VBAC/HBAC Sub Group: Introductions

[txgal]

Okay I am going to go out on a limb and start this, hope no one minds. I think the easiest thing to do is start off with an intro. Tell your previous birth story/stories and what you have planned for this time. Anything else you want to share. I don't want this to take away from the main weekly update but I would love to have central location where I can ask questions and discuss topics specific to VBAC/HBAC.

[txgal]

Okay I will start. My pregancy with Ds was very routine, no complications, I felt great, wouldn't have known I was pregnant except for the basal temp. changes. I saw a midwife throughout the pregnancy and planned on an out of hospital birth center birth. On my due date (wednesday) I started having some light cramping that focused in my lower right side. The cramping would come and go but the pain in my side was constant and became more intense as the time went on. I assumed it was round ligament pain and did everything to try and alleviate it (warm bath, changing positions, stretches, heating pads). By wednesday night I was also contracting every 10-20 minutes. The contractions were mild, but they intensified the pain in my side so that I only slept for about 3 hours that night. Thursday morning we headed to the midwifes office, I was only 1 centimeter dialated and instructed to go home and sleep. Thursday night I spent in the recliner and a warm bath trying to get some relief from the now constant and excruciating pain in my side. By friday morning I was near hystrical from the lack of sleep and pain. We went back to the midwife, I was at a 2 then. She suggested that seeing as I hadn't slept in over 24 hours that it might be best to go to the hospital where I could get an epidural and get some rest so that I would have to energy to push. We arrived at the hospital at 12:00, they started me on pitocin and broke my water when I got to 3 cent. and then started the epidural. Unfortunately there is something screwy with my spine and the epi didn't work. I labored from 12 noon on Friday until 4 am Saturday with no pain relief and only progressed to a 5. At 4:00 when I could no longer keep my eyes open I was so tired I requested the C-sect. When the doctor opened me up we finally discovered the source of all my pain, the fallopian tube on my right side had some how become twisted on itself and died, it was shriveled and black when the doctor removed it. Ds was a trooper throughout the entire labor and arrived with 9/9 apgars. Although a csect is the last thing I wanted, in the end it was probably the best thing, I hate to think what could have happened had the tube started an infection. I was lucky that I had a doctor that was very supportive of natural child birth and let me eat and drink during labor, and a nurse who was a doula ( she stayed past her shift just to be with me) I couldn't have gone as long as I did otherwise. The doctor never brought up the word Csect even after my water had been broken for 12 hours. I truly believe that my body did exactly what it was supposed to do under the circumstances, it knew I need the csect and so I didn't dialate.

For this birth we are planning a home birth. I am seeing a new midwife (the other closed her birth center in January) and I am really excited about the homebirth experience. I find myself visualizing laboring in different rooms of my house and it such a peaceful thought.

sorry that was so long, can't wait to read everyone elses intros.

[AllisonK]

I like this idea!
My daughter was born via emergency c-section. At around 37 weeks I was feeling funny so I called my dr. (I was seeing a family practitioner) I had been on bedrest for about one month with BP issues, severe swelling. I started out the pg at 125 lbs and the day I cked into the hosp I was 194. The next morning I was 206. So I was retaining ALOT of water. Well they decided that I should be induced. I still wonder to this day if I had not gone in if things would have turned out differently. Well they started with cervidil. So I had two days of cervidil. I was not allowed out of bed except ot use the restroom. and was told to lay on my left side at all times. By day three my cervix was getting soft so they started pitocin around 10-11 am. I was still not allowed out of bed so this was very hard to deal with. At about 4:30 or so I was 10 cm and ready to push. When the nurse did the exam she discovered that DD was breech. I know that she had not changed positions at all. They clain that she switched to breech but her head (what I thought was her butt) was inmy ribs for the last month. Well they called an OB and told me not to push. After the anesthethiologist arrived (he did not think it was an emergency, now I don't either, but he took almost an hour to get there.) I was given general and my daughter was born at 5:31 pm. My DH was allowed into the OR and said that they were taking Madeline out when he came in. She was so far down that a nurse had to push her back into me. I do not remember seeing her for at least 12 hours. Everyone tells me that I did but I do not remember.

