I was planning a home birth but it looks like it won't be happening due to finances. I asked the only people I could for a loan and was told that 'my money is better spent elsewhere, your midwife and doula is not a priority' and to 'reconsider my choices because having the birth paid for is far more important than what I want'.
I've posted my history elsewhere on the board but I'll give as short of a background as I can... My c-sections never should have happened and I blame myself as much as anyone else, especially because I couldn't bring myself around fast enough to refuse my daughters.
My son was an induction at 37 weeks, the too big baby card. I didn't know any better and did what my OB said we needed to do (mistake #1). He broke my water at 2CM and 80% and -1 station after a night of cervidil. I don't remember consenting to him breaking my water, I remember him doing an exam and then pop went water and he said 'I'm going to break your water'. Anyway, I was flat on my back in bed due to 'policy' (mistake #2) and never progressed. I was on high doses of pit for many hours when finally at 15 hours post water breaking, my OB said we had to c-section for failure to progress. I had only gotten to 3CM on my own, they manually stretched me to 4 and I had been that way for like 6 hours. So, DS was born via c-section, weighing in at 5lbs 11oz. Too big baby my a$$!
So, with my daughter, I was determined to have my VBAC. I sought out a midwifery practice that I thought was my best choice. I didn't push my husband for a homebirth (mistake #1) and I should have. I went into labor at 41.5 weeks (self induced with herbs) and had a hard but progressing labor. After 12 hours, I got an epidural at 6CM and allow my MW to break my water (mistake#2) at 6CM, completely effaced and 0 station. My daughter engaged in my pelvis slightly sideways and so her cord was next to her head (NOT a prolapse, she simply compressed it between her head and the birth canal). They came in and flipped me from my right side to my left side and she compressed the cord, heart rate dropped to 80. They flipped me back, threw oxygen at me and checked me at 7CM. Her heartrate skyrocketed to 190/200 and next thing I know I have a ball between my legs. I'm rechecked and am 9CM and +1 station. Her heart rate came down to about 160 with those hard contractions, the OB took one look at a monitor and said I needed a c-section. I was too lost in the moment, terrified of losing my birth and I couldn't get myself to speak up and say no. It took 20 min before they rolled me out of the room and when they did, her heart rate was normal at 150's. No one cared at that point, I was already prepped for my c-section so who gave a crap if the baby was fine? Apparently I transition like a freight train as it was 90 seconds between 7CM and 0 station and 9CM and +1! Had I been on my feet, she may not have slowed down, she may have come flying out lol.
Every person I've talked to has said I'm a great candidate for a VBA2C but I know the chances of getting that with an OB is lower. However I can't afford to pay the midwife I've hired and being that I will have tricare at the time of birth (DH is enlisting), I either need to find a HB midwife who takes tricare or deliver at Bethesda Medical Center in MD/DC. The only other option is the birthing center that delivered my daughter but they won't even take me on as a client now so I'm kinda stuck.
I have 2 doula's who will be part of my birth, with intentions to stay home as long as possible. I will NOT have another c-section. If it comes down to it, I will HBAC unassisted but I'm not sure I'm comfortable being that my husband won't be here.
So, what are MY rights in a hospital? I have no intentions of continuous monitoring and will take it off. But do I have to sign consent forms when I arrive? Can I refuse to sign any paperwork? I will not have an IV and I will not be restricted to the bed. I don't see how they can force me to do anything but really, what are my rights as the patient? Ideally, I would like to get there pretty much pushing but it may not happen that way given the distance to Bethesda. Am I crazy to even think a VBA2C in a hospital will happen, especially on MY terms? I know my doulas will help fight for me, that's why I have 2 of them
There is ONE other birthing center that will take tricare insurance however when I talked with them, they were less than enthused about a VBA2C and said I would have to go into labor before 40.5 weeks (haha, I will just keep refusing and rescheduling the c-section).
