VBAC2 - Support Needed

[Rosebudsofmay]

Hi,
I'm due on the 1/10 and really want a VBAC2. Thought I had a really supportive OB, until the receptionist advised I have been penciled in for a ceasar on 22/9...

Was gob smacked.

I know the doc is going on hols on 9/10, but want the best chance of VBAC. He has previously suggested induction on due date. Reckons doesn't lesson chances any less then 1st time mum.

Anyway I really really don't want induction or ceasar....

Booked into North West Private at Everton Park Qld....

Any suggestions.

Was thinking trainee doula as can't affort fully trained.... are they hard to find?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ta
Kylie

[QTB]

:eek::eek: omg! i cant believe they booked you in for a ceaser!

i know of a fantastic trainee doula, im happy to pass on her details if you like? or you can send me yours and ill pass them on to her?

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Swap OB's NOW!

He is clearly not supportive as he would have had to authorise you being booked in for a c-sec.

They CANNOT make you have a c-sec (scheduled or not) if you don't want one.
Induction for natural birth or VBAC is pretty much condemnation for a c-sec again.

You will need to do AS MUCH AS YOU CAN to not be induced. If you are induced, you are MUCH less likely to be able to cope with a VBAC.

You can definitely give it a damn good go. But you really need to get your carers behind you. You might need to push for it (don't be shy about your wishes) but it will be worth it.

Tell them to keep their hands off you.

If he is just wanting to induce or schedule you because of his holiday...
Well that says it all.

This guy might just be another one in it for the money, not the people.

[~Emmylou~]

RUN!

Your chances of a vbac, let alone one after 2 caesareans are bugger all with an obs like that, in that hospital. NWP has one of the worst caesarean rates in Brisbane.

This happens constantly. OB makes all the right noises about vbac, until you get to the end and the rug is pulled.

This is why it's important to find out what their rates for successful vbac (not attempted vbac...or vba2c in this case) are, rather than just take their word for it that what they say is what they'll do.

Anyway. Get a doula by all means but please realise that she is not going to be able to make much difference with an obstetrician who has already decided you will be having a caesarean before you even get to the starting gate. And with respect to training doulas, this is not the sort of scenario that someone without much experience under their belt will be well equipped to help with. Someone who has supported vbac's before and has experience with this sort of scenario is a much better bet.

I'm not going to sugar coat it. I will guarantee you that you will not have a vbac if you stay with this obstetrician. He has booked you for a caesar nearly 2 weeks before you are even due. He has no intention of seeing you vbac. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, if he ever planned to give you a shot he would at least wait until your due date or later before booking you for surgery behind your back.

You have some tough decisions to make. But if you truly want a vbac find yourself some good support and get some help to find out your options. It's never too late to change carers and/or hospitals so don't let that put you off. When it comes to vbac all hospitals are not equal - and your chances will be significantly improved by making a few simple changes...in a nutshell you can:

- Ditch this obstetrician immediately and book yourself into a public hospital. These have the highest rates of vbac.
- Get an experienced doula who has supported vbac'ing mothers (invest the money that you will save from not using the private hospital ;) )
- Stay home for as long as you can during labour

These three things alone will take you from having next to no chance to pretty decent odds.

And how bl00dy outrageous that he would "pencil you in" for surgery without even discussing it with you first - leaving you to find out by accident from his receptionist!!! That is an outrage, and it tells you exactly who this man believes is making all the decisions regarding your birth - and it's not you.

What he's done is really inexcusable :(

ETA: You might want to ask a mod to move this thread - it's in a bit of an odd area to get appropriate responses :)

[Roopee]

Oh goodness- how rude of him and not to mention irresponsible.
Clearly, your OB is NOT supportive of your choice of VBA2C- pretty soon i'm guessing your going to hear the 'small pelvis' or 'big baby' spiel- it is designed to instill fear into you, make you question your choices and make you 'chose' a c/section.

It may be too late now to get another OB but try your public hospital.

If you DO get the 'big baby small pelvis' chat please bear in mind that your pelvis now is not what it will be in labor, and there really is no exact way of telling how big your baby is inutero. I recently supported a VBAC mum who delivered an 11pd baby vaginally.

[daisy1984]

When I was nearing ther end of my pregnancy, I suspected my ob was rather caeser happy. I thought about ditching him, but didn't, for a whole range of stupid reasons. I stayed because I'd already spent all that money with him, I didn't want to offend him, I thought I was obliged to stay, I didn't know I had a choice in the matter really. Biggest mistake of my life.

