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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

If you could choose between a highly medicalised birth and an elective C-section, what would you choose?

76 replies

mazzystar · 29/09/2006 10:20

Yep, me again with my endless childbirth questions.

Consultant encouraging (but not pressurising) for VBAC. I'd be happy to have a crack at it (as it were) if I could go for as active a labour as possible - coped very well with full first stage last time by dancing about like a loon. However hospital blanket policy is to practically immobilise you with drips/monitors/ keep you lying down. Don;t have to decide for months but want to prepare.

What would you do?

OP posts:

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Socci · 29/09/2006 12:30

Message withdrawn

Original poster

mazzystar · 29/09/2006 12:32

Thanks everyone.

My last labour ended in an "emergency" (not crash) section, for failure to progress in second stage. They offered syntocinon and forceps but vergy good midwife insisted they examine me again and baby's head flexed backwards, so straight to C-section. I actually felt very positive about the section itself, recovery was not bad either, though post-op ward was similar to hospital scene in Jacob's Ladder.

Re the monitoring, continuous external monitoring - Drs very words "we like you to be lying down". It sounds like my idea of hell. Last time I couldn't even lie down to be examined....Nome I would have been furious if they insisted on monitoring and then ignore it.

I could transfer to Ormskirk hospital, but policy may well be the same there .

OP posts:

Socci · 29/09/2006 12:37

Message withdrawn

tissy · 29/09/2006 12:41

sadly, I knew two women who have had scar rupture after a cs- first one baby died, second one both Mum and baby died (second one there were other pronlems as well, so not entirely due to the scar rupture).

For this reason, I understand the need for close observation, and, as I've had acs myself, should I get pregnant again (God forbid!) I would have an elective section.

Nome · 29/09/2006 13:01

I was furious Mazzystar, especially when they were said I hadn't beenon the monitor very much as I had had the belt and machine on the whole way through except for bathroom breaks. I got to the point where you have to pick what is omportant to you and fight those battles.

I understood the need for close observation, but didn't feel that I got it. My first baby was a (footling) breech and the risk of cord prolapse was much higher in that pg than the risk of rupture in my second pg, but the medics didn't go on about that... I felt they were sticking to a protocol rather than treating me, the person in front of them. You know, if we put a monitor on her then she can't say we weren't looking after her rather than actually looking at me. My mw was fine, but had to follow the drs intructions.

I didn't know I was still so cross about it and I think I had a good birth!

Judy1234 · 29/09/2006 13:38

Don't pick the elective C section and try with the other options. Also they can't force you to have anything actually so just be assertive or say you want to have the baby at home (unless you know there's a medical problem that makes that unsafe in your case)

me23 · 29/09/2006 13:50

Hi, this link might help.

Original poster

mazzystar · 29/09/2006 13:51

Wow Xenia.

DH would be too anxious about a home birth, and after last time I share some of that, so I don't think that would work for us.

I think the problem with being assertive - and I imagine that I would have to be very very assertive - is that it hardly puts one in the right frame of mind for a nice calm labour, or for working together. And of course there's no opportunity for discussion until 36 weeks.

OP posts:

clairemow · 29/09/2006 13:58

I had a VBAC 4 weeks ago mazzystar - although I was attached to a monitor all the time (they said the first sign of potential rupture of previous scar is baby getting into distress), I wasn't on a drip (they did put the drip needle in but it wasn't attached to anything - it was just there in case we had to rush to an emergency section), and didn't have to keep lying down. In fact, my notes at one point say "claire cannot stay still" - I too danced about like a total and utter loon, until they said they'd need to put a clip on the baby's head to monitor his heart beat as the monitor kept falling off! Luckily for me, when they went to put the clip on, they discovered I was 10 cm dilated, so it never went on... I was glad I had the monitor though, as DS's heart beat did drop during travel through the birth canal and doctors came in - but all well in the end, and I'm so glad I did it that way rather than elective c-section.

The monitor leads are quite long and you can easily walk all round the bed, use a birthing ball, squat etc. if you want to. I did have to lie down to push him out, but only because he was in distress, and they were getting ready to get the ventouse out if I couldn't do it myself quick enough (thank god I did!).

Good luck. Go back and talk to the consultant about exactly what you will need to do. VBAC is the best option if you can, as the recovery is so much quicker than another section. I am driving already, walking a lot and lifting a toddler - all difficult after a section.

kdinas · 29/09/2006 14:10

Hi, I am facing the same thing myself.
I have an appointment coming up again, to discuss with the consultant. She will try very gently to persuade me to her point of view, I will put my case for intermittent monitoring, etc.etc.
I tried for a vbac last time, and agreed with the hospital policy because I thought it would be best.
I was made to lie down, and not even allowed to turn and lie on my left hand side. Therefore I felt alot of pain, and hesitantly agreed to the epidural. After that all progress slowed down, I ouldn't feel anything at all from chest down, couldn't move at all, hated it!
I ended up with another c-section.
This is my fourth child, and maybe my last, it has taken me this long to learn to fight my corner. One phrase I have learnt to be very effective when dealing with hospital policy is"I am aware of and have considered all the risks, but I have decided that the best course of action for me and my baby is....."
To be tied down, increases your chance of rupture, imo, because the uterus has to contract harder and longer against gravity.
Another thing would be to talk to the midwives involved in your care, you will find that most are sympathetic and will agree with you re active labour. Also try talking to another consultant, you will be surprised how another consultant in the same hospital can have a totally different point of view.

merrily · 29/09/2006 14:14

I will probably be in the same situation as you Mazzystar next time around, and I am pretty sure I will go for an elective section. My first labour was highly medicalised and I don't want to risk repeating the experience. It was very traumatic for both me and DH. Some women have great VBAC experiences, and others don't. I don't think I can take the risk!

eenywifemum · 29/09/2006 14:14

I had my first baby 7 weeks ago. He was 4 weeks early and there were complications. I posted about my birth before. Basically I was tied down because I had to be and it was HELL. If I EVER have another baby which is very unlikely I am going to have an elective section as I can not face being paralyzed and in pain like that again. Also MY leads on my monitors and drips were not long at all so I couldnt walk around or use a birthing ball. Anyway I had a failed epidural - i.e. paralyzed but no pain relief. Sorry if that sounds unhelpful but I just wanted to say.

