HBAC in RI?

[hilbean88]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I've been poking around a bit. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with HBAC and if they'd share their thoughts/experience(s). Also, if anyone has experience with HBAC in RI, I would appreciate any advice on midwives in the area.

THANKS!!!

I'm 17 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and the more research I do, the more I think I want an HBAC. I definitely want a vaginal delivery and completely believe that the c/s with my 1st baby was unnecessary. Unfortunately, DH is pretty against homebirth...he's scared and thinks that we need to be in the hospital, especially because it'll be a VBAC. My current OB, while she says she's supportive of VBAC, wants to schedule a repeat c/s at 40 weeks. I'm not comfortable with that. Anyway, thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice, etc.

[Maia's mama]

I had a VBAC with my second child this past February at Women & Infants. They would not let me go to the ABC, but I was with OB/GYN associates, and you can be guarenteed a midwife (unless you end up with another C/S). I had a great labor & birth, but I wasn't too into being in such a large hospital after the birth. With my first DD I was at Westerly Hospital and it was a much smaller, intimate atmosphere.

I know that Michelle Palmer has currently started doing homebirths in RI, and you can probably find more info. on her at the RI Birth Network webpage. They have a great forum in November where they have different people (doulas, midwifes, etc.) talking about birth choices in RI. I think there is also a ICAN meeting coming up in RI.

Good luck with your VBAC!

Oh, and I think you can always say "no thanks to scheduling a C/S at 40 weeks- but maybe at 42", and they will back off a bit (they did with me). Most likely you will go into labor by then anyway.

[hilbean88]

OHHH, I am with OB/GYN Associates! My doc is Meera Varma. I really like her...I did push back on the 40 weeks and she said that if my cervix was changing, then she'd wait a few days. I did meet with Lucie Bautista (midwife with the practive in Providence) and I liked her, but she seemed just like my OB (though she did mention that the midwives give more hands on care). If I switched to midwifery services, I think I'd see Cynthia Siegel (she goes to the Wakefield office, which is where I go). I asked about the ABC, too, but Dr. Varma said that I wouldn't be allowed to use it because it is too far away from the OR. I hadn't heard great things so far about L&D at W&I, so I was getting nervous. Plus, I'm really worried about having to fight people off so that don't intervene, etc.

Did you have a midwife or an OB? One of my big fears is that I will get whoever is on call (whether I stay with the OB side or go with midwifery services...I'll either get a different OB or a different midwife, respectively). If you had a midwife, was it "yours" or whichever midwife was on call when you went into labor? Did she stay with you throughout the whole labor/delivery?

THANKS!!

[seoul_mama]

Hi Hilbean88! Welcome to mdc. In case you're not familiar with ICAN, here's their website. Their resources are abundant and they just started a new forum. You can post all of your questions/concerns/hopes/anxieties etc. and talk amongst other women who have had cesareans.

http://www.ican-online.org/

I'm the chapter leader for ICAN of RI, which is a local chapter for ICAN. Here's the yahoo group.

Our next meeting is Sept. 18 from 10-1130. Please come to the mtg if you're available. It's a good opportunity to meet other women who have had similar experiences like yours and are also looking for better vbac/hbac alternatives.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/icanofri/

If you're interested in attending, send me a pm and I've forward the location information.

Hope you can make it!

[Maia's mama]

Hi Hillbean,

I had Cindy Seigel. I am REALLY lucky in that she is a close friend of my husband's family, so she specialized for me. She was not on call, but she came in for my labor, and stayed with me the whole time (5 hours until she was born from when I got to the hospital). I was also with my husband, and my MIL, who used to be a lay midwife, so I had a lot of support on my side. I also had an awesome nurse though, and other than the anthesteciologist coming in, nobody ever mentioned meds to me. I was able to use any props I needed (birthing ball, chair, etc.) and the jacuzzi. It really was a very supportive environment, despite a lot of what I had heard about W&I.

Meena Varma was the OB that I saw a couple of times. I really liked her too. My water was actually leaking a day before labor, and I went in to get it checked out, and she signed off on giving me an extra 18 hours or so before inducing me with pitocin (instead of inducing me right away). I was really nervous that any meds would lead to another C/S, so I was able to use that time to get my labor going on its own.

I am in Wakefield too, and I have been somewhat active in the RI Birth Network, so if you need any suggestions of doulas, etc, let me know!

[Paige, CPM]

Hi!

If you are even giving thought to an HBAC then you sound like you may want to be cared for by someone who gets homebirth and has good statistics for VBAC.

