I guess this is a common thing.... - Page 3

[mdnaturalmama]

Thanks. I'm trying to find as many at the library as I can so I don't have to buy them all, lol. I do have a list of books that aren't available that I'll proly be ordering. I did find this one when I searched my library's website but it says "item withdrawn"...which means to me that they don't have it anymore? Idk why it would still show up in a search then...I'm gonna try and request it. ;)

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by macandcheese 

 Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Womans-Guide-Better-Birth/dp/0399525173

The reviewers make it sound more negative towards hospital birth than I remember ... but I definitely came at it with a pro-homebirth stance, so I might have just overlooked all that.

Hold up! I LOVE that book, but it might not be your best asset in convincing your DH of an HBAC.

In the VBAC chapter, under "factors that promote safe vaginal birth," Henci Goer writes, "Give birth in or near a facility capable of performing a CS within 20 min of making the decision and that can care for a distressed baby."

Not sure how long the drive to the local hospital would be for you (although, as I said, they have a good relationship with KW so they would listen to her if she was saying, "PREP THE OR NOW!")

She goes on to write:

"Surprisingly, considering that the major argument for hospital birth is faster response in an emergency, many hospitals don't have these capabilities. To meet these requirements, the hospital must have round-the-clock, in-house OBs & anesthesiologists and 24 hour blood banking. They must also have at least a level II nursery, which means they can take care of babies with moderate problems and can stabilize sicker babies for transport to a  facility with a level III, or NICU. ...This recommendation does not preclude OOH birth, provided you are being closely monitored and the birth center or your home is close enough to such a hospital."

OK, you're good to go there - Upper Ches has a Level II and I'm fairly certain they meet the other requirements b/c I know Barbara Stratton, head of Baltimore ICAN & VBAC-activist, actually recommends them as the best hospital for VBAC in the whole area. She told me she recommends even women as far as Columbia head up there.

But under "factors that promote safe vaginal birth," Goer also writes that you might want to consider having continuous EFM if you're a VBAC - something that's obviously not possible with HB (Well, I guess they could hold the doppler there near continuously, but that means having a person standing there holding it the whole time you labor!)

More details on this, P 173:

"Abnormal fetal HR is the most common indication of uterine scar problems requiring intervention. Dr. Bruce Flamm, a preeminent VBAC researcher, has argued that periodic listening may miss the change because it may be sudden and time is of the essence if it occurs. Others have responded that symptomatic scar separations are no more common than other unpredictable OB emergencies. If women generally have not been shown to benefit, we should be cautious about subjecting women with prior CS to the disadvantages of EFM. The ACOG 1995 VBAC practice guidelines mandate close monitoring but do not prescribe EFM. the 1998 VBAC practice guidelines recommend continuous EFM.

(Book was published in 1999, so I'm not sure what the latest guidelines state WRT cEFM.)

You're more than welcome to borrow one of my 2 copies that doesn't happen to be out on loan at the moment, ha! BUT - considering you have a DH who is already skeptical about HBAC, I don't think this book is going to be very helpful in selling him on it.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by mdnaturalmama 

Thanks. I'm trying to find as many at the library as I can so I don't have to buy them all, lol. I do have a list of books that aren't available that I'll proly be ordering. I did find this one when I searched my library's website but it says "item withdrawn"...which means to me that they don't have it anymore? Idk why it would still show up in a search then...I'm gonna try and request it. ;)

LOL, Well I don't know about Harford county, but I actually bought a copy specifically to donate to the Baltimore county library. :) hehe! They have tons of other birth books, but in the entire system, they didn't have "Thinking Woman's Guide', and I felt it was the single most important birth book anyone could read! (At the time I had DS, I hadn't yet read "Pushed" or "Born in the USA".) So I felt it was necessary - and I was happy to support Henci Goer with another book purchase. So I hope they do have it available.

[mdnaturalmama]

Thanks for telling me that. Im not sure how much of all he books id like dh to read he'll actually get thru. But thats something that wldnt help! Im not sure if it makes a difference but i have had a vbac already. This is something ill def be talking with my mw about. She knows my whole "story" and isnt worried but id like to talk it out some.

[MandyGail]

i have the thinking womans guide to a better birth too - ill bring it next time i see u

[mdnaturalmama]

Thanks mandy but i just bought it from amazon. Bummer! I was ordering from there already and didnt want to have to order again.

[goldenwillow]

I always asked the person whom was negative why they felt it wasn't safe, etc...  not one comment, well at least one that really made sense.  They usually had no clue and the "oh my" comments were shushed by their lack of knowledge.  It is the fear of the unknown I think, which really rocks me since women have been giving birth for how long?  My great grandparents were all homebirths, KWIM?  At some point in my pregnancy I decided it wasn't up to me to teach everyone the benefits of natural/homebirth.  I found it exhausting and kinda felt like I was banging my head into a wall.  Not the best use of my energy at the time.  Like with most anything... there will always be someone that doesn't agree and has their own 2 cents to contribute.  I know in my circle that we were able to show the positives of homebirth and I am forever grateful for that.