To not all this fuss and drama just because I had a ecs last time?

[UnsureWhatToDoNow]

Managed to get through last pregnancy with as little fuss and minimal appointments with midwife as possible.

DD got stuck on the way out after I dilated to 10 cm so ended up with ecs.

This pregnancy already seems like its going to be a lot of fuss and drama because of previous cs and I'm only 9 weeeks with umpteen appointement with midwife and consultant.

Does it really need to be like this? I had a perfectly healthy pregnancy and baby last time, she just got stuck which the surgeon asid was one those things and I could have a virginal birth next time, which I am trying for.

So AIBU to think just leave me alone.

There is also the issue of weight. Am 13.5 stone so know I am going to be moaned at the whole way through this pregnancy.

I just want to be left alone with minimal fuss is that unreasonable.

oh dizzy What an awful time for you.

I've had 3 c-sections - 1st in similar circs to you but hardly saw consultant in subsequent pregnancies apart from to discuss options at 20 weeks and then book in for c-section at 34 weeks.

it wasn't great tbh but I was very grateful for the attentive care I was given by my wonderful consultant who even let me get to my due date before asking me again to consider and elective - they're all not out to get you

Your pregnancy is higher risk than average band and I don't think that level of care is excessive. I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

I had emcs and quite a few appts with DD2. Am rhesus neg so extra ones for injections as well, it did seem like I was there the whole time.

But isn't it good they are taking care of you? People often complain about waiting to be seen on the NHS, feeling that they have not been looked over "thoroughly". It's good that they are being careful surely?

So I am being hormaonal and very U. So I'll just shut up moaning now!

You actually do not have to consent to being weighed and your BMI checked at any of your appointments. You can politely decline any care you do not wish to have.

I dont personally understand any repeated discussion about weight with pregnant women - what are they supposed to do, go on a diet? Its a bit too little too late in my opinion. If I were to be chastised in any way about weight in pregnancy, I would probably say "which diet would you like me to go on then" and if they said "eat healthily in moderation" then I would politely confirm that I am already doing that, and try and continue. (By the way OP, eat healthy foods to satisfy your true appetite - even if that is a bit more than you would eat if you weren't pregnant - your body should tell you what you need and your appetite will probably tail off a bit in your 2nd trimester - that 1st trimester is all about not feeling sick!)

You might hopefully find that you dont get hassle about your weight at a time where you can't really do much about it. But if you do, it would be worth saying that you dont really want to hear it over and over again, that you have duly noted the valid points they have made about risk, but wish to move on to aspects that you are able to change if any.

Surely the added burden of weight and scar is why they are being so cautious. TBH I can't abide people complaining about drs giving them too much attention....some babies don't make it because people aren't cautious enough.

And millions of babaies make it without any intervention whatsoever.

Being overweight makes you more prone to certain conditions like pre-eclampsia doesn't it?

Rhesus negative is not really worth mentioning is it?

I have had four sections and can honestly say my last two pgs I barely saw a midwife or a consultant.

an extra scan and an extra appointment is not intervention..

you need to be realistic

being overweight and a previous c.s can flag up some issues for your pregnancy and birth

if you accept that, and look at this as extra care, rather than fuss and drama, you might well find you don't have any more appointmetns, and that you are left alone once you've had the scan etc

or you can decline the care

it is your choice, make sure it is an informed one, not a knee jerk reaction

Are you otherwise okay?

You do sound quite anxious and panicky and perhaps a little focussed on seeing this a certain way?

Are you happy with what happened last time? Okay with hospitals? Worried it could happen again?

Because what you're facing isn't intervention or unnecessary interfering, merely best practice.

Ignore me if this is just normal pg hormones. Just checking.

When I think about the possibility of having another, the idea of hospitals and consultants and having to explain myself repeatedly fills me with horror, but this is related to previous birth experience. I know this and am dealing with it.

SOH I'm not convinced I needed a emcs last time. When I felt the need to push I was restricted to the bed as I had a drip and a moniter to check babys heart beat.

I needed to move, my instinct was to move and my body was screaming for me to get up but I wasn't allowed and I think had I been allowed to do what I needed to do then maybe dd could have been born naturally.

I also had terrible SPD during the later stages of my pregnancy which my dr refused to diagonse, telling me instead I should be as active as possible even though I couldn't walk for more than 10 minutes max, couldn't get off a bed or out of the car without being in agony.

I'm also not happy that at my booking in visit to my midwife this pregnancy, she didn't want to discuss a VBAC, the risks involoved with an elective etc. Instead when I told her I would try a VABC if I thought it was the right descion, she said good as thats whats the hospital will want you to do and that was the end of the conversation. No discussion or anything.

So maybe your right SOH, I have other issues.

Not read whole thread...

I had an emergency section with ds1 as he got distressed when I was 9cm. With ds2 I was advised there was no reason to expect the same could happen again, so similar to your situation.

You will be classed as high risk delivery with 1 previous section under your belt - I was advised that the risks in this situation of elective section V VBAC were equal but different and given the choice. However all I had different to previous antenatal care were 2 consultant appointments, 1 at about 12 weeks and the other at 36 weeks when I was to let them know my decision. I could have had extra appointments if I needed them but didn't.

So to cut a long story short if pg going fine no need at all for lots of extra appointments so if they are being sent then I would ask your midwife to explain why. then if you want to be left alone tell them. Afterall the risk is with the delivery not the pregnancy so no need to be in your face for 9 months!

haven't read whole thread so sorry if I am repeating anything...

