5th Baby / 4th VBAC - Consultant has worried me.....

[DinosaurRumpus]

I'm 38 weeks with DC5.
I had section with DC1 followed by 3 uncomplicated, speedy, vaginal deliveries.

I had to see the consultant yesterday (as I'm still obviously a VBAC patient) and looking at my notes this morning I've been quite shocked at what I've read

He has specifed in my notes that I need to go into hospital as soon as I know I'm in labour, that 'IV access needs to be established' and 'blood matching' needs to be done on arrival. He also said that I must have a managed third stage...

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I would have asked the consultant but he did not tell me any of this - he's written it in my notes (other than the 'get to hospital straight away' which I assumed was because my last two labours have been less than 2 hours!) I've put a call into my midwife but she's delivering a baby at the moment so might be a while...

Any ideas?

Those are common (ish) suggestions for VBAC in many hospitals.
Others are becoming much less strict (having homebirths aftyer cesarean, births on MLU, water births, with no constant monioring, IV or managed third stage).
He will have assessed you as high risk as previouis CS (and possibly as a 5th baby) and have this as policy for all 'high risk' patients.
Did you not have this in your previous VBAC's?
After 3 sucessful and intervention free VBAC's you are a good candidate for another (or a homebirth).
It is up to you to decide which (if any) of his suggestions you can to take
Useful link-
tinacassidy.blogspot.com/2008/02/repeated-vbacs-are-safe-repeated.html
Selina

Thanks Selina. Will have a look at the link.

With previous VBACs I have had none of this. No IV, no constant monitoring, up and active during labour, only gas and air for pain relief, short labours - that was why this seemed excessive and odd!
I wonder whether it's the fact that this is a 5th baby that has swung me into 'high risk' territory? Off to google that!

Really don't want these things though unless they are essential. Do they really need IV access when I arrive or can it be done when needed? (Surely they have to do this quickly when they have emergencies?!)

I'm feeling really upset because my previous VBAc deliveries have been such wonderful, positive experiences and I was hoping for another :(

YOu are also now a 'grand multip' and as such at increased risk of post partum haemorrhage.

Hence the suggestions re: IV access, cross matching and managed 3rd stage.

Thanks gasman and loopy. I've spoken to my midwife (and have been googling a bit myself!) and that is the case (number of babies is the issue, not the VBAC).

I feel much more rational about it today. The midwife had confirmed what you said Loopy, that the IV access / matching is a precaution and more importantly that it will not otherwise affect how they let my labour progress :)

Thanks again :)