My son was born by hospital vbac. It was the most wonderful thing! I had to switch doctors at 36 wks when my OB (I went to the one who was called into do my section) changed his mind about VBAC. I went into labor at 37 wks 4 days around 7pm. by 2 am things were moving very quickly and I was sure this was it so we called our doula. We arrived at the hosp at about 3am and I was 5 cm. I was so dissapointed as the plan was to be pushing. But my doula and DH were great at reassuring me. My son was born at 4:51 am. I pushed for about 5mins! I was able to hold him for at least on hour or so after the birth and he was never without me or my DH. I was up and walking with in hours and the next day we went home. I was out chasing my DD by day two!

We are now pg with #3 and planning a HBAC. The midwife I am using is very non interventive. I do not have to take ANY tests I do not want to do. She does not perform vaginal exams at any time during preg, labor, birth unless I request one. Others who have used her said it was as close to a UC as they could get withour actually having a UC. I plan on delivering at home even though we are about 20-30 mins from the nearest hospital. And I look foward to having both of my children there.

I am a birth doula as well as chapter leader of the local ICAN of Spokane group. I look foward to meeting all of you other VBAC/HBAC moms.

Allison

[pfamilygal]

I had vaginal deliveries with my first 2. Nathaniel was an induction for severe PIH/pulmonary edema at 36 wks (I had not urinated in 3 days). I totally understand your feelings about not being able to take the pain when you are forced to lay on your side the whole time. Oh, it sucked. Fortunately, after 14 hrs, I had a good epidural, which helped immensely with the contractions. It still hurt a lot down in the nether regions when I got to about 9, but I was able to push pretty well. 1 hr of pushing, though I did have forceps and a large episiotomy. He had a nuchal cord x 3. His Apgars stunk initially (3) but he perked up to 9 by 5 minutes.

My second was a regular old birth. I had been on mag sulfate for preterm labor and then was sent home for a couple weeks on terbutaline and Procardia. At 33 weeks 5 days my water broke. It took a while for the tocolytics to work their way out, but Anna was born about 30 hrs later, after 2 pushes. Perfect and healthy in every way.

With our youngest I was on supposed to be "taking it easy" for preterm labor. We were unsure of my due date since I was still nursing when I got pg. We were taking a tour of my husband's new school and when we walked through the doors my water broke. I thought it was kind of strange because wieht my first daughter I had and initial gush and then just dribbles. With this one it just gushed and gushed. We went home, showered, and went to the hospital. I knew I had been 4 cm at my last visit. I was also not really having any ctx or feeling any pressure. I couldn't reach my own cervix to check. When I got to the hospital the nurse had a really hard time getting up there. Then she told me I was 5 cm, but she was not feeling a head. They did a sono and she was completely transverse. Head over one hip, but over the other, with her spine as the presenting part. So there was nothing we could do other than a c/s. They had trouble getting an IV started (17 sticks!) so it was few hours, but 5 hrs after my water broke she was born. It was a good section. I was wide awake, they put on my favorite Christian music station in the background and I enjoyed talking and joking with my OB and the anesthesiologist. She was much smaller than anticipated (I had been told 6 lb 14 oz on sono 2 days before) - 4 lb 15 oz. She looked very immature. She was breathing very rapidly and went to the nursery for observation. As soon as I was up (about an hour and a half later) I walked down to the nursery and sat by her. This is the one thing I would do differently. I would insist on holding her. They said I could not for the first 24 hrs. At that point they had taken her to the NICU for treatment of her tachypnea (fast breathing). She had 100% O2 sats the whole time and I think she would have done better with kangaroo care. I was angry that they had started an IV and antibiotics without asking me. But I was too doped up to really question things. Dh and I have talked about it and he is totally on board as far as asking questions and advocating for me and our son this time.

