We'll have to see if the doc will "let" you VBAC

[ShwarmaQueen]

Just came from my first "official" OB visit, after all the health history info, the nurse who was taking all my info down casually said, "oh, since you had a c/s with your first, you're going to have a repeat c/s?" To which I said, um, no, I want a VBAC. She said "Oh, no, I always try to discourage them" and I said, "Yah, I realize docs don't like them" and she went on and on about how even though there's only a 1% chance of rupture, when a rupture occurs it's absolutely "catastrophic". Really? I didn't think so.

Then she went on to say that, first the doc would have to review my previous recs to see if she would "let" me attempt a VBAC. What crap! Is this why our c/s rate is climbing??? Does no one encourage VBACs except MWs???

Rant over. :

[MNHall]

ARG...unbelievable!!!!!! Well...completely believable since these days it seems to be what is convienient is what's "best" and not what's best for mama and baby anymore!! Boooo!!!! I just can't believe that nurse actually said the words, "we try to discourage them!" SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!?

ARG!!!!! So, do you know anyone in your area that has VBAC'd? I see you are planning an HBAC...I don't know how that works, so does that mean you'll just be going to this OB for check ups and then when labor begins you just don't go? Do you think you'll still go to this doctor after this experience even if you're doing an HBAC?

I guess I was lucky to have an OB that was really supportive of a VBAC (she actually suggests to mamas to attempt them!)

keep us up to date!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by MNHall

ARG!!!!! So, do you know anyone in your area that has VBAC'd? I see you are planning an HBAC...I don't know how that works, so does that mean you'll just be going to this OB for check ups and then when labor begins you just don't go? Do you think you'll still go to this doctor after this experience even if you're doing an HBAC?

I'm only with this group until my DH's insurance kicks in (mid-May) then I'll switch to a MW! I'll probably dump this office sooner rather than later if they're going to start discouraging me at this point! :

So lucky that you found a supportive OB!

[tuffykenwell]

Oh that would so piss me off! I wish I could formulate a better response to your post but I am so steamed I really can't!

Steph

[cathicog]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

Then she went on to say that, first the doc would have to review my previous recs to see if she would "let" me attempt a VBAC. What crap! Is this why our c/s rate is climbing??? Does no one encourage VBACs except MWs???

Rant over. :

Yes, that's one of the major reasons. The docs are afraid to let women labor who have been cut open(especially if they augment the labor with pitocin) and the insurance companies are putting pressure on them to cut the women open again, cuz it is easier to win in a court of law, it makes more money for the shareholders of the hospital, and it's faster. I think those are the three greatest reasons for the huge rise in sections. If you really want a VBAC, don't see an OB, see a homebirth midwife. It's the only practical way you would probably get a VBAC.If you have to transfer, then so be it, but you will have given yourself the best chance to VBAC...

[JFTB1177]

Unfortunately this is the attitude of most OBs.... I was planning a hospital VBAC with my OB who had seemed pro-VBAC. Then around 20 weeks with #2 he asked me if I was "still" thinking of VBAC-ing, to which I replied "Of course!". He then brought out a VBAC waver for me to sign listing scary things that can happen during a VBAC (funny the doctors never have you sign an equally scary waver for repeat C-sections, which btw carry more risks than a VBAC). Then he started putting restrictions on my VBAC like I can only have a VBAC if I go into labor before my due date (haha! good thing I switched to a midwife as I didn't go into labor until 42 weeks and 5 days!), and the baby had to measure 7 1/2 lbs or less via u/s (again haha- as my babies have been 9 lbs and 8 lbs 12 oz at birth!), etc. I knew there was no way I would have a VBAC unless I switched to a midwife... and then once I learned how my chances in a hospital would be diminished (because of the pressure from back-up OBs and time limits, etc), I planned a HBAC, the best decision I ever made!!!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by cathicog

If you have to transfer, then so be it, but you will have given yourself the best chance to VBAC...

Yah, I feel even if I stay with them (ie "shadow care") I'd still be doing myself a disservice, kwim? All the negativity that they'd be feeding me for the remaining 33 weeks would be too much. I know with the HB MW I'm interviewing that I'd get nothing but positive affirmations.

: If I did have to transfer, I wouldn't be totally given the bad treatment, would I? I mean, like a UC'er? Since I would atleast be having a MW following me, I wonder if that would make a difference? (Not that I'm really concerned, just for a realistic expectation)

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by JFTB1177

I planned a HBAC, the best decision I ever made!!!

Thank you. This is EXACTLY what I need to hear.

[JFTB1177]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

Yah, I feel even if I stay with them (ie "shadow care") I'd still be doing myself a disservice, kwim? All the negativity that they'd be feeding me for the remaining 33 weeks would be too much. I know with the HB MW I'm interviewing that I'd get nothing but positive affirmations.

