Vbac this time-shouldn't I have meeting with a consultant?

[mumcah]

I had an EMCS in march 08 for failure to progress(got to 4cm's in 3 days,synto etc).
I'm pregnant again,due in may.The midwife expected that I would go for a Vbac and I have an appointment with the Vbac midwives in the new year.
A friend has just attempted a Vbac (had another EMCS)at the same hospital and she didn't get to go through her previous birth with a consultant which I thought was odd as I assumed you would have to go through it partly to discuss why you had a CS in the first place and your chances of another one.The midwives didn't go through her notes or anything just asked her why she had a CS the first time round.
I'm thinking of changing hospitals as I don't really want to go to the same one as before,so maybe it varies from place to place?

I would have thought the hospital would send you for a consultant appointment at about 20 weeks and then again usually at 36 weeks, my GP referred me at the same time as referring to the midwives (I had EMCS 10 years ago) - might be worth checking with the GP.

I had EMCS for failure to progress 4 years ago. Im hoping for VBAC this time and have seen consultant at 13 weeks and am due to see her again soon, am 37 weeks, i thought this was hospital ;policy across the board, but i may be wrong.

I had an appointment with a doctor at 20 weeks. Not the consultant but "a member of her team". It was only when I got to 36 weeks and asked another SHO to get the consultant that I met her. I saw her again at 40 weeks.
It was at 36 weeks that I told the consultant what happened in my previous birth and she explained the odds of success.

I've been under a consultant in both of my pregnancies and never seen a doctor before 20 weeks.

mumcah - your first sounds very similar to mine. I hadn't considered VBAC with DS2 until saw consultant at 34 weeks to book another section date and he told me DS1 was back to back which probably explained why I didn't dilate properly. The chat we had to be honest wasn't up to much and he said it was my choice and didn't tell me about the risks either way. I rang the community midwives with my questions and they put me on to the special VBAC clinic at the hosp. for the senior midwife to speak with me and that was much more useful - maybe it's worth asking if you have something similar at your hosp.

Anyway if it's any consolation I had successful VBAC and was at 8cm within about 3 hours of labour starting. 7 hours in total from waters breaking to finish which I never thought would happen. (Lulumama said 'upright, active and mobile' when I was researching VBACs on here and it worked for me. Also start getting him into position from about 34 weeks on your birthing ball).

20 weeks preg again and going for VBAC again. Midwife mentionned I have to see consultant about 34 weeks again as it's standard policy if you've had a section previously in Edinburgh.

Hi, same as you for DS1, but I was referred to consultant at around 20 weeks to discuss VBAC options, then again at 34ish weeks. They monitor you much more closely for VBAC and wont let you "fail to progress" or be in too much discomfort for 3 days this time - at the slightest problem they will get the baby out. My consultant will not let me go past 40 weeks, so i am booked in for a sweep on my due date, just in case. good luck with it.

Thanks for all your advice and experiences ladies.It seems that it's a good idea to be well informed when going for a Vbac.

Mumcah - I would recommend getting a copy of "The VBAC Handbook" by Savage and Churchill. It lists a load of factors that seem to help increase your chances of a successful VBAC. I just attempted one and ended up with a second emcs, but by following the advice in that book had a very nice labour up until the second stage when my baby became distressed. Even though it didn't end the way I wanted I am pretty happy with things, and a lot of that is to do with how much research I did.

I had an EMCS 5 years ago. When I was pregnant the 2nd time I had consultant led care. However, I never saw a consultant. I opted for VBAC but ended up having another EMCS.

Had a VBAC after an EMCS and never saw a consultant throughout the second pregnancy. Also ended up with an easy second birth (5 hours start to finish) could not have been more different from the first time. Having had some time in labour and getting to 4cm should hopefully make your second birth easier? Think it did in mine I only got to 6cm the first time before she got stuck.

I may be wrong but not sure there is much you or a consultant can "do" during the pregnancy to make a straightforward VBAC more likely. Surely like all births you never quite know what will happen. The most important thing I can say is that hold on to the fact that your second experience doesnt necessarily resemble your first at all.