My doctor is trying to scare me into a c-section!! - Page 2

[hopeful1]

Originally Posted by AllisonR

I am probably going to get flammed a lot for the following comment, but if it were me, in that horrid enviornment, I'd forget all of it and just plan a cesarean, because that is what you are going to get anyway. The warning signs are everywhere. So sorry momma. Please consider other options.

I agree with you 100%. That is why I'm so upset over everything. And in all honesty I HAVE debated whether I should just throw in the towel and give them what they want.... but this is MY birth and if I have to be the ground breaker around here, then so be it. They are NOT going to force me into a c-section if I don't need one. If my baby is in distress, then that's another story.... but I know enough to know the difference between a few decels and actual "distress". The more I think about the way they are trying to push me around... the madder I'm getting. I feel sorry for the person answering the phone at my doctor's office Monday morning because they're going to be the one catching the brunt of this frustration that's going to brew all weekend.

[DreamsInDigital]

I have to agree with the assertion that you should not show up for their scheduled induction or any appointments until you are in labor on your own.
Being induced greatly increases your risk for uterine rupture and c section for "failure to progress".
Please do not assume that because you are a vbac that you have to follow their rules.

[Shelsi]

Did you give birth in this hospital before? If not, then why not just drop your doc, wait until labor starts and walk in there and NEVER MENTION you had a c-section previously. If you did give birth there before and therefore they already have records on you, could you go to another hospital in town?

[hopeful1]

Well, mommas, I am leaving work now and I don't have a computer at home right now so I won't be able to post anymore until Monday... but I plan on calling my doctor's office bright and early Monday morning as I said earlier and getting everything laid out in the open. I will definitely keep you posted and let you know how the conversation unfolds. Hope you all have a great weekend.

[Mrs_Hos]

Gosh mama...
I'm so sorry you are going thru this. I have a friend who VBACed at home...a long labor, but it was beautiful and wonderful and empowering. Her body was able to do it. I wish hospitals/OBs etc could believe in women's bodies more. I can't believe the word INDUCE was even mentioned to you. Could you bring in some literature on how dangerous that is?
I agree with the other posters--don't go in until you are crowning. Have faith--your body has a more likely chance of rupturing AT the hospital with their policies, than it does at home in your own space!!!!
Good luck mama...I feel for you sweetie!

[Kerriemoe]

I had an internal monitor during my labor with DS and was not confined to bed-- in fact, that's why they put the internal monitor on, so I could get up and move around more freely than I could with the external monitors strapped to my belly. I walked, labored on the birthing ball, etc.

Not that that solves anything, because it sounds like you have a LOT of other issues to get through with this doc : , but just wanted to put that out there as yet another thing that's paving your road to the OR.

Good luck, I hope you're able to get your VBAC.

[citymama]

Chiming in late to wish you luck. I agree with other mamas here that you should absolutely not agree to be induced as it increases the risk of uterine rupture (prostoglandins moreso than pitocin, but I still don't know anhy provider who would induce at all.). If you need some articles, I'd be happy look some up for you - the VBAC board on MDC would also be a great resource for articles to bring to your docs.

Stay strong!!

[hopeful1]

Thanks to all of you mommas for the support you've given. It means so much to me to be a member of this board. I did speak to my OB's office this morning and was assured by the staff that my doctor will not do anything during my labor out of convenience for himself. They also told me that I was the one in control of my body and that I could refuse any treatement I didn't want. I already knew that, but hearing them say it made me feel better. I have decided that I am going to refuse the internal monitor and they can monitor the baby from time to time with the external monitor. Apparently their reasoning for the internal monitor is because I am being induced with pitocin and it causes stronger contractions. Unfortunately, I have to be induced because it's the hospital's policy when you're vbac'ing. They require an anesthesiologist to be present the entire time I am laboring and delivering should the unthinkable happen and my uterus ruptures. In a perfect world, he would just show up when I went into labor and stay until the baby was born, but apparently they are prima donnas who want a schedule adhered to. I had to pre-register a couple of weeks ago and so they already know that I've had a previous c-section AND this is the only hospital I can go to.... . What I have come up with is this.... now whether it works or not is another story, but keep your fingers crossed. DH and I are going to try EVERYTHING from sex, nipple stimulation, castor oil on the abdomen etc.... to coax labor on itself. If I can show up at the hospital already in labor.... voila, no pitocin needed.... if not, then it looks like I'm just going to have to make the best of a tough situation. I just keep telling myself that as long as the baby is healthy that's all that matters. Maybe it won't be as bad as I think since my OB's office has stated that he'll straighten the L&D nurses out prior to my getting there. Keep me and little one in your prayers. Good luck to all of you mommas that are still waiting for your bundle of joy and congrats to those of you who have had them already.