So I don't think my c/s was unnecessary, but I do think Abby's NICU time was unwarrented. I was never able to get bf established with her, though I EP'ed for 3 months.

[KKmama]

Ack, telling my birth stories would take a long time. I'll try to be brief. (Thanks for starting the thread, BTW.)

With T, I had a CNM. T was still spinning vertex/breech (you could see his feet walking around in circles, I kid you not) through 36 weeks. Finally settled sort of transverse. I went to 42 1/2 wks till my MW finally told me we had to do an induction, that she was running out of time. He was fine at the appt that morning (I was to check into the hospital that night). When I arrived, they put me on the monitor (standard procedure), and found that he was in 2nd degree distress (I wasn't surprised, in retrospect, because his mvmt that day had been very unusual). I had an immediate cesarean. It sounds like what happened was that he finally tried to start moving down but was really tangled up in his cord (around his neck twice and body). I feel that the C was necessary, but I'm glad I didn't have to think about it ahead of time.

With Z, we had moved to another state. Everything was pretty straightforward except that I had several large (painful!) ovary cysts which were monitored through my pg (some, but not all, ruptured ~19 wks). I negotiated to have 42 full wks before a repeat C (figured I'd need 'em). Finally went into labor at 41 1/2 wks. Long, slow labor... I was fine the 1st 24 hrs, but then I had an epidural so I could rest (and I think I finally relaxed and dilated). I'm actually glad I had the epidural, because a bunch of the cysts ruptured during pushing... it was the most painful thing I've ever experienced (the actual birth was *nothing* in comparison). 40 hr labor, but much better than my cesarean any day. (And I was glad my OB had monitored the cysts so carefully, because she was very confident it wasn't a UR.)

We're planning another VBAC with #3, same OB practice, same terms (and oh yeah, the cysts are back). Another nearby hospital has just ended doing VBACs, and it makes me sad. I wonder how much longer they'll be available in this area...

We'll have a doula again, but we're probably going with a different one this time.

I'd love to chat with y'all for the next however many weeks, because I think so much of having a VBAC is emotional and mental... it really helps to have someone to talk to about it.

[AtThePark]

Hi guys - I'm planning a HBAC with #2 - at the far end of April (28/29th). My son was breech and failed to flip (longer story in the homebirth thread) so wer scheduled a c-section had had him.

Very untramatic section but I hated being in the hospital and having all the interruptions/staff/ect They just kept taking DS away and I hated it and couldn't do anything to stop it.

And what's up with those tiny beds anyway - how are you supposed to start nursing and sleep with your baby on those cots?

So this time I found an awesome midwife and am all about trusting - I so know and have always known that birthing was something I could do and could do from my body.

And if it doesn't work out as planned - I know fully that I had the best support and did everything I could and the rest I leave up to the wisdom of the universe!

[AngelaB]

Hi,
My name is Angela and I have 2 sons. Samson is my oldest(almost 6)and Jupiter is my youngest(almost 4).

Sam was born via c-section. I went to the hospital after my water had broken 5-6 hours earlier and I arrived dialated to 6 cm. The nurse checked me and said she didnt think she felt a head, it felt like a bottom.

So I was rushed off for a c-section. It was so scary! I skipped all the c/s chapters in my childbirth books cuz I just wasnt going to have one so why bother reading about them

I wish I would have known that ds didnt have to be taken anywhere ever unless there were problems, which there were not. I layed in recovery for an hour by myself while the nurses did the bathing and all the procedure stuff in the nursery. I should have been able to nurse right away and a baby is not dirty they dont need a bath right away, it can wait.
Nursing was a little hard at first but we were lucky not to have any complications with the c/s.
Now my birth plan has provisions for possible c/s.