This will be a very important event in your life, but you are just another paying customer to your ob. He probably doesn't care all that much about you feel about all this. I'd urge you to cancle all your care with him. Or just never go back. He doesn't own you. You can still choose to birth at a public hospital at a very late stage.

My ob was talking c-sections when I was 38 weeks because my baby hadn't engaged. I was perfectly healthy and this was my first pregnancy. The alarm bells were ringing, but I walked straight into it, and of course I ended up with a c-section.

All the signs are pointing to a surgical outcome here, but you can easily change that. Birth this baby on your terms. Get rid of your ob.

Best of luck.

[Rosebudsofmay]

Thanks for the support and info.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my OB so will question what his intent is and go from there. Will have to make myself very clear on what I want... NO CEASAR if possible.

He has been fantastic up to this point.... Constantly encouraging etc. So very confused and disappointed....

Didn't realise I put this in the wrong area - 1st time user - sorry!

Thanks!

[MelissafromSyd]

Kylie,
I don';t know the hospital or the obstetrician, but I do know that induction is a really bad idea with a VBAC. It increases the risk of a uterine rupture and this can be disastrous for mother and baby.

If you want t VBA2C in the hospital systsm, you're best to get some professional support from an independent midwife and maybe have a doula with you for the birth who is really well aware of your birth plan. You will probably need a midwife to help you antenatally when you're dealing with your OB - she can help sort out the good info from the down-right dangerous stuff. Plus give second opinions :)

That's horrendous that they've "pencilled" you in for a CS!!!!!

Hope it all works out for you. If you can't afford a doula or independent midwife, I have a suggestion .... take it with a grain of salt ... what about going public (this is free) and ceasing to employ the services of your OB? This will free up some money for a midwife and doula.

Cheers,
Melissa.

[fiveofus]

Hi Kylie,

I am also due at NWP at about the same time as you!!! I just don't understand why your ob would do that just because he is going on hols! My ob is part of a group or team and if he is on hols another one of the obs will be there. This is my 3rd through the same ob at NWP and he has never mentioned a caesarean or induction. My friend had the same ob and he was on hols for her DS1 and another ob delivered him with never a mention of a caesarean!

I think the biggest thing is that you found out from the secretary!!!

Hope you have to see you at the hospital after a VBAC.

Cheers,

Bec

[Jender]

Yes, most OBS have others they call on if they are not around although my OB won't take anyone on if he knows he will be on holidays and he plans his well in advance

And definitely NO to induction - first thing my OB said to me when we talked about VBAC is that you will have to go into labour on your own.

[Josh]

What are the reasons for your 2 c/s's, maybe the same problem will be present this pregnancy, without sounding harsh, you must remember that your uterus has been cut open twice, and there are all sorts of problems associated with this, maybe you could have a trial of labour and see how you go, keeping your options open, all that matters is the health of you and your bub, dont risk it.:no:

[Rosebudsofmay]

Hi Jazzah,

1st ceasar was because OB reckoned bub was to big so wouldn't go into labour..... bub was only 7pds 14oz at 1 week OD.
2nd was - once a ceasar always a ceasar and I was to young and silly to question my OB - had complete faith.

Done my research this time :),

Had appt with OB yesterday and he said he only "pencilled me in" as he is going on hols and he thought I may want to ensure that he was there at the birth.... but all fine with trial of labour.

He does seem very supportive (except for that issue) and said 2/3 of his VBAC patients are successful.....

so fingers X'd

[Josh]

Hi Jazzah,

1st ceasar was because OB reckoned bub was to big so wouldn't go into labour..... bub was only 7pds 14oz at 1 week OD.
2nd was - once a ceasar always a ceasar and I was to young and silly to question my OB - had complete faith.

Done my research this time :),

Had appt with OB yesterday and he said he only "pencilled me in" as he is going on hols and he thought I may want to ensure that he was there at the birth.... but all fine with trial of labour.

He does seem very supportive (except for that issue) and said 2/3 of his VBAC patients are successful.....

so fingers X'd

I hope everything works out for you, and let us know how your labour/birth goes, I am curious because I have had 2 ceasareans, but I have also had 8 vaginal births, you should of had a VBAC second time round, thats a bit strange that they didn't offer you this, but any way personally for myself I will only have caesars from now on, I would not want that dreaded scar to rupture.