[AllisonR]

Originally Posted by hopeful1

They also told me that I was the one in control of my body and that I could refuse any treatement I didn't want. .... Unfortunately, I have to be induced because it's the hospital's policy when you're vbac'ing. ..... I had to pre-register a couple of weeks ago and so they already know that I've had a previous c-section AND this is the only hospital I can go to....

This makes absolutely no sense. No sense whatsoever. If you can refuse any treatment (and you can) then you can refuse the pitocin.

Also, it makes no sense that this is policy after a section. This is exactly what should be policy after a section: NO Pitocin. Pit causes an INCREASE in uterine rupture, not a decrease!

And you pre-registered a couple of weeks ago? This also makes no sense, because back then (and even today) they do not know if your cervix is ripe or not. If it isn't ripe and you are given pit, then how can you birth? You will have strong contractions on a hard or closed cervix? Then you will need cervical gels (which also increase chance of rupture) to ripen and soften your cervix before you get the Pit, not afterwards!

You can refuse any treatment. That means refuse the induction. Do not show up.

You might say, it is hard to refuse. It is not as hard as you might think. I am in your boat, VBAC. I had a scan today, 2 days before EDD, to show babys size and position. I refused the scan, saying it was an inaccurate measure for size, the babys head can still move into a different position, my pelvis will open in labor so its size now is meaningless and the only purpose it serves is to make the Doc nervous about my ability to birth after cesarean. Instead of a fight, the staff respected my calm, rational comments and the scan was cancelled. Yes it can be done, and usually without a big scene. If confrontation is really an issue for you, have DH or someone else do it with you. Or refuse to show up. They can not cancel your care at this late stage.

(As a seperate, side note, I am sure you do not have the time for this right now, but I would actually report the hospital for having a pit required after cesarean, when the opposite is called for. Where I am pit is not allowed for previous cesarean, even in low dose.)

[paxye]

Originally Posted by AllisonR

This makes absolutely no sense. No sense whatsoever. If you can refuse any treatment (and you can) then you can refuse the pitocin.

Also, it makes no sense that this is policy after a section. This is exactly what should be policy after a section: NO Pitocin. Pit causes an INCREASE in uterine rupture, not a decrease!

And you pre-registered a couple of weeks ago? This also makes no sense, because back then (and even today) they do not know if your cervix is ripe or not. If it isn't ripe and you are given pit, then how can you birth? You will have strong contractions on a hard or closed cervix? Then you will need cervical gels (which also increase chance of rupture) to ripen and soften your cervix before you get the Pit, not afterwards!

You can refuse any treatment. That means refuse the induction. Do not show up.

I agree... the pitocin makes no sense at all and is exactly what you don't want in order to decrease your risks of a rupture...
That is not only a weird policy but very scary... even in women that are not VBACing uterine rupture is one of the risks of pitocin so having it in a VBAC is so dangerous!!

I do understand the pre-register though... many hospitals do that so that when you go in in labour you don't have to fill anything out because it is already done before, it doesn't mean anything of what they do, it just gives them the info they need... the midwifes that I had asked the moms to do this too in case of a transfer... I didn't do it however but it is something that many hospitals and birthing centres propose...

Rachel.... You do NOT have to do the induction... it is putting your life and health in danger just for their convenience... what if you went into labour on your own... would they try to stop it because the anaesthesiologist cannot be present the whole time or wouldn't they just call him in?

This is really just a question of their convenience and total disregard of your health...

[MiamiMami]

No Mama, please REFUSE the pitocin I am really worried about you! Every source of info on vbac shows the increase of chance of rupture when pit and the like are used.

All you have to do is show up when you are in active labor. DO NOT show up for your induction. EMTALA says they can NOT turn you away until baby and placenta are delivered the way you want.

The anesthesiologist situation is a crock. Hospitals handle emergencies all day, every day including other emergency surgeries. It just a liability issue they are trying to comply with.

