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Original poster

Anyone had a VBAC at the Royal Sussex?

17 replies

Mammina · 04/02/2009 08:45

Just wanting to know people's experiences really - were you strapped to the bed the whole time or did you get to move around/ use the pool (IS there a pool at the RSH?)
Thanks

OP posts:
Dubh · 08/02/2009 10:27

Hi Migola, anecdotally they have a really high CS rate at the Royal Sussex. Make of that what you will. I was the only person to have a non-surgical birth out of the 6 women who passed through the postnatal ward during my stay.

They have a pool, but it's a very busy unit.

Independent Midwives are an option, but it's quite expensive.

interstella71 · 09/02/2009 11:26

Hi Migola,

they will want to monitor you all of the time (although the risks are very low) so I dont think you will be able to use the pool or move around much (unless things have changed very recently)
I would suggest that if you want an VBAC you need to be very, very assertive and sure of yourself and tell them to back off or go for an independent midwife as Dubh suggested.

Good luck with it all

Original poster
Mammina · 15/02/2009 23:08

thanks - sorry for late reply have been away. Independent midwife not an option, do you think a doula would help? The thought of being strapped to a bed fills me with horror - I know they need to monitor but surely lying down on a bed is the most difficult way to give birth?!

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Ronaldinhio · 15/02/2009 23:16

Migola

I had two c/s at Royal Sussex

Sorry not to have been of more help and good luck

Original poster
Mammina · 16/02/2009 09:22

thanks ronaldinhio, was the second one after an attempted VBAC? what was your experience like?

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interstella71 · 17/02/2009 23:35

You dont need to lie down on your back to be monitored, but you cant walk around. Maybe having an advocate like a Doula would help... Perhaps you should do some research into VBAC and find out what monitoring they can do (with the handheld monitor) and then tell them what you want them to do ... Perhaps it would be worthwhile seeing one of the consultants and discussing your fears.

I had a VBAC but employed an independent midwife at home. Everything went well except for a tear. I was a bit nervous towards the end of the labour as I was aware of the (miniscule) risks. She kept a very close eye on me and regularly used the portable sonic aid to record the babys heart beat. I didnt move around much at the end, but kept trying different positions.

good luck

turtle23 · 18/02/2009 07:34

You do not "have to" do anything. I'm only a trainee doula and too far away to help in person, but if you would like to chat I'd be happy to help.
info at sarahhopewell dot co dot uk

Original poster
Mammina · 18/02/2009 15:29

thank you both. I agree that I need to do some more research on this - have a few months to go yet so have time!
turtle thanks for the offer of a chat, I'll do some research first and may get back to you with some questions.
thanks again

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pinkmama · 25/02/2009 10:47

Hi Migola

I had a VBAC at RSH. I moved to brighton when I was 32 weeks pregnant. My consultant in York was not prepared to let me try for a VBAC at all. I found the ones at Brighton very different. I was told I would have to be constantly monitored and this terrified me, as I firmly believe it was being strapped down with my first labour that started a catalogue of disasters. However, when I went into labour, my midwife at the RSH was fantastic, and let me move around as much as I needed. It was a very quick labour, so not sure if that made a difference, and at the final stages I had a lot of people in the room, but I got there and it was much better than I had wound myself up about.

Good luck x

Original poster
Mammina · 25/02/2009 14:32

thanks pinkmama. were they ok with you going on their books at 32 weeks (this could well be the same for me)?

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pinkmama · 27/02/2009 13:05

Yes they were fine. I don't think they had a lot of choice really. Not a great time to move from one end of the country to the other, but we didnt have much choice because of dh's job.

In york i was looking at a battle for a VBAC, but my first appointment in Brighton they asked me why I wanted a section and not to try for labour, when I explained thats what I had wanted all along they were fine. Mostly supportive, think I saw one consultant who was a bit more negative. Obviously had to go through all the risks involved. The last consultant I saw wished me the birth that I hoped for, which I thought was rather lovely.

Original poster
Mammina · 28/02/2009 10:11

sounds promising, thanks

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babymt · 16/03/2009 14:30

Hiya. I have a VBAC at the RSCH in 2006. They wanted to have me on constant monitoring, use time restraints, put a canula in, break my waters, etc etc etc.

And I just refused. Its perfectly up to you to refuse to do anything you don't want to do! Ok I got a bit of a rep as being a pain in the arse but at the end of the day I acheived the one thing I wanted which was a hassle free (bar ventouse but thats another story) natural birth after cs.

I'm happy to chat about this if you want to email me melissabendall at hot mail dot com

I used to help out with the local NCT VBAC group but thats folded now unfortunately.

babymt · 16/03/2009 14:42

Oh and they have one pool and refused to let me use it. I couldn't be bothered to argue at the time.

I'm planning a HWBAC for baby no 3 due in 6 weeks time. Using an IM rather than going back to the RSCH or PRH

Original poster
Mammina · 20/03/2009 15:15

thanks babymt, I think I just need to be tough and make sure that DH is firm with them too in case I'm not in the right state of mind to be assertive
am also very impressed that you're having a HWBAC this time. Do you mind me asking roughly what an IM costs?

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babymt · 25/03/2009 10:08

Hi sorry I didn't see your reply until now.

My IM is costing £3000. Others around cost between £2250 to about £3500. There are loads around us here so it seemed like alot of choice but when push can to shove I only really liked 2 of them who were available so it made my decision easy!

When are you due?

Original poster
Mammina · 26/03/2009 08:43

'when push comes to shove' - good pun!
not due til the end of july so a while to go yet..

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