Hey there - trying to figure out what my rights are, going into trying to have a vbac in August...
My midwife informed me at my last appointment that it's "hospital policy" that anyone attempting vbac has to be on constant fetal monitoring. I don't feel like this is necessary, especially because my previous cesarean was due to the baby's positioning. I don't object to periodic monitoring, but the midwife says that I won't be permitted to use the whirlpool tub because of the constant fetal monitoring required. I want to have the tub option - with ds it helped immensely with labor (I was fully dilated without meds before I had the cesarean). I suppose if there is no other option and it's the safest thing to do, I'll go along with the monitoring, but am I really required to? And will it really make things much safer than just checking the baby every 30 minutes or so? My midwife for ds had me sit up in the tub every 30 minutes to check the baby, and it didn't seem like a huge problem or anything...
Anyway, opinions?
My midwife informed me at my last appointment that it's "hospital policy" that anyone attempting vbac has to be on constant fetal monitoring. I don't feel like this is necessary, especially because my previous cesarean was due to the baby's positioning. I don't object to periodic monitoring, but the midwife says that I won't be permitted to use the whirlpool tub because of the constant fetal monitoring required. I want to have the tub option - with ds it helped immensely with labor (I was fully dilated without meds before I had the cesarean). I suppose if there is no other option and it's the safest thing to do, I'll go along with the monitoring, but am I really required to? And will it really make things much safer than just checking the baby every 30 minutes or so? My midwife for ds had me sit up in the tub every 30 minutes to check the baby, and it didn't seem like a huge problem or anything...
Anyway, opinions?