Who else is going for a VBAC?

[mommycaroline]

Let's chat here. I'm curious to see how many of us there are. What's your story? Why are you pursuing a VBAC? Do you have support? How are you planning your birth? What kind of medical provider (if any) have you chosen? Have you had a VBAC before?

So, here's my answers.

Bonnie was born by cesarean after a 36 hour, pitocin induced labor due to pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure kept soaring, and they were getting very nervous. I was on Magnesium Sulfate, which I later discoverd is also used to stall premature labor, but it was used for me to reduce the risk of eclamptic seizures. I made it to 5 cm, and stalled for 12 hours or so, and they finally just called the cesarean. I managed to make it through labor pain free without pain meds, due to HypnoBirthing and some Bradley relaxation exercises. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. The final hour, after they told me I had one hour to progress or it would be time for surgery, I was in the most excrucitating pain of my life. I'm glad for that, as it makes me really believe that HypnoBirthing had been working for me prior to losing my focus.

My husband is all for a VBAC. I've chosen an OB that uses three midwives for deliveries, while the Dr. is on call if anything should come up. There are really only two practices in my town that will "allow" a VBAC, so my choices weren't that broad. I'm somewhat happy with my decision, but I definitely have some reservations. The main one being I don't want to leave my daughter overnight with anyone. I'm really struggling with that part the most of all. I wish there was a homebirth midwife, or a birthing center that would take me, but there isn't. And, I just don't feel safe having an unassisted birth.

So, who else is in this with me? Maybe we can all learn something from each other.

Caroline

[Solange]

:
Count me in...thanks for sharing your story Caroline

I did not educate myself as well as I should have with #1 and ended up with a very mainstream OB and in a very mainstream hospital. I was too involved in my career and very happy to be pg but just had no idea that I actually had choices about how I could have my baby.

I had a 14 hour labor with Ds #1....but all the wrong ways of coming to labor.
I was scheduled to come in for a stress test on ds's EDD in the hospital. I woke early that morning with labor pains about 5-7 minutes apart no pain and very managable...
I got to the hospital and told them I was in labor and they hooked me up to the fetal monitor and sure enough I was....
The nurse said well we will call your doc but he will probably just send you home since you are comfortable. No dice..When my OB came he broke my water and then it was all over. He did not ask what I thought or anything just went down there and did it....I wasn't ready or prepared and DH was not in the room was out making calls..so after that it all went down hill.
I wanted no meds and the staff talked to the doc about what meds they would give me like I wasn't in the room and I had to look at them and say "I want no meds" and they just looked at me and smiled like "uh, yeah..."....the whole day as labor got worse and progressed(and after an epidural) the staff kept saying "the doctor wants you to have this baby by 7..do you feel like you need to push yet?" then they would laugh it off like they were just kidding...
but sure enough by 7:19 I was whisked to the OR and they took my baby out. I noticed my ds's HB getting higher on the monitor and told the nurse on duty and she hit the machine( I am not kidding) and said "well, sometimes these things aren't always accurate"
Then my OB came in and saw the HB rate and within a matter of minutes I had my c-section. I did not get hold or see my son until 9:30 that evening...My mother, mother-in-law, all got to hold my precious baby before I did....something I will not let happen this time.

This time around I have educated myslef and have wonderful resources and support from my DH to my LLL/AP friends(and all you wonderful mammas here at MDC).
I am in the best practice in the area known for their successful VBAC rates and with a CNMW for my prenatal visits and then with the OB in the office to deliver in a hospital that is not mainstream at all. We have to drive about 30-45 minutes to get there but I could care less. I am hoping to use BFW with this labor and hope I can afford the teacher for the BFW classes come June. I will not have a repeat of the last birth experience. If I have to have a section this time I will be happy knowing that I did all I could to prevent it and that the OB I am with now won't order it just to get me out of the way....

sorry for the book...
boy I did need to get that all out though

[ketilave]