With Jupiter I had a VBAC in a hospital an hour away since it was the closest place that would allow VBAC. It was 40 hours of true labor. My husband had to yell at a nurse the first time went to hospital and we left shortly afterward. We drove back to manhattan at about 3 a.m. the next morning and I labored in a hotel until my water broke about 6 hours later. When we finally went back to hospital I had a doll of a nurse. She was so mellow and kind! I labored in the tub for a couple hours until I had to push.
Jupiter was 10 pounds 2 oz when born and it was a hundred times better then the c/s.

This time I we are going to a free standing Birth Center 2 hours away and I will be attended by a CNM.All the hospitals in kansas have changed their policies on VBAC so we have to go farther now to have one.
It is a great place I was so pleased after my tour. I am a little nervous about traveling for 2 hours but they wont put me on a timer once I walk in. My body can take as long as it needs and they wont freak out over a 40 hour labor and rush me to hospital for failure to progress, which is what would have happened If we would have stayed the first time we went with ds2.

I am so excited about it and all of my family cant wait to be a part of this birth. The birth center has a full kitchen and living room like waiting room as well as labor tub and kids play areas with tv and vcr. My brother is going to help my boys make the baby a birthday cake and cards while they wait!

Long winded I know!
~Angela~

[aprilushka]

My son was born via c/s for, according to the report "nonreassuring fetal status, chorioamnionitis, prolonged rupture of membranes". I would add to that physician convenience.

My water broke at work but not completely, more of a leak. I could feel it coming out of there but since it was my first I wanted to check with the doctor on call. She promptly informed me since it wasn't a huge gust I *must* have peed my pants and told me just to keep an eye on it if it was still leaking. So it didn't much and I went home. That night I had some sensations I was sure were contractions (but since I hadn't had much in the way of bh, I wasn't thinking, this is it for sure). I went back to work the next day (stupid, really) and started feeling real early labor contractions, got to my regular doctor at 4 who did an exam and confirmed it. Got to the hospital after a long taxi ride in rush hour and the OB on call was pissed by then and stuck me straight on pitocin without telling me beforehand she was going to do it (if the nurse hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known!). I had never researched this scenario, didn't research hospital policy at all actually-- I thought I could just go in and do my thing and if I didn't have an epidural I would probably have a natural birth. Not quite.

Well, since I knew usually they gave pitocin to speed up labor with epidurals and I was already on it I figured what the hey and got one (I also asked the anestheseologist resident doing it if they increase the risk of c/s-- he said no--I think he was actually just ignorant rather than a liar). After that my temperature went up and the baby's heart rate went up a few times pretty high, but then back down. At some point before that the OB had also broke the remainder of the sac and released the rest of the waters. On the report I've seen nothing to indicate it was definitely a problem and for that matter the doctor never said the baby was in distress, just she didn't like it. After 7 cm or so (though my report only says 6, but whatever-- I could've been 10 by the time we got to the OR for all anyone knows) she said she felt the baby was posterior and the combination of that and the "nonreassuring" heart rate meant that she wanted to do c/s, just in case. I was too drugged up and at the time ignorant to argue. I've since found out from reading a birth story by someone in ICAN (who just successfuly VBAC'd) and had almost the exact same story as me (same scenario, same regular doctor, same doctor on call who did the surgery) that the OB we had shared as a regular OB has stopped using the OB who did our surgeries because she feels she does to many unnecessary c/s. Well, surprise surprise.

My recovery was fine, I hated the surgery (shook like a tree in a hurricane) and got to witness the OB and anesthesologist (not the resident) having a cat fight about where to put my legs. I also threw up a lot during and for the next day or so, much to the nurses' delight-- they actually got pissed off that I missed the bucket once (gee, sorry I can't move fast enough for you with a big freaking cut on my abdomen). All in all I was sort of just in deal with it mode and a month or two later, after hearing a story on NPR about how hard VBAC was (this is in 2003) becoming b/c of doctor and hospitals not wanting to do it I started researching, found ICAN and came to the decision to HBAC.

