UPDATE on PAGE 5 - Feel like crying... doc wants me to schedule c/s next week! - Page 2

[tonttu]

Yep , forget to mention the hokey-pokey part , that works well too . Plus , the added benefit is , it helps you relax and take your mind off the waiting game

That´s what I meant with the castor oil , don´t take it until your cervix seems ripe and ready , otherwise you won´t get contractions , just diarrhea . But that also means , that baby is nnot ready yet , so sit tight , at this point it really is only a matter of days and don´t let the doctor pressure you into anything , if you need back-up and support , you knew all of us here are only a mouse-click away !

[JFTB1177]

Thank you so much guys for all the support!!! I wish I had known when I was PG wiht my first DS what I know now, and I prob would have avoided getting "the cut" in the first place! Grrr.

Does anyone know if acupuncture can help start labor, if body is ready?? I made an emergency appt with an acupuncturist that really helped me after my pg losses (he specializes in fertility and women's reproductive issues), he said he can help my labor to start and is giving up his lunch break to do it (he stays pretty busy).

Baby isn't moving as much as before but I keep checking the hr with my doppler and it's always between the 120's and 140's...

[c'est moi]

accupuncture was enough to trigger labor in my body when i was 11 days past a precise due date with my first.

with that said...

i think it launched me into prodromal labor and not the real deal. as a first time mom, i mistook the intensity of the prodromal labor to be the real deal and went to the hospital after 7 hours at home. i was only a 2-3 when i got there and should have gone back home. ETA: there was a cascade of interventions after i got to the hospital (one that is pro-natural child birth and less than 10% c-section rate).

moral of the story is, accupuncture can help nudge things in the right direction, but it's no guarantee.

[LemonPie]

Completely anecdotal, but my chiropractor swears she has sent more than one woman into labor by doing adjustments on the feet :D

[Tumble Bumbles]

By your siggie you're only 41w + 1 day, right? Hang in there, it's still early for you,  given your history. I know it's stressful but take heart, baby will come when baby's ready. You know your body can do this.

[GOPLawyer]

You don't need an excuse.  Just don't schedule/consent.  If you do not consent, they cannot give you a c/s.  YOU get to decide.  YOU are the one with the power to say "No".  YOU get to make the final decision.

Just keep saying, "No".  Nothing else....just "No". 

It sounds like your babies like to cook longer at that's OK! 

Have you thought about skipping the cervical checks?  1) They tell you nothing other than where you are at that exact moment; and 2) they can push bacteria up into the vaginal canal.  Not a great thing when GBS+.

Stay strong, Mama!!!  I know it's REALLY hard when you have such pressure but it will be SO worth it!

[Tumble Bumbles]

Here's a good article by a homebirth midwife regarding cervical checks:

Cervical Exams: Who Needs Them?

Hang in there mama.

[c'est moi]

Thank you for sharing this link. I originally planned on declining all cervical checks this pregnancy, but at 39 weeks I decided it could be a nice morale boost. And you know what, it WAS! But now I don't need it anymore. Even though dilation is not a sign of anything (I knew that before this pregnancy and still believe it), it was just reassuring to know that my body IS working for now.

Ummm, I'm rambling now. Again, thanks for the links. I've had my two checks. I feel reassured. At this point, I don't really need to find out anything else. I just need/want a baby in my arms.
 

Originally Posted by Tumble Bumbles 

Here's a good article by a homebirth midwife regarding cervical checks:

Cervical Exams: Who Needs Them?

Hang in there mama.

[littlethingstx]

There is nothing wrong with your body.  There is however something wrong with the birth process in our culture and within the medical communities way of handling it.  NORMAL gestation for pregancy is actually OVER 40 weeks from what I have read.  In fact, I read something yesterday that stated that I study had been done that proved the 40 weeks is not even the average and the real average is more like 41 weeks and 3 days (something like that).  I have also read (and this seems to be the most "popular guideline") that most NORMAL pregnancies are 37-42 weeks.  And I am just gonna say this.... How can your body be defective, yet it was not defective in the whole creation of this and your previous birth(s)?!!!!!  Stop letting them (doctors) make you believe something is wrong with you.

Also, I would say to go to the ICAN website and read about your rights.  Look up patient rights.  You can not be forced by doctors or hospitals to do anything you do not consent to.  Also, the hospital must treat you if you come to them.  Your doctor can not drop you without 30 days written notice or without transferring you over to another care provider.  You can drop the doctor if you choose, though. 

I do not think you should schedule the surgery and just not show up.  There may be other surgeries needing that operating room and you would not want to hold those surgeries up.  An easy out if you are not uncomfortable discussing that you do not want to do schedule the c would be to just miss your appointment and wait it out to see if you go into labor.  On that note, my chiropractor said that massaging the ankles can make you go into labor.  So, have hubby do that or treat yourself to a pedicure and ankle massage.   ;)    The baby will come when the baby is done!  Your body has to have a chance to work!  Good luck!

[tonttu]

Oh wow , that link posted by Tumble Bumbles should be required reading material for every pregnant woman as well as every ob/gyn .

I can only agree with the others , your child will come , when it´s ready , taking it now or forcing it out would really be like having a preemie in a way . Baby is obviously not ready and it must have a reason , so hang in there , your time will come , when the time is meant to come . And we are all here to support you .

Kim is right , all you have to say is no , nothing else .

If your doc says "we are scheduling a c/s , you tell him , no we are not" 

I hate it , when a doctor says , you will not be allowed to go past a certain time . I decide , what I am allowed to do , nobody else ! And that´s that ! My body , my baby , my decision , Period !

