"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

Don't forget the old nookie for starting labour Nevil (if you can be bothered)

Morning Nevil - any news??

oooo it's gone all quiet. Shall I try & get the ball rolling again? Still hoping for my VBAC, being monitored for fluctuating BP & had to pop into Day Assessment Unit today as my legs were swelling up, but all is fine, so still on track. I keep thinking I might be early (due 8 March) as I'm having diaroeaha (sp? + TMI...) & cramps etc, but probably wishful thinking....hope everyone else going well.

I GOT MY VBA3C!!!! Baby Boy born on 17.2.09 (40+4) at 4.03am weighing 6lbs 3.5oz. Had to have a little help c/o a ventouse but still waaay better then having a CS.

I'm sooo happy, will try to get back on with a birth story soon but wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on this thread with their stories, advice and support without which I would definately be sitting here recovering from a 4th cs oblivious to the fact that a vba3c was possible.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Wahay! Fantastic news! [sm ile]
That's made my day. Congratulations and welcome to your new baby.

I am going for a WBAC in hospital also at the moment. As I am rejecting EFM this is a viable option and preferable for me to the use of drugs.

The hospital has agreed to the WBAC but now must discuss their progress/slow labour policies.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Congratulations Nevil!!!!!! How inspiring!

xxxxxx

Nevil how FANTASTIC! well done I also found the ventouse was also so much better than a cs for me.

bumblbee if you are progressing steadily I would hope they don't set a timer against you. Are they suggesting you only have a specific number of hours to deliver?

Hi everyone,
Can I join in?
I'm 36+2 weeks and am going for a VBAC.

I've tried my hardest to fight for a water birth at the hospital's midwife led unit but they have point blank refused me. Sodding guidelines

So! What are your opinions on a homebirth? has anyone here had a HVBAC? My consultant has made it quite clear to me that he doesn't approve but I feel like they haven't given me much choice
I'd rather be in the bath at home than on their labour ward.

I'm sorry, I haven't read any of the posts as there are so many!

Birth story here

FruitynNutty as they are not 'allowing' you to use the facilities at the MLU state your intentions to plan a home birth then.

Be strong, don't back down!!

I'll bet my bank account contents (not much admittedly) that they will suddenly and miraculously be able to offer you the MLU, the pool with intermittant monitoring etc

Seriously, do it!!

Also ask them to take a note of WBAC experience in Fife MLU. Your HCPs could do no better than to contact this unit for their guidance on faciltating WBAC.

Stay strong

I've already said I'll have to have a HB although I haven't officially registered it yet. The HOM said that's up to me. I thought she might have backed down then!
Thank you for that article Klaw, I'll print it off and take it with me to my appointment next week
I've told them I know another hospital allows WBAC but the HOM said that because their MLU hasn't been open long they need to follow guidelines.
They are very adamant that I won't be let into the MLU (Carmen Suite)
I'll be registering my HB next week.
I'd much rather be in hospital in case I'm in that tiny 0.3% that has a rupture though

Hello ladies, can I join the thread? Am 35 + 5 and hoping for a VBAC. Saw the consultant last week and he said hospital policy is to come in earlier in labour than normal, CFM, and a cannula. Am seeing my community midwife on Friday and want to ask about hospital policy about progress and length of first and second stages, but am struggling with the thought that I might be immobilised and under pressure.

DS was induced, and ended up with every intervention under the sun - pessaries, breaking the waters, syntocinon, continous monitoring, epidural, and then em c/s, so was really hoping to spend lots of labour at home this time round.

Not keen on a home birth, but would like to use the pool or at very least a bath, and be able to move around at will.

Am going to read down the thread to see what's already been said, but any pearls of wisdom gratefully received!

FruitynNutty, my hospital was prepared to allow me to labour in water for my second VBAC (or, as my community mw said, my VBAVBAC) but wouldn't allow me to give birth in water. This was because I'd had a PPH with my second birth, nothing to do with my c-s. However, they had telemetric monitors (wireless and can be used in water) so would have been doing CFM that way. Is this a possibility for you?

In the end, I didn't use the pool but that's another story

I'd like to tell them I'm prepared just to labour in water but then not get out
My consultant reckons being one floor away from the labour suite is too far away Just going to have to see what they say when I say I'm registering for a HB.
Do you know they even told me at the very beginning I wouldn't even be allowed a HB - I nearly fell for that line as well.

Definitely call their bluff! [klaw is a wicked girl!] you'll be surprised how they change their tune!

