Encouragement, advice on having a successful Hospital VB2C?

[blessed.mommy]

Hey ladies!

I'm hoping for a VB2C (hospital - because DH isn't comfortable with a home birth) in April. Do you have any advice or encouragement to give?

Here's what I'm planning:

Chiropractic care through pregnancy (going to start 2nd trimester)

Stay at home as long as possible (if need be, rent a doppler and monitor the baby there until I just can't take the pain any more).

Refuse cervical checks until labor because I was convinced last time that if you don't dilate before labor..."it just isn't happening for you" so, I dont want to be in that position again with an OB.

Refuse 3rd trimester ultrasound to "check weight". My boys were 8 lbs 5 oz and 9 lbs 6 oz. With my 1st I labored 7 hrs (non induction) and got to 2 cm.

EPO after 36 weeks along with red raspberry leaf tea

Does this sound good to you? Anything I should not do?

I know that the hospital will require constant monitoring and has telementary monitoring so I can use the tub for pain relief. I have my first appt/ultrasound on the 21st, so I'm hoping things will go over well when I talk to t he OB about the VB2C. I wasn't able to talk to an OB before making an appt (I have no idea why and wasn't happy about it, but this is the only one in town).

[akind1]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Make sure that the practice is really supportive - ask about how they'd treat a VBA2C mama different from any other laboring mama - and see if those interventions are evidence based, things you can live with or not - what are they adamant about, what things will they work with you on, etc.

Hire a doula - preferably one who has worked with that OB/hospital combo before with a VBAC client (a VBA2C client would be even better) - I've not had my VBAC yet (due soon!) - but this alone has helped me so much - to talk things through and get into a good headspace prior to the birth - it's not that DH and other people aren't supportive, but it's so nice to have a IRL BTDT person to discuss everything with. It's helped me be able to relax and not stress so much, which is really a priceless service.

Oh, does your chiropractor have a massage therapist on staff? I've done this as well with the chiro, and I think it's helped alot - the combination of therapies.

That's all I've got, but hope it helps some!

[blessed.mommy]

Originally Posted by akind1 

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Make sure that the practice is really supportive - ask about how they'd treat a VBA2C mama different from any other laboring mama - and see if those interventions are evidence based, things you can live with or not - what are they adamant about, what things will they work with you on, etc.

Hire a doula - preferably one who has worked with that OB/hospital combo before with a VBAC client (a VBA2C client would be even better) - I've not had my VBAC yet (due soon!) - but this alone has helped me so much - to talk things through and get into a good headspace prior to the birth - it's not that DH and other people aren't supportive, but it's so nice to have a IRL BTDT person to discuss everything with. It's helped me be able to relax and not stress so much, which is really a priceless service.

Oh, does your chiropractor have a massage therapist on staff? I've done this as well with the chiro, and I think it's helped alot - the combination of therapies.

That's all I've got, but hope it helps some!

Thanks so much!

I am going to contact a well known doula here in town, see if she knows of any student doulas in need of clients. I talked to her before and she's confirmed that the hospital is VBAC friendly and she's had lots of VBAC clients...no VB2C clients as of yet, we just can't afford the $600, seeing as we're in need of a bigger vehicle now.

I've got a wonderful supportive group of local mamas who are very encouraging, that's helped a lot! As far as the chiro, I'm not sure if they have a message therapist on staff, but I'll check!

Thanks for your imput/encouragement. I really appreciate it! I wish you all the best with your VBAC!!!!