Can't decide-HBAC or Hospital birthing center

[sparkysgirl]

These are my options, lots of vbac bans around here, except a hospital birthing center thats an hour away. And to make it worse, hbacs are not allowed by my state. It is possible to find one who would do it anyway, or I could use a traveling mw. So here is my dilema

If I have an hbac and everything goes well then awsome! but, if I had to transfer then I would probably end up at the hospital that cut me. It was a terrible experience, very non mother friendly policies ect. They also have a vbac ban.
If I go to the hospital birthing center it might go well since they are very natural birth minded, if I end up with another c/s, well they have much more mother friendly policys like allowing mom to bf in the OR, babe can go to recovery they are anti cir, cosleeping ect. But, its a long drive, in labor, which is both inconvenient and scary. What if I get there and stall because I am in a weird enviornment, or whatever. What if something happends in the car and I am stuck so far away from a hospital

My biggest concern is another c/s and especially having one as terrible as the first (worst day of my life, sooo not a birth, it was a surgery) I just can't do that again. But I am also concerned about a hbac, am I that much more at risk because of my scar. Guess I feel that way because my state doesn't allow it, but I know other states do. Lots of other worries to that I am sure I can work out. WWYD?

[Lit Chick]

I would call MVs and talk about HBAC, off the record.

I think HBACs are outlawed in my state, but I know plenty of women that had them anyway, just quietly. It can be tricky, but have a chat with some pros.

Also, unless you go super-fast, 1 hr is not that long a drive during labor. I live an hour away from my house, and went to work the day I had my son. The drive back home for my HB wasn't bad, and I was a fast laborer!

If HBAC is a no go, then I'd get a doula you love and go to the birth center.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

The additional risk is uterine rupture, and the risk is really, really low. I would stay home, but that's me If you have a lot of fear about homebirth, it is reasonable to drive an hour to get a good birth (I did w/ my first).

[hybridmom]

What scares you about a hb? Is it just uterine rupture? With ANY birth...and I mean NORMAL never been cut on birth there is a 1/2 percent chance of uterine rupture. Thats the same percent that they give us VBAC ladies and some try to scare us with. To me, when I heard it like that it didn't sound like much of a scary risk.

Either way you go...there is always that chance of a hospital transfer. Me, I'd be afraid of even going to a hospital birthing center...the chance is higher for interventions. Even if you have to have a c/s then you are in the domain of whatever dr is doing the proceedure..and may have to submit to their rules and "hospital policies." You may not get to have your baby right away...even if they tell you, you will. Its just something to think about. And that is solely IMO BTW.

If you feel like you won't be comfortable in a hospital then hb might be the way to go!

BTW I had a horribly traumatic experience in a hospital and had a c-section too...it was the worst day of my life...and many many months afterwards. I am terrified of stepping into one for maternal care...too many what ifs for me. I totally understand your fears! I am planning on a HBAC with a wonderful mw! I feel so empowered and excited about it!

I also just thought that even though your state might be harsh on HB you may find a mw who can travel to you anyways. My midwife has traveled quite a ways for her patients because she cares enough to do so and believes in her patiens and what she is doing.

[sparkysgirl]

actually, its not the UR that scares me the most (or the other life threatening complications that could happen) Its the repeating of yet another terrible cesarean in the same place as before where I know it will be horrible. With this birth center/hospital, I have heard from others who have deliverd there by cesarean that it was much better. I would hate to end up with another c/s, but I don't know if I could take another like my first. And thats my hold up with an hbac. Of course my big hold up with the hospital birth center is all the usuall stuff (like being more comfortable/respected at home) and the drive would suck.

And not to freak anyone out, but UR in an unscarred uterus is .01% with a vb, and .12% with a first cesarean after failed vb according to this http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic3746.htm But I would love to see a study if there are different numbers. Im sure if cytotec were involved then they would be much higher.