VBAC using Hypnobirthing

[decaffeinated]

Hiya,

Not sure whether to post this in the VBAC or the Hypnobirthing thread, so started a new one!

After a previous c-section, and now at 36 weeks pregnant, I have opted to go for a VBAC, and intend on using Hypnobirthing to help me cope with it.

My consultant has said I HAVE to have an epidural when I get to 7cm dilated, and that there's a high likelihood that this will lead to forceps/ventouse delivery. Hardly confidence-inspiring.

I just wondered whether anyone else has used Hypnobirthing successfully in their VBACs, and also whether it's sensible to consider refusing the epidural IF I feel I don't need it.

I don't intend on being a martyr about it, but I don't want to be pushed into medical intervention that has the potential to make the whole process slow down and eventually may lead to caesarean anyway.

Bit confused, and would appreciate any stories about good VBAc's where medical intervention wasn't needed.

Hi decaf

I've done the VBAC thing (twice) but never tried hypnobirthing.

Just wanted to remind you that the consultant can recommend you have an epidural, but can't make you - that would be assult. What was his/her reasoning for needing such a massive intervention? Heck, they can't even give you a VE unless you consent, so you could prevent them from finding out how dilated you are.

Here are my positive stories:
With my first VBAC I was not even in the hospital at 7cm, and didn't get to the delivery suite until I was ready to push. I had the community mw assess me at home (5cm) and then she phoned ahead to the hospital to tell them I was on my way. Was hooked up to monitors as that was hospital policy, but avoided a canula (which they are supposed to put in in case your veins collapse should the unspeakable happen). Pretty easily birthed DC2 - with a bit of G&A - but was so excited that I was actually doing it all by myself I needed quite a few stitches.

With DC3 I planned a home birth (I read up extensively about the risks and made my choice). In the event it was just as well because he arrived in 1 hour 17 minutes. I was still in the bath I had got into for a spot of pain relief in early labour. I'd thought that the first VBAC was an incredible experience, but the second one was utterly, utterly amazing.

I know it's not all about the experience, but what I also know is that with the emcs I had horrid pnd and I didn't after the vbac's

I love the idea of hypnobirthing and hope it works for you. I believe that so much of giving birth is mind over matter. Sending positive birthing vibes your way.

Thanks motherofsnortpigs (love the name!). Has been a bit of an emotional day one way or another, so it's great to hear that it's possible for it to go well. I'm trying to stay focussed on it being a good experience, which I do believe it can be without a whole heap of medical intervention.

I just hate the thought of HAVING to have a canula for example, or of HAvING to have an epidural, and you're right, they can't make me at all, so I'll have to remain strong.

They wrote on my notes that I would like an epidural at 7cm. Which we didn't agree at all. They also wrote that I would consider a membrane sweep at 40 wks, again which I actually said I didn't want. I'm thinking that I am going to re-write both of those so that they more accurately reflect my wishes.

It's just that they've put the wind up me about it all I spose, with all the 'just in case' scenarios. Which I'm guessing is them covering their backs, but it doesn't sit very comfortably, and all feels a bit scary. That, and labour being an unknown quantity for me.

I'd rather have their support in how I want to birth, and to know that they'll step in if something happens that requires them to.

I might look into whether my community midwife can come and tell me how dilated I am before I cart off to hospital to avoid getting there too early, or at least to get some sort of measure of how I'm doing.

Thanks for the positive vibes - they're helping!

Why does your consultant say you have to have an epidural? Is it just in case?

You know you don't HAVE to have anything. I tried for a VBAC in a pool, having laboured to 10cm at home (the baby got stuck but never mind!) - and my very good consultant was pretty much ok with it, subject to warning me of risks etc. You can do what you want. Actually, you might want to consider staying at home as long as you can - there will be a lot less intervention if they simply don't have time!

As for hypnobirthing, I read about it a lot but didn't really manage to put any of it into practice. There can't be any harm in trying though. Being able to relax in between contractions, by whatever means, is hugely helpful IME, as is managing to "go with" the second stage contractions.

This type of rhetoric is so annoying. You don't have to do anything you do not want to do but they have a canny knack of saying what will make you comply by playing on your fears. I'd contact your HypnoBirthing teacher for additional advice on how to handle your dr. Or post on the HB UK website and practitioners will answer you directly.
Be strong and confident. nobody including your dr knows how a birth will play out on the day. He is not a prophet and cannot say what you will need in advance.

tell them to strike from your records what you do not agree to and get it noted that you are peeved about the way they are handling this and upsetting you.
good luck. you can do it.