[citymama]

What does your OB say about inducing? I can't believe this would be any hospital's policy given the studies showing that this increases teh chance of UR. I know it is stressful to fight the system and am praying you go into labor on your own. Hugs, mama.

[guestmama9911]

Is there another hospital nearby? Friends or relatives you can stay with when you go into to labor and have to go to another hospital? VBACs have less than 1% chance of making a uterine rupture, but being induced and monitored the way you will be guarantees another c-section.

[midwestmeg]

Hopeful1- where are you? We need an update... I've been thinking of you.

[hopeful1]

My thoughts are exactly where all of the PP are.... I asked my OB about the Pit and asked "isn't that going to increase my chances of UR?"... he stated he was only going to okay a low dose and enough to get me into a steady pattern of labor. As for the anesthesiologist.... I agree that it's a bunch of crap that I "have" to be induced because of them. The town I live in though is small so the anesthesiologists here have privileges at several medical clinics around and they usually have to share them. So, unless you have a major surgery scheduled, they will generally administer your anesthesia then go on to another appt that could very well be somewhere else (as in not at the hospital you're at). But, for a vbac, the hospital requires that one particular anesthesiologist remain present the entire time I am in labor and delivery. It's sort of complicating to explain... I'm trying to explain it the way it was explained to me....:
I'm so distraught over all of this mess and I want to just skip the induction all together and refuse the stuff "they" want to do but on the other hand I'm so scared that if I did and something bad happened, I'd never forgive myself. I have already endured the death of one child and I just don't know if I could handle that again. Then again, I know bad things can happen if I let them do what they want.... so I'm very confused and upset over all of this.
On a more positive note though... I've been having contractions since yesterday accompanied by low abdominal cramping and cramping in my lower back. I also feel a bit under the weather, so maybe I'm in the beginning stages of labor and I won't have to worry about getting induced and all of that. I did talk to my dh and his mom and they both have stated that they will definitely be my advocates in the event the hospital staff tries to force something on me.
Thank you mommas for caring so much. It makes me feel better just knowing that there are others either going thru what I'm going thru or have gone thru it.

[BathrobeGoddess]

Rachel,

I'm sending you love and light to get the birth you want and deserve!!!!!!!!!

[kdtmom2be]

Originally Posted by Sheacoby

I'm no expert on VBACs but doesn't being induced increase the chance of uterine rupture? I'm not you and of course you have to do what you feel comfortable with but I would not show up for the induction and not go to the hospital until I was well into active labor. I will keep you in my thoughts and keep sending you wonderful VBAC vibes!!

:

I'm no expert either, I'm just PG with our first and lurking around here for the fun of it.... but if I were you (and my MIL who is an ex-doula and childbirth educator agrees) I would stay home as long as possible and then present myself to the ER when I am in very active labour. By then there will be no time to call your OB and you will get whatever doctor happens to be on call there.

As for the induction etc, YOU are the boss of YOU. You do, show up for, have done, whatever YOU want to do and whatever YOU feel comfortable with. They can not force you to do something against your will unless you have been deemed incompetent and I'm sure that you are quite competant, capable and strong. Stick to your guns, you can do it! Good luck.

Oh yeah, and where are you? Maybe there is some nearby larger town where you can go.... even if it is a three hour drive. You are probably better off refusing your current care and heading for an ER somewhere else.

[hopeful1]

Originally Posted by BathrobeGoddess

Rachel,

I'm sending you love and light to get the birth you want and deserve!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much.... I need that.

[bri276]

there is absolutely no reason to believe a low dose of pitocin will "kickstart" your labor. the chances of that happening are quite small. most people need the pitocin turned UP, because if it's turned off, their labor just stalls and then they label you a failure to progress and then, csection.

I would never accept gels or pit in a vbac. I'd rather just go straight to the planned section. But really, I'd see if there were any other hospitals or OBs in the area you could switch to. Your insurance won't accept a certified nurse midwife? (not that they'll all be better regarding a vbac anyways!) I'm not in this ddc but I just couldn't read and not post, I'm worried for you, an induction may be dangerous, but much more likely will lead to another section. I hope you can find a loophole.

[MiamiMami]

Rachel,

I am so glad you are aware of the facts and that you have a good support system in place.

Good luck to you Mama. I'll send some natural spontaneous labor vibes your way.