VBAC, and saline/heparin lock ?

[OwensMa]

I'm planning a VBAC, and it's 'routine' to have an IV inserted for VBACs, according to my midwife. I've agreed to a saline lock, so that I will still have my mobility, but the access will be there if required. At the same time, I am worried about 'routine interventions'...and I suppose the increased risk of repeat c/s with routine hospital interventions. Is anyone else feeling this? Or do you have opinions/advice?

[maxmama]

I don't see how *just* having IV access would be an intervention that increases a risk of section. I'm planning a VBAC this October and it seems a reasonable request; I've put in IVs in true emergency situations and it can be incredibly difficult.

BTW, we had a beautiful VBAC last night at work. She came in at complete and birthed half an hour later. first vag birth, too. Totally OT, but gave me hope.

[OwensMa]

I can entirely undestand the difficulty of inserting IVs during emergencies, as I'm an RN. I know my question may seem silly, but it's been nagging at the back of my mind. I just really, really want to avoid a repeat c/s. Thanks for your reply!

[augustmom]

I'm pretty sure it SOP for hospitals to do so with VBACs.

[AugustineM]

I am also planning a hospital VBAC and it's required that I have a heparin lock. I know how you feel -- I wish I didn't have to have it, but then again I also have to have constant EFM (but it's telemetry). I read Henci Goer's "A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" and she says in there that both a heploc and constant EFM are actually a GOOD thing for a VBAC mom. That made me feel a lot better. A heparin lock, as long as it's placed correctly, is really not distracting at all, except when you have to have it inserted while you are in labor. I imagine that is not fun... although with my first I had three attempts at IVs while at 9cm and really didn't even notice because I was so focused on the contractions.

I've been trying to relax and not worry to much about the hospital stuff that's coming up, because it just makes me tense. I'm already a week over my due date and THAT is starting to worry me because they don't let VBACs go over 42 weeks, and they don't induce (except for breaking your water) so... yikes.

[The4OfUs]

Yep, I'm feeling it too....agreed to the hep lock, but they will let me do intermittent monitoring, so at least I got that going for me. My practice will let me go to 41-1/2 weeks, then we have to "talk"...so keepign my fingers crossed that this babe decides to come out on her own before July 10 or so (thogh I really cannot fathom being pregnant for another month - ugh) !!

[OwensMa]

Glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

[mommy2girlies]

Yep, same boat over here! I've agreed to a heplock and that doesn't bother me at all. Plus, my ob agrees w/ the intermittant monitoring and they have a telemetry monitor so I can "roam" the halls if I like. My ob is so great and so midwifey that we've not even really discussed my VBAC. It hasn't defined this pregnancy, we're just having a normal, natural birth that happens to be coming after a section.

[mcsarahb]

My thought is that having a saline lock in place might actually let you have fewer interventions. If they know that "at least" you have that IV access, they will let you go longer, move around more, etc., than if they feel sketched out and unprepared. It is a precaution, and a minor one, really, in the scheme of things. Also, be prepared with water/juice/recharge etc, so you don't get dehydrated, and stay at home as long as possible.

Good luck! Hope you have a wonderful birthing experience.