VBAC - annoyed with some midwives' attitude

[JammyMummy]

I am aiming for a VBAC. I'm so annoyed that at every single appointment the midwife goes on and on about the "huge" risks of my scar rupturing - a risk of 0.5 %. And yet no one volunteers the fact my hospital has an excellent 70-plus% rate of successful VBAC. That's the statistic I would rather focus on! Also they say I need an alternative birth plan if nothing has happened by 41 weeks - ie either induction or c-section. I pointed out that natural labour is still very likely by then - it seemed to come as a surprise. Am so irritated when told they would allow me a "trial of labour" - as if I need permission! Sorry to rant but am fed up of being treated like a moron rather than an intelligent human being - whose body is not defective just because I had an EmCS.

[pinkgrapefruitjuice]

Dont blame you at all for feeling annoyed, theres a good thread on here for support for people aiming for VBAC, dont know how to link to it but look under pregnancy section.
People have posted some excellent links and info on there.

[pinkgrapefruitjuice]

Its under childbirth section not pregancy, will try and put a link in.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/982766-Anyone-up-for-a-VBAC-support-thread

[RachelPross]

Hi, I had a VBAC with DD2 with no issues whatsoever...although I wasn;t allowed to use the midwife led birthing unit facilities and had to go straight into the labour ward and be strapped onto all the machines etc it was worthwhile.

Recovery time is so much quicker from VBAC....good luck to you, hope it all goes well for you.

[ANTagony]

Focus on the 70% that sounds like you have a really high chance of succeeding. Its kind of invasive when everyone thinks they know your body better than you do.

I was determined to have a VBAC with my second after an EmCS with my first. I went over, I had two sweeps - one on due date and one a week later, a failure to proceed labour, a very fed up family (can't you get on with it) then ended up with another CS as they wouldn't let me hang on any longer. On the one hand the birth was wonderful, stress free and my DS latched straight on in the recovery room. I wasn't tired, it was mid morning so I had the day to enjoy him and for family to pop in.

On the other I wish I'd thought it all through a bit more and not felt so disappointed at the time. It overshadowed things a bit for me - I sort of felt like a failure even though it was just one of those things. It was definitely best he was born once I was two weeks over.

I think that after the trauma and exhaustion of an emergency procedure I was keen to have a less traumatic birth - with reflection I got that with no.2 even though it was a CS.

Now I'm in early days with no.3 and having the same discussions with a new set of midwifes in a new area - its just I have two scars this time!

Its your body and your choices have you got an action plan to get things started? All the traditional things, long walks, hot currys, rasberry leaf tea (yuck), when you can have a sweep and who does it in your area.

Finally if after you've tried all else would you consider induction at 41weeks over waiting to be two weeks over and not being given the choice? Its just if you get to 41 weeks and you haven't previously indicated you'd like to try induction they may not be able to fit you in which would be seriously frustrating.

Good luck and don't let them get you down.

[reikizen]

Odd, as my experience as a mw is completely the opposite. In my trust VBACs are very much encouraged, it's the women themselves who have to be convinced, especially if it was an emergency section first time around.
Trial of labour is indeed a ridiculous phrase, but in everyday use in maternity.

[mazzystartled]

YANBU. And it is such a pity that your midwives can't share your positive attitude.

FWIW I have just had a fantastic, intervention-free VBA2C in a MLU of major hospital, with total support of my consultant & community midwives. I agreed that I would have a planned CS at term +10 if I didn't go into spontaneous labour - am surprised induction is even being suggested for VBAC tbh it's one of the things proven to increase poss of scar rupture.

Good luck!

[goodlifemummy]

Oooof! I am planning a VBAC and my midwife is very supportive of that, however I saw a registrar ( in place of my consultant ) today, and she was much less supportive. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, my body, my baby, my choice....so there!

[JammyMummy]

Thanks pinkgrapefruitjuice for the link and all you other ladies for your support and responding to my ranting. Am 39 weeks today and feeling pretty relaxed - maybe because I've not had any appointments this week! Good luck to everyone about to give birth although I'm sure we won't need it - because our bodies are amazing!

[Alicetheinvisible]

I am hoping to have a VBAC this time after emcs last time. MW's and consultant all happy with that, but at my first appointment with the MW she just assumed i would want an elective.

My plan this time is to labour at home for as long as possible, that way i can do it my way. I don't mind being monitored, but would rather it wasn't continous. If there is no sign of any distress in the baby then i would like to spend time off the monitor.

[DomesticG0ddess]

My experience has been really different - the midwife just sort of assumed that I would go for a VBAC and they really encourage it. But my own mw has never had a woman on her books before who has had a c-section, so I asked for an appointment with a consultant midwife to go through things with, which is in a couple of weeks.

ANTagony, although I want a VBAC, I would also be happy with a planned c-section (if baby was breech for example or if I went overdue and did not want to be induced) - like you I just want a more positive experience this time. Unfortunately these things can't be planned and whilst another EMCS fills me with dread, at least I know what to expect if it happens. Last time was a real shock. VBAC also scares me, but have to have a go!

OP, good luck over the next couple of weeks and hold out for as long as possible - my friend was more than 14 days over her due date 3 times, but did not get induced as the babies were fine.