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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

OMG VBA2C - pupuce - help!

49 replies

Jimjams · 17/11/2004 18:15

Went to the antenatal clinic tday - met the consultant and he was keen for me to try a VBA2C. It's what I originally wanted- and having read Odent's book on sections (and from my experiences as well) if I needed a section I'd rather it was elective in labour rather that just elective. But I'm a bit scared as I have been told no way all the way through this pregnancy. To just be offered it as an option is a bit strange!

I requested- and he agreed- no induction, no augmentation of contractions, straight to section at first sign of problems, continual FH monitering (actually I didn't request that but I think its a condition).

Just wondered if you had any advice. I found Odents book very good but I'm a bit wary about reading other VBAC stuff as so much of it is anti c section and last time I ended up terrified about my elective.

pleased but definitely in shock!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

aloha · 17/11/2004 19:04

Blimey Jimjams! I can totally understand your reasons and think you are v brave
I think Pupuce has limped off after a bit of a mauling today but I'm sure she's back.

JanH · 17/11/2004 19:10

Double blimey! Is it you that has terrible adhesions or some similar surgical consequences? Would those mean that a vaginal delivery would actually be less of a problem afterwards? How would it be at the time though?

I think you are v brave too (but we knew that anyway!) - loads of luck, hope it works!

Original poster

Jimjams · 17/11/2004 19:53

Yep I'm adhesion lady - apparently shouldn't affect the scar strength although could make it stronger.

It was very odd- I went in expecting to come out with a section date (had talked about the pros/cons of xmas eve with the midwife) and then the consultant asked how I'd feel about VBA2C. Talked about the reasons for the other sections, and the problems ds2 had after his section. Came out happy, but am a little bit nervous now!!! I haven't thought about labour this time round! I need to find my birth ball!

OP posts:

motherinferior · 17/11/2004 19:54

Jimjams, this is probably absolutely no use whatsoever but I did write a piece on second births recently which had a bit on VBACs, stats, etc. I talked to Pupuce for it (can't remember if she's quoted in the eventual piece). If it would be any use at all, obviously I'll send it to you.

enid · 17/11/2004 20:13

wow - how exciting - good luck with whatever you decide jimjams x E

enid · 17/11/2004 20:15

and who dared maul pupuce?? I'll fight em!

pupuce · 17/11/2004 20:37

Hi Jimjams.... can I marry your consultant
A man to my own heart (is that what you say ???)

He wouldn't agree labour in water - would he ???? I mean I'd thgink I'd check his credentials

Now more seriously... You have told me all about your labours and I havce forgotten.... SHAME on me.... but if you have laboured before I think you are in with a good chance.

I will e-mail you some stuff on birth physiology as you have read Odent you won't be surprised by it. The key to a successful VBAC (IMO) is to be well supported by people who believe in you and who can support you through the thick of things.

I think you have decided the right thing... sign of trouble .... elective,.... the constant monitoring is a pain IMO but that's your choice... you could negociate (well you have every right to ask and have them do this) 20 minute trace every hour or so.... it is as safe (even safer as it doesn't pick up everything and doesn't send alarm bells ringing for nothing).

Enid - How shall I summarise, I started a thread on understanding why in this country 1 woman in 2 doesn't BF and in Sweden 2 in 100 don't... this wasn't about right to choose but why do we have so many women failing to BF past a week or two with things like not enough milk, etc - whilst clearly women overcome these initial issues.

It was a very nice informative debate until (and we have the thread to prove it) several people turned into "guilt" issues and a lot of :
'bully' 'selfish' 'terrorist' 'holier-than-thou' 'smug' and on and on and on....and guess where the insults were coming from?
I am NOT interested in entering that debate again, I got all the info I wanted and everyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I support everyone what ever their choices - even Aloha's sections ... so it became really boring and annoying.

enid · 17/11/2004 20:46

gosh. we used to debate things like that all the time and it never got that vicious. Stick to your guns pupuce I always like to read your stuff.

sorry jimjams to hijack - exciting news though!!

Original poster

Jimjams · 17/11/2004 21:30

Thanks pupuce I'd love to read that stuff! (and yes please motherinferior as well)

My labours..... DS1 was induced at 40 weeks. Started ok then stupid jnr doctor broke my waters at 1cm dilated as I wasn't progressing fast enough (it was only 8am and contractions had started gently at 3am). That was it- flat on my back- in agony and 12 hours later (syntocinon etc all the works) I was still less than 2 cm. Consultant today said that was a ridiculous thing to do as my waters would have been broken before I was in established labour.

2nd section. All the way through pregnancy I had thought I was going to try VBAC. Then suddenly at the end my consultant said he thought it should be a section- so I was booked in (I was very passive- but he scared me to be honest).

My previous 2 births were at Farnborough. I liked my consultant there (very warm and friendly) but he did have a reputation for favouring sections. And he did say to me that he was told that his section rate was too high, but that he felt happier doing electives than trials if he had any doubts at all.

