Where do I start?

[anotherpeanut]

So i had a c/section with my last baby. he was 8 lbs. 12 oz. i was 3 days past my due date and the doctor said that the shape of my pelvis would most likley not allow my baby's head to fit, they could try inducing me and see what happens or do the c/section later that day. she said she didn't think there was a very high chance of me not ending up with a c/s. so we just scheduled it. i knew he wasn't sitting in my pelvis, he had been off to the side for a very long time and i was contracting, just not regularly or effecitvely. so now, almost 2 years later i'm pregnant again and really wanting to try for a vbac. the recovery the last time was rough and i have a toddler to be concerned about now too...and not nearly the amount of time to just hang out in bed and recover....the thought of not picking up him for several weeks is horrifying. anyways, i'm in much better shape now, i lost 20 lbs (relative to beginning of last pregnancy), i regularly exercise (60 minutes, 3 times a week) and I have way less stress...i was working full time and now i'm home full time (I guess just different stress). Anyway I know my doctors do vbac but i don't know how committed they are to it. my mom (a nurse) thinks they would never cut unnecessarily and would support a vbac if possible. i tend to disagree after lots of reading and seeing whats going on out there. so what do i do? i know there are a few other vbac friendly providers around...that really are vbac friendly. do i go "interview" them? where do i start? how do i really even know if i can physically have a vbac? i'm overwhelmed by all the info. my hubby seems to sort of understand but doesn't understand why i would question my current doctors. any help would be great. i'm not openly pregnant to friends yet (I'm only 5 or 6 weeks) so I can't even bounce this off them!

[MsBlack]

Start with ICAN--International Caesarian Awareness Network, an organization that supports women who've had csecs and are hoping for VBAC next time.

http://www.ican-online.org/

good luck--and I really doubt you could not have birthed normally. And all women at least deserve the very most supported chance to try!

[cairomama]

I agree, start with ICAN. I think that a truly supportive provider is critical to giving yourself the best chance for VBAC. Your doctors didn't support labor the first time by not letting you try to give birth, so it really doesn't look good for a VBAC.

[CamoShades]

Originally Posted by cairomama

Your doctors didn't support labor the first time by not letting you try to give birth, so it really doesn't look good for a VBAC.

I agree 100 percent. Why does your mom say she doesn't think they'd cut unnecessarily; they did it to you the first time.

If you know of truly VBAC-friendly OBs in your area, I'd definitely start the interview process with them. Good luck!

[DocsNemesis]

Wow, I'm so sorry you had a cesarean under those circumstances. It sounds like your doctor was either an idiot or straight out lied to you-unless of course there's more to it than just that. Cephalic disproportion is extremely rare. It does occasionally happen, but VERY rarely is that the case.

The thing is, the weight of the baby makes no difference. Fat squishes. What really makes a difference is the size of the baby's head (and probably the shoulders-although I don't know if there's a reliable way to determine the chances of shoulders getting stuck). An 8 pound baby is not very big, honestly. And the size of you, on the exterior, doesn't matter, its your pelvis that matters.

Considering the way your doctor acted last time-telling you the baby was too big, elective cesarean, not even TRYING to have a vaginal birth-I would NOT want to do a VBAC with the same doctor. Its just asking for disaster.

I'd be looking for a well respected VBAC doctor in your area. Or even better, a midwife. Even if homebirth isn't something you are comfortable with, CNM's work in the hospital and many handle VBAC as well. I'd post in your tribal area and ask for recommendations.

[anotherpeanut]

The only thing that I remember them saying was that I had a narrow pubic arch and they didn't think he would fit. They also estimated that he could weigh upwards of 10 lbs...which i later found out that ultrasound at the end can be off by up to one lb. (umm why even bother if it's so innaccurate). Thanks, my family thinks I'm totally crazy so this is a difficult situation. I really, really, really don't want to have another c/section...especially an unnecessary one!

[MsBlack]

IMO, all the more reason to connect with ICAN, for both support and the best available info!

[womenswisdom]

The only way to diagnose CPD is by trying to fit a baby through a pelvis! Not guessing that it might happen! I agree, find a good midwife or OB recommended by your local ICAN chapter. Someone who really believes that you can do it - because you can!

Watch this video about CPD from ICAN for some inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFVkDV45MM

[3tammuz]

I would look for other VBAC-friendly OBs since you already have experience with this one.

ICAN was invaluable to me for resources, connections, help and support.

Losing weight, exercising and being in shape are all great places to start for that VBAC.

Get information and support from your mom; she sounds like a winner/practical and definitely has you in the forefront.

GOOD LUCK.

[DocsNemesis]

Yeah, it can be even further off. Its been off with all of my kids-my first measured at 7 pounds the day before his birth and he weighed 8lbs 6 oz. Yeah, it was the opposite direction (no idea why but mine all measure small; its more common for them to measure large) but still...thats a pound and a half. My last I was told was measuring at about 3lbs 11oz just hours before his birth...and he was almost 5 pounds! lol And again, fat squishes-and as someone else said, just because they think you *might* have a narrow pelvis doesn't mean you do.