I know my c/s was avoidable (I was going into labor on my own, just not fast enough for the system-- in Europe I could have had expectant management for another 24 hours and most likely done it on my own), probably unnecessary, although with a posterior baby I may have ended up with the same result even if I had got to push, don't know. I'm pretty sure I didn't have an infection though since my fever went down after the operation pretty quickly and I'm pretty sure the drugs had a lot to do with that and the "nonreassuring" heart rate. For me though the whole thing was a good learning experience so there's a positive side. At least this time if I end up with another c/s more than likely I will know it was truly necessary. It won't necessarily make it easier, but I will know I did everything I could.

[eilonwy]

I've written extensively about both of my "birth" experiences here at MDC and in my blog; I'll dig up links if anyone is interested.

Long stories short: BeanBean, my 3-year-old, was a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery following a pregnancy and labor which I can only describe as "hellish." BooBah, my 17 month old, was born by emergency c-section after she turned breech at nearly 39 weeks and broke her sac; the turning resulted in her cord dropping below her feet and the lack of fluid (mine did not, in either case, replenish itself despite the fact that I never felt a gush) prevented any more movement. She presented both feet and umbilical cord (under her feet) at the time of delivery ("double footling breech presentation w/prolapsed cord" according to the chart). The section was amazing, wonderful, the absolute best thing I could have hoped for under those circumstances.

This time around, I'm hoping to have a UCAC. BeanBean went to NICU and after BooBah's delivery I was given something to make me sleep; after having two babies, I have never seen a brand new baby up close and personal! Something in me thinks that this is incredibly up. I want to be the first person to touch my baby, to sniff his little head, and to give the first bath. This stuff sounds very silly sometimes, even to me, but it's very important to me and I don't think I'm willing to give it up for anything. We can't afford a midwife (we'd have to pay out of pocket) for a homebirth, so I'm planning an "accidental" UC. I'm also gonig to have a comprehensive c-section "back-up" plan, as well as a plan for a hospital vaginal birth. I'm absolutely determined to smell my baby before he's washed!!!!

[Earthylady]

Me me me! I'm planning a HBAC. DD is 26 months and was frank breech. Hospital midwife told us there was no one that would allow us to deliver her since we were a first time mom. We had planned a hospital waterbirth, took Bradley birth classes, and waterbirth classes. I was so prepared mentally and physically. It was such a blow!

This time, I have interviewed several doctors, every midwife I could find that worked in the hospitals, hospital staff, etc and have been extremely dissapointed with the availabilities. There are two hospitals that have waterbirth tubs....but you are only allowed to labor in them and there is NO ONE that will actually allow you to deliver in them.

So, we are just going with a Direct Entry Midwife that's been doing this for 10 years and that we feel really comfortable with. Hopefully if all goes well we'll have a HWBAC.

Mandy

[KKmama]

bump

I'm finally getting around to contacting the doula, and I was wondering where everyone else is on this... I found that having a doula with my 1st VBAC was extremely helpful (she covered well for my many moments of doubt, for one thing).

Anyone else?

How's everyone doing?

For those of you who haven't commented on it, how do you feel your caregiver is about VBAC?

[ktkb]

Somehow I missed this the first time around.

I had a C/S for failure to progress...I was in labor for over 3 days (10 hrs at the hospital), but never got past 4 cm/70% effaced. I was definitely ready to have her out (I had slept only 1.5 hours over 3 nights); was infinitely more upset about the pit they gave me to try to speed the process. (Did not have to have an epi with the pit though, because I had an amazing doula and an amazing friend with me, plus dh.) Turned out that dd was over 8 1/2 lbs and had a huge head that was transverse (the rest of her was vertex).

