Doula or private midwife for VBAC?

[tongey]

Hi I had an emercency cs dor dd in 2000. I am now pregnant again and may try for a vbac. I don't know yet what the consultant thinks (I'm only 19 weeks)I think I would want extra support though, as I'm no earth mother (was secretly glad when had the cs!) and am scared of things going wrong. What are people's thoughts on benefits of doulas vs. private midwives?

Hi Tongey

If you plan to have a VBAC at home than quite possibly an independent MW is a good idea. If you want a VBAC in hospital will be a good idea.
Can I ask why you had an emergency c-section?
Both doula and Ind. MW would work on building your confidence and would be there with you throughout the labour, no shift change (I am not sure if Ind. MW change shifts) and if things don't go according to plan, the doula would be able to help to get your message accross to the NHS midwives.
Hope that helps.

Hi, In my experience, you'll have most chance of one-to-one care from the hospital midwife if you're hoping for a vbac...

agree with pupuce and she is a doula! if you want a homebirth, i would recommend ind. mw. and if you are in london i can give you a specific recommendation. if you simply want an advocate for a hospital delivery, i think an experienced doula would be more suitable.

btw - my lot of ind. mws didn't change shifts! one of the benefits, imho.

Jamiesam.... there are plenty of women on Mumsnet who will tell you that they did not have one-to-one miwifery care for their VBAC.... it's the exception not the rule VERY sadly

I am no earth mother either and had a VBAC with gas and air (which I actually forgot about at one point and delivered without it!). Had the same midwife throughout who made me feel like superwoman,

I found my hospital brilliant, pro VBAC, but would have gone for an elective if I wished. I think it depends on your hospital.

IMO if you have had a previous section, I would not go for a home birth and would be reassured by being in a hospital.

Thanks for your responses. Pupuce, I had a cs for fetal distress (they did ALL the tests!) and failure to progress - I don't think I dilated at all.
Bossykate - I am in Balham, so any recs for doulas or midwives would be gratefully recieved!
I don't think I will opt for a home birth, but go to my hospital St George's in tooting. It's not so much an advocate I want as someone to help me do the best I can, all the right breathing, right positions etc - I'm so unprepared and as I work fulltime don't feel I have time for lots of classes. I've even considered the Birth Centre in the grounds of St George's which costs about £4k!!

Tongey - you can find doulas on this website : www.doula.org.uk
Not long ago Liliana Lammers lived in Balham and she is an AMAZING doula, she might still do births there. She knwos St George's well of course (and MWs know her very well too).
When are you due ?

Tongey - were you induced?

Pupuce - I had an emergency cs for fetal distress so not induced. Tnaks for doula info.

Sorry - I meant often foetal distress comes after failed induction.

Oh I see Pupuce. As far as I can remember (it was 5 yeasr ago!) I was having quite strong contractions but not dilating, and waters didn't break. Then they must have checked dd's heart and not been happy because they then monitered me for ages, then decided to get a blood sample from the baby (which took ages and was horrid) then said it was fetal distress & rushed me off for a cs. By whuch time I was quite releived to be honest. Does that sound quite normal?

What do you mean not dilating?
You do not have to answer this but have you had gynaecological problems beforehand?
Were you very late (42 weeks?)
Did they say anything about her cord.

Normal not but that doesn't mean it's abnormal either

I think you should get a copy of your notes, this might help you understand what happened.... you can request them.

Hi pupuce. I went into labour on my due date so not late. Re dilating they said I never went beyond 2/3 cms (as far as I remember). No gynae problems in the past. There was also meconium (that is the word for baby poo I think?!). They didn't say anything about the cord.
I'll try & get the notes but am at a different hopsital this time. Was at the Old Queen Charlotte's since razed to teh gound! But presumably noteas are somewhere.....

Meconium... but you said your waters had not broken, did they brake them and why.... see these things help understand what possibly happened last time.
A hint about getting your notes : ask now as it can take a WHILE to get them ! They may charge for photocopying... possibly an ind. MW or a doula would help you read through them - so would your community MW of course.

Yes they broke the waters when trying for the blood sample. I'll ask for the notes on Monday!