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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go against DH (vbac)

69 replies

idontknowjacques · 09/07/2013 13:29

Had a csection with DS - we had him under a consultant in a private hospital and although it was classed as an emergency cs, the obs was v pro cs and v anti instrumental delivery so I often wonder whether I would have ended up with a VB of some sort under different care

Now pg again and consultant (different guy but a colleague) says I should have a CS this time because of the risks of VBAC and because he thinks my pelvis might not be the right shape (??) but this seems to be just a hunch - I suspect DS got stuck as I was on a strong epi and not mobile. I want to attempt a VBAC but DH is horrified and says he won't have it under any circumstances, he puts all his faith in the private drs and "can't believe I would risk baby's life for the sake of pride" (he can't understand why I really want to experience a VB)

So anyway, I am pretty sure I won't stand a chance of VBAC in this set-up and considering opting out of private care and doing it NHS with an independent midwife or doula. You can imagine what DH thinks of this!

The reason we were private last time is I was very scared about childbirth and we could afford it, but second time around I am a lot less anxious

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
picklechops · 09/07/2013 13:34

Your body, your birth.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 09/07/2013 13:35

My pelvis is "the wrong shape". It's very shallow....like a man's. So ask if this is what the consultant is talking about. It's in no way wide enough to ever fit a baby out of it.

I think you would be well advised to find out more about your pelvis shape before making a choice.

themaltesecat · 09/07/2013 13:37

I'm with your DH. If the medical advice was to have a CS, I'd have one (again). But then I'm very pro-CS, since the surgery saved the baby's life and possibly mine too.

Donnadoon · 09/07/2013 13:37

My DH was like this I ignored him completely and tried desperately to vbac but ended up with c/s due to failure to progress.

Wylye · 09/07/2013 13:38

Might be worth re-posting this in Childbirth as there are HCPs floating about that will have more knowledge about VBACS.

But, I don't think YABU to want to explore your options, but it sounds like you need a second opinion from a different Doc at a different clinic before you'll be happy to continue with another CS. If they dispute your current Docs opinion then you and DH need to have a sit down with a midwife and have it out! He's acting from a point of fear, not just for the baby but for you too. A little reassurance from a trained midwife will help a lot.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 09/07/2013 13:42

Could you ask them to scan your pelvis to check whether it is or is not a suitable shape for childbirth - so you aren't just relying on the consultant's hunch?

neunundneunzigluftballons · 09/07/2013 13:43

We have a large scale private system in Ireland which operates side aw side with the public system. Same doctors and same hospitals but it has been shown that there is a significant increase in a sections associated with going private. It makes sense the doctors need to run to a smoother time table. I went private on number 1 had a c section and a normal delivery public on 2 and 3 . I understand where you are coming from.

FirstStopCafe · 09/07/2013 13:48

I think it would be a good idea to fully research your options and the medical reasons why it is being advised for you to have a cs. Then you can make an informed decision as is your right.

Ultimately however I would follow the advice given by the professionals

Flobbadobs · 09/07/2013 13:49

Your DH needs to butt out and let you explore your options as fully as possible.

mrslyman · 09/07/2013 14:00

You have my sympathies, I know from experience that it sucks having a DH that isn't supportive of your decisions regarding childbirth, although in my case I was pushing against crap care in a very busy maternity unit.

I've no direct experience of VBAC but I know from friends that some consultants seem to be more pro-VBAC than others, perhaps you could find an alternative private consultant who may be able to advise with an openmind. I'm sure there will be mumsnetters who can point you in the right direction.

TalkativeJim · 09/07/2013 14:03

I think a key point to make is that so far, absolutely everyone involved is talking a fair amount of unsubstantiated opinion.

Unless your original consultant has an x-ray of your pelvis, he doesn't know what shape it is. If he's very pro-CS, then you can expect him to say exactly what he's saying.

Your DH is also not a HCP nor an expert on birth. Coming out with nonsense about risking your baby's life is just that: nonsense. If he wants the stats, give them to him... and then have a homebirth, as that's what the stats say give (marginally) the best outcomes!

So for a start, I'd get second opinions on the medical stuff, and be very clear with your DH that hysteria and scaremongering won't make you put his opinion before yours, but it WILL make you consider that perhaps he's not the best birth partner.

The most important thing to remember is this. There are no assurances with childbirth, there is no set plan which will ever give you the assured best outcome. Sometimes, there are solid medical indications which should see you choose one path, e.g. CS; far more often, there are only the personal preferences of the HCP involved. There is however one consideration which, in the absence of significant medical contraindications, should always come first - and that is the preference of the person giving birth. Not only are you more likely to have a good birth if it's the kind of birth you wanted, it is vitally important to feel that as much as possible, that you are in control, you have made the decisions - that you are giving birth and not having birth done to you.

The words 'I won't have it under any circumstances' should never pass your DH's lips when the talk is of YOUR birth - that is unacceptable.

If you want to try VBAC, you absolutely should: the fact that you want it MAKES it the best option. If your DH can't support that, it is HE who is pulling down the chance of a best outcome: i.e. a safe birth which leaves you both physically and MENTALLY in good health and best prepared for life with a newborn.

