thinking of doing something 'crazy'...

[milimama]

So this is my 5th baby and I'm due in December. Being military and located in the deep South my OB choices were very limited. NO midwives and certainly no birth centers. The hospitals are religious (can't even get a tubal ligation at some).

I was given a list of 5-6 OB providers. My first stopped taking my insurance so I switched to another. He made me wait at least an hour per visit and then saw me for maybe 5. There is a rule most local OB's have that prohibits transfers from in-city OB's as a means of respect, but I found a former Colonel with a practice that allowed me in. Well guess what? He doesn't do VBACs in accordance with hospital policy and can't do one at a neighboring hospital. To top it off her tried to talk me out of a vbac.

I can't see why I can't wait to go into labor on my own and go to the one hospital that does allow vbac's. I can schedule the c and continue to recieve prenatal care and just hope that I labor on my own before 39 weeks.

Has anyone else done this? I'd still have the c-section possibility should I hemorrhage ( I have a history of that).

Is that crazy?

[ChiroMum]

Wait, where are you in SC? I'm in Columbia and just had to switch providers b/c the largest hospital closest to us refuses to do VBACs (even though I've already had 2 successful VBACs). I found an AWESOME midwife practice in Lexington...not sure if you are willing to go there or not. There is also a birthing center in Lexington. If you are closer to Sumter (Air Force), there is a midwife practice there too and they take Tricare. One of my friends used them and was very happy with the results. Let me know if you are interested in the names/facilities.

As for your VBAC questions, I've wanted a home birth for the last 2 children, but hubby was the stopping force. My first child was an emergency c-section and with that one I did hemorrhage and it was a little scary for him. The other two were perfectly normal VBACs though, and I honestly think it had more to do with my attitude going in than anything else.

[rootzdawta]

Moved from I'm Pregnant to Birth and Beyond.

[milimama]

Originally Posted by ChiroMum

Wait, where are you in SC? I'm in Columbia and just had to switch providers b/c the largest hospital closest to us refuses to do VBACs (even though I've already had 2 successful VBACs). I found an AWESOME midwife practice in Lexington...not sure if you are willing to go there or not. There is also a birthing center in Lexington. If you are closer to Sumter (Air Force), there is a midwife practice there too and they take Tricare. One of my friends used them and was very happy with the results. Let me know if you are interested in the names/facilities.

As for your VBAC questions, I've wanted a home birth for the last 2 children, but hubby was the stopping force. My first child was an emergency c-section and with that one I did hemorrhage and it was a little scary for him. The other two were perfectly normal VBACs though, and I honestly think it had more to do with my attitude going in than anything else.

I wish I could just switch to a midwife or even a more progressive OB!

I'm in Columbia. Tricare prime (military insurance) does not cover any providers but 5-6 those listed and none are midwives. I looked at the birth center but I'd have to pay out of pocket and we just can't do that.
Usually the Army gives pregnant women midwives at Army hospitals but our hospital (and the rest of this base imo) sucks. They don't even have OB care.

[ChiroMum]

Any chance they cover women's care in Lexington? That is where my midwife group is, but they are attached to the OB/GYN group as well. You might be able to get in there and then switch to see the midwives...I'm in the insurance/hospital receivables business...let me see what I can find out for you. Are you stationed at Ft. Jackson? Or if this too much info on a thread, you can pm me. I'm out of town for the next two days, but will respond as soon as I get back, I promise!!

[ursusarctos]

You might consider stopping by the UC board. There is a lot of info on there about normal vaginal birth regardless of whether or not you would consider UC. Also a lot of people who have planned "oops" births with hospitals/OBs as backups, and people who have had ubacs. Not suggesting you try a UC, just that I find the UC board to have a lot of good info. And of course there's the VBAC board.

[mntnmom]

If you go in to labor, by Tricare rules it qualifies as an "emergency"(so they will pay for it, no problem) and if you just happen to go to the hospital that does VBACs already in advanced labor....it's not ideal, but it might get you what you want.

[Youngfrankenstein]

[QUOTE=milimama;14452182]To top it off her tried to talk me out of a vbac.

I can't see why I can't wait to go into labor on my own and go to the one hospital that does allow vbac's. I can schedule the c and continue to recieve prenatal care and just hope that I labor on my own before 39 weeks.

Has anyone else done this? I'd still have the c-section possibility should I hemorrhage ( I have a history of that).

QUOTE]

VBAC policy is so backward after the ACOG pulled it's endoresement. Keep looking. There will be the right provider out there. Just don't take "maybe" for an answer on the VBAC. There are women that will have a harder time with VBAC depending on how the C-Section was done but you need to find someone who you can trust who supports your trial or labor or whatever.

[JavaJunkie]

Originally Posted by milimama

I wish I could just switch to a midwife or even a more progressive OB!

I'm in Columbia. Tricare prime (military insurance) does not cover any providers but 5-6 those listed and none are midwives. I looked at the birth center but I'd have to pay out of pocket and we just can't do that.
Usually the Army gives pregnant women midwives at Army hospitals but our hospital (and the rest of this base imo) sucks. They don't even have OB care.

Maybe you could disenroll out of Prime for the pregnancy. Standard will open up a lot more choices for you. As long as they file with Tricare, you're good. They don't have to be in Network. Then enroll back into Prime after the baby is here, during the next enrollment period.

[milimama]

Originally Posted by JavaJunkie

Maybe you could disenroll out of Prime for the pregnancy. Standard will open up a lot more choices for you. As long as they file with Tricare, you're good. They don't have to be in Network. Then enroll back into Prime after the baby is here, during the next enrollment period.

That's so crazy it just might work! Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into it...

[nia82]

Good answers - you can either switch to Standard for more options, or stay on Prime, get prenatal care there and "happen to be at the other hospital" when you go into labor. There won't be any copays cause labor constitutes an emergency to Tricare, so you can go to wherever you want to.
I would hire a doula and labor at home as much as possible. Refuse to schedule a csection before 40 weeks and keep putting it off via phone when the date comes around.
The book "Pushed" by Jennifer Block lists tons of studies concerning VBAC - the risk of rupture is minimal. It is there, but still minimal. Read a lot about it to make you feel more secure in your decision. Once made, I would show up at the hospital pushing.
I'm so sorry for your situation and I know how much Tricare stinks.