VBAC info/support

[chuck]

Never heard of Bishop scores either, mind you I dont think many MW's/OB's have either the anount of long failed induction stories I hear.

 

[Drazic<3]

Thanks for the support hun. I had a de-brief a few months ago, and they said they would be really supportive of my choices if I had another baby. They have just opened a VBAC centre at the hospital which they said I can visit every week if I like, she said she would support me in any choices I made (she is the risk assessment midwife, so she has a lot of sway with what happens) - for eg, a waterbirth if I wanted it and said she would offer me another de-brief nearer the time to keep my mind focused on the fact is is very likely I could achieve a VBAC. Just keeping those demons at bay!

 

[chuck]

Wow that sounds like a really supportive place to be Drazic!

 

[chuck]

Gawd I seem to have made a name for myself..I now have a local NCT co-ordinator emailing me to get advice to give to other VBAC Mummies!

 

[chele]

Welcome Drazic! Things will be different this time they always are!

Chele - start by sitting down with your birth partner and making a list of what you would like to happen and what you would not like to happen ideally.

Make that your starting point and tinker from there.

Someone else here had made their plan like this...

YES
monitoring via sonicaid
active labour
physiological third stage
delayed cord clamping
daddy to cut cord
water birth

NO
CFM
painkillers
VE's
coached pushing

This way they found it easier to make it short and snappy and cut out the waffle - a birth plan needs to be very simple and quick to read no MW has time to read a long amount of prose.

Also make a list of preferences for 'in case ofs' like in case of EMCS...what would you like to happen.

Chele are you planning a hospital or home VBAC?

Thanks Hun. Planning a hospital VBAC. I did contemplate an HBAC but my intention is to labour at home for as long as possible before going in. I also get the feeling I might go overdue with this one (was induced with PET at 37 weeks, but so far am clear of that) and so still be induced but for different reasons, and if i do get induced, I want the epi. If i go into labour on my own I want just G&A until I make a decision,

I have a few ideas jotted down and am waiting to see my MW to dscuss them, but am sure she'll be fine with them. I have my consultant appointment on Tuesday and I'm still praying I get to see the actual consultant as only he can answer my questions. Get the feeling he won't be there then I'm in the shit and will go potty x

 

[Fruitymeli]

i asked when i had a scan if i can have a water birth but they told me i cant
im kinda sad i cant because i wanted a water birth with my son also but needed a c section .
is it possible to have a water birth or is it best to go natural ?

 

[chuck]

Hope you get some answers Chele.

Fruitymeli..if you go to a hospital they have so many policies to reduce fear of litigation that it may be difficult to arrange a waterbirth...however you may be able to demand one by writing to your head of Midwifery in your area and state clearly how you want to birth and that you understand the risks of declining the CFM and cannula they recommend for a VBAC.

BUT it may happen that they cave allow you a WB and then the pool is busy.

I desperately wanted a WB for DS1...ended with EMCS and I desperately wanted HWBAC with DS2 but Hubby was a bit of a knob and said absolutely not to a pool at home grrrrr.

The only way you'll guarantee a pool is the Home birth. Water births have loads of pros to them especially if you want a natural birth - if you enjoy water then you'll labour better for sure.

If you want a hospital birth and want a WB then speak with your head of midwifery. If you really want a natural WB and arent far from a hospital go for a Homebirth!

 

[chele]

I can literally walk to my hospital which is why I contemplated an HBAC as I really want a WB.

Why do we need a canula btw?

 

[chuck]

Its a recommendation 'just in case' you need any intervention at high speed so they dont have to fuss doing one if you need it.

So in other words they want the option to intervene more quickly.

Or it's another way of making you feel uncomfortable and putting restrictions on you.

I really dont see the point, rates for VBAC are roughly the same as those for 1st time Mothers and they dont have to have one. Yes I understand that in the event of UR you will need intervention quickly but I also feel that any MW/OB worth their salt should be paying enough attention to you and allowing you to pay enough attention to your own body that you could spot early warning signs for UR and you cans tart the intervention process then when it still may not be needed but before the situation becomes an emergency.

