Epsom hospital VBAC

[Zimbah]

I had a planned section with DD just over two years ago as she was breech. I'm now 5 months pregnant and having this one at Epsom. Assuming it's not also breech I definitly want a VBAC but am not sure what Epsom is like for that. I've had the 20 week consultant appointment where he told me hospital policy is for continuous fetal monitoring. I said there wasn't any evidence for that but his response was that there may be no evidence but it's common sense, and he's seen two babies where the uterus ruptured that would have died if not for EFM. This has thrown me, I did expect to be told that but still I'm now not sure what I want to do. What I would really like is a waterbirth but I didn't even ask about that as I thought there was no chance of a positive response.

Has anyone had a VBAC at Epsom hospital and successfully got what they wanted in terms of monitoring etc? Or didn't, but were still happy with the care? We are having a doula which I think will help but I'm scared that I'll end up stuck on a monitor, on a fixed timescale (he said they place limits on time but can't say what that will be until I'm in labour) and it will end in a Csection anyway.

Can't stop but just seen your post. Had a vba3c a few weeks ago and live very very close to the Epsom hospital. I decided to go to the Royal Surrey which is out of area for us as I found a wonderful consultant. Actually I was originally booked in for Epsom.

The consultant at the Royal Surrey was so lovely although he also wanted me to have cfm and there were some time restrictions. BUT he really listened to me and I did not feel like I was in a one-way battle iyswim. He really listened, made sure all the ward midwives had a copy of my plan etc etc.

As it was I hired an independent midwife and we decided to stay at home as long as we could. Good job I did as I was pushing for a number of hours and would have certainly have ended up with a section.

But if you want a good chance at a vbac with someone who really listens I could really recommend this guy. Never thought I would get my vbac - tried 3 times so hard and didn't get there. This time I did! Good luck.

By the way I didn't make it clear that we did have to go to hospital in the end. (Ambulance transfer took 20 minutes). Baby arrived within 20 minutes of getting there. Staff were lovely.

Thanks for your reply. Congratulations on your new baby! One other thing I don't understand is how much the consultant affects what happens - presumably he's unlikely to be there at the birth anyway? I certainly wouldn't want him there, I had thought it would just be a midwife?

Arizona was your consultant Mr Curtis? I am hoping for a VBAC at Royal Surrey in ooh... approx 8 weeks or so, and have consultant appointment next week with Mr C so as I happened across your post it would be good to hear of a success story.
Sorry for the hijack Zimbah!

Zimbah, I am no expert but at my antenatal class tonight the MW told me of a lady who had 3 previous cesareans and pushed and pushed for a home water birth and got it!

On the other hand, if consultant tells me constant monitoring is necessary I am inclined to trust the experts. Just have all my fingers crossed that I will get to do it the 'natural way' this time round.

sittinghippo, have just been sifting through my notes as I was given recommendations of which consultants would be supportive and which ones would be less so. Can't find it at the moment. However, I was told by someone in the know that Mr Koomson was the best guy to get a vbac with. He is very pro natural birth and was lovely; it really might be worth looking into your choice of consultant a little more. Having said that, if you have only had the one section you will face far less opposition than me. Good luck.