Can I change mind about vbac in labour?

[Divvy]

Do you think its rude to ask for cs when I get there? Should it have been booked before hand, or can I say I have changed my mind about vbac?

I must go out now - good luck hope things get moving soon

it is cannula
i was typing quickly !!

Oooh, FAQ, my contractions were like that with my VBAC too. 30 seconds long and one-two mins apart right from the start. Freaked me out because it was totally unlike any other accounts of labour that I'd heard or read.

BTW, don't want to come across as pro-cannula (I am pro-nothing ), but just repeating what I was told. DH was totally freaked by anything that suggested I might be at risk (he'd have liked me to opt for a nice, safe elective) and I was trying to keep him calm too!

Agree with lulumama about questioning policy. My hospital had a policy of limiting pushing time to (can't remember exact times, actually, but I think it was) an hour for a first baby and half-an-hour for subsequent babies. I insisted that dd2 was a first baby, since I'd never been in labour with dd1 and wrote in my birth plan that I wanted to be allowed the full hour. As it was, I was pushing for two (very long) hours and no-one turned a hair. In fact, near the end I think I said 'I'm sure you shouldn't be allowing me to push for this long', but they insisted that I was fine and could do it ... and (eventually) I did.

Divvy the reason I read this thread was the title - I am trying for second DC and very interested in VBAC. Then got drawn in as it's so exciting!

It's so hard though with the monitoring and stuff, all your instincts tell you not to have it but they talk like there is no option.

So you stick to your guns and do it your way. So exciting! Hope you don't mind if I keep popping back to see how you're getting on and wish you luck!

Bit late now for Divvy, but might be useful for you ChukkyPig... I got my consultant to agree that continuous monitoring was not necessary and to write it in my notes and sign it. Then I just referred everyone else to my notes. (It helped that he was the hospital's senior obstetrician and very pro-VBAC!)

Got to go back to work now, but good luck Divvy.

I understand why you all feel strongly about not having continuous monitoring etc, but honestly scar rupture is a very seriosu thing and CAN happen just like that, before its recognised in time. Please consider very seriously before deciding to not be continuously monitored. xx

but CFM does not prevent rupture and it is not the only way to monitor it. mary cronk has a good short article on scar rupture

also, the chances of scar rupture are very low, about equivalent to the risk of cord prolapse, whihc every mother is at risk of. but it is a small risk

close observation of the mother can indicate any potential issues.. not just CFM , for instance pain between contractions can be an indicator.. and then perhaps CFM or further investiagaions would be appropriate

but of course it is up to the labouring woman to make that choice, based on all the information

also, the fact is CFM is restrictive, and can in itself create more problems and more interventions

I think maternal pulse/temp goes up before any changes in the babies heart rate though, so they could take my pulse every 15 mins?

Yes i agree, there other indications etc of scar rupture and CFM is restrictive, which can in turn lead to interventions. But i do know of a case where a ladies scar ruptured and the outcome was not good.

However in saying that, the chance of scar rupture is very very small.. I have had a previous VBAC and am due my 3rd baby on saturday. I was contiually monitored, however I went into hospital as late as possible and had a very short labour. I am all for active labour and hate the thought of CFM but i am not willing to take the risk knowing what I do.

you are right that it is important to acknowledge the risks and there can be bad outcomes to VBAC. that is why having all the information is good, so each woman can make an informed decision about her care, and not get hit with a blanket policy

You're right Divvy, and I think that they did check my pulse as well as doing intermittent monitoring on the baby.

I think one of the things that is so odd, mydisguise, is that hospitals' guidelines on this are so inconsistent. So they (try to) insist on continuous monitoring, but they are perfectly willing to induce VBAC births and to offer epidurals, both of which are - in my view (and I'm not a medical professional, but I did real a LOT on this before I had my VBAC) - much more dangerous in the case of a VBAC than a refusal of CFM.

But the surely going into hospital as late into labour as possible is just as risky as refusing monitoring?

Also, what is the point of CM if you are left from 1 hour to the next with out the trace being checked? Which is what they do at my local hospital.

Like lulumama said, it is down to the individual to make as informed a decision as possible so that they feel 100% comfortable with the risks etc.

Yes both induction and epidural are risky in VBAC, but again it is down to the individual to make sure they are 100% happy with the risks of the decisions they make.

At the end of the day, no1 except you can decide what you want to do with your own body.And it is important you are as relaxed as possible throughout labour. It is a very special time

Best of luck to every1 and Divvy i am sure u will make the right decision for you

xxxx

my first VBAC was continous monitoring, stuck on the bed, - horrendous, still get flash backs now occasionally (and DS2 will be 5 in November) - ended up with a ventouse delivery in theatre (after being induced)

2nd - monitored using hand held doppler, blood pressure etc checked regularly - - and I would do it again tomorrow if I had to. I ended with a birth that was as "natural" as it can be in hospital/.

FAQ - my own midwife has said that if she was me, she would stay home for as long as possible in my situation.

I think if I feel that labour is going smoothly, I will take her advice...or until I want G&A

lol @ G&A

That stuff did nothing for me when I had DS2, but DS3 I couldn't get enough of it - had some while they were stiching me up afterwards and they had to practically drag it off me once they were finished too

Any more progress with contractions? Any more show?

No more show or contractions, but have pressure in bum again, and dont feel quite right down below.

I love G&A, its a plus side of labour

oooooo - maybe soon then.

G&A was very cool with DS3 - I reckon they should sell canisters of it in Boots

I never even got offered any gas and air . The drugs were the only bit of labour I was looking forward to!

Divvy maybe it will all happen soon... Keep us posted (not from the labour suite though obviously. Unless you have a blackberry?!)

lol our hospital dont even have patientline....I will text FAQ is that ok FAQ?

I think G&A should be sold in pubs! I would go to a pub then!

or just by a tank for home use

oooo yes of COURSE you can text me........

but I have a new number........

I'll send you a message on Facebook with my new number.

i loved gas and air! did not do much for the pain, but made me dizzy enough not to care

had sore throat and jaw ache for a week!

........oooo - are you not on FB anymore???

no got rid of it...it was all pokes!

i can text your home number or has that changed too?

lol lulu....and then you realise you are sucking away and there is no contraction, it finished a while ago but who cares lol!

LOL @ you lot and your G&A (I prefer a G&T - though perhaps not in labour ). I didn't even have any G&A to speak of (two sucks then I threw up and I forgot to ask if I could have it back). I am well 'ard, me! [lying emoticon ]