How many planning or hoping for a VBAC or HBAC?

[OdinsMommy0409]

Just curious how many February 2012 mommas are wanting a VBAC and where (home, hospital, birthing center). I've been planning for my HBAC since last summer but needed a baby in my belly first. I'm so excited.

[parsley]

I'm planning on a VBAC at a hospital.  The local birthing center doesn't do VBACs at the center so my choices are really only home birth (and I'm not really in the network so I don't quite know how I'd find that choice...) or VBAC at the hospital. 

But... I've been finding myself fantasizing the past few days about a HBAC, but I just don't know if I'm really able to manage the homebirth.  I'm not worried about health (like risks etc...) but I am worried about it all being in my house, if that makes any sense at all.  I also just don't know what it would be like.  My DD was breech and I had a scheduled c-section, never having even experienced labor I feel like I'm probably crazy to even fantasize about a HBAC.  All the stories on Mothering are inspiring though.  And I hate hospitals!

Thanks for asking an interesting question, OdinsMommy.  I'd love to hear how you've come to your decision and what plans you are making.  Love to hear from others too!

[hildare]

hoping for a VBAC.  i'm not going to get my heart set on it just yet, but we'd love for it to happen.

[nannybutterfly]

I'm really wanting a VBAC! I'll be honest, if I have to have another C-sec, I'll be really upset  But we are hoping for the best and going to the best hospital and best midwife for VBACS, so hopefully it will work out that way! With my son, I was induced, went through 24 hours of pitocin labor, ouch! Got an epidural, finally got to 10cm, pushed for 2 hours, but then had a c-sec for my 10lb 5 oz baby.  I'm not sure if he was sunny side up or not, but he did have a huge bump on his head from where he was trying to fit through, on the back left side of his head if you were look at him from behind.  I'm still trying to figure out how he was positioned by the placement of the bump but I can't wrap my head around it.  My midwife put it best when she told me, we can sit and talk for hours about what might have happened if we had done something different, but we'll never know, so it's best to focus on the pregnancy and delivery to come.  Good luck to all of us! 

[OdinsMommy0409]

parsley - Well, I know my chances for a successful VBAC in hospital are very low where I live. Plus, it will be hard to find a VBAC-friendly doctor and natural birth friendly doctor. While I do know we have a handful where I live, I also know that the task would be even more daunting once in the hospital. Also, I don't like hospitals much at all, and I know that my best chance for a successful, nontraumatic vaginal birth would be at home where I feel comfortable and without prying hands or eyes of strangers and where I can labor how I want. Lastly, I'm still breastfeeding my DS, and he's quite attached to me as well. We family bed, and he still nurses during the night. It would be traumatic for him as well as me and his caretaker (if I were in hospital) to be away from him. 

I would look into ICAN as well as Birth without Fear (on Facebook). You could find some great information and support for pregnancy, labor, and birth, including VBAC of a breech baby if you were so inclined. I also like Midwife Thinking. 

hildare - I hope you get the birth you want!

[ryan'smom]

I had a successful VBAC with my 2nd and now I'm hoping to repeat that again with #3!  I plan on using the same group of hospital based midwives that I used for baby #2.  I found the VBAC forum here invaluable for encouragement and knowledge. 

[parsley]

Ryan'smom - based on your location, I'm thinking we're talking about the same group of hospital based midwives.  Are you talking about the Midwives at Magee?  If so, I'd love to talk with you about your experiences if you are willing!

OdinsMommy - thanks for the advice and the resource suggestions.  I'm so frustrated that last time I allowed myself to be scheduled for a c without even waiting to see if the baby turned during labor.  It will be helpful to have some resources and the right environment this time.

[ryan'smom]

Originally Posted by parsley 

Ryan'smom - based on your location, I'm thinking we're talking about the same group of hospital based midwives.  Are you talking about the Midwives at Magee?  If so, I'd love to talk with you about your experiences if you are willing!

Parsley....yes, the Midwives at Magee!!  I would be happy to chat with you about any and everything....shoot me a pm!!

[cwoodard]

I'm hoping for a VBAC but currently trying to decide where. I went and had a tour at the birthing center near me and talked to one of the midwives. Great place and people, but it sounds like VBAC + gestational diabetes women spend half the time seeing a regular OB anyway due to state laws. And ironically enough the birth center refers to the same OB office i went to the first time around for those visits. If I do get GD again this time and can't control it with diet like last time, it's an automatic switch to a regular OB as well. Makes me wonder what the point is especially since the birth cottage is not very close to me. :/ Going to require some thought!

[Right of Passage]

This will be my 3rd VBAC, second UBAC. :) Good luck moms you can do it!

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

Hildare- Where in GA are you? Have you joined the ATLANTA ICAN? Heard of Dr. Tate or Intown Midwifery?

[hildare]

we're actually right outside of athens.  i've got an awesome ob, he delivered my dd.  i have heard of intown midwives, i know some folks who liked them lots.  i think there's an ican chapter here, too.  i don't know-- other people seem to be able to find time to do stuff but it seems like all i ever do is work and come home.  i think it's because we live so far from town and everything else.  i also don't know how likely it is that i will get a vbac.  i have a million fibroids and i don't seem to dilate, either in labor or even with the m/c i have had.  i'm also an 'older' mom.  i was really really psyched up to labor naturally with (my 10 pound) dd, but now i'm just not thinking about it.  i wasn't devastated, it wasn't a horrible experience, it just wasn't what we had concentrated, planned, and prepared for.  so i guess i don't want to put my energy into preparing for a vbac if it isn't possible :(  (my water broke at 40 w 3 days and 48 hours later i had neither effaced completely nor dilated and had also refused the strep b test, so....) oh-- and my ob is supportive of a vbac, too.. his only caveat was that i should strive not to make another 10 pounder to make that happen, i suppose not the size of the baby so much as that it made me on the border of pre-e last time, and on bedrest after i had gained 90 pounds. 

Originally Posted by Jaysmylilpunkin 

Hildare- Where in GA are you? Have you joined the ATLANTA ICAN? Heard of Dr. Tate or Intown Midwifery?

[CortLong]

I had a c-section with my first and have had 4 VBACS since. We are planning on a 5th VBAC at home. :)

[libabean]

I'm not technically planning a VBAC since my first was delivered vaginally but, I have since had uterine surgery so most docs want me to have a c-section with this pregnancy.  I am currently in the process of trying to find someone who will let me at least attempt to deliver vaginally. 

[countingmore]

I am looking to VBA4C :) I had 4 vaginal/natural births before my c-sections. My first c-section was due to my baby turning breech hours before the induction with cervidil (I had issues dilating after a D&C before my third child). Doc starts yelling emergency c-section and would not even attempt anything else. Then it was "once a c-section, always a c-section" at the small hospital. So, I am looking for VBAC. I can't do the poll though as I am unsure as of yet if it will be a HBAC or hospital VBAC. They way it's looking, I may end up coming in with baby crowning or just staying home ;)

[Faither]

I haven't even seen my doc yet, but I plan on trying for a VBAC. We'll see what happens though. I used Hypnobabies with my first but ended up with a C-section (despite using an OB with a very low rate). HB HELPED so much to get me to 10cm quickly and with little pain. I think it will help me get to where I need to be in order to get my VBAC as long as the hospital agrees. I remember asking my doc during one of my followups to my DD what my chances for a VBAC were. She said she'll try for it as long as everything looks good. So we'll see. I have my fingers crossed.