VBAC 'guidelines' for hospital delivery - help please

[Unbuffy]

I am currently 20 weeks and starting to do that 'talking about birth' thing. My consultant appointment involved a trainee who gave me very little information outside the reading I'd already done, so I am eager for more advice.

dd was undiagnosed breech and was sectioned before I felt i had time to come to terms with this. I am desperate to have a VBAC and I am also very keen on using a birthing pool and having a certain amount of privacy and not too much intrusion. What are my chances? I am a very nervous person and tend to suffer from panic attacks and claustrophobia. I found the pn ward after dd was born a terrible experience and could not cope with having so many people in close proximity to me. How can I avoid this in an antenatal/labour situation? - I am concerned about the potential effects of this on the labour and the baby. HBAC is more or less out of the question as I live an hour from the hospital.

I have an appointment booked with the head of midwives at the hospital. How can I put my point across and will I be allowed into the 'birthing centre' rather than forced onto the ward? Any suggestions gratefully received!

I think your best bet is to listen calmly to their points, put your reasons across (write them down beforehand)
Show them that you understand the risks and tell them what you want to happen/don't want to happen and circumstances in which you will be flexible.
You don't need to beg or ask their permission.
Just tell them what you want to do.
Many women have had VBAC's on MLU's now (I've suppoprted a few) and in water, its not uncommon and whilst it may not be the obstetrician recommended protocols it is a decision you are responsible for taking.
I would suggest thinking about a Doula to support you, both in planning the birth, and in labour.
More info at-
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukvbachbac/
www.homebirth.org.uk/vbachome.htm
Good luck!
Selina x

I had VBAC waterbirth for DS3 about 3 months ago and it was lovely. The water was such a comfort and it was in a low risk ward with just one MW (the most senior one as they class it as a 'high risk birth') and DP. Managed on G&A alone cos the water so good.

For background - DS1 had been a long OP labour resulting in EMCS and DS2 has been a VBAC but wasn't pleasant as was left in reception till 8cm dilated as they thought I wasn't in labour (despite my screaming and them having to bring the G&A out to shut me up).

Consultant said no way to waterbirth for DS3 - too high risk apparently despite previous successful VBAC. Anyway antenatal yoga teacher sent me off to talk to consultant MW at the hosp and she was great - really reassuring - told me loads of women had successful VBAC waterbirths and reminded me that it was entirely my choice. I got reassurances from her as to how I would be managed and how quickly I could get to theatre should it go pear shaped.

The one thing I would say is check out the pool room you would deliver in. My 'bath' was in the bathroom of a big room but it was just a big highsided bath and the MW sat on the loo thoughout. The lights were dimmed for me but it was a small, dim area and you may not like that if you're claustrophobic.

Good luck with your choices but stand strong for what you want. After 2 badish births I was determined not to be pushed around and medicalised by consultants and I got a beautiful birth this time around - so great I would do it again tomorrow!