It has been a while since I have been here, because we weren't really for sure planning a UC. It was our first choice, then things got wonky, but then things were and are going so well. Since I really thought we had great providers, I thought I would go in since I am mostly concered about my risk of PPH. But, it looks like UC is our best option at this point, if not our only one.
I have been trying to keep busy getting some things finished for the new baby. I have been having lots of BH these last two days, so I know it could still be weeks, but it does make me wonder if I won't go as overdue as I normally do.
At any rate, I have always felt sorry for women that have had planned VBACs, and got the bait and switch from their drs, and they are so upset and unsure what to do. I would think to myself, "I am so glad that I have very naturally minded providers if I need them." This time, we felt we needed them, or at least it would do no harm to have the back up. Since the last two babies have been UP, and we needed the hosp/ambulance both times to certain degrees. My MW was more laid back than I was even, as I was getting concerned about the headaches and BP. But, things have been very calm for a long time. The PROM had resolved itself, and I don't seem to have any reprecussions from that. But, I thought I would go ahead and just labor in the hotel and probably go to the hospital late, so as to have someone there to take care of any PPH, which I am fear is my only real risk, but a pretty scary one. I had forgotten about the meds in my safety deposit box that the last dr gave us, and I will be getting those tomorrow. Those on hand will make me feel more at ease.
Well, I am sure I mentioned that I was pondering an RCS on Birth and Beyond. Well, it was pretty quickly after talking to several ppl, 2 IRL friends that have had several ERCS. They both were like "NOOOOOOO!!! Do NOT schedule a section. We will help you in any way we can." etc. I do have babysitting lined up now for the children. I have dates down for them that also will be on vacation for the holidays, so I know who is not available at certain times. I even have a friend that will take the kids on Xmas, since they don't celebrate any holidays. My friend that is going to be my "doula" says she is available Xmas or any day. So, very good support.
Well, I went to go see the new OB as a courtesy visit. I had decided against the RCS, although the MW had told him I had considered it to make sure DH is home. But, I am sure I never really told her I was willing to do that, just that I had mentioned an induction to make sure he was home. Which she told me that they don't do that anymore.
Never do I ever recall the old OB or MW mention that the hospital had a huge policy change, and no longer do VBACs. I am sure that I raved on this group almost 4 yrs ago about the hospital in Marshall MO. How they will do whatever makes the woman happy, how kind they were to me when we came without back up care and complications with the 90+ hrs of PROM, and then the meconium. It was just the next best thing to hoembirth.
She did say come in late, but I really didn't read much into that. The old OB also had said that anyone can walk in in labor and refuse a repeat section. Only the OB nurse when I went to the ER mentioned it was a no VBAC hospital now. But, neither the OB or the MW ever made it out that I was going to have to refuse a RCS, that I may get some flack, or fight for what I want. I have always thought that the MW could deliver me, if I choose to go in, and I saw her for every appt (which have been many lately), except the OB for the 1st appt/ultrasound after losing the twin, and one courtesy visit a few weeks ago.
This OB tells me that he is the MW's boss now, and she is not qualified to deliver me. Ummmm, what about the little girl of mine that she delivered with complications of the PROM, meconium, and PPH, less than 4 yrs ago. And, she did great. If that doesn't make her qualified, I am not sure what does. He says now the hospital is a no VBAC hospital, he can refer me to Columbia (1.5 hrs away) for a planned VBAC. I cannot plan a VBAC with him. And, if I was going to stay, I am stuck with him, and would have to be seen in a week. This was at 38 wks to their dates, 39 at mine. Of course, he is going to try to get me to consent to a surgery date Friday. He said he can't make any exceptions to the rules. He even called me HIGH RISK!!! Talk about offended!! My BP has been great (according to the MW). She blew off all my concerns about the PROM and BP, and therefore, I am a ball of health according to her. And, at this point, I am. There was just a little iffy time there. In all my PGs, I have NEVER been called High Risk. The OB doesn't believe that VBAC is safe in THIS hospital. What has changed besides policy in the last 3 yrs, I am not sure. He said he has seen only one uterine rupture which ended up with a dead baby, and it does tend to color a person's view. His wife had a VBAC, but in Columbia, not in this hospital where they don't have an anesthesiologist on call 24/7. But, what happens when someone comes in with appendicitis or from a car wreck? Do they let them die, or does a surgeon come in to take care of them? I don't believe that dead mothers and babies caused this hospital to change policies. Probably their new birthing suites needed to be paid for, so how much easier would that be but to force women into repeat sections.
I forgot to mention that Columbia probably isn't covered with our insurance. And, that we cannot afford the extra costs that would come with surgery with our insurance. He started getting onto me, saying that it isn't fair that I would come at him with how things were going to go. And, what I should have mentioned is that my husband pays high premiums to have health care. I am not on welfare or Medicaid. We are paying all the OOP costs, plus premiums, which pays him. Don't I get some type of decent customer service? I so wish I would have said more.
