Joined up thinking from hospital re VBAC appointment!

[Noodledoodledoo]

I just need to rant and can't do it in real life as am still not public with pregnancy!

I had a C-section for my first child, non emergency but not planned.

I have therefore got to have a VBAC appointment to discuss this pregnancy which I do not have an issue with, am also requesting a meeting with the birth reflections team at the hospital to discuss first labour to see if there was anything that could be prevented/avoided re occuring.

All VBAC classes (which are up to 1 and half hours) are held at 6pm. No other times available, and on one day a week!

It is not appropriate to take daughter with me and they request partner to also attend. So I now have a major childcare issue! Nursery is out as they close at 6 (and is also a day she doesn't attend anyway), asking one of the nursery workers is also out as I will need to leave home by 5:15 to get to the appointment with traffic and parking issues and they are all still at work. I have used babysitters in the past but only after she has been put to bed, she will still be up and need to be put to bed during this time. The only people who have done a bedtime for me are family who are all at work or (and I think this is going to be my only option) my dad who lives 250 miles away and has never done bed time, although won't be phased but will have to come and stay etc.

Arghhhhh - and its something I can't sort out/plan for another 4 weeks as my scan date isn't till the 20th of Jan and we aren't telling anyone prior to that!

Just love the fact the hospital seem to ignore the fact there will be another child for all involved and book the appointments for bang on most kids bedtime kind of time!!

Bluntly then, you cannot attend this appointment so they either give you the information as handouts for you to take away or they combine the information into another appointment at a more convenient time. You can't be the olny person who couldn't make this time slot.

You'd have thought that almost everyone who is having a vbac will have child care considerations. At that 6pm is a crap time for anyone who works or has small children. I'd ask DH to take a half day to look after dd and go alone. Do you even want a vbac?

Your consultant will discuss VBAC with you and you can always go to the class on your own if need be.

Our trust has cancelled them completely so at least yours still offer them. They've even got rid of the specialist VBAC midwife.

You can also book private VBAC consultations with a company called the wise Hippo birthing company. Someone recommended them to me and I was going to book one but recently found out I'm going to have to have another section unfortunately so haven't needed to book. I think they come to your house when it's convenient so that could be an option.

Consultant won't see me or discuss birth options till I attend! Will discuss it with midwife and ante natal clinic at hospital to see how they propose it working! Just wish they could use a bit of logic in the planning of such things!

Will be following it up with PALS if necessary just frustrating!

Ah that's silly that the consultant won't see you first! Hopefully the midwife can help sort it out. Good luck!

Other option is go alone which isn't an issue but the recommend partner is involved as well! I am open to a VBAC currently it wasn't a traumatic first birth just long and a tricky large baby. As I said I may change my mind after discussion with birth reflections team!