I am working with a very VBAC supportive OB. Lucky that the hospital hasn't yet disallowed them. Same doula, who gets on famously with the OB. (First go round the two of them decided I should, 2 days into the labor, take a LOT of castor oil. : )

At the moment it's all on track, although it looks like I have a propensity to make very big babies (I know 8-9 lbs isn't SO big, but for me & my pelvis it's enormous). So my personal goal is to have this baby out by 10 days before my EDD. I am more focused on avoiding another c/s right now than actually doing the VBAC. Although my OB has a reputation as a great surgeon (another dr, also a great surgeon, delivered me the first time), I desperately want to avoid the c/s recovery. (New baby + toddler + inability to walk up an incline for 4 weeks = bad news.)

[AllisonK]

I am doing well. I will hire a doula this time as well. Even if she just takes photos it will be nice to have an extra set of hands. My MW is so supportive of VBAC/HBAC. I am so lucky and blessed to have her. Others have told me that their births with her were almost like UC. She does not do VE's, all testing is up to me, I just love her.
Hope everyone is well.
Allison

[pfamilygal]

Doing well. My doc is totally on board with the VBAC, as is my perinatologist. I went up the the L&D floor at the hospital I work at and they were all "Good for you! We love VBAC's!" So I'm psyched.

[eilonwy]

My doctor's pretty cool with it. I haven't told him that I'm planning to have this baby at home int he bathtub, though.

[mamameg]

eilonwy... That's pretty much how my doc is with it, too. It's a little complicated because she is a new doc (new to me anyway) and I do like her quite a bit, except that the hospital doesn't even "allow" VBACs so she knows that I'm not planning on doing my prenatal care with her. What she doesn't know is that I'm using a midwife (who I and is super hardcore supportive of VBAC) and will be laboring/birthing at home. She asked me last time I spoke if I had selected a care provider and I just told her I hadn't decided. Kinda chicken, but I don't feel I owe her any explanation, nor do I feel like I need/want to open myself up for her commentary. I want to keep on liking her and using her for my GYN care, yk?

Backstory and intro on me... I had a c/s with DD for a failed induction at 41.5 weeks. There was fetal distress (lots and lots of decels) and after 27 hours, I threw in the towel and opted for the section. I was very angry for a very long time, but now I have come to terms with my role in the situation (I allowed a lot of interventions - totally my bad, even if I was scared to death) and I am no longer feeling like a victim. I had and have choices and you bet I'm going to assert and use them this time around! DH is TOTALLY on board and excited about the HBAC. He had reservations about homebirth the first time around (as did I) but our hospital experience was enough for us both to never want to set foot in a hospital again. DH has adobted my mantra of "The hospital is for sick people... I'm not sick. The hospital is for medical emergencies, not births... if we have an emergency, then we'll go to the hospital. Otherwise, we'll be at home."

I feel so much stronger this time around. I was a little bit afraid that my courage would dribble away once I became pg and was faced with the reality, but so far, it's just made me stronger in my resolve. I am so, so excited about this upcoming birth!

So anyway, that's a bit about me. Oh, and in case you missed my story the first time, here's a crazy little ditty about how I discovered I was pg this time.

[ktkb]

Already having to defend my choice

I was on the phone just now with another mom from my toddler playgroup. One of the other moms just had a c/s for a breech baby (failed version)...I said something to the effect of I didn't envy her the recovery, esp. with a 21 month old in addition, although it seems it was unavoidable (she did make an effort to flip the baby on her own, prior to the version).

Somehow I mentioned that I was planning to VBAC. The other mom (who had a vaginal birth) proceeded to flip out and tell me how dangerous it was. She had recently heard of two VBAC attempts (a huge sample, right? ) that ended in uterine rupture (1 fetal death ). She kept saying things like, "Are you sure your doctor is ok with this?" : Personally I think I am a lot more conservative than many others--I wouldn't consider a VBAC (for myself) anywhere other than a hospital; I like the fact that my OB's protocol is to have another attending on hand for an VBAC--should things go awry, he told me, they can have the baby out in 5 minutes. He is totally in favor of my trying to avoid surgery...but I am not sure I'll pass muster with the playgroup mommies

Ooooh, instant update! She just called to apologize...apparently after speaking with me she did some reading on the Mayo Clinic website, which happens to say that a VBAC (in women with a low transverse incision) is preferable to a repeat c/s. She probably still thinks I am to try this, but at least it looks like she won't be calling social services on behalf of my unborn child either.

