limited time to labour

[KAEKAE]

I had an emergency section with my DS1 - I have been told by a friend who is pregnant and who has also had a section that, as I want to try for a VBAC I will only be given 8 hours to labour naturally. We are both having our babies at Kingston. Does anyone know whether is this normal procedure or a procedure that only certain hospitals take on?

[LuluisgoingtobeanAunty]

you will be advised of a time limit. however, you are perfectly within your rights to ask for more time, if labour is progressing, albeit slower than the doctors would like it to

if you are 8cm after 8 hours, and no signs of foetal distress, and all is well, and no signs of progres stopping, it would be very remiss IMO to whip you off for a section

trying to be upright, mobile and active and able to listen to your body and labour as freely as you can, after a spontenoeous start to labour should help you achieve your VBAC

[SparkyMalarky]

Hi - I've just arranged a VBAC (now starting to worry about it, but that's a different story ) at Kingston and at no point did they mention an 8hour limit. They did say they'd prefer for me to be continuously monitored, but that was it (and other friends at Kingston have managed to fight for a VBAC in the Malden Suite)..

They were happy for me to try for a VBAC (although mine was an elcs last time) - there was no pressure either way. Have you spoken to your m/w / consultant about it?

[reikizen]

I have never heard of a time limit being imposed, if labour is progressing normally and you and baby are doing okay then what's the problem? Eight housrs from when? When you arrive at the hospital? Eight hours form 3cm? It may just be hearsay or your friend getting the wrong end of the stick. Ask for the hospital's guideline on VBAC and compare it to NICE/RCOG. All of which you can happily ignore if you so choose, so long as you feel confident that you and baby are happy and healthy.

[umchuck]

Hi there

I am 39 wks and going for a VBAC after an emergency C-section at Kingston with my first -

My MW said that I would have 12 hours max and then I actually spoken o the midwifes on duty at Kingston (when I went to visit a friend) who said they will deal with it on a case by case.

I am also pretty nervous but am determined to give it a go...

Good luck to everyone!!

xx

[manyhatson]

I'm going for a VBAC at Royal Surrey County Hospital (Guildford) and have hired a doula to help me stay at home for as long as possible as once I'm in they'll be looking for 1cm per hour. As this will be my first labour (2nd baby), I'm expecting it to be hard to get to the first few cm and don't want to head in too early - hence the doula to help me stay at home as long as possible.

I can push for what I want once I'm there of course, but the standard at RSCH is no to home from home room, no to pool, no to induction, no to going overdue. They'll want me to be monitored constantly and I'll be wanting to stay active as long as poss. I'm under a fairly young/flexible consultant who would let me go 4-6 hours on a drip if my cervix is favourable but my labour is moving slowly, but many of the other consultants won't even let that happen. Anyway, I'm not going to worry about it as what will be will be. Plus my doula will be there to negotiate for me!