Condensed version

DS's edd was 3/9. Had weekly stress tests and there were problems with the heart rate but said it was the monitors. We all thought things were fine so didn't want to be induced until 3/23. I think that was a Sunday so they had me on the books for 3/21 but we weren't going to go. 3/18 (DH's b-day) my waters broke 2 or 3ish in the morning. Stayed home nothing happening. Around 10 noticed my waters looked pretty green and hayish and decided to call Dr. Took our time, went in, still no contractions etc. Went over to hosp, no iv just 20 minutes of monitoring and hten off to walk around hospital hoping to get some contractions -no dice and then then monitoring showed some crazy heart variations. Stuck on the monitor. But allowed to move around room. Some contractions started - easy peasy ones - and then with movement heart rate would drop. By 6 pm confined to bed and then put on pit. A lot more meconium in the waters and I was running a fever, got antibiotics. Still at 0. A LOT OF PAIN - kept turning up the pit, no good contractions and no dilation. Decided at 11:20 pm to get epidural so I could get some sleep in case I ever dialated enough to push. Only at 2/3. After I had the epi for a while they kicked up the pit more. Epi didn't completely work. Starting having more fetal distress. Stop the pit, stop the distress, stop the contractions. Dr. asked if I wanted to continuing trying or wanted to consider c. After 3 attempts to do a better job finally numb "enough" for surgery. DS delivered at 3:22 am 3/19 - I never go passed 3 cm, he never engaged as was found with a very short cord wrapped around his neck so each contraction was cutting off his O2 supply.

DD was born 7/18/02. Her edd was 7/7. I felt B-H a lot at night (about 10 minutes) but they would go away while I was sleepy. Thursday I was really crampy but thought it was just that point in pg. Thursday night the B/H were every 5 minutes and I couldn't get comfortable. Didnt tell a soul!!!! Just went to bed and thought they would be gone in the am. Still with me when I woke up. Around 10 am called my cnm (I left my ob practice because I wanted the support for the vbac). Told her it might be that weekend. Contractions were 2/3 min apart but no real pain. Back ache picking up. Went to Target to get disposables for DS since my sister hates dealing with the cloth. DH came home and we were getting ready to go out to lunch when my water broke. About 20 mintues of things being easy and then the real contractions began. Went to hospital at 4pm and had DD at 9:07pm Friday. Turned out I was 4 cm when I got there, DD was op, they turned her, I got in the water and went from 5 to 9. Got out of my 50 gallon rubbermaid tub (not comfy and hospital had brand new birthing tub but wouldn't let anyone use it) because I just couldn't get comfortable. Wanted to quit, wanted the epi but DH told me to look my CNM in her eyes I tell her I gave up. Couldn't do it and then I needed to push.

Now I am planning a home birth because I feel my last trip to the hospital was a waste of time and just want to be with my kids.

OK so not so condensed!

[TheJoyfulMom]

We are still praying for a VBAC. Due to the horrible regulations in Florida none of the hospitals near us will allow them and because it will be after 2 c/s no doctors are ok either. Except mine. He is trying to pull some strings but he isn't sure if he'll be able to or not.

Our first was a c/s because she was breech and when I got to the hospital I was 8cm dialated and they all freaked. I can remember laying in the or on the table and them actually giving me meds and holding her in me.

Mesa was going to be a VBAC. But the hospital was horrible. I was actually strapped to a bed in l&d and not allowed to walk or move. I stalled at 6 cm. and after my water had been broken for 26 hours they said I had to have another c/s.

This labor and delivery has to be better than that one!

[ilovebeingamom]

It is nice to hear everyone's stories. I know you have been supportive of me while I struggled to find a supportive doctor. My story is pretty short. My water broke at 37 weeks, at about 7:30 p.m., we knew ds was breech. When I went to the hospital, I was three cm dialated and having very light contractions. His foot was already sticking through my cervix! He was in a really bad position for even a breech delivery so they did a c/s. He was born at 10:06 p.m. I had an emotionless robot for a doctor who did the c/s and a medwife who laid the "aren't you just happy he is healthy?" guilt trip on me.

