Choices - it's either homebirth or repeat cesarean

[mommymcnair6]

Hi everyone. We will hopefully be welcoming another baby into our family soon! So excited about that : ) Anyway, I've had 2 c/s, 3 homebirths, another c/s for placental stuff. I spoke with the CNM who was with me during my last c-section and was informed they don't allow VBA3C. So, my homebirth midwife will be with me at another homebirth, which is totally awesome! I am planning on having this next baby at home versus having another cesarean, but it pretty much stinks that there are no choices for women in my shoes!! For me it's fine because I am planning another homebirth, but what about someone who has had 3 c/s and wants a hospital VBAC. Sorry, out of luck is what they say! It kind of makes me mad. I lookekd up the stats on VBA3C and the risk of uterine rupture (or any other problem really) isn't that much higher than after 1 or 2 c/s. What gives??

Sorry, I am just venting a bit What are the options where you guys live for VBAC after more than 2 cesareans?

Thanks for comments and sharing!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Congrats on your tiny baby!

We don't really have many options here either, which is why I chose HBAC. If a BC would have taken me, I might have done that, but now honestly Im so glad there wasn't that choice because HBAC was right for me!

Good luck!

[shenanegans]

It seems like hospitals that won't do VBAC's are much more common in the States, than here in Canada unfortunately. I have a family Dr. and he seemed like a vbac wasn't a big issue at all. Now personally I don't feel comfortable being in a hospital even though my Dr. is supportive about it all so I am opting for a homebirth as well. I am on another group for Mom's due in July but on babyfit, someone started a thread the other day about who is having a c-section and there SO many mom's (in the states mostly) who had to have a c-section for their first for whatever reason and now they "have " to have another because no Dr. or hospital in their area will do vbac's. Its so sad. I posted a link to the ICAN website and try to encourage them to search a bit more but its not easy.

[TCA2008]

How ridiculous! There was a recent study showing that risks are no greater with 3 prior cesareans than with 1. Besides you are a great candidate for VBAC because you've had prior vaginal births - condeming you to a 4th c-section is far riskier.

PLEASE take the time share your story with Rita Rubin, a USA Today reporter covering the upcoming VBAC conference: [e-mail] - send her your story today. Also, please contact the NIH VBAC conference moderator and let her know that you have two choices - unnecessary cesarean or homebirth, and ask her to cover that at the conference - the conference starts Monday, so please contact them ASAP (I hope everyone else reading this will write to them too) This conference is sponsored by the NIH, so the recommendations will have a great impact on public VBAC policies. The moderator's contact e-mail is: [e-mail]

[BirthNut]

I'm an ICAN Chapter Leader and am hoping soooo much that between what ICAN does and the NIH VBAC conference that we can get this country turned around! I am pregnant with my 3rd, hoping for a VBA2C. I was able to find 2 midwives willing to attend me in hospital (although I plan to try for a UC), but the OB in the group they are in will only allow me to try for the VBAC if I dont go over 40 weeks, which is BS because both of my other children went over 40 weeks! They want to schedule a RCS if I reach 40 weeks, which I will not consent to.

[AustinMom]

Originally Posted by mommymcnair6

Hi everyone. We will hopefully be welcoming another baby into our family soon! So excited about that : ) Anyway, I've had 2 c/s, 3 homebirths, another c/s for placental stuff. I spoke with the CNM who was with me during my last c-section and was informed they don't allow VBA3C. So, my homebirth midwife will be with me at another homebirth, which is totally awesome! I am planning on having this next baby at home versus having another cesarean, but it pretty much stinks that there are no choices for women in my shoes!! For me it's fine because I am planning another homebirth, but what about someone who has had 3 c/s and wants a hospital VBAC. Sorry, out of luck is what they say! It kind of makes me mad. I lookekd up the stats on VBA3C and the risk of uterine rupture (or any other problem really) isn't that much higher than after 1 or 2 c/s. What gives??

Sorry, I am just venting a bit What are the options where you guys live for VBAC after more than 2 cesareans?

Thanks for comments and sharing!

I'm trying to build my resources for supporting VBAMC, can you tell me where you found the info on uterine rupture. According to ACOG, they don't recommend VBAC after 2 CS if there is no prior vaginal birth. I think that's wrong. I have stats on the success rates, but they are saying it's not recommended due to uterine rupture rate. Most likely, I think they are being too choosy on the studies they are going off of. Can you email me the links you have?

[cathicog]

I know women who have had 4 c/s, and got disgusted and had the others all at home just fine...Someone somewhere has to get the guts to stand up(as long as all is within normal limits) and decide they aren't going to a stupid hospital when it isn't necessary. Homebirth is about the only way(there are rare hospitals in the US that won't pressure for RCS) to have a vaginal birth after ANY cesarean operation...

[babycatcher12]

I'm in the same situation except I haven't "proven" myself yet with a vaginal delivery. Sheesh! I'm planning a HBA3C. I have no other choice. I feel like I have been backed into a corner. My previous doctor agreed to let me "try" a VBA2C then switched his opinion when I got to 40 weeks and basically forced me into another c/s.

Austinmom: ACOGs recommendations were made based on a small study (less than 200) that didn't account for pitocin use etc.

[cathicog]

Originally Posted by babycatcher12

I'm in the same situation except I haven't "proven" myself yet with a vaginal delivery. Sheesh! I'm planning a HBA3C. I have no other choice. I feel like I have been backed into a corner. My previous doctor agreed to let me "try" a VBA2C then switched his opinion when I got to 40 weeks and basically forced me into another c/s.

Austinmom: ACOGs recommendations were made based on a small study (less than 200) that didn't account for pitocin use etc.

I call that "bait and switch"...most docs are afraid to allow VBACs cuz I think their licenses could be yanked for "going against current medical consensus"...many hospitals are still using pitocin on women with scarred uteri...a very big no-no. I think that is the reason they see so many dehisences...I think the best chance of success at VBAC is homebirth, with the parents having full informed consent, either way...You will probably have a fine hb....