So upset.... :'(

[Brandnewbeginnings]

Just got back from my hospital appt. I have had a medical condition called IC for a little over 15 years. My GP who has seen me for many of these years advised that having a C section would be better having a vaginal birth - as i agreed also due to the condition my bladder is in. I spoke to this doctor at the hospital ( mind you was my first appt there ) and he has said " He "thinks" having a vaginal birth would case my bladder any more trauma" I told him that i want to elect to have one as my bladder will not cope after if i were to have a vaginal birth. I have had depression over this condition and i just would not cope with a newborn afterwards if my bladder were to be any more damaged. I have had 3 operations on my bladder, and before i fell pregnant it was at a stage where i could live a normal life, now that i am pregnant my IC has flarred up 100% and giving me MASSIVE amounts of pain everyday. :'( This doctor could not back up his evidence on whether or not labour actually does and can damage your bladder a little. He is just " assuming " it will cause me no problem. Which i do not agree. I have lived with this condition for over 15 years, i even have trouble making love to my partner sometimes as it hurts and the pain is coming from my bladder. Anyway. This doctor has sent me on my merry way with a pamflet and asked me to come back to see him in 2 weeks time, while he gathers information about IC and Birth. He said he is going to try and find reports that a vaginal birth will not cause an ICer's bladder to be any more damaged. I then asked him if he has ever had a patient that has had IC and given birth naturally, and he said No. I am so so devastated that he will not allow me to have a c section even though my GP has written to him saying i have this medical condition and have had it for years.. I have been sobbing and sobbing for over an hour. My dp and i cant really afford to go private, but i am thinking that it will be my only option as the risk is far to greater for me. I cant just take the risk and try naturally because if i do, and it does damage my bladder more i honestly do not know what im going to do or how i am going to cope with severe IC and a newborn baby... I am shattered, that he pretty much has just shut me down and then sent me on my merry way.. What am i suppose to do??? :'(

[SassyMummy]

Is it possible to request to see a different OB?

I know you're going public, but it's worth asking anyway...

You could also get yourself a doula - someone to be in your corner when nobody else is. You should be able to get a c-sec in a public hospital "just because," so given that you've got a valid reason to request a caesarean, you should be able to push and stand firm that you would prefer a caesarean, and get that.

Do you have a specialist you see for your condition? It might be worth contacting them and speaking about birth and IC with them and see what they have to say. They may be able to forward information to your doctor too.

Best of luck, and sorry you're going through this.

[Hokey Pokey]

Just because you are public does not mean you don't have a right to opting for a csection!!!

[Brandnewbeginnings]

Thankyou for the reply. I am honestly so upset.. I havent sobbed like this for a very long time. I am just so stressed now...

That's a good idea about seeing a different doctor, but i am not sure that i could request to see a different person as its the public hospital? I am not sure, this is my first baby so ive never had to deal with the doctors here. By the way im in QLD, and this hospital i am at is logan. This doctor i saw pretty much was just shutting me down and saying he "thinks" that vaginal birth shouldnt cause my already damaged bladder any more damage.. Nothing he say's is backed up with evidence. He is just assuming that i won't.

I dont see a specialist, but i reguarly see my GP, but he has already written to the hospital saying i have this condition. I am seeing my GP tomorrow morning, and i will no doubt burst into tears in his office, i have non stop been crying. I am just so stressed and worried now. And i feel like its so easy for this doctor to just shut me down and say " you should have a vaginal birth" when he has never lived with IC before. Its an absolute debiltating condition and i never want to end up with depression again because of it, and im so afraid i will if they make me have a viginal birth.

I really appreciate your advice, thankyou. x

[Hokey Pokey]

You will get your csection

[Gothel]

At least he is going to read up on it for you, its not entirely hopeless tho it might feel like that now. Arm yourself with what information you can find and go into the next appointment as calmly as you can. If after that he still will not budge, and you still really want the c-section, i would take it further.

Poor you being in such pain

[TripleTime]

Only thing I can see with having a csection, is that that your bladder is moved around a bit.

Fight your hardest to get the birth YOU want.

[Brandnewbeginnings]

You will get your csection

I hope so hokey pokey, i really am praying.

[kriista]

At Logan you will see a different doctor at every appointment... Try not to stress out..

[CheekyMonkey1]

It sounds like he isn't listening to you at all. I would do your own research too about IC & birth and take that to your next appointment. Also perhaps a new letter from your GP about the stress & worried about the depression returning might help. Public or private you have a right to choose particularly if you have a medical condition. Good luck!