"Support for imminent VBACers" thread?

[pendulum]

Hi there,
I am 38 weeks today and planning a VBAC after my el CS for breech.

I haven't spent much time on the ante natal threads because I couldn't keep up with them! But now I am on mat leave and due date is approaching I would love to chat to anyone else hoping for a VBAC in the near future.

Is there anyone else out there, or another thread I can join? (Am just heading to docs to check baby position but will log in again later!)

Thanks
p xx

Daisy, scroll down till:

'By Klaw on Sun 21-Sep-08 15:00:46
I was the most amazing WBA2C .....'

THAT was at FP, btw!

Wanna come and stay with rellys so that you can book into the MLU?

it's tempting Klaw, but none of them have enough space to house us all anymore.

It's a pain that in a city as big as Leeds the only options are one of two consultant led units, but OTOH I'm happy to be close to big surgical procedures if needs be.

Off to read your post

didn't realise it was mumofdjandbabies. Lovely story

If I was still in the area Klaw I would've asked you to be my doula

As it is I have a lovely doula who has been moving mountains to help me get the birth I want and has given me the confidence to change units in order to do it.

Hi am very glad to find this thread. Haven't read all yet as my PC is sooo slow today but I will tomorrow. (Thankyou to LackaDAISYcal for pointing me in this direction ) I am 34 weeks and have had 2 c sections already. My Cons, when I asked, just said that after 2 sections it is always a section, there was no discussion or choice. I have had 2 VBAC1's already but then had another c section (crash section for prolapsed cord). My original emergency section was for failed instrumental and my DD got stuck as she was very big, my other babies have all been smaller. I had a sort of VBAC2 last year when sadly I went into labour at 20 weeks, DD was too early to make it. I then got diagnosed with incompetent cervix. Hence I have a cervical stitch in place. Usually they are removed at 37-38 weeks (if you haven't gone into prem labour before then) but if you are having a section they leave it in until you are done having babies (which I will be if all goes OK!!) I did wonder though, if my cervix just opens with the weight of babies, if that would mean less contractions (I had none at all with my 20 week loss even though I was fully dilated) and less chance of rupture. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to discuss delivery but I know they will be rushing in and out. I am so scared of a section as I almost bled to death after my last one. Any advice or encouragement anyone? Good luck to you all xxx

Hi again jellybeans . It sounds like the resons for your previous sections were just "one of those things" and the chance of them recurring is slim to none.

I'm really not sure about the cervical stitch thing, but as lots of women have that done and then go on to deliver normally I can't see it being a real issue.

I'm really very sorry to hear about the loss of your DD at 20 weeks; that must have been devastating .

Have you asked your community midwofe about things? she might know which consultants at your unit are more sympathetic to VBAC. Another alternative is a doula; I would've just gone along with everything I was "told" had I not had mine reiminding me that there were other options.

Good documents to start with are the RCOG green top guide, and the ceasarian.org website (won't link as I always spell it wrong). they are linked on page 2 of this thread.

The old adage, once a section always a section is very old school imo and according to the NICE guidelines and the green top guide is no longer necessary.

I hope you can get some local advice and get the birth expereince that you would like

Oh, I bought a book as well.....will hunt it out tomorrow and let you know what it's called

Well, I guess it's time for me to join this thread

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and hoping for a VBAC - guess that makes me an 'imminent VBAC-er'

(Have been following your posts, LackaDAISYcal, and have found it really comforting knowing someone else is in such a similar position...!)

I am seeing a doctor (they say 'Consultant' but it never bloody is!) at the hospital on Weds. Last appointment with cocky young whippersapper at 28 weeks didn't go too well. Lots of guff about what I would be 'allowed' to do / not do
(I almost opted for a section at that stage ).

Planning on going in armed with lots of research (and my husband!) this time and telling them it's my way or I stay at home.

MrsMattie

that's the spirit; it's amazing how much leeway you get when you mention a homebirth...or so I've been told. I never pulled that particular rabbit out of my hat

and a choice wee nugget is that the NICE guidelines say that a woman who is opting for a VBAC should be offered CFM.....nothing in there about you actually having to accept it.

Must get some sleep or I'll have no energy to deal with any sort of delivery come B-Day

Daisy? what news?

hi klaw

I'm waiting to hear from the new hospital regarding an appointment which will hopefully be next week. My CMW is on holiday so one of her colleagues did the paperwork and grumbled about me leaving it a "little late in the day" but she would see what she could do!! My doula said she has had clients change with only one week to go so not to worry though.

37 weeks today though; so good to go!!

Hi lackaDIASYCal and all other imminent VBAC-ers

Well, I had my 34 week appt yesterday with the consultant at my hospital to discuss VBAC (again).

(Background: I had a really unsuccessful appointment at 28 weeks with a negative, smarmy registrar who was happy to tell me in great detail about what I would and wouldn't be 'allowed' to do/have . I left that appointment seriously considering going for a c-section....')

This appointment went so much more smoothly!
The consultant (who ahs the ultimate power, he he!) was lovely - very pro-VBAC. She told me I didn't have to have CFM if I didn't want to (she signed it off on my notes) but that if I wanted to give it a try for my peace of mind, I could and assured me that at any time I could ask for it to stop and they would monitor me intermittently. She said (quote) 'Women, especially VBAC-ers, generally labour better if they are happy and relaxed. How you feel is paramount.' (Thank you!) Also assured me that the leads on their new CFM machines are minimum 6 foot (in some cases 12 feet) long. She completely agreed that being able to keep mobile, to be able to labour in which ever position feels comfortable and for me to feel in control was infinitely more important than the CFM and (happily for me, just as I was ready to bring out my thick wad of research...) she said 'we monitor your pulse and temperature, too, and mainly want to know how you feel - these (along with some for of monitoring) give us a better picture of how you and the baby are doing than just leaving you lying on your back hooked up to a CFM.

