emcs last time - a situation they put me in by rushing the induction; it was all going fine until they broke my waters.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting that women have to fight for VBACs in some areas, and I had to fight to book a CS following a previous CS.