Water birth after CS?

[kaymondo]

Just wondering whether anyone has managed to achieve this?
I had an EMCS with DS after a failed induction but hoping for VBAC this time round. I really want to avoid continuous monitoring and would love to try for a water birth, but know the chances of being allowed are fairly minimal. I've got to see the consultant next week to talk through my birth options and will raise it with them then. My midwife seems to think it is very unlikely they will agree, but said that some are getting a bit more open minded so was hoping some of you might have some positive stories, or arguments i can put forward when i see them next week.

Thanks!

There is no such thing as not allowed. If it is what you want then tell them that is what you will be doing. Read up on your situation and be armed with research. They will make noises about uterine rupture and continuos monitoring etc etc. But if you research these topics you will be informed and educated and be able to make an informed choice.

I have had two water births at home after a section and they were both amazing births. Good luck

will be watching this thread with interest as I'm in a similar position. I'm planning/hoping to have VBAC want to avoid continuous foetal monitoring because I remember what the monitoring was like from my first labour and what a pain it was that I couldn't move around and stay active.

Am expecting a fight on my hands though as it sounds like they tend to refer to CFM to monitor the chance of a rupture, even though said chance is very small

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt wow, well done! I recently started a thread on here saying AIBU to consider a VBAC homebirth and got totally flamed

May I suggest you join the Yahoo VBAC group? You'll get lots of helpful advice and support from there (as well as here!)

My personal experience was that it depended which hospital you booked with. The first hospital seemed pretty anti-VBAC, so I changed hospitals at 20-something weeks. The second hospital were much more open minded, really pro-VBAC, and open to considering each person's situation on it's merits. They have offered me a VBAC this time, even though I have 2 previous EMCS.

We had a Doula for DD2's birth, and she told me that the risk of rupture for a first time VBAC is the same as for a first time vaginal birth (I assume she was right about this, but haven't checked it out for myself).

To get the best idea of how the hospital will react to requests for VBAC, I'd recommend asking for an appointment with the VBAC midwife - they sometimes have a more open and progressive view to the consultants! BTW, if you are anywhere near me, the hospital I went to is Warwick, and their VBAC midwife is amazing.

Good luck.

Bibbo - I would suggest you read up on foetal monitoring as I believe that is has been proved that it is not as accurate as you are lead to believe. Sorry, I don't have a link but I think it would interesting reading if you can find out more.

IMO continuous foetal monitoring is lazy monitoring, the over worked HCP's use a machine to do the job they themselves should be doing (if they had the time). There are warning signs of uterine rupture. Scar pain, raised bp and resp rate etc. So if a MW is checking your bp, resp. rate and the foetal heart rate say every 30 minutes, they may be able to pick up on any problems.

When you speak with a Consultant make sure that they know you are aware of the risks and that you are informed. If they 'insist' on CFM, then smile nicely and say that you will not be consenting to that, however you are happy for BP, resp rate etc to be taken every 30 minutes by a MW.

The NHS VBAC leaflet our hospital gives out actually states that there's no good evidence for improved outcomes with continuous fetal monitoring vs intermittent. Plus they just bought some wireless waterproof CTG monitors for use in the pool for just such an occasion!

iliketomoveit that's fantastic! I couldn't myself because of my own personal and skewed paranoias about uterine rupture but it makes me happy other people have such success.

Thanks for your responses everyone. Will def check out the yahoo vbac group and make sure i'm fully armed with the facts before my consultant's appt next week!