She's not a bad person, just not educated about this. Sigh. (Oy, I hope I don't let it slip that I am still nursing, too!) Should I start carrying VBAC statistics in dd's diaper bag? Does that seem too defensive?


Dh is out at a meeting, so thanks for listening instead.

[aprilushka]

Well, she would call CPS on me since I'm planning an HBAC. But I'm not exactly a woo woo risk taker, I've really researched it.

I have some stats in my head which I actually think are good to know--

0.4-0.5% risk of uterine rupture in a TOL after one c/s provided no augmentation or inducement

--with inducement or augmentation, the number then approaches or exceeds 1%-- the 1% number usually thrown around by doctors and others is either induced or mixed induced/non-induced figures-- inducement with Cytotec can result in even higher ur numbers

-- the risk of death or catastrophic brain damage to a baby from trial of labor after one c/s is about 1 in 2000 or .05%-- most ruptures do not kill or permanently damage the baby, though certainly a very high proportion of them do

-- some studies have shown a 0.2% risk of uterine rupture discovered during ERCS, ie, that occured prior to labor

-- the risk of placenta accreta (which can carry possibly a 7% maternal death rate) after 2 c/s is not as well known as the risk of trial of labor but based on what is known is probably around 0.8%

I try not to discuss my birth plans with people whose reaction I don't think I can gage ahead of time though.

[pfamilygal]

One of the nurses I work with (who had elective c/s with her kids - so she wouldn't have to deal with the ambiguity of not knowing when she would go into labor ) keeps telling the other nurses that I (Mrs. Earth Mother - her name for me) am VBACing and my uterus will rupture and we'll die. Dude, shut up! And I am so far from being the Earth Mother it is not even funny. I am totally going for the epidural and wouldn't even consider a homebirth for me.

[KKmama]

I am pretty okay with other people feeling fine about their cesareans (I feel pretty okay about mine, but part of that is that I feel like it was necessary... not that I *ever* want to have another one, unless it is necessary), but when c/s mamas diss VBACs (esp. to hopefully VBACking pg mamas), it really makes me angry. I got a little of this when I was pg with Z, and it was really annoying (I also subscribe to the idea that one should only say nice, supportive things to pg women, esp. about their appearance and coming birth experience). I'm not trying to be snarky by saying this, but I *do* think choosing to VBAC (in this day and age) takes some courage, and I think part of the reason non-VBACking mamas are critical is because they want to feel better about their own ELRCs. But putting other people down is not the best way to feel better about your own decisions....

Megan, I totally forgot that you had a c/s with your dd (although I definitely remember that there were some pretty yucky ones that happened in our DDC).

It's funny that even though I have 1 VBAC under my belt that I kind of feel the same way I did last time (the "can I do it?" frame of mind). I'm sure everything will go well, though. I have my support lined up.

I talked to the ob (not my "regular" one, but I have to see all the drs. at least once) about my ovarian cysts... I had a bunch through my pg last time, and a bunch ruptured during the birth (and damn, it hurt, though it doesn't do any damage to anything, thankfully). I have them again this time, too... I realized later that the reason my ob didn't freak out and think it was my uterus is because she monitored the cysts so carefully through my pg. The odds that I get my favorite ob again during the birth (who would remember all of this and not freak out) are low, I figure, so I will be making a point of discussing the cysts with all the drs., and I will be having an u/s to check on them midway through my 3rd tri. And depending on how many cysts/how large the mass is, I may just do an epidural again (the cysts rupturing during the birth was by far the most painful thing I've ever experienced).