My options are to just fire them and get the hotel in the other city whose hospital may have changed their VBAC policies. I know they used to be a VBAC hospital, then no VBAC (especially if you don't have a back up OB that will "let" you), and now they may have changed back because there was a rumor about that. Both cities are the same distance, both cities are midway between my house and my friend who is going to be with me. We are also very familiar with that hospital, because my DS has been hosp there twice, my DD once. All in this year. If I were to need to transfer, then we can fight there just as well as the other. Marshall is where I am familiar though, and they had treated me very nicely both transfers, one before birth and the last one after. It was this OB that actually gave me the Rx "for next time" to prevent or cure PPH. He said he didn't remember me though. I didn't mention the med, because he did that under the radar.
He did say that although they don't do VBACs, if I came in 7-8 cm, they would deliver vaginally. That's all on me. (IOW, they don't want to be sued if something happens, so AMA means no liability on their parts) But, if I came in established labor at only 4, they would advise a RCS, and if I refused, it would be AMA. I don't know if my insurance will pay if I go AMA, but I would guess they would, unless we LEAVE AMA. If I were only to a 4, they wouldn't let me leave willingly either, so that would be AMA. I told him how fast I go, and that I wouldn't make it to Columbia. He said he understood and believed me on that, since this is my 8th child. He wanted to refer me there for an induction if I wanted it though. I am not inducing, as I do believe it is dangerous, I just thought that it would be better to schedule an induction than an RCS.
To say the least, I have just calmed down about this whole thing. I do think that we have a pretty good plan now. We will just go UC, we should have planned that the whole time, and I am sorry that I started prenatals at all, at this point. I wanted the option of going in since this PG has been so wonky. Now, I feel like I am being forced into a UC. I guess that is fine though. I just don't feel comfortable having any type of homebirth in my home this time, because we are 40 min from both available hospitals, and 1.5 hrs if you go by ambulance ride. I do know of one VBAC hospital in the city, just an hour away, if I were to need to go before the baby is born, but I don't know if that means I should transfer my care over there, or just give it a wait and see approach.
The baby has been moving and kicking like crazy. My BP seems to be stable and fine. Things are well. I need to drink more RRL tea though. I should have just gotten the pills, I would probably have been better about it. CTX are starting now, since yesterday I have been noticing a LOT of BH.
So, that is what is up with us. I need to get my supplies together though. I know it won't take much, but having a friend help me, I think I will definitely get some medical gloves. And, we will be taking lots of plastic and bleach. Probably some trash bags.
Anyone think of a basic list of things I would need to do a UC in a hotel? I know they aren't the cleanest places, but we really live too far away for the PPH risk that I have. We lost a twin last time, and it was a fiasco. We lost a twin this time too, a little later in gestation. The U/S didn't show the twin, so this time, the baby has probably reabsorbed, but we can't be totally sure. And, this is number 8. I want to be down the street. Kymberli
I have been trying to keep busy getting some things finished for the new baby. I have been having lots of BH these last two days, so I know it could still be weeks, but it does make me wonder if I won't go as overdue as I normally do.
At any rate, I have always felt sorry for women that have had planned VBACs, and got the bait and switch from their drs, and they are so upset and unsure what to do. I would think to myself, "I am so glad that I have very naturally minded providers if I need them." This time, we felt we needed them, or at least it would do no harm to have the back up. Since the last two babies have been UP, and we needed the hosp/ambulance both times to certain degrees. My MW was more laid back than I was even, as I was getting concerned about the headaches and BP. But, things have been very calm for a long time. The PROM had resolved itself, and I don't seem to have any reprecussions from that. But, I thought I would go ahead and just labor in the hotel and probably go to the hospital late, so as to have someone there to take care of any PPH, which I am fear is my only real risk, but a pretty scary one. I had forgotten about the meds in my safety deposit box that the last dr gave us, and I will be getting those tomorrow. Those on hand will make me feel more at ease.
Well, I am sure I mentioned that I was pondering an RCS on Birth and Beyond. Well, it was pretty quickly after talking to several ppl, 2 IRL friends that have had several ERCS. They both were like "NOOOOOOO!!! Do NOT schedule a section. We will help you in any way we can." etc. I do have babysitting lined up now for the children. I have dates down for them that also will be on vacation for the holidays, so I know who is not available at certain times. I even have a friend that will take the kids on Xmas, since they don't celebrate any holidays. My friend that is going to be my "doula" says she is available Xmas or any day. So, very good support.
Well, I went to go see the new OB as a courtesy visit. I had decided against the RCS, although the MW had told him I had considered it to make sure DH is home. But, I am sure I never really told her I was willing to do that, just that I had mentioned an induction to make sure he was home. Which she told me that they don't do that anymore.
Never do I ever recall the old OB or MW mention that the hospital had a huge policy change, and no longer do VBACs. I am sure that I raved on this group almost 4 yrs ago about the hospital in Marshall MO. How they will do whatever makes the woman happy, how kind they were to me when we came without back up care and complications with the 90+ hrs of PROM, and then the meconium. It was just the next best thing to hoembirth.