Have you considered hiring a doula?

Im planning a vba2c (havent told my midwife this yet!) and I'm considering hiring a doula who is also a hypnobirthing specialist to help.

I can't say whether they are worth hiring or not as I have never used one before but I think they may be able to help you achieve the kind of birth you want (and not be forced into anything that is unneccessary!). This is the reason why I'm looking into using one.

Mrs Happy, yes, it's 'just in case' they need to whip me off to theatre in an emergency.

Ohmeohmy, unfortunately, I took my mum with me to the appointment (who always re-iterates what a long, difficult birth she had with me), and she has made it clear that she thinks I'd be stupid to ignore the hospital's advice. But again, this is just fear, coupled with HER experience, and I know that really she only wants the best outcome for both of us. I had to remind her I'm me, not her. I might have a 6hour labour, who can tell? Funnily enough, I also want what's best for me and the baby! But I don't want to have words put into my mouth, and if I'm coping okay, I don't want them to suddenly say right, that's it, epidural, and for that to then lead to more intervention!

Hmmm, all pretty upsetting. I'm going to chat to my HB lady tonight about it.

Angela82, I have just been thinking about a Doula, but am not sure - my husband's been very involved, and although isn't an expert is clued up and ready to fight my corner with mine and the baby's wellbeing at the top of the priority list, so I think we'd be okay, but I'm going to look into it!

I know what you mean. It's difficult because the doctors view you as a uterus waiting to explode and you are trying to rewrite history in a way and to be treated with a light touch.

Might it be possible for them to put the epidural tube in, but not to put any drugs down it unless you ask? Might be a halfway house, but I could well understand if you don't want to be fiddled with at all. I felt strongly that the safest thing for my baby and me was a vaginal delivery and that the best way to achieve that was to labour naturally but to give birth in the hospital just in case. As a result my labour was much quicker and more manageable than my first labour, even if I did have an emcs in the end!

It sounds like you are very clued up, so you might want to make a birth plan, print off lots of copies and hand them around when you get to the hospital. That way your DH can tell the staff whether you want things (and can point to the plan as evidence of your wishes as he can't make decisions for you) leaving you free to get on with labouring. I had an IM with me acting as doula and, until it all got too dramatic and the doctors took over, she was answering the NHS MW's questions (about 3rd stage, cord cutting, skin to skin etc) with my plan in her hand.

decaf im planning a vbac soon and it is strange your consultant wants to give u an epidural... can i ask u why you dont want a sweep? I said in my birth plan that i want a sweep if baby is late since i cant be induced this time around....
like you im terrified about forceps/ventouse... im doing active birth yoga and i wainting for my hypnobirthing cd to come through the post... im also looking for a good book about vbac...
mrshappy i was told during my first labour that if you do have the epidural sited then they have to start giving you drugs...

Tostaky I just mentioned it because I think my MW said she had seen it done - I guess that would depend on the anaesthetist though.

Re books one of the best IMO is "The VBAC Handbook" (can't remember who by off the top of my head) which discusses research on the subject and helps you figure out how to give yourself the best chance of success.

yes, yes, yes - definitely! I'm a doula and HypnoBirthing teacher and specialise in working with VBAC mums - it helps so much -the debriefing past birth experiences, understanding exactly why your section happened and helping you to release any fears as well as giving you back some confidence in your body. If you are anywhere near Cambs/Herts/Essex I can put you in touch with some of my past HypnoBirthing VBAC mums?

Also second the doula recommendation, naturally - I think VBAC mums really need extra support, dad's too.

Also really recommend you join the Yahoo VBAC/HBAC discussion group.

Good luck!

Sarah

Thanks for the info pregnantpeppa.

I am going to go back to my consultant to discuss everything next week, so we shall see what she says then about the whole epidural thing.

Totasky, I'm not keen to have anyone fiddling about in regard to getting labour going, and as I understand it, a membrane sweep, even though a drug free option, is nonetheless interfering with the natural birth process. The consultant wants to do it just over 39 weeks as well, so it seems a bit premature to me. I just want nature to take it's course (I blindly have faith that I'll spontaneously go into labour before being 'overdue'!).

I have a friend who's training to be a doula who's offered her help at the birth, so I think I may take her up on her offer as an extra pair of hands.

Sarah, where do I find the BAC/HBAC discussion group?

Thanks again for all your advice and thoughts.

PS have now had two Hypnobirthing sessions, which have increased my confidence that I can do it MASSIVELY!