I hate a lot of the recommendations for cannula and CFM...they all set you up to fail before you even start, even the term 'trial of labour; is condescending, as if you can opt out if you dont like it! You dont call every labour a trial do you? As if a EMCS is failing!

 

[chele]

I've already added it to my birth plan that I specifically don't want one on a just in case basis. I don't think so!!

 

[mrsraggle]

Hi guys!

I'm a VBAC hopeful. Due 26 January, so I'll be back to this thread no doubt. I'm also a very plus size lady so generally have issues getting my way in labour/birth as I encountered with my DD (refused home birth and water birth at hospital). My hospital seem so far supportive but I learned last time that it very very much depends on who you get on the day so I'm not counting my chickens yet.

 

[chuck]

Hi missus!!!

Refused a HB eh?...but this time you know better, you cannot be refused, it can recommended that you go in but you cannot be made to!!

 

[mrsraggle]

Hi missus!!!

Refused a HB eh?...but this time you know better, you cannot be refused, it can recommended that you go in but you cannot be made to!!

My plan this time is to labour for as long as possible at home, like Chele and go in if and when I need to.

My labour with Ellie was interfered with every single step of the way so I don't want that again.

I didn't realise they tried to put a canula in straight away, won't be letting that happen to me!!

 

[chele]

So here's what happened.
A VBAC I want and a VBAC I will get. He asked what I wanted to do if I got to my due date and I said induce, so he came back and said ok induction booked for November 30th, saves me having to go back at 41 weeks. Some consultants there won't induce and would just go to the section but he's happy to attempt induction and will allow more hours of syntocin than some of his other colleagues, so let's just hope he's working that day which he says he is!

Ok the bad news:
NO water birth
But even worse
Constant foetal monitoring
Which makes me even more determined to labour at home for as long as possible.

If I am induced I will immediately get the epidural when asked, that was always going to happen.
If I go into spontaneous labour, it now makes me wonder as my intention was to see how I went, but if I am CFM and strapped down, there's no point me enduring the pain when I'd be in the same physical position I'd be in without an epi iykwim?

So I NEED to go into spontaneous labour and I NEED to labour at home for as long as possible.

how do I demand not to be CFM??

 

[chuck]

Just say NO!

It cannot be forced in you.

However if you have an epi and synto the CFM is for the best.

Sorry but I'm full of cold and not firing on all cylinders...why book the induction at all?

 

[chele]

If I have the epi then I have no problems, as it's not like I can move into a position I'd want to anyway, I just don't see why I need it if I labour myself on just gas and air and I will be pointing this out to my MW next week.

He booked the induction to save me having to go back to hospital at 41 weeks, fingers crossed it won't be required at all!

 

[chuck]

Hmmm I wouldn't bother booking an induction at all if it were me.

I would opt for wait and see, have expectant management no need to induce unless there's a problem which can be picked up by monitoring - a normal pregnancy can be up to 42 weeks.

 

[klbellew]

I'm planning an HBAC with transfer if needed. I'm not sure how my DH will be during labor so I plan to labor as long as possible with him at work before I tell him I'm in labor (I know how bloody selfish of me right haha) He is all worried about what to do, but he is all for a home birth. I'm just not sure I really want anyone trying to fuss over me, but we'll see come time huh lol. Good luck to all potential VBAC'ers. YOU CAN DO IT. YOU WERE MADE FOR IT!!! Do NOT let anyone else tell you otherwise! Trust in your body and trust in your instincts.

 

[chuck]

Evening K and welcome!

I did the same I didnt let on to hubby that i was totally in labour when he had planned to go out and watch the football! I told him I'd been having cramps but wasn't sure...gotta laugh I had to call the pub to get him back, took me 3 attempts though between ctx. Why I didnt get Mum to call I do not know!

 

[Celesse]

I'm saying no to CFM if everything looks ok after half an hour on the CTG. Then will negotiate periods on and off the CTG. If the CTG isn't annoying me then I will let it stay on, but if its preventing me from mobilising or getting into a comfortable postition and baby is fine then its coming off. To me this feels like it will give me enough freedom and control. I'm discussing it with the head of labour ward prior to going in, so I don't have to decline when I'm in labour.