She did say come in late, but I really didn't read much into that. The old OB also had said that anyone can walk in in labor and refuse a repeat section. Only the OB nurse when I went to the ER mentioned it was a no VBAC hospital now. But, neither the OB or the MW ever made it out that I was going to have to refuse a RCS, that I may get some flack, or fight for what I want. I have always thought that the MW could deliver me, if I choose to go in, and I saw her for every appt (which have been many lately), except the OB for the 1st appt/ultrasound after losing the twin, and one courtesy visit a few weeks ago.
This OB tells me that he is the MW's boss now, and she is not qualified to deliver me. Ummmm, what about the little girl of mine that she delivered with complications of the PROM, meconium, and PPH, less than 4 yrs ago. And, she did great. If that doesn't make her qualified, I am not sure what does. He says now the hospital is a no VBAC hospital, he can refer me to Columbia (1.5 hrs away) for a planned VBAC. I cannot plan a VBAC with him. And, if I was going to stay, I am stuck with him, and would have to be seen in a week. This was at 38 wks to their dates, 39 at mine. Of course, he is going to try to get me to consent to a surgery date Friday. He said he can't make any exceptions to the rules. He even called me HIGH RISK!!! Talk about offended!! My BP has been great (according to the MW). She blew off all my concerns about the PROM and BP, and therefore, I am a ball of health according to her. And, at this point, I am. There was just a little iffy time there. In all my PGs, I have NEVER been called High Risk. The OB doesn't believe that VBAC is safe in THIS hospital. What has changed besides policy in the last 3 yrs, I am not sure. He said he has seen only one uterine rupture which ended up with a dead baby, and it does tend to color a person's view. His wife had a VBAC, but in Columbia, not in this hospital where they don't have an anesthesiologist on call 24/7. But, what happens when someone comes in with appendicitis or from a car wreck? Do they let them die, or does a surgeon come in to take care of them? I don't believe that dead mothers and babies caused this hospital to change policies. Probably their new birthing suites needed to be paid for, so how much easier would that be but to force women into repeat sections.
I forgot to mention that Columbia probably isn't covered with our insurance. And, that we cannot afford the extra costs that would come with surgery with our insurance. He started getting onto me, saying that it isn't fair that I would come at him with how things were going to go. And, what I should have mentioned is that my husband pays high premiums to have health care. I am not on welfare or Medicaid. We are paying all the OOP costs, plus premiums, which pays him. Don't I get some type of decent customer service? I so wish I would have said more.
My options are to just fire them and get the hotel in the other city whose hospital may have changed their VBAC policies. I know they used to be a VBAC hospital, then no VBAC (especially if you don't have a back up OB that will "let" you), and now they may have changed back because there was a rumor about that. Both cities are the same distance, both cities are midway between my house and my friend who is going to be with me. We are also very familiar with that hospital, because my DS has been hosp there twice, my DD once. All in this year. If I were to need to transfer, then we can fight there just as well as the other. Marshall is where I am familiar though, and they had treated me very nicely both transfers, one before birth and the last one after. It was this OB that actually gave me the Rx "for next time" to prevent or cure PPH. He said he didn't remember me though. I didn't mention the med, because he did that under the radar.
He did say that although they don't do VBACs, if I came in 7-8 cm, they would deliver vaginally. That's all on me. (IOW, they don't want to be sued if something happens, so AMA means no liability on their parts) But, if I came in established labor at only 4, they would advise a RCS, and if I refused, it would be AMA. I don't know if my insurance will pay if I go AMA, but I would guess they would, unless we LEAVE AMA. If I were only to a 4, they wouldn't let me leave willingly either, so that would be AMA. I told him how fast I go, and that I wouldn't make it to Columbia. He said he understood and believed me on that, since this is my 8th child. He wanted to refer me there for an induction if I wanted it though. I am not inducing, as I do believe it is dangerous, I just thought that it would be better to schedule an induction than an RCS.
To say the least, I have just calmed down about this whole thing. I do think that we have a pretty good plan now. We will just go UC, we should have planned that the whole time, and I am sorry that I started prenatals at all, at this point. I wanted the option of going in since this PG has been so wonky. Now, I feel like I am being forced into a UC. I guess that is fine though. I just don't feel comfortable having any type of homebirth in my home this time, because we are 40 min from both available hospitals, and 1.5 hrs if you go by ambulance ride. I do know of one VBAC hospital in the city, just an hour away, if I were to need to go before the baby is born, but I don't know if that means I should transfer my care over there, or just give it a wait and see approach.
The baby has been moving and kicking like crazy. My BP seems to be stable and fine. Things are well. I need to drink more RRL tea though. I should have just gotten the pills, I would probably have been better about it. CTX are starting now, since yesterday I have been noticing a LOT of BH.
So, that is what is up with us. I need to get my supplies together though. I know it won't take much, but having a friend help me, I think I will definitely get some medical gloves. And, we will be taking lots of plastic and bleach. Probably some trash bags.
Anyone think of a basic list of things I would need to do a UC in a hotel? I know they aren't the cleanest places, but we really live too far away for the PPH risk that I have. We lost a twin last time, and it was a fiasco. We lost a twin this time too, a little later in gestation. The U/S didn't show the twin, so this time, the baby has probably reabsorbed, but we can't be totally sure. And, this is number 8. I want to be down the street. Kymberli
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