Toady · 29/09/2006 14:30

Continuous foetal monitoring does not guarantee anything, the first sign of something going wrong is your blood pressure and pulse. It is also more likely to result in more intervention.

Have you considered a home birth, you are guaranteed one to one midwife care, your midwife could use a hand held monitor if you wanted to hear the baby heart beat. You will be in a nice calm environment.

Remember you do not have to be allowed to do anything, your body your baby, tell them what you want.

Here are a few websites for you.

here

and here

Hope this is of help

kittywits · 29/09/2006 14:51

They cannot make you lie down, tell them to stuff it, sorry but that's so awful.
Tell them if they are going to be so difficult then you will have the baby at home. That will scare them into doing what you want, usually. Good luck.

Original poster

mazzystar · 29/09/2006 14:52

Apparently there are some studies that show that a carefully observed foetal monitor can detect potential rupture or "silent rupture" earlier than signs in the mother. Nonetheless, it seems like an absolute nonsense that the only option for VBAC the hospital is prepared to offer seems to set one up for failure from the start.

So, what do I do? I feel like 36 weeks is too late to leave a further discussion with the consultant as I went into labour at 38 weeks last time and they do electives at 38 weeks too. Has anyone ever asked for another consultant meeting before then? I bet they don't respond well to that.

OP posts:

tissy · 29/09/2006 14:54

can you speak to a senior midwife about how a VBAC would be managed? Doubt very much if the dr would be standing in the corner of the room, waiting for a complication, so if all goes well it would be down to the midwives. If you don't what she tells you, shop around?

Toady · 29/09/2006 15:16

I saw my consultant three times leading up to my VBAC2, it was never a problem, I would go on the mornings that they did the scans and talk to her then. I asked my midwife and she booked me in.

binkacat · 29/09/2006 16:19

Agree with Tissy, talk to the midwives.

Nice guidelines do recommend continuous fetal monitoring, but you can stand/sit/use birthing ball and be monitored. No reason to lie on bed.

At my local hospital there's no drip up (can't think what drip they would want to put up), but VBAC women do have a cannula in back of hand.

You could maybe ask the midwife if she would consider 15minute intermittend auscalation instead of continuous monitoring.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 29/09/2006 16:21

well haven't read the rest of the posts but.

I had a CS with DS1

Had a highly medicalised (induced too!) VBAC with DS2 with him being dragged out of me kicking and screaming with ventouse, with me with my legs up in stirrups in theatre!

I'd choose the latter anyday.......

tissy · 29/09/2006 16:25

blimey, HRHQOQ- was your cs elective or emergency though?

My elective cs was very civilised

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 29/09/2006 17:37

well it was classed as an emergency - but I wasn't actually in labour, and they waited for about 4hrs from the time of decision to actually doing it - so effectively an elective.

kittywits · 29/09/2006 19:04

Mazzy, for my first vbac I went to see the consultant at 36 weeks, fully expecting his support regarding vbac. Infact I niavely assumed it would be accepted as the most normal request in the world ( I had had 2 previous sections).
HE , however, assumed I would be having another section, infact he didn't even ask me what I wanted he just tried to book me in . When I refused he started reading me the riot act, telling me all theswe risk factors, basically accusing me of risking my child's life. All I kept on saying was " No, I'm not doing it"
I was so shocked and upset by him and his attitude that my doula arranged for me to see another consultant and talk to some senior midwives. The midwives dismissed his statistics and the other consultant was more than happy for me to try for vbac. She even let me go three weeks overdue because I wanted to wait for the labour to start normally. The hospital didn't have a problem with me looking for a second opinion . If you have strength to do so than I would really recommend you seek the advice of another consultant.
I have had 2 sections and three fantastic vbacs. Best of luck

PeachyClairHasBadHair · 29/09/2006 19:47

had a highly medical birth (not vbac) with ds1. For me, very much the right chouice- when the baby is there, you want to be up and doing things, not recuperating for six weeks.

They can't actually tie you down you know. Just say those magic ewords- no thanks

(anyone who knows me is PMSL atm at the idea of me saying no, but anyway )

Toady · 29/09/2006 20:24

Kittywitts

I had a vbac friendly consultant after my two sections. Once though she was not there and I saw another consultant.

He told me "you and your baby will die" "you are very stupid" "what happens if someone else is having a caeserean and there is no theatre team ready for you"

When I kept saying "NO i do not want an elective section" he wrote on the back of my notes "Book in for elective section on such and such date". When I said NO again he got so angry he stabbed my notes with his pen

Needless to say I didn't see him again

Toady · 29/09/2006 20:25

It makes me laugh now at what a pathetic man he was but at the time (37 weeks pregnant) it was a bit ing.

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