Does anyone know anything about VBAC'ing in Germany?

[Marijke Rose]

VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Caesarean

US States have varying laws and restrictions about it (often, though, the States leave it up to the hospitals, rather than flat out making a law about it). Many hospitals in America do not like doing VBAC's for various different reasons (so repeat c-sections are fairly common). And in some States, you're not supposed to VBAC at home, for example.. Like, it would be illegal for an OB or Midwife to attend your birth at home.

I'm curious how it is in Germany. I've asked in a few other places, but everyone is always just guessing.

And, no, I'm not pregnant again.. I'm not even sure if I want to get pregnant again (it's not the time for it anyway, for me, right now), but I am curious about these things and would like to know for future reference.

Thank you very much.

[huggerwocky]

There are no laws and VBAC are normal. In a german hospital they can't refuse care if you don't want what the doctor wants.

[behr]

I'm pretty sure that most hospitals tend to be very careful and will suggest a C-section sooner rather than later. Yet, my hb midwife said 'no problem'.
I'm sure, now that I'm encountering the system here in the States, that you'd be more likely to have a VBAC in Germany.

[Marijke Rose]

OMG, you cannot imagine how much better that makes me feel!

Thank you very much. I kinda have felt that German regulations and policies, in this regard, are much more geared towards the mother than they are back in the States.

I have another question... can you VBAC at home with a midwife in Germany? Also, anything stopping mothers from VBAC'ing at home WITHOUT assistance or observation? As in, the only people around would be the husband? (I doubt I would want an unassisted VBAC, but feel that I should know about this as well.)

I also have another burning question, but am not sure if I should make a new topic for it or not. It's about c-sections... specifically, the proceedures involved. And, if I can legally request a video (like a security video, if they made one) or at least a detailed report, from the hospital. I want to know what happened to me..

[Merilin]

I have another question... can you VBAC at home with a midwife in Germany?


If your doctor and midwives agree, yes.


Also, anything stopping mothers from VBAC'ing at home WITHOUT assistance or observation? As in, the only people around would be the husband? (I doubt I would want an unassisted VBAC, but feel that I should know about this as well.)


An unassited birth at home is illegal in Germany. Besides hospitals, there is the option of going to a "Geburtshaus".


I also have another burning question, but am not sure if I should make a new topic for it or not. It's about c-sections... specifically, the proceedures involved. And, if I can legally request a video (like a security video, if they made one) or at least a detailed report, from the hospital. I want to know what happened to me..

I guess, you can ask for a video, talk to your doctor about it. You can opt not to have a "Vollnarkose", so you won't be knocked out, and can observe, what is going on. Again, talk to your doctor and/or anesthesiologist.

Also, you can write a detailed birth plan and discuss it with your midwive, hospital and doctor.

Merilin

[huggerwocky]

If your doctor and midwives agree, yes.



An unassited birth at home is illegal in Germany. Besides hospitals, there is the option of going to a "Geburtshaus".





Actually, most midwives don't work together with OBs. So if the midwife is fine that's all that's needed. It also doesn't matter if the doctor is fine with it or not, he won't deliver you anyway. One either has her midwife who has hospital priviliges or you will be attended by whatever midwife is on duty at your time of birth. They may deliver without doctors and most often the doctors only come towards the end or if problems arise. Doctors may not deliver without midwives though.

No one can make someone have a c-section in germany.

I have never heard of anyone being prosecuted for an unassisted birth, I don't believe there is a law explicitly making it illegal.

[pupsnelda]

UC is not very common in Germany but it is definitely not illegal.

[Marijke Rose]

Thank you again, everyone.

I should give a short background, since Merilin seemed unclear; I already had the c-section, hence why I wondered what happened to me in past tense. I was not knocked out (just had a local epidural, not a general anesthetic) but the hospital INSISTED on having the curtain there preventing my husband and I from seeing anything (they explicitly told him he HAD to sit on a chair and could NOT look.. he was actually pretty upset about it, but they were very insistant that he was NOT allowed to look and they would NOT permit it).

I wasn't too concerned about the proceedure until my OB (who was not involved with the c-section in any way) said something about my uterus having 5 cuts (5 scars). From everything I've read about c-sections, only one incision is made into the uterus itself.. so I have been quite freaked out to hear that I have *5*.

Despite my asking, the doctors did not keep my husband and I informed on what was going on during the c-section.

This is going to sound all, I dunno, angsty, but my c-section was a rather traumatic experience (for me), and I am terrified of going through it again. I wish I knew more about it.. if I could, possibly, understand it better, maybe I can let go of some of my fear and hurt.

[RachelD]

I recently had a C-section here in Germany. I had planned a homebirth, but had to transfer. While I ended up having the C/S under general anesthesthesia, my husband and I were pleased with the hospital experience (though I do wish the homebirth had worked out) as they brought the baby right out to him nearly as soon as he was born. My husband was with him throughout the evaluation period and until I came out of surgery. Then as soon as I woke up, they brought the baby to me and helped us begin breastfeeding.

Since the birth, I have discussed VBACing with my homebirth midwife. She says that she and other midwives do VBACs at home and that they are often attempted in hospitals as well. She did caution that pitocin tends the be routinely given to women attempting VBAC in the hospital. She strongly advised against this since it increases the chance of uterine rupture because of the very strong contractions triggered by pitocin.

[CarrieCDN]

I was wondering the same thing actually. I also had an emergency C-section at the end of a 30 hour labour in London and can't decide what way to go the next time around.

I am starting to ask questions now and any advice on the boards will be of great help since I am new to Germany....

Carrie

(Mom to Elliot 2years & 3 months)

[JustJamie]

This is an awesome thread.

My husband is in the US Army, stationed in Germany. We had been here about 2 months when I got pregnant. I was paranoid, and decided I would be more comfortable with an American doctor. (Big mistake!) After a difficult pregnancy, I was induced in an American hospital at 37 weeks, and had an emergency c-section after 24 hours of labor, including 2 hours of pushing.

My husband and I recently decided to stay in Germany an extra year, and I have been wondering what impact that decision would have on my ability to have a VBAC. I know that I would probably have to fight to get one in the States, and learning that the process would be easier here in Germany is very encouraging.

My next thought is, if I have a successful VBAC with my next pregnancy, and then we go to the States, would I be able to have further VBACs, or would my VBAC be irrelevant compared to the fact that my first pregnancy ended in a c-section? Or does that depend on the individual doctor/hospital?

[Marijke Rose]

Thank you for all the responses. This is very encouraging!

JustJamie, I am pretty sure that will totally depend on the US doctor/hospital in question. You can, of course, refuse anything in America, legally (if the hospital tries to throw some 'it's our policy' BS at you, you can insist on what you want and tell them you want to sign a waiver to get out of that policy), but there are horror stories of doctors/hospitalls physically forcing a woman into something.. (it's rare, but I've heard of two cases where a woman was physically forced.)

However, I personally have no first hand experience with birthing in American hospitals.. (well, *I* was BORN in one, myself, but... since I don't remember it, or even know anything about it, and that was over 26 years ago, I don't think it counts!)