VBAC - just seen my consultant + need some advice

[chibi]

I am 24 weeks+, and have had a previous emCS (will be just over 2 years ago when I have this one). This pregnancy is like the last one, uncomplicated, and I am not high risk.

Can anyone direct me to some sort of evidence based resource about VBACs?

I have just had a meeting with a consultant, and now I am full of questions - specifically, re:hospital policies...how much is for the hospital's convenienec, and how much because it is good practise?

My quibbles are:

1. I have been told I will have to have CFM (or the scalp clippy thing). I am concerned at how this will limit my mobility, and thus impact on how successfully I can labour. I feel as though I am being 'set up to fail' by potentially having to labour flat on my back + immobile.

1. I have been told that I will need to come in pretty much as soon as the contractions begin - again, I am concerned that having to spend a big chunk of time in a labour/antenatal ward will have a negative impact on my ability to labour successfully.

1. part of the labour process will involve me having my waters broken artificially, to check for meconium. I have just read on another thread that artificially breaking the waters can lead to a v painful labour, and is there not an infection risk anyway? Are babies born by VBAC more prone to meconium leaking? As far as I am aware, breaking the waters is not standard procedure for a regular vaginal birth.

basically, if anyone can direct me to any resource which can deal with these questions so that by my next appt I am in a position to challenge/question things and be taken seriously rather than brushed off with 'well that's how we do it, the dr knows best, like it or lump it'.

If it has to be this way, ok, but it just seems to me to be not v conducive to a good labour/birth experience.

Thanks for sticking with this, any help is MUCH appreciated!

Cor, it amazes me how much crap people get when they go for VBAC. There a good thread here, chibi, which you might find helpful.

Remember, they cannot make you do anything - they can only tell you what they think and then you do what you feel is best for you and your baby.

1. Most hospitals are keen on this. I did have CFM with my 2 VBACs, but the mws were very pro me moving about and just kept readjusting the monitors for me. You can refuse it - I know ladies on the other thread who have agreed to monitoring for 30 minutes when they first go in, then removal of the monitors afterwards. There are also now telemetric (wireless) monitors which you can use which (obviously!) do not limit your movements. You'll need to find out if your hospital has these as they are fairly new so not all hospitals have them.

1. They can't make you come in - you can go in when you feel ready . I went in earlier with my first VBAC as that was what made me feel comfortable but that was for me, not the hospital staff.

3.I have never heard of breaking waters for a VBAC to check for meconium - it has certainly never happened to me.

I'm not a MW or anything, but have had 2 VBACs.

HTH.

So sorry not to have any resources for you but can tell you my experience- I had similar situation EMCS for first birth and then low risk pregnancy for second baby. My local hospital would not allow me to be booked in for a section with DC2 as that was not their 'policy'.

I had to go in straight away when the contractions started (actually they kept stopping but they wanted me monitored). I was monitored throughout (even though my midwife buggered off to go to a leaving do , leaving me flat on my back alone with DH). I was not given any painrelief as she was not there to administer it. I had my waters broken artificially and it was flaming painful. This said...

I had a 3 hr labour, was drug free, gave birth lying down (which shocked the life ot of me as I wanted to be moving but it was ok), had NO stitches and was home by lunchtime the next day. I recovered almost immediately and was able to feed much easier. Overall I was lucky but was also so glad that their policy had ensured that I at least tried to go myself. The only real downside was the worry about organising childcare for DC1 but we were lucky that our DS turned up on his due date when my Mum had offered to have DD for the night to give me a break anyway.

So, no real 'facts' but anyone I know who has had a VBAC has come away from it really pleased and feeling like they have laid some ghosts to rest. (not everyone but quite a few). Hope this helps in some way and good luck x

thanks, I will repost on the thread Poledra linked.

the stuff about telemetric monitors is v v interesting - I will ask at my next appt.