When I first switched to a MW I was thinking about doing shadow care but my doula talked me out of it... so glad she did. I know my OB would have scared me into another c/s (I am a very paranoid person!).

[Right of Passage]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

: If I did have to transfer, I wouldn't be totally given the bad treatment, would I? I mean, like a UC'er? Since I would atleast be having a MW following me, I wonder if that would make a difference? (Not that I'm really concerned, just for a realistic expectation)

You very well could be subject to bad treatment. I've heard many a story, first hand, from mamas in emergent homebirth transfers(with midwives) treated terribly. I had a non-emergent transfer but I was mostly treated well. Shift change brought a nurse that ignored me and left me sitting in the blood soaked chux pad that I was stitched up in for quite a while.

[auntieM]

Originally Posted by Nursingmama05

You very well could be subject to bad treatment. I've heard many a story, first hand, from mamas in emergent homebirth transfers(with midwives) treated terribly. I had a non-emergent transfer but I was mostly treated well. Shift change brought a nurse that ignored me and left me sitting in the blood soaked chux pad that I was stitched up in for quite a while.

Please write a letter to the hospital administrator, the head of whatever department you were in & cc whatever local agency oversees healthcare/hospitals where you are at.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by Nursingmama05

You very well could be subject to bad treatment. I've heard many a story, first hand, from mamas in emergent homebirth transfers(with midwives) treated terribly. I had a non-emergent transfer but I was mostly treated well. Shift change brought a nurse that ignored me and left me sitting in the blood soaked chux pad that I was stitched up in for quite a while.

That's horrible. I hate that mothers can't be given the respect they deserve when it comes to childbirth.

[wbg]

Run Mama Run!!! Find a new HCP!!! You and your baby deserve so much better!!! You deserve support and encouragement and a trust based relationship!!!

[Sarahstw]

In defense of the OB (I can't even believe I started a sentence that way), Obstetrics is a surgical specialty. Asking an OB for a VBAC is like asking a knee surgeon for physiotherapy. Not bloody likely to happen, as it is not in the job description. If you want someone to care for your normal birth after cesarean, you have to find a normal birth care provider ie. family doc or midwife.

[laralee16]

Originally Posted by cathicog

If you really want a VBAC, don't see an OB, see a homebirth midwife. It's the only practical way you would probably get a VBAC.If you have to transfer, then so be it, but you will have given yourself the best chance to VBAC...

this. hbacs are DO the way to go!!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by Sarahstw

Asking an OB for a VBAC is like asking a knee surgeon for physiotherapy.

Never looked at it that way...interesting!

[shanniesue2]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen

: If I did have to transfer, I wouldn't be totally given the bad treatment, would I? I mean, like a UC'er? Since I would atleast be having a MW following me, I wonder if that would make a difference? (Not that I'm really concerned, just for a realistic expectation)

It depends on the hospital and doctor you transfer to. I transferred with my HB attempt, and I was treated very well. BUT, 1)it wasn't an emergent situation, 2) I transferred to a smaller hosptil in a different town (about a 30 minute drive), and 3) it was the hospital that was recommended by my MW for non-emergent transfer...she had a doc that she worked with there and with whom I had already had a few prenatal visits with (just so that I wouldn't get a complete stranger who thought I was a kook if I did need a transfer).

Anyway, I guess my point is... go with HBAC and talk to your MW to see if she has a positive relationship with any OBs... then maybe consider doing one prenatal with the OB (mostly so that you can show him/her that you're not completely uneducated, and that you are making your decisions carefully... I think this is largely what contributed to the positive treatment I received when I transferred).

[courtenay_e]

Huh. I'd be interested in hearing the doctor's take on his staff's "instruction" about VBAC. I would be sure, before you write off the doc, that the staff has the same opinion as the doc about stuff. Could be that they do...but it could also be that the doctor has no idea that his nurse is trying to scare people off of VBAC. I would have a conversation with the care provider about the experience you had on your intake!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by shanniesue2

Anyway, I guess my point is... go with HBAC and talk to your MW to see if she has a positive relationship with any OBs...

I'll be sure to ask her about her OB pick when I meet her on Sat. Honestly, I'm curious if there are any here (Houston, TX).

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

Huh. I'd be interested in hearing the doctor's take on his staff's "instruction" about VBAC.

Totally! I'm hoping she's not speaking for the whole practice, but I'm afraid she might be. When she first stated that she always discourages (even bragging that she's talked many women out of VBACing I told her I knew she probably wouldn't, and then I said docs usually don't either. And she basically said that the docs don't like to do them because of the "risk". I just smiled and nodded. But, what popped into my mind was a comeback about something re risks of complications from a rcs, but I decided I just wasn't going to start that argument- she's probably so brainwashed that it'd be like arguing with a wall.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

I would have a conversation with the care provider about the experience you had on your intake!

I think I'll do just that. I have an appt in 4 wks with the actual doc.