Dackyduddles · 09/07/2013 14:08

You sound just unknowledgeable at the moment and choosing to go vbac almost in pique.

As others suggested research vbac, research your pelvis etc again with consultants, ask lots of questions.

Then and only then make a decision. So yabu, just for now.

IvanaCake · 09/07/2013 14:18

Your body, your birth. Ultimately Dh doesn't get a say.

Get a proper opinion on the pelvis issue though, don't just accept a hunch.

IneedAsockamnesty · 09/07/2013 14:31

I would be inclined to at least go and see a NHS consultant I would be very surprised if you actually did have a pelvis that would not work with a VBAC they would also tell you, if both consultants say the same thing then they are more than likely to be right.

Either way who the hell does your DH think he is does he not get the fact that he has no say what so ever.

squeakytoy · 09/07/2013 14:35

I think some posts are a bit harsh here on a husband who is clearly concerned about the health of his wife and child. He may not be able to give birth himself, but he ought to be allowed some say in the matter with regards to the risks.

prissyenglisharriviste · 09/07/2013 14:36

I had CS with dc1 due to suspected macrosomia. Vbac with dc2 (it was pretty awful, back to back delivery, lots of tearing, ended up with me having to stay in the hospital for a week whilst they pieced me back together - Ds was fine and ready to be discharged). With dc3, because I had had a 'successful' vbac, I had to vbac again (no clinical reason for CS). Dd2 was brain damaged due to birth hypoxia.

Lots of people have entirely straightforward vbacs, obviously. I'm actually very pro vbac, and anti unnecessary medicalisation of birth, but I really don't think you have enough information at the moment to make a sensible choice.

ChocsAwayInMyGob · 09/07/2013 14:36

It is of course, completely up to your DH if he is the pregnant one who will be experiencing birth. Otherwise, he can have an opinion, but the ultimate decision is yours and not his.

I would do a bit more research if I were you, and get a second opinion. After that, whatever you choose- good luck and all the best.

Crinkle77 · 09/07/2013 14:39

God everyone give the DH a break. He is rightfully worried about his partner and baby. You need to explore all the options fully and make sure your partner is involved so that he has all the information too then he may relax and be happy with the decision that YOU have taken.

mrslyman · 09/07/2013 14:42

Of course the husband has a right to an opinion but no mother wants to put the life of their unborn child at risk and to suggest that having a say over how she gives birth equates to this is a horrible thing to imply.

Having the person who is supposed to love and support you think that this is what you are doing is a truly horrible experience, particularly when you are in such a vulnerable position. He should be supporting his wife in exploring the options that are available to her and helping her to seek further medical opinion.

notsochic · 09/07/2013 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HarderToKidnap · 09/07/2013 14:43

X-ray pelvimetry as a tool to assess the suitably of a pelvis for labour is not evidence based at all. It's very outdated and I'd be concerned that anyone talking about your pelvis being too small, especially as you haven't laboured before and therefore nobody has a clue about how your pelvis copes with labour, wasn't up to date with best practice. Sadly not uncommon in the private sector as consultants there can still make lots of medical decisions based in their hunches or beliefs even if they are contrary to good evidence (can be a plus or minus point of course!) It's definitely worth speaking to someone on the NHS or even someone very dynamic and forward thinking in the private sector. Good luck.

mrslyman · 09/07/2013 14:48

If cost were no object would there still be such anti C section sentiment?

From what I gather there isn't actually much a difference in the cost to the NHS between a CS and a natural deliverly in a consultant led unit (source: mumsnet posters who know more about this than me)

I also gather that a CS costs the person paying the private consultant more than a natural delivery.

So I don't think it's fair to assume that cost (or rather opporutnity for earning money) isn't a factor in a private consultant's opinion on how you should give birth.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 09/07/2013 14:58

You really need to find out more about what happened first time around and whether or not the shape of your pelvis will cause a problem. I had an emcs with DS1 because he was an undiagnosed breech and showing signs of distress. I had a successful VBAC with DS2 because we had checked that he wasn't breech so the "problem" hadn't repeated itself. If DS2 had been breech I would probably have chosen another CS.

It really doesn't matter how the baby is born (even though it does feel like it at the time) so the key thing is to research properly and work out what is the best option in this case.

I suspect your DH is trying to protect you in a situation where there is nothing he can do personally so is falling back on trusting the "experts" to keep you safe.

RedHelenB · 09/07/2013 15:02

Had a completely natural birth with ds3 & it was the best experience, so if you can explore that as an option I definitely would. You won't want to risk your or your baby's health so what harm in sussing out the options?

ActionLog · 09/07/2013 15:16

Are you in London? If so go to one of the other private options, preferably one of the ones with a private wing attached to an NHS hospital eg St Mary's or St Thomas. At a minimum I'd get a second opinion from another consultant.

I had a private consultant following a first c-section and he was happy for me to try for a VBAC or c-section second time around. In the end we had to go for c-section due to the circumstances at the time but had things been more straighforward then I may have tried for a VBAC.

FWIW, when I did the research my recollection was that c-section has a small increase of risk of death for the mother over VB, VBAC a small increase risk of death for the baby over CS.