[JFTB1177]

Thank you ladies so much!! :) Thanks for the link too!!

I just got back from my acupuncture appt; my acupuncturist felt my pulse and said he still feels like I have a few days. In his words, he said when labor is right about it happen the pulse feels "superficial", but mine still feels deep (not shocked about this lol). He said that doesn't mean it won't work though, but he feels I'll need to come back on Fri for another treatment. The treatment itself was very relaxing, and I def felt contractions during. Baby also moved around quite a bit. I am supposed to continue acupressure on the points while at home.

So my doula (God bless her!) made some calls and found another nearby hospital (that is much more VBAC friendly) that takes my insurance, and a MW practice (that has their own backup OBs) that does VBACs at this hospital. They are willing to take me this late and even take my insurance (not many people take my insurance)! They WILL do a pit induction at 42 weeks but I am "allowed" to decline it. They don't automatically schedule a section and will give me a TOL. The rooms even have birthing tubs, squat bar, etc. Sounds too good to be true! Why do I feel so afraid to switch over? It's ridiculous but I fear my doc/practice getting mad at me... I know, so stupid! I will need to get all of my pg documents sent to them but I am afraid to call my current practice and ask them to do so...

I have another NST and BPP scheduled tomorrow and I am going to go ahead with it, for myself.

Now I just gotta get the nerve up to make some calls!

[tonttu]

Trust me  , you will feel more mad at yourself for not doing it ! I say GO FOR IT , take a deep breath and then go and don´t look back . You´ve got everything going for you , they take your insurance and they are willing to work with you , not over you , which is , what your doc seems to want to do .

So , sometimes , to good to be true is wonderful

Plus , if you do end up with a c/s , at least you know , that you were in a place , that really tried to make your vbac happen for you and in that case , it wasn´t an unnecessary surgery (if it comes to it)

[Tumble Bumbles]

Wow OP that's amazing! It sounds like a huge blessing happening for you. I would run, not walk, to the other practice/hospital. I know the feeling of being anxious about "breaking up" with your OB -- We're planning a UC and I still haven't talked with my midwife about discontinuing care. You've just got to take a deep breath, know you're doing this for you and your baby and just make the phone call.

"Hi, this is ______. I'm calling for a copy of my medical records from your office. When can I come and pick them up?" You don't owe anyone an "excuse". If anything, I would just say your ultimate goal has always been a vaginal delivery and you've found a situation that you believe will help you better meet that goal -- or say nothing. Your medical records belong to you, and you deserve a copy at any time, no questions asked.

 I agree with the below.

 Plus , if you do end up with a c/s , at least you know , that you were in a place , that really tried to make your vbac happen for you and in that case , it wasn´t an unnecessary surgery (if it comes to it 

[c'est moi]

I completely agree! I also am nervous about the idea of you doing the NST with the old place. Your OB might try and scare you with huge baby comments or worse. You could always do an NST with the new place.
 

Originally Posted by Tumble Bumbles 

Wow OP that's amazing! It sounds like a huge blessing happening for you. I would run, not walk, to the other practice/hospital.

 I agree with the below.

 Plus , if you do end up with a c/s , at least you know , that you were in a place , that really tried to make your vbac happen for you and in that case , it wasn´t an unnecessary surgery (if it comes to it 

[Simonsez2u]

Wow OP I think that is great news and I concur with the "go for it."  Good Luck in whatever you decide!

[roadfamily6now]

sounds like a great new plan! You can do this!
Good Luck

[JFTB1177]

Thanks guys! I'm gonna go do the NST/BPP today but I get my u/s's at a place separate from my doc's office so I'm not worried about running into or seeing my doc, etc.

I think I feel so awkward about "breaking up" with my OB because I "broke up" with them before, 2 years ago, when I left them at 20 weeks to plan my HBAC. lol I still want to continue going to them for gyn stuff as they are very very good when it comes to that stuff, and very caring, etc. I had severe cervical dysplasia 10 years ago (I've been with them since I was 17, I'm 33 now) and had to have a cone biopsy. They were able to "cure" everything before it became cancer and were just so amazing with it all. So I don't want to trash my relationship with them. How do I go about everything very politely??

I will say, I feel so relieved that I'll be given a chance now!! :) Thanks for the tip, TumbleBubbles!

[Tumble Bumbles]

So glad to see an update!

I would tell them what you told us. You are very satisfied with their well-woman care and hope to continue with them in the future for that purpose, but with this pregnancy your #1 priority (in addition to a healthy babe and mama) is a vaginal birth and you feel a hospital/docs with more liberal policies on that will better help you meet your goal :)

That's it. I couldn't imagine anyone being offended by that. It's not about them, it's about the birth you're trying to achieve.

Good luck!!

[JFTB1177]

Hi ladies... I am SO UPSET!!! The MW practice decided they are not going to take me on this late! So devastated! Now what??? My OB office has already called twice in the last two hours (I did NOT answer the phone!), leaving messages that they scheduled my c/s for Mon morning at 11:30 (um I never agreed to that!!). I'm not calling them back, I know they will try to scare me into coming in and doing the c/s. They are stressing me out already! This sucks! :(

My doula said I can still go to the other hospital where those MW's work and they will do my birth if I am in labor (walking in off the street). And if my labor stalled at that hospital, at least they would be willing to do a low dose of pit, etc.

I just hate not having a "plan"!! I was SO happy when I found out these MW's would take me! Now I'm back to square one and STRESSED!

[JFTB1177]

OMG! My OB's office just called me a THIRD time!!!