Consultants appointment today now confused?

[butterscotch]

I just got back from my consultants appointment scratch

I was referred because of the two cord vessel I had in my last pregnancy and possible implications from last pregnancy midwife wasn't sure if it would happen again/hereditary etc...

MY DD was fine 6lb 6oz and a walking talking toddler!

Also because of my "traumatic" birth experience......waters broke on Wed 5am didn't have dd till just after midnight on the Sat! I had ventouse and forceps delivery in the end, I was prep'd for a section but as her head was there went ahead with ventouse then when that failed forceps!!!

So we go through the stuff la la la but when I say about my last birth and I want to avoid the same happening again, the consultant offers me a C-Section? Now I thought they were supposed to be limiting/reducing these?

I went onto explain I was hoping to try Hypno birth (he had never heard of?) and not to have intervention? so he has said he'll see me again at 36 weeks to discuss incase I change my mind

Now I'm a bit Confused Part of me thinks shall I bother to fork out £200 odd squid for a hypno birth course or just take the c-section

It's normal to not make definate plans for the birth with the hospital until 34-36 weeks because at your stage now so much is unknown and people do change their minds - both ways. I think you should do the course because even if you then decide a c-section is best for your health and the baby you will still be able to use the techniques as you prepare for the section - or in early labour if you start contracting before the c-section date. I don't think there was anything wrong with him offering you a section tbh. It is the only sure way to avoid forceps etc - but it is a medicalised birth. If circumstances permitting you want a 'natural' delivery then line up your reasons and push for it but doing that won't as you know guranteee it will be ok on the day. Likewise a c-section doesn't rule out complivations. It's really hard to know - which is why you should just chill for now, do your course and see whats what in 20 weeks time or so.

Thanks Northernlurker having read some of the CB stories I think I am going to try natural but birthing plan to say no instrumental! All things if being well I hope I get a smooth natural birth i've had a rough pregnancy this time (really sick) so hopefully that means a chilled birth and a baby that sleeps!!!

Just to echo NorthernLurker on the hypnobirthing point - I am 37 weeks pregnant for the first time (hence can't give you any good advice on the c-section) but just wanted to generally say the hypnobirthing course could still prove useful no matter what path your birth takes.

I did the course a few weeks ago and although I'm keeping an open mind about pain relief (have no idea of what to expect so am not going to beat myself up if I end up wanting an epidural) I definitely feel a lot less afraid and feel it will help me to keep calm no matter what happens.

If £200 is too much you could buy the Marie Mongan book off Amazon and start listening to the CD and practising the relaxation exercises.

The chapter on the physiological effects of fear on birthing convinced me it could help because it made so much sense (previously I would have been the type to be dismissive of anything I suspected of being 'new age' but the way in which the mind can encourage the good pain relieving endorphins is what I will be focusing on when my time comes!) Good luck with whatever you decide (and with getting a chilled baby! Am hoping for one of those too!)

Thanks ViveLeCliche I've spoken to a friend who is going to lend me her hypno birth book and cd so I'll give it a try nowt to lose! I was just a bit [shocked] i guess!

With my DD I had gas and air, pethadine, epidural and spinal block everything except a general!

I'd have pethadine again but I'd like to avoid an epidural or spinal block if poss they were fine but I hated the lack of mobility afterwards....

Good luck only 3 weeks till due date! how exciting!

Butterscotch - can i ask if they said anything about the 2 vessels in the cord? Same happened with my DS and no-ones mentioned anything re: this pregnancy.

They did a quick scan (more detailed will be at 20 week) he said it appears to be in tact this time!!

He didn't say you can get it again or that you can't however he did say they are a lot more common that they used to be as scanning is getting more accurate and they are able to spot however they often don't refer you for a growth scan these days if you have a 2cord vessel as so many people have them these days!

Thank you - i've just had 20 weeks scan and they never mentioned it (and i forgot to ask - i was just so pleased everything is looking ok). We only found out DS had it when he was born. Will ask at my next appointment in 8 weeks.

Good luck with the hypno birthing...i wanted to do that with DD but she was breech so got a section ....

Do the hypno, even if you end up having a c-section it is really useful for relaxing during your pregnancy and I am convinced that one of the reasons DS is as chilled as he is/was is because of all the lovely happy feelings that the hypnobirthing practice had me feeling.

Anything that can help you to chill out and enjoy your pregnancy is a plus IMO.