Now I've read more - and moved house and hospital- and this consultant today seemed to be saying the same things as Odent- section following labour is better than no labour, straight to section if problems start, better because we know everything is at term etc.

DS2 had a lot of breathing problems when born- ended up with chest x-ray, in an incubator etc. Was very sleepy, didn't feed well etc etc.

I'm happy because its the approach I feel most comfortable with.

OP posts:

Original poster

Jimjams · 17/11/2004 21:32

happy but nervous I should say! I've never gone into labour naturally!

OP posts:

misdee · 17/11/2004 21:36

omg jimjams, what an exiting and daunting prospect for you. read read and read up on it. (never had a section so can really comment). if you manage to have a VBAC you'll be home so much faster (hopefully). whens your actual due date?

unicorn · 17/11/2004 21:39

Hope it goes really well for you jimjams..

I had a vbac with ds.. it was exactly as I wanted (even though on hall landing at home)it felt so much better for me.
At least you have all options covered.. and I'm really pleased for you that you are getting to have a go at what you want to do.

When should we expect announcement?

pupuce · 17/11/2004 21:40

The thing is that your body has developed its oxytocyn receptors and therefore once labour starts (on its own) you will progress faster ! That's really a plus point !

JanH · 17/11/2004 21:41

How late will they let you go before they start wittering?

pupuce · 17/11/2004 21:44

JanH - to my own surprise I find many will let you got to 42 weeks !

pupuce · 17/11/2004 21:46

I should add that inductions for VBAC are different and usually not a first choice. You could not get the prostaglandin gel but your waters could be broken (that's if you have a bit of dialtion going) and MAYBE a drip can be put up... that's a decision that can be made on an individual basis.
So sometimes you can't do anything but an elective.

JanH · 17/11/2004 21:48

Sort of makes me wish I was having mine now, pupuce, rather than 11+ years ago - DS2 (4th) had to be delivered (consultant's decision) by elective at 37 weeks, and DS1 (3rd) at 38 weeks. Neither of them was cooked really - v jaundiced, feeding v hard work etc.

Jimjams, really really hoping it all works out for you!

SofiaAmes · 17/11/2004 22:01

jimjams, you are so lucky to find a consultant who will support you in a VBAC. I had a vbac, but it was entirely due to my wonderful midwife (after meeting the consultant once, halfway through my pregnancy, I refused to ever speak to him again).
My midwife had some sort of hand held monitor that she held up to me every 20 min. or so. It gave me the freedom to do my thing (lots of yoga poses) as she held it and could move around the room or upside with me as needed. There was something wrong with the hot water at the hospital (only in england!!) so the birthing pool didn't get filled up in time for me to use it, but my understanding was that I would have to stand up every so often for her to monitor me, but that it was relatively feasible to have a water birth if I wanted one. I'm not sure what the thing was called, but pupuce might know.
Good luck.
By the way, I saw michel odent speak just after I had my VBAC and was very impressed by him. He mentioned in his talk (I don't know if he mentions it in his book) that there seemed to be some correlation (not yet properly studied though) between early induction/cs and autism.

aloha · 17/11/2004 22:03

Ahem, Pupuce, that's section singular - and it's only a section to be at present. The first was 'permissable' even M Odent told me that personally!

pupuce · 17/11/2004 22:05

it's a dopler.
Yes he certainly believes that a lot of what happens in utero and in labour affects children later (like the increase likelihood of drug addiction in babies born with an epidural - to name 1 subject) .... some of it is well researched (controlled randomized trials) others are hypothesis based on studies.... he has his fans and his detractors.
He was criticised and called a nut when he developped the water births..... I think time will tell but I have read a lot of his stuff and am prepared to listen some more....

pupuce · 17/11/2004 22:05

it's a handheld dopler.
Yes he certainly believes that a lot of what happens in utero and in labour affects children later (like the increase likelihood of drug addiction in babies born with an epidural - to name 1 subject) .... some of it is well researched (controlled randomized trials) others are hypothesis based on studies.... he has his fans and his detractors.
He was criticised and called a nut when he developped the water births..... I think time will tell but I have read a lot of his stuff and am prepared to listen some more....

pupuce · 17/11/2004 22:07

Hang on - are you telling mumsnet you're not having another one

For the record - no one (who seriously knows anything about childbirth) would recommend or even suggest a vaginal birth for a placenta preavia.

aloha · 17/11/2004 22:12

Nooo! Just taking issue with your cavalier use of sections plural when talking about choice - you birth terrorist, you!

aloha · 17/11/2004 22:13

Nooo! Just taking issue with your cavalier use of sections plural when talking about choice - you birth terrorist, you!

aloha · 17/11/2004 22:13

Nooo! Just taking issue with your cavalier use of sections plural when talking about choice - you birth terrorist, you!

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