So, you can talk to Sue Smith or I, who do homebirths (the above mentioned Michelle does, and I am sure is supportive of VBAC, but I believe can't do them at home because of political reasons...but call her and check). Our info is at www.massmidwives.org.

But, if you feel your husband wouldn't be open to exploring hb and meeting with a midwife then Mary Mumford-Haily, CNM, is your woman. She works out of Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket and had a homebirth herself...so she gets it...and she has great stats to back it up. She will give you personal care similar to a hb situation...and honestly will support VBAC.

Someone who says they support VBAC but wants to schedule a c/s at 40wks is NOT supportive of VBAC, and is not an evidence based practitioner but a liability based practitioner...and I would run far away from that kind of "care" if I really wanted my body to be trusted and supported. I know that sounds harsh, and it is not a reflection of the kindness in a person, but a reflection of their training, political constraints and just plain fear of birth and women's bodies.

FWIW below are some good resources on VBAC, which you may have already seen, but if not I hope it will be helpful to you. And I second MiNa's reco to go to an ICAN meeting if you can, they are such a wonderful community resource.

Henci Goer, is a researcher on childbirth, including VBAC, there is some info here http://www.hencigoer.com/articles/and you can ask her any questions on this blog http://www.lamaze.org/NormalBirthFor...9/Default.aspx .

Here is one of my favorite sites on VBAC ... http://caesarean.org.uk/ and another one http://www.vbac.com/ .

Take care and good luck with your decisions! And feel free to call me anytime if you want to talk about it.

[lovermont]

I was with obgyn associates for my first birth. I lucked out and Cindy was on call- and she was awesome. I've since heard that obgyn associates are pretty high intervention. I highly recommend Mary Mumford Haley.
Also- read Pushed- and have your dh read it if he's nervous. It is very well researched.

[hilbean88]

Thank you, everyone, for your responses!

lovermont, I actually just finished reading Pushed a couple of weeks ago It was a really good book, definitely well written, researched and cited. My husband is not much of a reader, but I've been reporting a lot about the book to him...however, he says things like, "Yeah, according to THAT book" or "That sounds like quite the story..." I try to explain how well cited all the references are and that THIS book is actually based on TONS of research, but I just don't think he's quite ready to listen yet. I'm taking it slowly with him.

Thanks!

[AngelaM]

Originally Posted by Paige, CPM

But, if you feel your husband wouldn't be open to exploring hb and meeting with a midwife then Mary Mumford-Haily, CNM, is your woman. She works out of Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket and had a homebirth herself...so she gets it...and she has great stats to back it up. She will give you personal care similar to a hb situation...and honestly will support VBAC.

I just want to second (or third?) this. I just delivered with Mary, and she is amazing. She was so respectful of my birthing choices, I cannot say enough good things about her. She listened to me, allowed me to make my own choices about things, and made me feel safe and respected. I can honestly say that I would not give birth with anyone else in RI.

Also, I really wanted a home birth, but could not afford one. Delivering with Mary was best possible way to have a hospital birth. My dream is that she'll start doing homebirths by the time I'm ready to have #2.

[laneysprout]

Originally Posted by AngelaM

My dream is that she'll start doing homebirths by the time I'm ready to have #2.

Well, look at you miss mama. Already thinking about #2!

[hilbean88]

Thanks AngelaM! I'm trying to find her contact info...I got an email address from the brown directory and I tried to email that. Otherwise I found a website with this phone number for her 401.437.1008...is that the right number?

Update:
The email addresses that I found at URI and Brown did not work. =(

[lovermont]

Originally Posted by hilbean88

Otherwise I found a website with this phone number for her 401.437.1008...is that the right number?

Yep that's the right number. I had her too and I can't say enough good. You'll have the "security" for your husband but you'll be getting the birth you want (if you want more details I'd be happy to send you my birth story). It's kind of weird the first time you go to make an appt with Mary because you have to call at 8:30 on the morning you hope to get an appt- at least that's what I had to do. Mary apologized after that that is the way it works but she works in public health and I think that's part of why the system is the way it is.

[AngelaM]

Originally Posted by laneysprout

Well, look at you miss mama. Already thinking about #2!

What's funny is that my first words upon pushing her out were, "I'm never f***ing doing this again!" Ah, how quickly we forget!

[ameliabedelia]

It's kind of weird the first time you go to make an appt with Mary because you have to call at 8:30 on the morning you hope to get an appt- at least that's what I had to do. Mary apologized after that that is the way it works but she works in public health and I think that's part of why the system is the way it is.