Also see this YouTube video of HBA4C for inspiration

BTW..Fruity...what happens to the ladies who have a PPH in the MLU? Are they too far away from medical help?????? Do they never have emergency sections from the MLU? I think as they are not offering the big bath upstairs as it's "closed" youhave every right to ask for a pool...ask your doula to help you with that one.

Well, I think we put an end to that thread then! haha, I'm glad it was you and not me Turtle!

May I join in ? 38+3 here and hoping for a VBAC. I have until 23rd March to go into 'spontaeous labour'. Haven't been able to persuade them to let me use the MW led unit despite it being through a door from the consultant led unit.

Having said that, I have had position issues of late. At 37 weeks baby was oblique although only stayed like it for a bit and at 38 weeks was noted as head down but floating free which the consultant seems concerned about. Have been offered sweep at term but only if engaged. Blood pressure is a bit dodgy (but just about remaining ok) so part of me is beginning to lose courage and thinking I should just go and have the c-se but think I'd regret not giving it the best shot !

Hi Wheely aren't you at St.G's like me?

Hi Fruity - no I am at Kingston but they seem similar in attitude !

I'm surprised because Kingston have relaxed their guidelines on using the Malden Suite. I tried to get in there but they were fully booked for March

Don't lose courage! I almost did today and though, sod it, just cut me open and get this baby out (as he's probably huge!) but I soon thought otherwise, thank god!

oh really - they don't want me to use it unforetunately. But they do also cite my wobbly blood pressure as a reason (because they can't monitor bp in the Malden suite ). Ah well. Kind of just want to get on with it - and have already started to get the 'how are you - any news?' texts and phone calls which is all very nice but slightly irritating.

Tried pineapple today - gave me serious indigestion. Am also having reflexology to try and start things off.

Let me know how the reflexology goes I'm 37 weeks and have just had the hottest curry I've ever eaten courtesy of DP I couldn't even manage half it was so spicy.
I've been sniffing clary sage oil like it's a drug and devoured a whole pineapple on
Friday. Not sure I can face naughties yet - I feel most unattractive!

Gonna get DP to get me some raspberry leaf tablets tomorrow..............

Looking for advice about VBAC... Consultant has previously recommended c-section at 39 weeks due to me being age 41 and previous c-section.
DD was almost 3 weeks late, 4 years ago, when after 2 failed sweeps, I reluctantly agreed to induction due to the then daily monitoring giving "odd" data, and the tales of the placenta potentially failing without warning. The planned waterbirth was out of the window because of being late. Pregnancy then, as is now, perfectly normal, blood pressure good etc. Induction worked alarmingly quickly and painfully and eventually led to epidural and emergency c/s due to dd pooing in womb. DD was 9lbs 3, and after a bit of oxygen was perfectly OK although we did ask to see the placenta and it was quite shredded... The c/s itself was actually a very positive experience... standing within a few hours, and home the next day, but... I don't want another 6-week recovery.
Consultant has just agreed to do elective c/s at week 41 if "nothing has happened", which I'm happy to agree to.
But I want a waterbirth in the run-up to week 41 if labour starts naturally, and they've said no to this because they need to "monitor previous scar". I think statistically risks of rupture are scaremongering... but I don't want to be so pig-headed that I put myself and baby boy at risk. I'm due at end of May, so have plenty of time to listen to anyone who wants to give advice.
So... do I just turn up and demand a waterbirth?! Are there many other waterbirthers out there who are also VBACers? Or am I being too stubborn and should do as I'm told?

Ginger suz
I'm trying for a VBAC waterbirth (due may 1st)
I know what you mean about not wanting to be pigheaded. I've refused cfm and said I would refuse it if they allow me in water or not.
to be sensible I'm allowing monitoring upon arrival, so long as that's clear I'm ok to get in the bath with a taped up canular.

Many Consultants do like c sections, I asked around and got my self an anti-c section consultant.
My consultant has prescribed lots of sex and spending at least 20mins of each day with my bottom in the air so the baby stands more chance of being in the right position for labour so it doesn't have to turn whilst in labour. Therefore minimising the length of labour & subsequent stress on scar. Apparently 3rd trimester woman spend far too long sitting in front of computers
The sex he explained prepares the cervix and softens it so that babys head has less work to do and the sperm has similar chemicals to those they use when they induce you.

Not sure if all this helps, but it does seem to be pot luck as to who you have caring for you, as to how you are treated and what you are 'refused'.

Go with your instincts!