VBA2C - Due a few days ago - help needed ASAP - Page 2

[motherhendoula]

Originally Posted by pers 

 

What if any of her friends or family members happen to be MDC members?

Because they probably know this information:  

Which could apply to a lot of woman.  But, she may also have mentioned that she is using a doula named Amber or even mentioned the name of the OP's business to a friend or family member who is interested in using a doula in the future.  That information, the area she serves, her hometown, etc. are either in her sig or in the link from the sig.  So now if someone she knows who knows her very basic history happens upon this post it is entirely possible they would recognize her and now know all about how upset she is when she's really not ready to share, or even that she is thinking of just not showing up to her c-section (which would be an extremely bad idea, in my opinion). 

Or w hat if a concerned mother in law is worried about her health and concerned that she might be getting bad advice from her doula so goes searching to find out what she can about the doula's reputation.  MDC threads show up on Google. 

Both scenarios are extremely unlikely, but both are possible.  Stranger things have happened. 

I have to say i am rolling my eyes just a liitle at this one ...OP may i suggest this website to you:  http://www.alldoulas.com/

and how about an update?  Its Thursday!

[cinderella08]

To those worried over HIPPA regs -  this scenario could apply to tons of women, as someone else mentioned.  No truly personal info was given.  There was clinical info given, but not without consent.  That being said, this particular client knows I was seeking another opinion on her situation and was 100% fine with that (knew it was a message board with other very knowledgeable people including midwives and lots of other doulas).  So that is not a concern.  I can see why someone might be worried without knowing I had her consent to discuss her case though!!

We saw her doctor again on Tuesday and fluid had increased from 6.8 to 8.9.  OB was a totally different man and was wonderful!  Said he never expected her to get her fluid up and BP down!  He said he sees no reason to continue letting her keep trying for her VBA2C and gave her until 41+6 before scheduling her cesarean (which he scheduled for 40+3 originally).  I honestly believe the woman who's baby had passed honestly scared and upset him to the core because he was a different man the next day.....  He even asked my client if she'd like a cervix check because he "wanted her to have as much control over the situation as possible".   She asked for the check and was 1.5cm and asked for a membrane strip.  He was able to do it and it was a good strip, removing her plug.  This was around 3pm.  She had her first contraction at 4:41pm.

She contracted 15-20 apart, went to 10-15, then 8-10 and by that evening she was consistently 5-8.  Around 11pm they were 4-5 and we agreed I should come around 2am.  I arrived to her at 3:45am and she was laboring hard with contractions 45-60 in length every 2-3 minutes.  We arrived at the hospital around 5:30am and she was 2cm.

The OB was WONDERFUL at the hospital.  Didn't give her grief about no IV at all - just asked that she get a hep lock.  Only required she was on the monitor for 20 minutes each 60-90 minutes and then told her she should walk, get on the ball, ect...  Mom labored hard (contractions showed very strong on monitor and nurse agreed they palpated strong as well). She labored until around 9am with contractions 2-3m apart and then OB  checked her again and still 2cm.  OB agreed she wasn't in active labor and making no change in several hours, and gave her the option of a 3rd section, or to go home and labor at home and come back.  By then, contractions had slowed to 4-6m apart.  Mom was ready to give up, but we had a good long talk and she decided she wanted to just go home.  OB gave one dose of nubain/phenergan to relax her and help her rest as mom hadn't slept in 35 hours at that point and had been in labor for 26 hours.  We got her home and over the next few hours contractions drifted apart.

For the past 36 hours she's contracted constantly 3-4 times an hour and they are quite painful and strong.  Still having bloody show.  She's able to rest and relax thankfully.

I fully believe her body just needed the time to rest, and labor will officially start and continue once mom is well rested and ready!

[cinderella08]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Amber, will the OB side do VBA2C? hope this is it for her!

Yeah, she's seeing the OB side already since the CNMs can't attend the VBACs after multiple cesareans.
 

Originally Posted by kltroy 

i dealt with this issue w/ my VBAC a few years ago.  Fluid levels below 5 would be a legit worry about blood flow with the placenta.  Above that and they shouldn't be bugging her.  For her NST retest today, make sure she drinks plenty for the 24 hours before, and eats a good meal about 30-45 minutes before she goes in. 

Ultimately, if the baby needs to come out b/c of a legit concern, she can opt for a gentle induction with pitocin.  This is a good option esp. if her cervix is already pretty soft/dilated.  Pit only inductions are associated with minimally increased risk - one that I would personally be comfortable with (around 1% UR rate). 

