I truly didn't realize what all of you are going through!

[Youngfrankenstein]

Please forgive my ignorance but I have never had a C-Section. When my first child was born 10 years ago, I remember VBAC being a totally normal, expected thing. My sil had a baby at the same time who was a section and has gone on to have 4 VBACs.

After watching the Business of Being Born and reading some more news about it, I had no idea how the new policies and ACOG recommendations are completely shutting VBAC down.

I feel so sad for all of you who feel that you must fight to get something like this! I just will never understand why the ACOG in particular won't look at evidence.

I've been reading more and more posts about women getting the "we'll see" attitude from their HCP.

(((HUGS)))

P.S. I really hope you don't find this thread intrusive.

[AustinMom]

I'm beginning to think that ACOG doesn't listen to any other medical organization or studies or data and simply makes stuff up as they go along.

[Drummer's Wife]

It is really frustrating when you feel like your only option is another c-section or UC.

[lyterae]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

It is really frustrating when you feel like your only option is another c-section or UC.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

It is really frustrating when you feel like your only option is another c-section or UC.

Reading stuff like that is what brought this to my attention! I had no idea the "rules" we so difficult.

[Mama_of_1]

Some states are worse than others with medical underwriting restrictions. It's all an insurance game - what's safer for the bottom line - finances.

[eastkygal]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

It is really frustrating when you feel like your only option is another c-section or UC.

I might be that I don't have another baby because of that very reason being the ultimate deciding factor. I'd love another chance at birth and having the pregnancy and newborn experience one more time. DH isn't there yet, so we aren't TTC. But, I wouldn't want it to be a fight. I won't consent to surgery unless it is a medical necessity. UC would be a huge step for me. Sometimes I think I'm better off being done having babes.

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

Please forgive my ignorance but I have never had a C-Section. When my first child was born 10 years ago, I remember VBAC being a totally normal, expected thing. My sil had a baby at the same time who was a section and has gone on to have 4 VBACs.

After watching the Business of Being Born and reading some more news about it, I had no idea how the new policies and ACOG recommendations are completely shutting VBAC down.

I feel so sad for all of you who feel that you must fight to get something like this! I just will never understand why the ACOG in particular won't look at evidence.

I've been reading more and more posts about women getting the "we'll see" attitude from their HCP.

(((HUGS)))

P.S. I really hope you don't find this thread intrusive.

Not intrusive at all. In fact, some of the best VBAC advocates in my state have never had c-sections or VBAC. Thank you for noticing and supporting our feelings.

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

Reading stuff like that is what brought this to my attention! I had no idea the "rules" we so difficult.

I think it's great that you are realizing all this - I mean, hopefully you never are put in that situation, yourself, but it's good to know what others are up against. Even here, I've read people say, "If you want a vaginal birth bad enough, you'll do it" in various words. But they maybe don't understand that it's not always that easy. Especially when you have had multiple c-sections. And times change quickly. My kids are all 2 yrs apart, but the same hospital and midwives that "allowed" me to attempt a vba2c didn't let me vba3c - and wouldn't have let me if I had only 2 c-sections at that point, b/c the hospital policy had changed to allow only first vbac TOL's.

So now, as much as I think my body is capable of vba4c - there isn't anyone that would touch me. UC, while super intriguing to me, is not worth the risk, IME, considering how far away I live from the hospital, and my prior birth history.

It is frustrating that even if a women is confident in her abilities to push a baby out, and even the research backs up the safety of vbac and vbamc's, the "rules" of HCP's and hospitals (and homebirth MW's) get in the way.

Eastygal. It isn't fair when our family size is limited b/c of c-sections.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by eastkygal

I might be that I don't have another baby because of that very reason being the ultimate deciding factor. I'd love another chance at birth and having the pregnancy and newborn experience one more time. DH isn't there yet, so we aren't TTC. But, I wouldn't want it to be a fight. I won't consent to surgery unless it is a medical necessity. UC would be a huge step for me. Sometimes I think I'm better off being done having babes.

I feel the same way. I don't know if I could handle the disappointment again.

[Ambivalent Dreams]

OP: Thank you. That is very kind of you.

[Climbergirl]

Originally Posted by eastkygal

Sometimes I think I'm better off being done having babes.

I didn't think I would feel that way. Then I got pregnant and had to really make the decisions (versus making them in theory) and it got scary quick. Especially with my MIL telling me that I am killing my baby (L&D nurse from the 80s). Not helpful at all.

I definitely think I am done with this one.

I am in awe of women that have had 3, 4, or even 5 c-sections. That is a lot of major surgery. And a lot of recovery with kids and a newborn to take care of. I don't think I am mentally capable of that....

[Lovemy3babies]

I have had 3 sections and am pregnant, planning a home birth. I feel like many of you do. I feel my options are csection or UC (I have found a GREAT midwife who I love, but if she didnt want me , she is the ONLY one in town, and we have aLOT of midwives here).

I feel because of my sections it has determined my family size. I dont like how my babies have come out to determine the size of my family. Its not FAIR!

[crystal_buffaloe]

Originally Posted by eastkygal

It might be that I don't have another baby because of that very reason

I feel this way, too. I never thought I would have a "lonely only," but the thought of another c/s terrifies me.

[Mama_of_1]

I had the same feeling after DS was born. That there was no way that I was purposely going to subject myself to another CS. With DD, I tried my darndest to HBAC. And, I failed not because I am physiologically incapable of it, but because of debilitating back prelabor that had me in a near delirum.

Would I do it again - I don't know. I would certainly think twice about getting pregnant again knowing that I would have no choice but to undergo surgery... It really makes me so sad. I love my DH, our children, but I had a very difficult recovery from the second CS. Even now, nearly a year later, I still have some physical symptoms that I can clearly attribute to the birth. I don't know that it's something I'll ever be able to get over...