She also said the registrar was 'incorrect' when he said I would 'have to have' a c-section at 41 weeks if there was no movement by then. She said she would happily leave it until 12-14 days before even bringing me in for 'that chat' and that as I had gone so overdue last time, that could well just be part of 'how I labour'.

She also poo-poo'ed stupid registrar saying I shouldn't stay at home for too long if and when contraction start. She said 'judge it yourself, and give us a ring if you want advice.'

Sorted!

So...feeling very positive about it all now. So relieved in fact that I had a good cry at the end of the appt., when she said 'You have a very good chance of a straightforward vaginal delivery. And any other course of events...well, we'll cross that bridge if it comes to that'. EXACTLY what i wanted to hear

Bring it on, MrsMattie!!!!

Sounds fantastic MrsMattie...really pleased for you...

that's fantastic news MrsM; just the stuff that I wanted to hear from my registrar but didn't , and am hoping to hear from the new lot at the new hospital

klaw, a quick question for you if I may?.......my DH was wondering why temperature is important in monitoring the mother for signs of scar rupture? He gets the pulse bit, but not the temp. Any insight?

that'a great MrsM

LAD - I'm assuming they are doing temp as another sign of possible surgical chock (falling temp, rising pulse I think)

just checked Mary Cronk she doesn't mention temp, but she does talk about surgical shock.

chock should of course be shock

that's what we thought BB, thanks

and thanks for that link....it's duly printed off and in my notes

I think Temp is important in any case as it can be a sign of infection if it rises. As well as the fact that you get cold when you go into shock.

Hi all, Off for my VBAC meeting tomorrow at the hospital, feel v prepared, so actually looking forward to it.
Had my 28 week check up with the MW yesterday and all seems in order.

Will post over the weekend on how the meeting went.

Sorry Lacksadaisy, just re read a few posts and I saw you asked when I was due and I did not reply. Apologises.

18th January 09.
Will be the size of a small house for Christmas, LOVELY.

For those of you in the Tayside/Angus/North Fife areas - The next meeting of Dundee Birth Choices is Wednesday 29th October and the topic is VBAC

mppaw....thanks

I hope you got on well at your appointment.

Just a quick update from me; I saw my new consultant today and although she spouted hospital policy at me (recommendation for CFM) she acknowledged that it was my decision and that I would be supported in whatever decision I made . We discussed a post dates appointment and she said that although they routinely offer induction at 13 days post dates; as I wouldn't be considered suitable for induction there was little point making that appointment and she has left it to me to get in touch with them should I feel the need to discuss anything further. Leading on from this it is pretty much decided that if I don;t go into labour naturally then the best option would be for me to have a c-section. I'm OK with that, and when we discussed the need to make a date for that to happen she just said why not wait and see how things go. We arbitrarily talked about two weeks post dates, but she said that they would be willing to let me go even longer provided I was happy to come in for monitoring.

So, given that if she really thought that my decisions were endangering myself and the baby she has a duty of care to tell me that, the fact that she didn't tell me that says to me that she agrees with my decisions, even though trust policy dictates that she can't say that directly.

I hope that all makes sense; I'm still feelign quite giddy about it and much more relaxed and positive about it all......oh and that I've been having regular tightenings this evening accompanied by horrible backache and cramps this evening. My pubis symphisis joint cracked earlier (like knuckles craking) and although my SPD has miraculously disappeared; I think it's allowed the baby to slip further down into my pelvis and is fully engaged (was 4/5ths this morning according to the MW as she couldn't move the head at all when she had a prod) as I'm now waddling like a duck.

Can you tell I'm a little bit excited

Hi, Sorry for not getting back earlier, but no internet at home due to BT being complete idiots !! So had to wait til I got to work (I work Thursday and Friday).

Daisy, your meeting sounds really positive. Had a quick look back to see when you were due, but couldn't see anything, when is LO due ?

My meeting last Friday was really good. They had the notes there from my first birth and it was really positive going thru the labour step by step and actually putting times to when things happened.
I actually dilated to 7cm, ALL BY MYSELF in 2 hours !! They then moved to the delivery suite (I was on an obs ward being monitored as I was induced) which is when it all went pear shaped. Anyway, at least I know I can dilate/labour, and certainly remember what it felt like !! OUCH.
She listened to everything I had to say and did not spout hospital policies to me.
I questioned the CFM and she said that they will encourage me to stay on my feet etc, so I agreed, but will have to wait and see when I go into labour if they let me move about with the straps on or make me stay on the bed !!!
I can labour at home (As long as I feel ok etc) untill my contractions are 5 mins apart. I thought they would want me in ASAP once labour starts, but she said no. So that is V positive.
1 thing I was concerned about, she said they will assess me around 40w+10, and if cervix looks favourable (Supple?) and am having twinges etc, they will induce me. Told her am not happy with this, but she stressed only if everything looks like you will labour.
Thoughts re this girlies ??? Do you think an induction is a DEFO NO NO, no matter what my cervix is saying to them ??

hi mwpaw I had my VBAC at the beginning of last month and I was induced with the drip only no prostaglandin gel. It was tortally not what I had planned but my waters went and there was meconeum so we had to get things moving. The cervix was not favorable at all.

For me I didn't labour at all for my 1st child and the induced labour was a very positive experience so I wouldn't discount it totally but depends on your previous birth experience I suppose.

full story in birth announcements here

Another encouraging VBA2C story

congrats hedgepig