Does anyone know a VBAC midwife in San Francisco?

[Daphnes_mama]

I am pregnant and due in April. I originally wanted to have a VBAC at the local birth center, but they said there is a new state law that forbids them from performing VBACs on site. They will help me deliver VBAC at a hospital, and I can still get my prenatal care there, so that is an option.

As I mentioned on a previous thread, I would really like to deliver at home. I have known many women who have done it, and I like the idea. I am nervous that I am not a good candidate - I'm overweight by 40-50 pounds, and I had a cesearean previously (my daughter was breech). Otherwise, I am in good health. I was about the same before my last pregnancy and I never developed gestational diabetes or preclampsia, so I have a good chance of having another healthy pregnancy. Actually, I will probably do even better this time since I have more time to exercise and I am not on my feet all day. This time around, I am taking a good care of myself by eating right, doing prenatal yoga, and getting lots of exercise.

What else should I do? I guess I first have to find a midwife who would be willing to help me deliver. I have no idea where to begin.

[KKmama]

Daphne's mom... I really don't think that either of those things make you a bad candidate (I'm no expert, though). I think you should easily be able to find a midwife in that area... I think there's also a BC in Marin... are you close enough that you would consider driving over the GG Bridge to give birth?

You might consider posting a Q in the midwife subforum of birth and beyond or in the finding your tribe forum.

Good luck!

[Mom2baldie]

Angelique,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! That is awesome that you are planning a homebirth! How exciting! I also had a cesarean for breech presentation and since then have had 2 VBACs, the 2nd at home in the water. It was wonderful and I'm sure yours will be too. :love

I agree with KKmama that neither being overweight nor having a previous cesarean because of breech should make you a "bad candidate" for a homebirth. I have always read that women who have cesareans for malpresentation have the HIGHEST success rates, because it is considered a non-repeating factor.

If you are having trouble finding a midwife you might want to join the HBAC and/or ICAN-Online email support groups and ask for referrals there. They can both be found by going to Yahoo Groups OR you could go to the VBAC website "sticky" at the top of the VBAC forum and possibly find the links there.

It sounds like you know exactly what to do to take care of yourself, I would just add a few small things. Read as many books as you can to continue educating yourself, read lots of positive birth stories and start telling yourself everyday that you can do it, because you definitely can!

respectfully,

[Panthira]

I'm near San Francisco too and looked at a birth center. I was outraged to find out about the LAW banning VBACs at birth centers in California!
This will be my second VBAC and honestly, I'm very scared about this one. I can't seem to get it together. The last VBAC, I had a doula (who was wonderful!) but I moved to the east bay and she doesn't cover my area, and we are probably going to move to South San Francisco in October, only a maybe though. I could use her again then if we can get our plans together here on what we'll be doing.
I also gained a lot of weight after my last pregnancy, but I don't think that's a factor in delivery.
I did think about a homebirth but I know someone who had a homebirth and it didn't work out too well. Her little boy is severely disabled because of it and I already have a severely disabled little boy, thank you. Obviously I'm scared to choose that route, but I really want to. My husband is not comfortable with a HB either.
That leaves us with a hospital again, and I have medical intervention psychosis or something, I'm terrified of hospitals after my experiences with them. I did birth in a hospital last time, but I had to fight them every step of the way to keep the plan of a natural birth going, even leaving once against medical advice. My doula helped me with that stuff as well.

So basically, I don't know what to do.

Keep us informed about what you decide, ok? If you want my old doula's email PM me and I'll get it to you. She knows a LOT about midwives and services in the area.

[M'Lyssa's mom]

I'm in the central valley and having difficulty finding midwives, they are all closer to you. Good for you, not so much for me. ;) Anyhow, there is a lady in Mountain View, she's a midwife, don't know if she'd go to SF but her website is amazing and if you email her she gets to you quickly. She also has links to other midwives.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/
Also can check this for midwives, I know there is a link on the other site to this too.
http://www.californiamidwives.org/index.html
http://www.cfmidwifery.org/find/
You can even look them up on the medical board.
http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Lookup.htm
Because there are different licenses and all you will find some on one list and not the other.

Hope this helps. This has become a full time job for me. I am due Dec 3rd and my options are few. Midwives seem to book quite quickly. Best of luck! FYI no birth center, not just the one in SF, will do vbacs & the Birth Home in Pleasanton has now closed (not that is was an option for us anyway).