Unsure it's a bit early to discuss VBAC/section. In my area they don't do that until at least 20 weeks.

Just read your last post - if you want to try for a VBAC you will be advised to have continuous monitoring in order to pick up early any problems which could indicate your womb rupturing along the scar.

I see you had issues with the monitoring last time and wanted to be able to move but were restricted by the monitor. Ask at your hospital if they have telemetry monitoring which is basically a cordless system so that you CAN mobilise while being monitored. This may well make all the difference to you.

Oh and I would def go to the consultant appt to get the gen on VBAC V elective - I think midwives are often very pro VBAC (nothing worng with this) and personally I found I got a more balanced view from the consultant who gave me the facts clearly in an unbiased manner so I could make an informed choice.

I appreciate there are lots of people out there who would think docs are more likely to push you into intervention but it wasn't my experience

Unsure - I questioned my midwife on just this subject today. I also ended up with an emcs last time round and think the seemingly endless midwife and consultant appointments this time seem a bit over the top - especially as they seem to be a couple of days after each other.

I had 12 week scan, 16week midwife, 16 week consultant (which was a waste of time - over an hour waiting with an 19 month old to be asked "have you decided whether you want a CS or VBAC? No? Here's a leaflet, try and decide by the time you come back at 28 weeks" - thanks for that then), 20 week scan, 25 week midwife, 28 week midwife (monday), 28 week consultant (tomorrow).....

And apparently the consultant will want to see me at 31 weeks - as will the midwife - and every couple of weeks thereafter. Seems bonkers when they do the same tests and it is a pain when you have a 21 month old to entertain - especially when they are NEVER running to time.

Anyway, I asked the midwife and she said that I didn't need to see them both every time - might be an idea to see one or the other and alternate - so I think that's what I will do.

Hoping to have a more sensible / useful convo at the hospital tomorrow as have managed to organise a friend to look after DS for a couple of hours, but can't do that twice a week every 2 weeks!

you do not have to have constant monitoring for a VBAC, althought it is recommended..even if you do have it, you can still stand, lean, us ea birth ball, being flat on teh bed is as ou have experienced, not helpful to the birth process

you might want to think about having a doula with oyu for support

and IME, having confidence to go for a VBCA does help, but you must get both sides of the coin

if you have issues about being pushed into giving birth in a way taht is convenient to your caregivers. you might want to look at a homebirth.

there have been loads of c.s v VBAC threads, homebirht after c.,s threads, lots about your rights in labour with VBAC.. i would do a serach and get some info and you can always still decline all the appointmetns, if you feel they are uneccesary

Presumably, the appt with the consultant will be to discuss your options? So you can make an informed decision and they know what you want to do. I would be grateful of the extra appts. Take them and find out all you can about your birthing options. They like to monitor mums who are heavier and also they probably want to keep an eye on your scar, too. Just beacasue they are keeping an eye on you, it doesn't mean they can force you to do something you don't want to.

Well, I had a consultant appointment today (28 weeks) having had a midwife appointment on MOnday also.

It was actually really good - especially compared to the first appointment.

First up I left DS with a friend so I could have a proper conversation rather than half a one (you know how it is), I had a brain full of things to ask and the people I saw were really helpful.

First up was a senior midwife - got her to explain the monitoring (continuous preferred but should be able to move about no problem - and encouraged) and go through my notes from last time to see why I ended up with a CS (DS back to back and showing signs of distress - pH levels looking a bit ropey, more reliable than the HR trace). Then I saw a doctor who was very supportive of a VBAC, very positive about my chances, explained a bit more about last time...all good. He also agreed that there was no point in me trogging up to the hospital if I was seeing a community midwife as well - unless I wanted to. I have one more appointment now - at 41 weeks (!!) where we will discuss the options if DC2 hasn't appeared by then.

So, I went up there feeling a bit negative - came away feeling positive and ready to tackle a VBAC. Just need DC2 to stop being breech now......

I am on dc3 after 2 sections and the scar seemed to be causing a lot of pain at 6-10 weeks , its only hurt a couple of times in the last week but it may come back. I also have high BP and was told I was high risk before the scar issue.

So far (11.4) I have seen a midwife for 10 mins (booking appt). Seen at EPU 24 hours after I went to GP in extreme pain and was only seen cos I cried on the phone to everyone. I have my 12 week scan in 2 weeks and a consultant appt a few days later.

I can't seem to get anyone to see me so I think you should just go and if nowt else you can get all the worrying out of the way!

Be glad you are being looked after.

I had an emcs with DS1 and planned a VBAC with DS2.

My midwife did not discuss it much with me becuase a lot of what I wanted to talk though - such as my concerns about some of the VBAC protocal, being on labour ward instead of MLU, continuous monitoring - were better dealt with by my consultant, purely becuase the consultant could write me a birth plan the midwives would follow - without consultant say so, they follow standard proceedures.

In the end I saw 2 consultants and a midwife consultant and they wrote a birth plan for me which deviated from standard proceedures - I could use the pool, and did not have to be continuously monitored. In the event I had an elective section, as I was overdue and they didn't want to induce me, but the appointments and discussions with the consultants were extrememly worthwhile becuase they enabled me to plan a birth as close to what I wanted as possible. It also helped me understand the risks.

Do you have a "debriefing service" as part of your maternity care? They can be very useful in subsequent pregnancies, and if you are concerned you have some other issues, it can help you seperate these from concerns affecting this pregnancy.

Good luck!