That's weird. I didn't have to do that. I gave birth with her in Feb 08, so made my first appt. with her in Aug '07 (at around 8 weeks pregnant for an "interview" appt.). I just called and said I was thinking of using her for my midwife and could I have an appt. to meet with her and they made one for me, for a week or so later

It was basically just like seeing any other medical professional (except the office wasn't as nice) and they kept giving me these papers to fill out (with things like income, etc.) on them, that I basically ignored (we have private health insurance, so I figured it didn't matter).

[hilbean88]

I just called and got my "meet and greet" appointment for 30 Sep. I have one last appt with my old OB on 9/25...can't wait to meet Mary! Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

[seoul_mama]

Originally Posted by hilbean88

I just called and got my "meet and greet" appointment for 30 Sep. I have one last appt with my old OB on 9/25...can't wait to meet Mary! Thanks for the recommendations everyone!

Good luck with your appt and keep us posted! Here's my 2 cents, fwiw:

Everyone here raves about Mary and rightfully so. She is extraordinary, especially in terms of respecting your wishes and choices of how you want to give birth. At the moment I use her for my yearly gyn-wellness check ups. I don't plan on birthing in a hospital for #2, but should issues come up Mary will be my first choice. HOWEVER, despite my glowing feelings toward Mary I would also like to mention that if you're looking for a type of provider who fits this bill: [... super warm, nurturing, engaged, emotionally and psychologically attuned, "mama goddess"-touchy-feely type] then Mary - based on my experience - is not like that. I found her to be very respectful, knowledgeable, skilled, caring and pleasant, but not as "warm and fuzzy" as I might need from a midwife. Hope this makes sense. Again, just my 2 pennies I'm throwing in.

[laneysprout]

Originally Posted by seoul_mama

HOWEVER, despite my glowing feelings toward Mary I would also like to mention that if you're looking for a type of provider who fits this bill: [... super warm, nurturing, engaged, emotionally and psychologically attuned, "mama goddess"-touchy-feely type] then Mary - based on my experience - is not like that. I found her to be very respectful, knowledgeable, skilled, caring and pleasant, but not as "warm and fuzzy" as I might need from a midwife.

Mary attended my daughter's birth and I completely agree with seoul-mama on this point. I'm planning a HB for #2, but if I HAD to deliver in a hospital in RI, there simply isn't anyone else I would trust (except maybe Mary's partner Deb, who IS the [...super-warm, nurturing, engaged, emotionally and psychologically attuned, "mama goddess"-touchy-feely type] based on my somewhat limited interactions with her).

Good luck with your appt. and def. keep us posted!

[hilbean88]

I'm still torn on the HBAC vs. hospital VBAC issue. There is a part of me that REALLY wants to do this at home...I just feel that my chances are best and I'll be the most comfortable. I think DH will "consent", but I don't want a negative attitude from him about either...plus, the cost...he'll definitely be against that.

hmmm...warm and fuzzy sounds like something I might like...though I wouldn't really call any of the ob/gyn's that I've thus far as being that way.

Another option I have is my family physician. I've never really talked to him about it seriously, but I know that he is willing to let me have a VBAC. He's also warm and fuzzy...like in a fatherly/grandfatherly sort of way. However, I'm pretty sure we'd be in the hospital and I'm not sure how much of the birth he would be there for, you know? I mean, I'm sure he would have to go back to the office and see patients...if I was to go into labor during business hours during the week. I suppose I could call him up and talk to him about it though...keep all the doors open for now.

ACK! Why does it have to cost so much to birth at home? Stupid insurance not covering homebirth...why are they so obnoxious like that?? Wouldn't it be in their best interest to cover homebirth?? I'm sure it's CHEAPER than delivering in a hospital...you think those money mongers would be trying to get everyone to birth at home

[hilbean88]

The Final Outcome

So, just to complete my thread and update everyone on what I did...

I ended up going with Sue Smith and having a homebirth. I went 8 days over my due date (which felt like forever) and vaginally delivered my 10-lb baby boy on Feb 20, 2009 at 1:01am in MY bed in MY home! It was the most amazing experience EVER and I'm super grateful to Sue and Pam Campbell (who assisted Sue, LOVE Pam, she's great!)! Anyway, thanks to everyone and I'm SOOOO glad that I found this forum that led me to Sue so I could have my VBAC!!! :

[lovermont]

Congratulations! I knew you could do it: