Anchorage/ Mat-Su VBAC Advice - Page 2

[mtn.mama]

PMing you...
Lisa

[treetop]

Originally Posted by roadfamily6now

I'm sorry your first pick OB will be gone. Hopefully this other one is good too.

Maybe we can have a Anchortown GTG when you are here??

That would be fun! Let me figure out my schedule and I will get back to you! :

[Millicent]

Barb Norton, CNM of (Geneva Woods Birthing Center) does a limited number of VBACs in the hospital. You might want to see if she can take you. She is not your typical CNM (medically minded). Most of her work is in a out of hospital birthing center and she employs a CDM for homebirths. But don't mention the HBAC or UA. Because she is an ambassador for homebirth to the medical community, she is very conservative in regards to following the state regulations and everyone practicing in an ultra safe manner.

[MTAK]

Alex,
I just found your thread, and I am in a similar situation. I am curious how things turned out. Also does anyone know if there is an active VBAC group in Anchorage and how I can get in touch.
Thanks!

[treetop]

I ended up traveling to the Valley 4 wks before my due date. Dr. Elrod was my doctor and I had a wonderful VBAC at Mat-Su Regional hospital! My son was 9 lbs 1 oz. and his head was transverse. Luckily, the Dr. was able to identify this and turn his head (interestingly enough my dd head was turned and ended up in a c/s). Also, the nurses at the hospital were amazing! Basically, they told me they would leave me alone unless I needed them. I highly recommend the Dr. and hospital. I do not know of any VBAC groups in Anchorage...you could always start one! Maybe get in touch with the Alaska Birthing Network.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by treetop

I ended up traveling to the Valley 4 wks before my due date. Dr. Elrod was my doctor and I had a wonderful VBAC at Mat-Su Regional hospital! My son was 9 lbs 1 oz. and his head was transverse. Luckily, the Dr. was able to identify this and turn his head (interestingly enough my dd head was turned and ended up in a c/s). Also, the nurses at the hospital were amazing! Basically, they told me they would leave me alone unless I needed them. I highly recommend the Dr. and hospital. I do not know of any VBAC groups in Anchorage...you could always start one! Maybe get in touch with the Alaska Birthing Network.

yeah!! Alex, I have been waiting for your update! So awesome!
Congrats.

please fill out the BIRTH SURVEY when you have a free 20 minutes! www.thebirthsurvey.org

[elvispupy]

Originally Posted by treetop

I ended up traveling to the Valley 4 wks before my due date. Dr. Elrod was my doctor and I had a wonderful VBAC at Mat-Su Regional hospital! My son was 9 lbs 1 oz. and his head was transverse. Luckily, the Dr. was able to identify this and turn his head (interestingly enough my dd head was turned and ended up in a c/s). Also, the nurses at the hospital were amazing! Basically, they told me they would leave me alone unless I needed them. I highly recommend the Dr. and hospital. I do not know of any VBAC groups in Anchorage...you could always start one! Maybe get in touch with the Alaska Birthing Network.

Congrats! : What a lovely thing to read on the 6th anniversary of my VBAC!

[Ak Mom]

That's great! Don't you feel like a warrior?

[MTAK]

Thanks for your update! I made an appointment with Dr. Elrod yesterday. Your story gives me a lot of hope for a VBAC.

My first was born via c-section after 20 hours of labor, he was big, 10 lbs, 9oz, despite all my pushing he never progressed. I now know that having my membranes scraped started a cascade of events of going into labor too early for my body and baby, though I was several days past my due date. Seven hours after my water broke I was only 3 centimeters dialated. So I was induced at 10 hours, epidural at 15 hours. By 8pm I was exhausted with no progress, c-section at 10pm. My OB felt as though I would be a good candidate for a VBAC, though the hospital in MT did not allow VBACs. I am just now researching since it is a possibilty up here.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and OB/hospital recommendations!

Racheal

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by MTAK

Thanks for your update! I made an appointment with Dr. Elrod yesterday. Your story gives me a lot of hope for a VBAC.

My first was born via c-section after 20 hours of labor, he was big, 10 lbs, 9oz, despite all my pushing he never progressed. I now know that having my membranes scraped started a cascade of events of going into labor too early for my body and baby, though I was several days past my due date. Seven hours after my water broke I was only 3 centimeters dialated. So I was induced at 10 hours, epidural at 15 hours. By 8pm I was exhausted with no progress, c-section at 10pm. My OB felt as though I would be a good candidate for a VBAC, though the hospital in MT did not allow VBACs. I am just now researching since it is a possibilty up here.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and OB/hospital recommendations!

Racheal

Doc Elrod is highly recommended! I think Doc. Bell in Anchroage also does VBACs.

Where were you in MT?
My SIL lives in Bozeman and is faced with a VBAC ban there.

[Millicent]

Awesome!!!

Way to go Treetop!!! Your body rocks!

[Millicent]

VBAC Update

I just thought I would share about what is happening in VBAC scene right now:

Providence is clamping down on its VBAC policies. Continuous Fetal monitoring is now required. Supposedly only Bell and the Geneva Woods Midwives are doing VBAC, and in limited numbers.

Elrod is still rockin' the house. I was just told by Peggy Downing, MD in the valley that she has two CNMs working for her that do VBAC. I don't know what her practice's rates are but it sounds like the Mat-Su Region is the place to go.

VBAC group? The Alaska Birth Network is starting monthly public info & support meetings in October. Maybe our first topic will be VBAC since there is so much interest. We plan to have it at the One Family Birth Center, time and date TBA. I'll post it here. There was talk at our last meeting about making VBAC a major focus for us this year.

Good news is that the State Midwifery Board is now working towards changing the regulations so that potentially, VBAC out of hospital could be a legal option. They have to make some legislative manuvers and face the fury of the AMA. They cannot do it without our help. Seriously, those of you who want to see this happen will have to step up to the plate and work for it. Alaska Birth Network can help coordinate the effort. We'll need people to rally support, collect signatures, donate funds, organize letter writing & phone call campaigns, host a fundraiser, etc. So who is game? If you think you can help or just want to stay in the loop, join our yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...abirthnetwork/ or visit our website www.alaskabirthnetwork.org and enter your email on the homepage or pm me here. We'll get you plugged in!

[Ak Mom]

Originally Posted by HBACtivist

I just thought I would share about what is happening in VBAC scene right now:

Providence is clamping down on its VBAC policies. Continuous Fetal monitoring is now required. Supposedly only Bell and the Geneva Woods Midwives are doing VBAC, and in limited numbers.

Elrod is still rockin' the house. I was just told by Peggy Downing, MD in the valley that she has two CNMs working for her that do VBAC. I don't know what her practice's rates are but it sounds like the Mat-Su Region is the place to go.

VBAC group? The Alaska Birth Network is starting monthly public info & support meetings in October. Maybe our first topic will be VBAC since there is so much interest. We plan to have it at the One Family Birth Center, time and date TBA. I'll post it here. There was talk at our last meeting about making VBAC a major focus for us this year.

Good news is that the State Midwifery Board is now working towards changing the regulations so that potentially, VBAC out of hospital could be a legal option. They have to make some legislative manuvers and face the fury of the AMA. They cannot do it without our help. Seriously, those of you who want to see this happen will have to step up to the plate and work for it. Alaska Birth Network can help coordinate the effort. We'll need people to rally support, collect signatures, donate funds, organize letter writing & phone call campaigns, host a fundraiser, etc. So who is game? If you think you can help or just want to stay in the loop, join our yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...abirthnetwork/ or visit our website www.alaskabirthnetwork.org and enter your email on the homepage or pm me here. We'll get you plugged in!

Wow I had no idea that Prov was clamping down. What about Regional? What spurred their decisions?

But that is AWESOME news about the potential to have out of hospital VBACs. You made my day! (Besides having a nice conversation with Kirsten today)

[MTAK]

I am from Helena. I met a gal just before I left that was part of the local ICAN group. She said the head OB from St. Pete's came to a meeting and said that he would rather women show up and refuse the c-section than risk the drive to Great Falls or attempt a HVBAC.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by HBACtivist

I just thought I would share about what is happening in VBAC scene right now:

Providence is clamping down on its VBAC policies. Continuous Fetal monitoring is now required. Supposedly only Bell and the Geneva Woods Midwives are doing VBAC, and in limited numbers.

Elrod is still rockin' the house. I was just told by Peggy Downing, MD in the valley that she has two CNMs working for her that do VBAC. I don't know what her practice's rates are but it sounds like the Mat-Su Region is the place to go.

VBAC group? The Alaska Birth Network is starting monthly public info & support meetings in October. Maybe our first topic will be VBAC since there is so much interest. We plan to have it at the One Family Birth Center, time and date TBA. I'll post it here. There was talk at our last meeting about making VBAC a major focus for us this year.

Good news is that the State Midwifery Board is now working towards changing the regulations so that potentially, VBAC out of hospital could be a legal option. They have to make some legislative manuvers and face the fury of the AMA. They cannot do it without our help. Seriously, those of you who want to see this happen will have to step up to the plate and work for it. Alaska Birth Network can help coordinate the effort. We'll need people to rally support, collect signatures, donate funds, organize letter writing & phone call campaigns, host a fundraiser, etc. So who is game? If you think you can help or just want to stay in the loop, join our yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...abirthnetwork/ or visit our website www.alaskabirthnetwork.org and enter your email on the homepage or pm me here. We'll get you plugged in!

Oh! I :heart: you!!!
I wish I could have stayed longer today. I missed some good stuff apparently.
I will do my best to step up and help out! As you know, VBACs are my passion. I will do my best for you all!

[Millicent]

September Birth Network Meeting!

Our next Alaska Birth Network meeting will be on September 13th at 3pm at One Family Birth Center in Anchorage. Come if you want to get involved. If you are an expecting mama in need of support or info, pm me and i'll get you connected.
Elke

[an_aurora]

Yes Providence is awful regarding VBACs....Dr Richey will also do them but as a whole Prov has a very high c/s rate. Dr Bell does VBACs but he has many more repeat c/s and I know he encourages repeat c/s over VBACs.

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by an_aurora

Yes Providence is awful regarding VBACs....Dr Richey will also do them but as a whole Prov has a very high c/s rate. Dr Bell does VBACs but he has many more repeat c/s and I know he encourages repeat c/s over VBACs.

Please dont tell me that. I have a momma coming in from the Island to VBAC there.

[2andcounting]

Hello Ladies!!!

I havent been around in almost a year now, but I am now training to become a birth doula and I thought I would swing by and see what was hoppin'!

First of all, I wanted to share my FABULOUS VBAC birth story for baby Grace, who was born 7/11/09.

I had began my pregnancy seeing Dr.Creary at Anchorage Women's Clinic. Well, 'seeing' is probably the wrong term, since I only saw her about 3 times. I saw just about every midwife and provider in their clinic, and everybody responded with shock when I told them I wanted to VBAC. At 34 weeks, I switched to Dr.Bell at the recommendation of my SIL. I just have to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr.Bell!! He was 1000% supportive of my VBAC and told me the only conditions for me delivering at Regional (my hospital of choice) were that I had to have continuous fetal monitoring. I hired a doula and she was fab, Bell was supportive of that as well.

I had a 6 hour labor and delivered a healthy and beautiful 10lb 10oz baby girl!! I always knew there was a good use for my wide hips The nurses at Regional were great and the post partum rooms are HUGE!

Love it!!

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by 2andcounting

Hello Ladies!!!

I havent been around in almost a year now, but I am now training to become a birth doula and I thought I would swing by and see what was hoppin'!

First of all, I wanted to share my FABULOUS VBAC birth story for baby Grace, who was born 7/11/09.

I had began my pregnancy seeing Dr.Creary at Anchorage Women's Clinic. Well, 'seeing' is probably the wrong term, since I only saw her about 3 times. I saw just about every midwife and provider in their clinic, and everybody responded with shock when I told them I wanted to VBAC. At 34 weeks, I switched to Dr.Bell at the recommendation of my SIL. I just have to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr.Bell!! He was 1000% supportive of my VBAC and told me the only conditions for me delivering at Regional (my hospital of choice) were that I had to have continuous fetal monitoring. I hired a doula and she was fab, Bell was supportive of that as well.

I had a 6 hour labor and delivered a healthy and beautiful 10lb 10oz baby girl!! I always knew there was a good use for my wide hips The nurses at Regional were great and the post partum rooms are HUGE!

Love it!!

ROCK ON! that is a nice big baby!

So, do you all think Dr. Bell would be okay with a VBA2C if the women has had a few VBACs in between her 2 c-sections?