would you recommend...

[ann_of_loxley]

renting/buying a doppler for use during labour if you are trying for UBAC....
If not, how can you determine fetal distress otherwise?

tia

[bobandjess99]

If you are still in a mindset that you believe fetal distress is something that needs to be looked for/monitored, then i think you are probably still quite a ways from UBAC being the appropriate choice for you. i'm sorry, I don't know your story - Is this something you are feeling forced into because you can not get an attended homebirth?
Most UCer's generally rely on their intution and feelings to determine if everything is going okay or not.

[gossamerwindweb]

I actually did use a doppler a couple of times during labor to make sure my son was o.k. It was a personal comfort issue. If I wasn't worried about him, I could concentrate on just riding the waves. I think it is an issue that everyone has to figure out for themselves. Just how prepared they want to be. I was very glad for the doppler as my labor went over 24 hours and it was reassuring to know he was perfectly fine in there.

Oh, and a fetoscope didn't work for me because I have too much abdominal fat.... which is why I went for a doppler.

[Astraia]

I'm looking for dopplers to rent right now.

I'm not sure if I'll use it. If everything is moving well and quickly I probably won't, but if things seem long or stalled then I might need it just to reassure me that things really are going well and great and i'm not just deluding myself or smoething (I just have it in my head that this labour is going to be fairly quick, so if I'm wrong and it's not quick then I'm not sure how my head is going to deal with that realization!)

It is definitely a very personal choice- it's like UP, right? Some people do very little, some people do a lot, some people have a medical professional to check in with here and there but otherwise do it all themselves, some do ultrasounds, etc.

I've never been a huge believe in my intuition. It's there, sure, but I'm very literal minded and like reassurances if they are to be had. But I don't think this is an indication that I'm not ready to UC or that I have past issues to work through. Everyone approaches things from a different perspective. Doesn't make it wrong, just different.

[Serenyd]

I would rent, not buy. Make sure you know how to use it before the big day and know how to interpret what you hear.

[Happiestever]

I am planning my second vbac- first ubac. However I am not worried about using a doppler or anything for that matter. The whole uterine rupture idea is really a matter of numbers, and I feel that is not a big enough difference for me to birth differently than any other woman.
My midwife listened for a minture last time while I was pushing, so I don't really see the need. Now if I felt like something was wrong, then I would trust that and seek help. But that's just me.

[ann_of_loxley]

Most UCer's generally rely on their intution and feelings to determine if everything is going okay or not.

I am very much aware of that. And HBAC or UBAC - I plan very much to have a natural, hands off birth so that I can listen to my body, intuition, and feelings at the time. I have a very close friend who is very comfortable with this idea as well and is happily looking forward to being my UBAC partner. If my intution says otherwise at the time, it wouldn't take long for my MW to get there. My MW is lovely so far. Very supportive. But for her comfort level, there are a few things she would desire and whilst I don't have a terrible problem with it or think they mean the end of the world, I will feel more in control of my body and this baby's birth if they were not there - because I wouldn't have the worry of my wishes not being respected at the last minute. At the end of the day, they still are MW's with a medical view of things and the need to follow certain regulations/rules/etc. And even if they just do something without thinking, I am not exactly going to be in the state of mind to defend ourselves against it. I do not want to look back and think 'Yeah, I had a vaginal birth, but I am still very uphappy about this and this that happened...'. Cause, just having a vaginal birth, even a vaginal home birth, isn't enough for me. My baby and my body deserve better. And whilst I trust my MW and she is being supportive and in fact that whole relationship has turned out much better than I ever thought it would (UK here - all woman get MWs...so its not the same as shopping around for one like you can in the USA lol!)...I know things can turn out differently once in actual labour and actually having this baby and thats not something I want to worry about. And I worry about that more than any birthing disaster actually happening because I trust in my body and God. I wouldn't be here without any of that.

According to the websites I have looked at, they seem pretty darn cheap to rent. If I didn't even use it when the time came, I wouldn't feel I have missed out on something. So far I have not had any doppler or scans use for this pregnancy as it is (because I don't see or feel the need as well as not feeling either are terribly safe things).

But seeing as I have only read about UR (cause when I talk about fetal distress - thats really my only concern for my body) - I am led to believe that a lot of them happen (for the very very few that do happen) without mother being actually aware of it at the time until after baby is born (which of course also reassures me that extreme UR is very very rare indeed - becaues the extreme UR stories I have read, the mother did know...oh did she know!) - and the only way that UR was/could have been detected ahead of time (you know, before it became anything serious) was with use of doppler during active labour. As it is, though I know it does happen, I havn't actually read anything terrible happening to mother or baby when a UR did occur.

Think ill rent one much closer to the time just for reassurance because you never know. I don't think that makes UBAC an inapproriate choice for me. If my body hadn't already been mutilated, then I probably wouldn't bother but because it has, I do have a few more real risks to think about - despite how rare they really are. It can't hurt at the end of the day.

Thanks for all your responses.

[gossamerwindweb]

Have a great birth!!

[ann_of_loxley]

(yes, they share a birthday only 12 years apart!)

How great is that!!!...what are the chances! hehe

And thanks! - Im currently 'visualising' hehe

[gossamerwindweb]

Visualize away! It is certainly helpful in the end of pregnancy. I had a lot of anxiety at the end... which was mostly hormonal and not so much actually being worried something would go wrong. But visualizing the perfect birth really helps

Oh yeah, and it is kind of cool... they had the same conception date, same due date, and same birth date... 8 days after their due dates. LOL!

