VBAC question: when to call the labour ward!

[allyco]

Sorry if this is stupid question and/or has been asked before.

Am hoping for a VBAC this time round and think I have read somewhere that I should call the labour ward as soon as I think I am in labour rather than when the contractions are a said amount of time apart because would need to go in early. Also read that would need continous monitoring and be on a drip throughout just in case.

Is this the case? Does anyone know?

Thanks!

Hi - I'm having the same discussions with my hospital. They're advising continuous monitoring and a drip but I'm refusing. I'm also advised to call a bit earlier than someone who hasn't had a c-section. Talk to your midwife/consultant and see what they say and whether you're happy with that. Then you can make a decision to suit you and your circumstances

HTH

thanks. I THINK I can see their point about monitoring because they think it would alert them to a problem straightaway, but a drip too!! Isn't that a bit OTT? Mind you, if you're tethered to the bed with a big elastic belt round your tummy you may as well go the whole hog and have a needle in your arm too I suppose.

Am at hospital Monday so will ask then.

I had a VBAc in the summer. I called in when I thought I ws in labour and was told to come when I got to every 7 minutes or if my waters broke. I went in when my waters broke.

I asked for baseline monitoring and to then review the monitoring. dd's heartrate was high, so I was happy to be monitored, knowing there was a reason for me, rather than a protocol for them.

I refused to have a cannula put in unless they actually wanted to start a drip - they admitted that I didn't need a drip. I said I would discuss it again later, if they thought I needed a drip then.

thanks Nome - I don't mind having things done if it's for a proper reason rather than just because it's protocol!

sorry to be totaly thick!!! but whats a VBAC ??????

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean.

And I want one!!

hi allyco, i'm in same situation, and have just discussed VBAC birthplan. the continuous monitoring does not seem as bad to me as it sounds, and you're right: from the db's heart rate they can pick up on trouble more easily and earlier. with extra long cords you can actually still walk around in the delivery room. i know this, as i have had 2 () false alarms now where i was put on ctg. apparently there's also a ctg setup that works with the same kind of elastic band+sensor on your bump but sends the signal to a receiver via radio waves, this would give you more space to move. i have just read about it so i am not sure they have it in my hospital, but i'll ask them next time i go in. (which hopefully will not be false alarm again but the REAL THING).

the drip is not a drip really: they just put a cannula in your hand (so it's only the needle itself) in case the baby gets in distress or the scar rips, or any other problem that causes you to need another cs. then they'd have a way in already, and wouldn't need to search for a vein in an emergency (as it will be much more difficult to get a vein then). i wasn't keen on the cannula initially either, but now that they've told me the reason i think i won't protest.

about the going in bit: this is a bit vague and with my 2 false alarms i am probably not the right person to advise you, but my midwives said come in when contractions are 5 mins apart, and of reasonable strength. not that different from normal advice i'd say....

I think the cannula bit left in your hand is rubber. I spent 2 days worrying about knocking the 'needle' until my SiL said there was no needle in it! Still couldn't wait to get rid though!

wow honeybunny, extra-long cords. Now that is a good idea. I was thinking I woudl be confined to the bed for a hundred hours or something but if I can at least be up and about and let gravity help...

If you've had false alarms you must be due soon...?

Thanks Racers - yes that's right the needle comes out doesn't it and then it's just a little plastic/rubber tube thing left in? God, I am thick.

yep, due in 9 days...

wow, so any day now then

Allyco

Lots of hospitals like to monitor continuously for a VBAC. However, it is really not necessary in most cases, and the downside of it is that you are strapped to a bed and unable to move. I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to give birth naturally under those circumstances, and I insisted on not being continuously monitored. Luckily I had a sympathetic consultant who supported me and actually wrote in my notes that I did not need continuous monitoring. They came and listened to the baby's heartbeat every 15 mins with a handheld monitor. Obviously if there had been any cause for concern I'd have agreed to continuous monitoring, but luckily all was fine. (I did go on the monitor for 10-15 mins when I was first admitted but couldn't get off it fast enough.)

I haven't heard about being put on a drip 'just in case', but they might want to put a cannula in. I've mentioned this on here before... they came to do mine and I took one look at the needle and threw up, so they didn't bother with that one either! However, in theory I had no problem with the cannula - it keeps a vein open in case you suddenly lose a lot of blood and they need to either give fluids or put you under for an emergency section (all very unlikely, but obviously serious if it does happen). Like the continuous monitoring, I'd refuse the drip (but agree to the cannula) on the basis of restricted mobility.