For me, I hated the whole c/s thing. I did not like not being able to feel below my neck. They did my spinal too high so I couldn't swallow. I shook after the surgery for about two hours, and my face itched like crazy all night long. I was miserable, and the saddest part was when I finally got to hold my baby, I felt like such crap that I didn't even care. I remember looking at him and feeling so detached. And then my husband, trying to be helpful, said, "He's been looking for you, he wants to nurse." So we attempted nursing, but he wouldn't latch on, and then I even felt worse.

They kept telling me to sleep but I couldn't. Ds was in the plastic baby tub, adn I was worried about him. Finally dh picked him up from there and slept with him on the pull out. That is when I finally got some sleep. I knew he would be safe in dad's arms. Sometime during the night I got my emotions back and started to become in awe of this little guy. I kept trying to nurse every hour or so, and later that day he finally nursed a good twenty minutes. I was so happy! It was the one thing the hospital couldn't take away, my ability to nurse.

I know for many women, that a c/s is no big deal, but I guess I am not one of them. I wanted a celebration when he was born, to be ecstatic, and bond immediately. Instead we were treated like the sickly people we were due to the surgery. Hopefully this time it goes better. I asked my doula to be with me no matter how my baby is born, vaginal or c/s, b/c I would actually need more support for a c/s than a vaginal.

I guess it isn't such a short story after all. I am hoping that we all have great VBAC's!

[ketilave]

Amen to the shakes and itchy and I was freezing and exhausted and couldn't feel a thing and then DH brought me DS and I couldn't move because I was still strapped down. I just looked at this baby whose eyes were wide open and thought - oh there he is. When the drugs finally wore off I wouldn't put him down. Let me add that after they took him out of the OR I didn't see him for 6 hours/thus hadn't touched him even though DH was raising all kinds of trouble. When the pediatrician came in he was furious hadn't seen or held the baby and went and brought him to me.

I can't believe people think that is an acceptable way to bring a child into the world.

[mommycaroline]

You know, the emotional impact cesareans have on women can be so dramatically different. It's such a touchy topic. My experience really wasn't bad. I was able to hold my DD on the operating table, and while they *did* take her back to the nursery after I was stitched up, she was returned to me within an hour of her birth, so her separation really wasn't that long. Maybe 30 minutes? That was the very worst part for me, but she nursed right away, and was so darned healthy, they couldn't come up with any other reason to take her back. I was gestational diabetic last time around, and they were so worried that her blood sugar would be low, but it wasn't (which I'm told means that my borderline diagnosis was probably incorrect).

I hate all the interventions that we get put through. I really want to just go through this in peace. No tests, no interference, just leave me alone.

But, if I could have the same birth experience this time around as I had last time around, I think that would be fine with me. I really want a VBAC, as much as I wanted a vaginal delivery the first time around. But, I know without doubt that my surgery was necessary, and that must make all the difference to me. My recovery was remarkably easy. No pain afterwards, and no medications really either. A couple of Motrin here and there, but I could have done without even those. I took them mainly because my husband seemed so worried that I was in pain. But, a couple weeks after she was born, I had some major constipation due to the iron in my prenatal vitamins, and that was WAY worse than my surgery, go figure. It had happened a couple times during pregnancy, too, so I know it wasn't related to the surgery.

The reason I say this is because, in my case, while it wasn't an ideal situation, it was a perfectly acceptable way to bring my child in the world. I know you don't mean offense, ketilave. But, not all experiences are horrifying. I'd like to do things differently this time around, and I feel fairly confident that will happen, provided I don't have a recurrence of my pre-eclampsia. But, again, my experience was a very good one. And, it was my first birth, so I learned a lot. I see where things can improve this time (like NO separation, no matter what). And, I will strive towards those improvements.

I've had a very hard time explaining this to people in the past. It's really hard for some people to understand. Why would I believe in VBAC's so strongly, and yet be okay with my cesarean? Maybe it's because my surgery was necessary. I'm not in favor of people just having cesareans "because it's easier". But, I do have to say, I'm sort of a "pro-choice" kind of person, and that applies to all aspects of life for me. I cannot tell anyone that the choices *I* made are right for everyone. Like, when it comes to elective repeat cesareans (ERCS), I can totally see why some women choose them. It makes me sad, and I wish that this was not the sort of environment we're in, but I don't blame the women who make that choice, I think it's more a medical professional problem. It's all so political, it drives me crazy. I hate politics!

