No VBAC in Florida! Advice for going unassisted, PLS

[1hautemama]

I live in south Florida, a state very hostile to VBAC. I am 20 weeks along and there are no Doctors who do VBAC in my area, and Midwives here cannot attend to my prenatal care/birth without an MD's sign off. The cherry on top is that the hospitals here have a strictly enforced NO VBAC POLICY, period, and the MD's routinely schedule the moms for surgery in their 39th week. I am happily willing to go unassisted, as a hospital birth was never a part of our plan in the first place (unless of course there is a true emergency). I would like some advice for going unassisted. We are reading the book Spiritual Midwifery by Ina Mae Gaskin, which I highly recommend to anyone expecting a baby. Thanks so much for any advice!

[kittymac]

Hi there!

I'm also considering an unassisted birth. I would suggest joining the UBAC group on Yahoo. There are a lot of great women there. It's a great place to ask questions and get support and info from people who have been there/done that.

Good luck!

[MistyMM]

I'm in florida too, never had a c/s, but my last child was a planned unassisted with very last minute tranfer to a local birth center with my midwife friend. any of our future children will be planned UP/UC also. I'm ashamed of Florida and their hostility to vbac. However, if for some reason you decide you want a home birth, I know ONE home birth midwife in central florida that will do HBAC's still.

Misty

[turtlewomyn]

Where in S. Florida are you? I am in WPB, just had a c-section in October and plan to VBAC next time (although unassisted is out of the question for me). Supposedly there are still a homebirth midwife here and there that will do VBACs.

[juliema]

Not sure if you'd consider a birth center, but what about the miami maternity center? Are they allowing vbacs? Good luck with whatever you decide! :)

[1hautemama]

The birth center in miami does do VBAC, but I would be required to birth there at the center, the MW cannot come to my home cos the MD signing off will not permit it. Also I live 75 miles from the center, in Stuart.

[1hautemama]

Luckily you live close to the only hospital on the Treasure Coast that will do VBACS, St. Mary's. Make sure your OB has admitting privileges there. Good luck to you. I live in Stuart.

[Natabimic]

they have a wonderful midwife "sheri daniels" she is awesome, and I know she does VBACs i didn't know that she wouldn't go to your home though..the center is great and so is all the staff there and there is also a hospital about 5 minutes away, should an emergency arrive, they go with you..

update us whatever you decide to do...(sheri has taken VBA2Cs and VBA3Cs)

[turtlewomyn]

You probably already have done this but have you tried contacting ICAN of the Treasure Coast for help? Just thought I would ask just in case. http://www.freewebs.com/tcican/

[1hautemama]

You probably already have done this but have you tried contacting ICAN of the Treasure Coast for help? Just thought I would ask just in case. http://www.freewebs.com/tcican/
nO I have not heard of ICAN...gonna check out the site now-thanks

[tika]

I am a member of ICAN of Florida and I know there are moms on there who know the VBAC/HBAC options in your area.

Please join us at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ICANofFlorida/

I am on the SW coast of FL and the VBAC climate is awful here too. We're TTC and I don't have a clue what I'm going to do, it's sad.

Good Luck with your journey.

[OnTheBrink]

I bet you can find someone to be there for you! When I was figuring out my VBAC in Central Florida, I was told the same thing, but found two separate MWs who would support me at home. Keep asking questions! Post in the Florida Tribe section - I bet some moms there could help you!

[veggiekicks]

Hi there. I have some homebirth midwife friends up your way. I just emailed one of them to get some info for you. I hope I can get you some good leads!

[Electra375]

ICAN has a statement out to the effect that banning VBAC is not legal and it's in effect b/c no one has challenged it.
http://www.birthpolicy.org/ican05q-a.htm

Aside from fighting the system, could you afford a lay midwife? One not under an MDs supervision?

[amyjeans]

well- if UC is an option for you, come visit us on the Unassisted Forum here at MDC. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=306

There are quite a number of us UC/UP mamas who would love to help you with any questions you may have!
Be well Mama

[veggiekicks]

Aside from fighting the system, could you afford a lay midwife? One not under an MDs supervision?
Since direct entry midwifery is legal in Florida, these midwives--though not working under an MD's supervision-- must follow the laws & rules, which unfortunately state that vbac births can only be done with approval from a doc. :(

good info from ICAN, though!

[tika]

Since direct entry midwifery is legal in Florida, these midwives--though not working under an MD's supervision-- must follow the laws & rules, which unfortunately state that vbac births can only be done with approval from a doc. :(


...and that is the excuse I have heard from many birth centers and homebirth midwives (though they exaggerated it) around here as to why they will not support VBAC. Heart wrenching...