In answer to your original question... no-one told me to go in any earlier than normal, though when I did phone up they were quite keen for me to go in immediately. Mind you, I had wierd contractions (short but close together from the start) so it was hard to tell just how far gone in labour I was. Also my waters had broken. However, I hate hospitals, so left it as late as I felt I could to go in. Also had to wait for a friend to come and look after dd1 before I could leave the house. Think I was about 6cm by the time I got there.

HTH

Allyco

Lots of hospitals like to monitor continuously for a VBAC. However, it is really not necessary in most cases, and the downside of it is that you are strapped to a bed and unable to move. I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to give birth naturally under those circumstances, and I insisted on not being continuously monitored. Luckily I had a sympathetic consultant who supported me and actually wrote in my notes that I did not need continuous monitoring. They came and listened to the baby's heartbeat every 15 mins with a handheld monitor. Obviously if there had been any cause for concern I'd have agreed to continuous monitoring, but luckily all was fine. (I did go on the monitor for 10-15 mins when I was first admitted but couldn't get off it fast enough.)

I haven't heard about being put on a drip 'just in case', but they might want to put a cannula in. I've mentioned this on here before... they came to do mine and I took one look at the needle and threw up, so they didn't bother with that one either! However, in theory I had no problem with the cannula - it keeps a vein open in case you suddenly lose a lot of blood and they need to either give fluids or put you under for an emergency section (all very unlikely, but obviously serious if it does happen). Like the continuous monitoring, I'd refuse the drip (but agree to the cannula) on the basis of restricted mobility.

In answer to your original question... no-one told me to go in any earlier than normal, though when I did phone up they were quite keen for me to go in immediately. Mind you, I had wierd contractions (short but close together from the start) so it was hard to tell just how far gone in labour I was. Also my waters had broken. However, I hate hospitals, so left it as late as I felt I could to go in. Also had to wait for a friend to come and look after dd1 before I could leave the house. Think I was about 6cm by the time I got there.

HTH

Sorry about that... stupidly sensitive touchpad on this computer and it keeps posting everything twice.

Very gently now...

(Good luck anyway...)

Allyco

I had vbac over two years ago now (so may be out of date!)

Labour ward were keen to be kept informed as it were. I think this was probably related to (extremely small) risk of rupture of the scar and wish to monitor. I was so keen for things to get going, I went in 3 times before I was actually in established labour and allowed to stay. (No braxton hicks first time around, such strong braxton hicks second time around, even mw on first visit thought I was in established labour for several hours - no idea if it's typical for bh to be stronger second time around...)

I'd put on birth plan that I didn't want continuous monitoring but (lovely, lovely) mw persuaded me that I could do cartwheels if I liked and still wear it. I didn't find it particulary confining etc and spent most of first stage on all fours on the floor.

No mention of drip/canula at all - seems unnecessary given that most vbac attempts will be successful...

I tried! for VBAC in January 2005 & they wanted me to come in straight away for monitoring - so when I woke up to my waters breaking on due day I went in - monitor was not a problem but as they were so busy and I was progressing slowly - they moved me to the baby ward - where typically contractions started increasing - I had nothing - no monitor, no mv, only a ward sister offering me paracetamol when I went to her desk to make a fuss.
It was only when my husband threatened to drive me to another hospital that they found me a delivery suite & a monitor. After hours of monitoring they decided baby was in stress and carried out emergency cs - baby was born with extremely thick cord around his neck.

I don't want to scare you just advise you that monitoring is not a bad thing and you can move around. Just trust your instincts and listen to your body you know what you need or don't need. I didn't have a drip.

PS baby was fine after a bit of resuscitation & certainly has a fine pair of lungs on him!!!

I'm due to have a vbac sometime in the next 2wks (baby due on 17/12). Have had mixed responses from 2 consultants & several midwives about when to come in, the continuous monitoring question and if I can use the pool for pain relief. If I feel things are ok, I'm looking at going in at about 6min apart & unless they detect a problem that requires it, would prefer not to have continuous monitoring - the hand held monitor or 20min monitoring out of every should pick up any problems?
Don't mind the cannula as it's non-restrictive, but no need for a full on drip unless a problem is detected. Does all seem very vague though, as to who thinks what and varying opinions are frustrating, as they are all for vbacs and avoiding caesarian, but then vague about what comes next! But I guess I will find out soon enough

any time now then scully good luck!