Seeking Obst for VBAC for North Brisbane

[Savannahsmummy]

Hello. This is the first thread I have posted so I look forward to communicating with you.

My husband and I have a beautiful 7.5 month baby girl. I delivered her by c section that was booked in at 38 weeks as per the advise of my obst. I was told by Dr Terry Shennan that I was unable to deliver naturally. I really did not want to have a c-section birth. The baby was posterior facing, i apparantly have a tilted pelvis and at 38 weeks still hadn't dropped at all into the birth canal. I was told that if I go into labour the baby would still not be able to born naturally and would end up in fetal distress and an emergency c-section.

We wanted to avoid that at all costs and we had a happy birth that felt quite unclinical much to our surprise. The staff at north west private where great and the care I received was awesome.

I would like to try and have the next baby naturally but am wanting some advice on what obst comes highly recommended.

Dr Shennan was great on the day but I found his beside manner to be unpersonal and every visit felt very rushed. I didn't have things explained well and on the day that my daughter was born, he was performing 9 c-sections. His reputation is too be very caesar happy and I would at least like to have the option to try naturally next time.

Can anyone recommend a great obst that supports vbac and if not at north west which other hospital does he work from?

Also has anyone have any feed back on the redcliffe hospital as a public or private patient?

Thank you
Tracey

[~Emmylou~]

Hi Tracey

PM'd you a couple of ideas.
You'd probably be better off steering clear of private OB's as most of them will tell you they're willing to "let you try" a vbac and will find all manner of reasons to talk you out of it as the time draws closer. Most of the OB's that work out of Northwest and the Wesley definitely fall into this category.
OB's are surgeons - they're trained to intervene. If you want a vbac your best bet would be to go with midwifery care in a public hospital generally.
All the best :)

[Savannahsmummy]

Thank you for your feedback. I think I will look into the public care system available to us.

Noticed that you have children 2 and 8 months.... do you mind telling me how you find the age gap and having them close together? We are planning on a similar gap and are curious as to people's experiences.

Thank you

[BeccaMum]

Hi there,

I'm due to give birth at North West in 5 weeks (yeah!) and my obstetrician, Chris Price, is happy for me to try for a VBAC. My first son was born e.c. because his head was way too big to fit through and I just didn't dialate despite my waters breaking quite early. Chris said he was happy for me to go VBAC given I'd gone into labour naturally and had a small baby (6lb 11oz or around 3 kg). As long as I progress (i.e. dialate), he'll let me keep on going. He's got a fairly dry sense of humour but I like him.

[~Emmylou~]

Noticed that you have children 2 and 8 months.... do you mind telling me how you find the age gap and having them close together? We are planning on a similar gap and are curious as to people's experiences.




hi again :)

To be honest I had a really hard time with the age gap at first - DD had just turned two the month before DS was born and she was right at the peak of her "terrible two" behaviour - she wasn't talking well yet and the tantrums were just unbelievable around the time DS arrived. With the sleep deprivation of a newborn and her screaming at me all day long I seriously thought I was going mad. I wondered what the heck we were thinking.

But then when #2 was around 3 or 4 months old things really turned a corner. I was getting more sleep and DD's speech began to improve tremendously so she got much better at telling us what she wanted so the tantrums improved alot.

Now DS is 9 months old and DD almost three, and they're just so wonderful together. She dotes on him and he spends all day watching her antics and you can tell he just can't wait to join in - he absolutely idolises her. It's great.

So yeah it was hard at first but now I'm so glad we spaced them the way we did.
Good luck TTC! :D

[moreboys]

hi just wanted to also agree chris price is fantastic and very supportive if you want a vbac. he works with what you want.

[KathrynB]

I have had both of my girls with Dr Tuicolo via C/s due to medical problem, however, I do know that he is very supportive of VBAC as I referred a girlfriend to him for that very reason and she was really happy with him.

He has a great bedside manner and his fees are generally more reasonable than other OB's at NWPH.

I think he has just moved into a permanent office at NWPH (he formerly had 2 - 1 at The Gap and 1 at North West).

[CJandMum]

Hi,
I gave birth to my DD in February and my OB was Dr. John Howland. He was great but unfortunately I was dealt the same cards. Pelvis too small, baby's head was too big. I don't know if I'll go with him again though. He didn't force me to book my c-section but I made the decision many weeks later after I had considered my options. Long labour and end up with a c/s anyways, or just book it and save myself the drama. Now I wish I would have just let my body decide.. since I only had a 2.85kgs baby. I'm also looking to have a vbac for the next baby (when we conceive again..lol) and hopefully things will turn out better. I enjoyed my experience and have no regrets because I have a beautiful baby girl as a result.. I am truly blessed!

[bpato]

Hi

I am having bub in 2 weeks with Chris Price. Although we have chosen another c/s, Chris was very much for me trying to have a natural birth this time.

Belinda

[Annamum]

I also had Dr Tuiocolo at NWPH I think he is keener for a VBAC than I am :)

Very relaxed manner and a lot of Fun (is this the time for fun) my DH loved him too!!!!