[ketilave]

I truly believe there are needs for c-sections and that I would have lost my son without it. But it doesn't mean that he should have been witheld from me either.

Not my reason, but, I also don't think "failure to progress" on a Dr's time schedule is a valid reason to section someone.

I think having open uterine surgery as an elective is ridiculous. Should my insurance pay if I just want to take my appendix out in case some day I get appendicitus?

I agree every one has the right to choose but I believe that they are supposed to get informed consent and I think the informed part is way off these days. You are informed as much as they want you to know. But I also take issue with women who don't make more of an effort to inform themselves.

[mommycaroline]

No, he should not have been withheld from you. That's completely inappropriate.

And, I'm with you on "failure to progress" not being a good reason for a surgery.

Uterine surgery, or any surgery, really shouldn't be elective (don't want to get into plastic surgery in this forum), and it's becoming that way. I agree, we need to do something about that.

And, without question, people should be more informed. Doctors should be more forthcoming with information, without a doubt.

I totally agree with you on all these points.

I was just concerned that you meant that cesareans are not an acceptable way to bring a child in the world. I guess that's not what you were referring to.

Your baby should have been with you. 6 hours is inexcusable.

One thing I try to impress upon expecting moms that I know right now is to inform themselves in advance about cesareans. Even though they fully intend to deliver unmedicated, you just have to be prepared for unexpected outcomes. I think the reason we had such a good outcome was because someone warned *me* in advance to just "be prepared" so we had a plan in place, just in case. But, it's a fine line to walk. You don't want to push cesareans, but you *do* want people to know what they could be exposed to. Risks, ways of dealing with things, what might happen, etc.

Such emotional stuff to deal with...

[mommycaroline]

Oh, one more thing, what regulations are you referring to Kati?

I'm having a heck of a time finding the sort of birth that I want here in Tallahassee, but we used to live in Fort Lauderdale, and my plan was to have a birth center birth there. I don't think the regulations that might be restricting you are actually legitimate. It's more a local political move on the part of the medical community where you are. Up here in Tallahassee, the main midwife who does home births *would* take me for a VBAC, but she'd lose her OB support if she did. Not a regulation at all, but politics in my case.

[TheJoyfulMom]

Regulations in my county from the way I understand it. But at least in all the hospitals anywhere near me, VBACs are just not allowed.

[ketilave]

Just spoke to a girl in nursing school who said they were taught that c-sections are easier and don't really have any complications.

No there are no laws out there as yet though some hospitals and physicians refuse vbacs completely. Most Dr.s that opt out do so stating liability issues. Though really that statistics don't meet their claims.

I have a friend who LOVES her ob. He induces all his pt and has a really high c rate. She once told me that she never thought to question anything he said because he is so nice and always gentle. My MW told me that he is notorious for holding hands and talking about understanding the woman's needs while getting ready for his weekend plans. The guy even has the craziest ads on the radio. But she is happy - I just wish she cared to know more.

DH and I have a really healthy outlook in regard to DS's birth so we speak at Bradley classes and things to remind people to cover their bases information wise and that although not the birth you planned it can still be a good experience. My frustration with hospitals has a lot to do with the fact that they assume a mother wants her baby bottlefed, left in the nursery etc. I know that it they norm around here but at least let me tell you what my needs are don't decide them for me.

VBAC moms are like first time moms but sometimes worse because their fears come from experience. When you have to start out battling the system it can put a lot of women off, "Am I doing the right thing?" A friend of mine just went for a vbac but ended up with another c. There are some problems with her uterus that make full dilation impossible. She feels so much better about her 1st and this c because she has a reason. At the same time she didn't want to tell people because of the "I told you so" factor. You know it drives me crazy because women are each others best source of information but also each others worst enemies.

I love this months group. I can't get over what an outstanding group of well "spoken," tolerant and supportive women. I think it stands out to other groups I've seen on the boards.