[mwright]

Originally Posted by Happiestever

I am planning my second vbac- first ubac. However I am not worried about using a doppler or anything for that matter. The whole uterine rupture idea is really a matter of numbers, and I feel that is not a big enough difference for me to birth differently than any other woman.
My midwife listened for a minture last time while I was pushing, so I don't really see the need. Now if I felt like something was wrong, then I would trust that and seek help. But that's just me.

I am planning my UBAC in May and I have no desire to use a doppler. For multiple reasons. My sister UC'd her daughter 2 yrs ago and she never heard a heartbeat throughout her entire pregnancy. She trusted her intuition and found other ways to "know" that baby was ok. Baby moving during labor comforted her to know baby was ok too..

I also believe that when we entertain "fears", it opens the doors. Good luck mama!

[gossamerwindweb]

Originally Posted by mwright

Baby moving during labor comforted her to know baby was ok too..

The only problem with that is that my son slept through much of my labor. He was completely still. The doppler certainly quieted my fears, so I do believe that it is a personal choice. If it makes a mom feel safer, by all means do it. If you believe in 100% trusting that baby is fine, by all means do that! Not all women have to UC alike. And yet we are all awesome!

[weliveintheforest]

If you feel the need to use a doppler during labour, I think that's fine, but what about a fetoscope? I don't know what it costs to rent a doppler, but you can probably buy a good fetoscope for the same price and have it to keep or sell after.

[Lizbiz]

I'm using a fetal doppler and my mindset is very confident moving forward in this UC. Both my husband and I feel it's an important and useful tool - not to replace our intuition - but to be used in addition to it. Not all medical inventions are bad. Many are lifesaving and great, when used appropriately.

We borrowed ours - any chance someone you know has one you can borrow? Or yes, I would rent - but get it a bit early so you have plenty of time to get used to it before hand. And I don't foresee using it on myself - I'm sure my husband will be the one to assess the baby via the doppler - I can't see myself as a laboring woman having the mindset to stop and do something that intellectual and composed. But, my husband will totally do it, and I am glad of it.

Follow your own instincts - each woman must birth in a way that suits her own instincts best - whether that be by herself, at home, in a hospital, etc.

Congrats on your upcoming little one! I've read your blog (can't now that I'm in China) before and think you're a great Mommy to beautiful Duncan!


Liz

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by weliveintheforest

If you feel the need to use a doppler during labour, I think that's fine, but what about a fetoscope? I don't know what it costs to rent a doppler, but you can probably buy a good fetoscope for the same price and have it to keep or sell after.

From what I've been reading, it can be very hard to find the heartbeat (if not impossible) as the baby moves down closer to your pubic bone if you're using a fetoscope.

I can buy a fetoscope for about $20, but I can rent a doppler for $35. For me the extra $15 is worth my peace of mind. I'd probably only use it if I got worried, but I'd hate to have a fetoscope and plan to use it only if I got worried and then not be able to find the heartbeat!

[gossamerwindweb]

Originally Posted by Lizbiz

And I don't foresee using it on myself - I'm sure my husband will be the one to assess the baby via the doppler - I can't see myself as a laboring woman having the mindset to stop and do something that intellectual and composed. But, my husband will totally do it, and I am glad of it.

FWIW, I used it on myself. I had done all my prenatal care in the last 11 weeks, so I knew just where to put it, etc. It was simple and fast, and a good doppler counts for you, so that isn't an issue. LOL!

[onyxravnos]

hubby bought me a doppler before we even decided to UC. I like the idea of having it there... i may or may not use it. i have several other little just in case things in my bag. and i think that's ok. If it helps you feel like you are doing everything you can then thats a good thing. Just keep in mind that midwives only check every 2-4 hours so try not to over use it or you might freak yourself out.

[Tizzy]

I was pretty set on renting a Doppler for my UBAC, but once I resolved all of my worries and fears it became low priority.
I felt that as long as baby was moving, which he was during my entire labor, everything was fine. I also perfected my techniques with a regular stethoscope but never felt the need to use it.

I also acknowledged that it would probably cause MORE stress and worry if I was unable to pick up heart tones.

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by Astraia

From what I've been reading, it can be very hard to find the heartbeat (if not impossible) as the baby moves down closer to your pubic bone if you're using a fetoscope.

The few times I've been to births as a student with a mw who uses fetoscopes (4?) hearing the heartbeat wasn't a problem. But, I am not saying Not to use a doppler either.

[Rockies5]

Ann, if you want to do this then do.

My personal feeling is curosity. I'm not sure I would be able to labor outside of my head, and also monitor HR, and then take what was monitored and decide whether or not it determined "distress" and the need for intervention.

If I wanted monitoring I would probably have someone who could interpret FHT on hand (or by phone) to advise me, but that is just me.

In no way o I want you to take this opinion as a poo-poo on your plan. Just sharing what I would do, since I don't monitor (and recently attended the birth of a L&D nurse, who thought she could do both and nursed herself into very interventive birth and then a c-section, I was really effected by that birth). I can see the wisdom in monitoring a UBAC maybe slightly more then any other UC, I personally just don't knw what I would do with the information as my births I'm just sorta awash in labor--can't even speak coherently so thats my two cents.

I'm very much looking forward to hearing about your birth.