Can anyone help me be prepared with what to say if I'm 'forced' to have a vbac?

[dottytablecloth]

I'm really anxious about this.

Each time I go to the hospital I see a different person and I've never actually seen the consultant yet, have been dealing with 3 different doctors, but they seem to get moved around a lot in our hospital.

Anyway, I had my first baby by csection as baby was breech. When I went to my 12 week appointment the registrar was that I wanted a repeat section. I said as I'd already had one section and it was a positive experience I wanted to have another as this is definitely my last child.

I've had issues around childbirth for many years but I didn't feel comfortable discussing them with him. It took me 12 years to get to the point of actually trying for a baby, for example. My GP knows this and out on my referral letter that I would favour a section and she said that no one can force me to have a natural birth after having had a section.

For many reasons I don't want a natural birth. I'm very worried that they will push me into a vbac though as I've only had one section and because I see a different person each time, I feel like I'm running out of time. The last registrar said that there shouldn't be a problem with a section but then wrote on my notes "no concerns for a vbac" I'm worried that there is some sort of plan to just refuse a section but they won't confirm anything until 36 weeks which is very late.

Anyway if they refuse a repeat section what can I say or do? I can't exactly force someone to perform surgery on me, so I'm really stuck and very worried.

I'm worried about getting upset and feeling embarrassed at the appointment.

Am I right in thinking that with a vbac they most likely induce labour? I really wouldn't want that and an EMCS would be my worst nightmare.

Any advice?

With VBAC they'll only do a short induction, if it doesn't start naturally, because they don't want to risk rupturing the previous surgical wound.

That aside, they can't 'force' you to have a VBAC. I really think you need to pin someone down IRL to talk to . How many weeks are you? Do you automatically see a consultant at 20 weeks where you are? I would have thought a good midwife is the person to speak with about this though - they tend to think more holistically about these things whereas consultants will medicalise more and only think about it from a physical point of view. Is there a particular midwife you see frequently and have a good rapport with? Unlike my second pregnancy where I never saw the same one twice

I'm 32 weeks now so I feel l would like to get the issue sorted.

I see the same midwife when I go to my appointments at the GP surgery but they have nothing really to do with the hospital.

They cannot force you. Make your midwife get a consultants appointment so you can discuss your birth options. If you want to talk through what to say I can highly recommend talking to AIMS www.aims.org.uk who helped me in a situation where I wanted a c section against the norm

They do (should) talk to each other, though dotty. Discuss all your fears with your regular midwife and I'm sure she'll be happy to advocate for you.

I completely understand. I felt the same. I left my consultants appt in tears as I felt she was forcing me to try for a vbac. That I was silly or thought it was like having a tooth out (I had already had a csection just a few months before!)
I went home ate some cake and had some strong tea and calmed down. I called the consultant back and arranged another appt.
I stated clearly and calmly I DID NOT want a vbac. I explained my reasons, said I had researched everything for a long time, discussed it with others, really thought about it and that I had made an informed decision.
I was NOT going to change my mind.
I got my elective csection :) it was good - I knew what was going on, when it would be, what would happen. I am glad I made that decision.

Is it ok to say as clearly as that, "I'm not having a vbac?" I always feel like I have to talk and justify my reasons and explain in detail and I get embarrassed and upset then.

I have read about the risks of both and I'm happy that a repeat section is the best thing for me.

My hospital has a 33% section rate anyway which is quite high so I'm not sure where all this vbac pressure comes from.

OP sorry to hear that you're in this situation...at 32 weeks yes you need to get things formalised with a date for CS booked in.

Maybe go back to your GP and get them to write directly to one of the consultants?

Perhaps if they are familiar with one of the more sympathetic ones regarding CS?

It's rubbish you're almost being fobbed off, especially by middle grade/registrars.

You need a consultant who can make the decision there and then, book you in for the CS.

I had a ELCS earlier this year- got it for maternal request although the baby ended up being breech in the end.

However, it still went down as maternal request- I swear that was partly responsible for the shitty attitude I encountered on the post-natal ward, but that's another story!

Keep going on at it, it's such a worrying time when you feel in limbo.

I had CS agreed at 36 weeks which was quite late...the relief I felt after that was enormous.
No more fearing going into labour with no CS booked.

Really sorry to hear you feel the are pushing you into a VBAC.

On a personal level, I plan to request another CS if we're lucky enough to have baby no. 2 in future.

Good luck, stay positive and don't let it ruin the last few weeks of pregnancy.

My hospital has a 33% section rate anyway which is quite high so I'm not sure where all this vbac pressure comes from.
33%! They'll be under enormous pressure to reduce that!

It sounds simple (unless you're in the situation!)- but genuinely vocalise 'I do not want a natural birth'.

Sometimes, I think, doctors get so pre-occupied with the 'reasons' and how these can be overcome. These can distract from the fact that you have already made your decision, especially in a busy clinic etc.

Really just say it.

You've got really good reasons you can back up your reasoning with.

Even if you'd never had a c-section before, your anxiety alone is deemed a good reason for one, by mass-expert opinion from NICE guidelines on the issue.

Additionally, you know yourself and your own wishes better than even NICE (which agrees with you!) and the doctors themselves.

Be brave and just say- it is their job to listen to you.

Hope it works out for you :)

dotty, I am currently going through the exact opposite to you; I feel that consultant is trying to force me to ELCS when its the last thing I want.
Echoing strongly what everyone else is saying, that they now cannot refuse valid choices, or force you to do anything. I have been told that they will not induce at all after a previous c-section, due to the risks of rupture(my 1st section was due to foetal oversize at 16d overdue, so I am exploring every option to ensure VBAC). This requires informed and written consent and discussion of risks, therefore they cannot force you.
Good advice on here about calmly stating your wishes (that said, i feel your pain having left several consultant appointments in tears). You can (although you might have to make quite a fuss if they are busy) enforce your right to book and appointment with the head honcho, or even see a different consultant f you feel you are being refuses your wishes. If you ask to see a 2nd consultant, you almost invariably see the main doc from the word go, as they are aware that you are already unhappy.
Does your area have a birth choices consultant midwife? They are very helpful and supportive, whatever your choices are. I have found this, as have several friends who have had different wishes to me. I felt hat they recognise that if your are stressed at the birth, you will not labour effectively, and therefore a EMCS (worse for you and them) is much more likely.
Stick to your guns, explore the resources available to find who you can speak to, and I'm sure you will get what you want. Good luck xx

If not, I'm also about 32 weeks and will happily swap places with you ;)