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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

vbac 200 miles from home or elcs

11 replies

MrsAmaretto · 22/05/2012 23:57

WWYD? I live in the Scottish isles. I can either go for a vbac 200 miles away, moving into patient accommodation @ 39 weeks, or have an elective c-section at my local hospital. I have a toddler.

So ideally I'd go for a vbac rather than another section. My section was a good experience, but I don't believe in unnecessary operations. but if baby late I could be there for 3 weeks before induction. My toddler would be at home with grandparents & my dh with me. Or my
toddler could come with us & I labour by myself as we have no family or friends in that hospital. Either scenario makes me cry :(

Or I could have a elcs locally, but it took me the full6 weeks to recover last time (no infections or anything) and now I have a toddler at home. I'm also a bit concerned that its a gp with obstetric specialty who does the section, so only doing it a couple of times a month,rather than several times a day.

Thoughts please!

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Original poster

MrsAmaretto · 22/05/2012 23:59

Oops, blooming phone. I meant we have no family or friends in the city the hospital is in, in the mainland.

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Bagofholly · 23/05/2012 00:14

My head is spinning at a GP with a special interest doing a section! And if they can do CS locally, why not vbac?

Original poster

MrsAmaretto · 23/05/2012 00:21

It's deemed too high risk. Any high risk pregnancies are transferred to the mainland. They've only just started doing elcs here, before you had to be transferred. They've always done emmergency ones. Yes, it's odd but a couple of the gps are obstetric specialists. Apparently it's getting harder to recruit! Oh and no epidurals here - only 1 anethetist on duty so they are kept free in case of something proper happening!

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KnockedUpMell · 23/05/2012 00:29

Wow. I didn't know arrangements like these existed! I'm sure the gp must be pretty comfortable with CS and anyway an elcs is more straightforward than an emcs, so of they can do that, I would trust them to do an elcs. Personally would go for the CS just to minimize disruption to family life. What was reason for first CS?

CravingSleep · 23/05/2012 00:40

I'd personally feel very anxious about the section in that setting (but I'm not medical, just as another mum it would make me anxious.)

Why would you have to travel 200miles for a vbac? Can you have a homebirth? Is there anywhere closer?

CravingSleep · 23/05/2012 00:41

Also - saw you might labour by yourself. I was worried this might happen in my case and we had a doula. I'd strongly recommend you find one, especially if you end up in a stressful situation.

Original poster

MrsAmaretto · 23/05/2012 01:08

Our nearest infirmary is 200 miles away so would have to go there if I go for a vbac. There a no consultants for anything on the islands. Local hospital has a midwife led unit supported by specialist gps.

First section was due to breech, & at the time you had to go to the mainland for the a section.

Do doula's have to meet u much before the birth? It's a couple of hundred pounds to fly To fly to the mainland so it may be too expensive, but I'll look into it. I hadn't thought of that, so really helpful thanks!

Home birth would not be an option for a vbac. I have no idea if you are normally allowed them - I imagine not as there's a v limited number of midwives available. Even pregnant women who live on the islands, have to travel at 39 weeks to the island our hospital is on!

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Ephiny · 23/05/2012 12:14

Can you choose to have a section, but at the mainland hospital? Then at least its a scheduled date (so no waiting around for days/weeks), but you would have the operation done by a more experienced surgeon (consultant?)and have the backup of a 'proper' hospital in case of any serious complications?

I'd feel a bit worried about having a CS done by a GP, in a hospital that is deemed not safe/equipped for a VBAC...

Original poster

MrsAmaretto · 23/05/2012 13:39

Yes I can choose a c section at the mainland hospital, though have to fight for it a bit because Nhs has to pay for flights for consultation a few weeks before & to get there & back.

Last time I flew down at 39+1, they do it a few days later & keep you 4 days after. Landing in an aeroplane 4 days after a section is not pleasant though!

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startail · 23/05/2012 13:48

Personally I'd wander up to the local hospital when I was in established labour.

I suspect that island MWs are probably very good or they wouldn't be happy practicing there

maxbear · 25/05/2012 14:55

There is no way I would have an elective section in a setting like that. Anywhere that is offering sections needs to be ready for anything. It is unusual to have a major complication at an elective section, but in the event of it happening it could be disasterous if it were done in a facility that doesn't often do caesarean sections and may not have easy access to blood transfusions and other help. Horrible position for you to be in . I hope it all works out for you well.

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