Thanks ladies! I know this was long, I just want to get an idea of what I can and can't refuse. I plan to refuse everything and do it my way, what can they really do anyway?
I've posted my history elsewhere on the board but I'll give as short of a background as I can... My c-sections never should have happened and I blame myself as much as anyone else, especially because I couldn't bring myself around fast enough to refuse my daughters.
My son was an induction at 37 weeks, the too big baby card. I didn't know any better and did what my OB said we needed to do (mistake #1). He broke my water at 2CM and 80% and -1 station after a night of cervidil. I don't remember consenting to him breaking my water, I remember him doing an exam and then pop went water and he said 'I'm going to break your water'. Anyway, I was flat on my back in bed due to 'policy' (mistake #2) and never progressed. I was on high doses of pit for many hours when finally at 15 hours post water breaking, my OB said we had to c-section for failure to progress. I had only gotten to 3CM on my own, they manually stretched me to 4 and I had been that way for like 6 hours. So, DS was born via c-section, weighing in at 5lbs 11oz. Too big baby my a$$!
So, with my daughter, I was determined to have my VBAC. I sought out a midwifery practice that I thought was my best choice. I didn't push my husband for a homebirth (mistake #1) and I should have. I went into labor at 41.5 weeks (self induced with herbs) and had a hard but progressing labor. After 12 hours, I got an epidural at 6CM and allow my MW to break my water (mistake#2) at 6CM, completely effaced and 0 station. My daughter engaged in my pelvis slightly sideways and so her cord was next to her head (NOT a prolapse, she simply compressed it between her head and the birth canal). They came in and flipped me from my right side to my left side and she compressed the cord, heart rate dropped to 80. They flipped me back, threw oxygen at me and checked me at 7CM. Her heartrate skyrocketed to 190/200 and next thing I know I have a ball between my legs. I'm rechecked and am 9CM and +1 station. Her heart rate came down to about 160 with those hard contractions, the OB took one look at a monitor and said I needed a c-section. I was too lost in the moment, terrified of losing my birth and I couldn't get myself to speak up and say no. It took 20 min before they rolled me out of the room and when they did, her heart rate was normal at 150's. No one cared at that point, I was already prepped for my c-section so who gave a crap if the baby was fine? Apparently I transition like a freight train as it was 90 seconds between 7CM and 0 station and 9CM and +1! Had I been on my feet, she may not have slowed down, she may have come flying out lol.
Every person I've talked to has said I'm a great candidate for a VBA2C but I know the chances of getting that with an OB is lower. However I can't afford to pay the midwife I've hired and being that I will have tricare at the time of birth (DH is enlisting), I either need to find a HB midwife who takes tricare or deliver at Bethesda Medical Center in MD/DC. The only other option is the birthing center that delivered my daughter but they won't even take me on as a client now so I'm kinda stuck.
I have 2 doula's who will be part of my birth, with intentions to stay home as long as possible. I will NOT have another c-section. If it comes down to it, I will HBAC unassisted but I'm not sure I'm comfortable being that my husband won't be here.
So, what are MY rights in a hospital? I have no intentions of continuous monitoring and will take it off. But do I have to sign consent forms when I arrive? Can I refuse to sign any paperwork? I will not have an IV and I will not be restricted to the bed. I don't see how they can force me to do anything but really, what are my rights as the patient? Ideally, I would like to get there pretty much pushing but it may not happen that way given the distance to Bethesda. Am I crazy to even think a VBA2C in a hospital will happen, especially on MY terms? I know my doulas will help fight for me, that's why I have 2 of them
There is ONE other birthing center that will take tricare insurance however when I talked with them, they were less than enthused about a VBA2C and said I would have to go into labor before 40.5 weeks (haha, I will just keep refusing and rescheduling the c-section).Thanks ladies! I know this was long, I just want to get an idea of what I can and can't refuse. I plan to refuse everything and do it my way, what can they really do anyway?