Unfortunately, since she's a VBA2C and not just a VBAC, all of the OBs refuse to induce her with pitocin at all.  We did discuss the option of a foley bulb or AROM if it comes down to it.

Originally Posted by Mama Willow 

How about some natural induction methods?  My OB gave me a list.  EPO orally and vaginally, walking, fresh pineapple, eggplant parm.  And of course sex.  I'm not sure which of these helped me (if any) but had a successful VBAC 1 day before due date.  Good luck!

Oh yes - we've tried anything and everything and she's been doing EPO for weeks now orally and vaginally!

Originally Posted by ablepearl 

Have her soak.  In a pool or a tub with epsom salts to help increase hte fluid levels.

I discussed this when I had low fluid with a midwife and she discussed the possibility of it counteracting any labor activity due to the magnesium... 
 

Originally Posted by christyk 

You mentioned looking for support, to support the woman.

I find myself thinking about my second child's birth and the wonderful doula I had then. I was trying for a vbac. I desperately wanted the vbac and my doula was wonderful at encouraging me, supporting me, giving me information. She did everything she could to help me have that vbac. But then when it became obvious that continuing on that path would put my child at risk, she helped me shift gears. When my OB was snarky, she agreed that yes, the OB had been snarky and mean, but she also pointed out that the OB looked scared. She helped me recognize that the OB was just... trying to make the best of a bad situation. She helped me trust the OB. Though she was incredibly tired (from a long, long day with me) she sat with me in the recovery room while I was on oxygen. Then I remember when I was holding my baby after the csection and she was getting ready to go... I offered to let her hold my baby and she said no. She said she would another day, but to let the baby snuggle with just me that day, and somehow, it helped to hear that. It might sound weird, but it was her way of affirming that despite the csection and everything, I could still have this special bonding time with my baby.

My doula helped assure me that I wasn't a failure, just because I couldn't have a vaginal birth. She helped make the csection special. She helped make sure I was breastfeeding fine. She listened to me when I was angry at the OB, but she also helped me make peace with the OB. I'm really greatful for that.

I'm new to mothering.com. Or rather I've been lurking for a while but too scared to post, but I wanted to post this, because I think... there's more than one way to support a mother in this situation.

Best of luck.

I hear you, and am thankful you said all of this.

Ultimately, through our talks she knows I support her 110% of the way no matter what.  We've made a cesarean birth plan just in case and everything so that she has the best, most supportive, good experience if it ever comes to that.  She's definitely supported from me and others around here no matter how this sweet one comes into the world.

Your doula sounds super awesome, I wish I had one like that when I had my own cesarean - it really makes the experience alot better...
 

[motherhendoula]

Youve got your work cut out for you Cindarella!!  get some rest and keep us posted!

[cinderella08]

Thanks motherhendoula.  Sometimes doula's need support just like the mama's they are supporting!

My client just contacted me.  She's constantly contracted 3-4 times an hour since tuesday.  About an hour ago contractions started coming harder and more frequently - they are around 12-14 minute apart now.  We'll see if this turns into anything.  She's 41wk today.  I am having her hydrate, have a warm bath, and try to relax and I'm going to do the same.

[lisafalknerlmt]

ok i just read this entire thread and now i'm dying to know how it all ended!  please update!

[cinderella08]

*** UPDATE ***

She did it.  My amazing mama reached down and pulled her baby up and out - successful VBA2C. It's a boy, and her biggest yet at 8lb 3oz. After 5 days of intense prodromal labor, and 16 hours of 'real' labor - she did it! And I am so proud of her! The look on her face was simply amazing.  We *KNEW* she could do this!

Also - for anyone who asked about HIPPA/confidentiality and me giving details about her case - there should be no worries.  I had complete permission from this mama to ask fellow doulas, midwives, and other knowledgeable people about her situation.  She knew I was posting here in the VBAC forum, and was 100% fine with that.  So there should be no worries!  I don't want anyone thinking that I - or any doula - posts case specific info all over the net unless I have explicit permission!

Edited by cinderella08 - 7/18/11 at 9:42pm

[Alenushka]

Congrats1

[ablepearl]

Yay!  I am glad to read that she was sucessful!

[LisaSedai]

congrats!!!

[Chena4]

Yay! to the mama!!!!

[samstress]

so glad to hear she got her vbac.  hooray mama!  

i had a similar story.  my supposedly supportive OB changed his tune as soon as i went past 40 weeks.  cesareans were scheduled for me on two separate occasions (both of which i canceled).  the words "stillborn" and "brain damage" were used several times to scare me. 

our 9lb 1oz beautiful baby boy arrived naturally 13 days past the due date.  so glad i didn't cave under their pressure.