VBAC water birth?

[trixie123]

is this possible? In my case its unlikely anyway as they wont let me go overdue (GD) and I am refusing induction after a horrible time last time but if my scans look good its been suggested that they might let me go a bit over and if DD comes in time, I might be able to attempt a VBAC rather than ELCS but if I am going to have VB I would love a water birth but not sure its possible due to continual monitoring etc. Any experiences out there? Much appreciated.

Only way you would get a water birth might be a home birth. I had one but you have to be totally low risk. Obviously, you can't wear a monitor, must be under a certain weight full term and can't have any drugs except G&A. Sorry!

I am due tomorrow and hoping for a vbac water birth. Had dc1 elcs for breech and consultant agreed at my 36 week appt this time that as long as I went into spontaneous labour I could try for a water birth. It's worth asking your consultant as if they are prepared to let you go over rather than induce you then you never know. I had to argue a bit but it was fine and she wrote it in my notes. Good luck

I had a VBAC home waterbirth (what a mouthful!), but I had an Indie MW as I knew I would have to battle with the hospital and various NHS midwives.

Will they induce you if you are overdue? The majority of PCT's will not induce someone who has had a section.

From your post it sounds very much that you are being dictated to, ie what you are and aren't allowed to do. If you are not happy about that then I suggest you say something to them.

You could also come to a mutual decision about continual monitoring. How about your BP, HR and the baby's HR are checked every 15 minutes. They may not like this because it means a person will have to do the monitoring rather than it being left to a machine, but at least it shows you are willing to compromise and it will allow you to labour and birth in water.

It's your body, your choice.

There are waterproof wireless CTG monitors on the market, which would enable continous monitoring in a pool, however only few places have them

My hossy were happy for a hossy water VBAC using wireless underwater monitor (telemetry this is called) in their mw led unit.

They also supported my home water VBAC, and my son was born in an hour at home, all 10lbs 13 of him. One mw made it in time, but all I needed her for was to cut the cord, it was an amazing birth.

thanks for the replies. I find it weird that I would be allowed the "risky" water birth if I do it at home whwre there is no backup if needed, but probably not in a hospital environment, though mungogerry, yours sounds lovely. I am actually being dictated to far less this time than last time and have stood my ground over the "no induction" thing. I feel more able to express an opinion now have some experience but ultimately you come up against the policies of the hospital.

Hello

I had a water vbac last year although I ended up delivering on dry land. I had a very supportive consultant midwife who did my initial vbac appointment and we made a birthplan together at a subsequent appointment which went into my notes.

The hospital were ok with me having intermittent monitoring, basically floating with my belly out of the water for monitoring with a hand held Doppler 1 minute in every 15. And aside from their insistence on inserting a canula as soon as I went into hospital I was treated pretty much like a first timer.

It would be worth asking to see the hospital's vbac policy and / or getting an appointment with a consultant midwife or head midwife (can't remember the official titles!). Good luck!

Yes it is possible.

At my hospital, once I had told them I would not accept CFM, they were happy for me to be in water and to listen in every 15 mins. In the event I turned up fully dilated but needed cs so there wasn't a VBAC after all. But yes, it is doable.

Speak to your consultant and, crucially, the consultant midwife. Do not be put off by what the junior doctors and MWs say: they have no authority to deviate from policy. Talk to the people in charge and maybe you can get them to agree to bend the rules.