[jrojala]

I want to have a HBAC for my next baby, which we are planning for next year, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me at all... I am getting nowhere with my pigface ob.

 

[tika]

Start looking for midwives now. You may have to dig deep, but they are out there. If you think you'd feel more comfortable planning a UC then you can do that too.

Do all of the research and reading now as well.

Best wishes!

 

[JanetF]

This was my HBAC plan - I just planned a birth

Notice labour occurring, push baby out, have rest.

That's pretty much what happened. You go for it!

 

[bayardsmom]

I have had two HBACs. First , get copies of your medical records of your prior c/s from your OB and the hospital where you gave birth. Your midwife will want to see them to verify what type of incision closure you have. I would strongly recommend that you take a Bradley birth class for birth prep. I've also heard good things about Birthing From Within - you can find the book at the bookstore and find an instructor online. Locate a Home birth midwife. If you already took a Bradley class talk to your instructors and ask them for recommendations. LLL might also have some ideas for midwives. You could also check out ICAN - it has a lot of info and support groups. MANA is another place to look for a provider. Make sure your health/diet are good. Then stay strong and focused on your goal. I had wonderful HBACs and wouldn't choose anything else. Good luck on your journey!

 

[crunchymomof2]

I was able to find a midwife that had an hbac herself. That was kinda encouraging. And try to make sure that the midwife is really supportive of hbac. I know there were several around here that accept hbac but arent really supportive in the end which is sad. Try to work through any emotional issues you have. Research anything you arent sure about and think positively. You can do this.

 

[jrojala]

Thank you all so much!

 

[rstump]

Finding a good midwife that you TRUST is the only way to go.

I have had 2VBAC's one with in a hospital w/an OB (well not really the nurse delivered her).

My second was an HBAC with the BEST midwife. I just found out I am pregnant again and I am SOOOOOOO excited to plan another homebirth.

I have teased my husband that I wanted to get pregnant again just to hang out with my midwife again. She is so cool.

 

[Arien]

When I visited my midwives for the second pregnancy (first ended in c-section) they automatically offered an HBAC. They kind of want me to do an HBAC, I was the one kind of going "hmm maybe I'll labour at home for as long as possible and then birth in the hospital"

My point is try your local midwives.

 

[sbm1001]

First off you need to give the pig-face the boot & start looking for a good midwife who's not afraid of VBAC's. Be sure to ask lots of questions like "do you require I deliver by X weeks?" or "what's the rate of success in HBAC's at deliveries you've attended?" also "what's your transfer rate?".....I'm sure there are a ton of other ?'s you could/should ask but those are the few that come to mind.

Take a CBE class that's not been put together by a hospital. All those do is teach people to "comply" (read: be sheep) & that's not what you need. Take a class that will help you cope with the pains of labor. I've heard great things about hypnobirthing.

Good luck to you!

Shannon

 

[treemom2]

Reading some really good books helped me with my HBAC! I really liked The VBAC Companion by Korte and both books by Ina May Gaskin. Ina May has such faith in a woman's ability to birth her babies that it gives you the confidence you need in your own body! Also, like pp have said it really helps if you can start looking for midwives in your area now who support HBAC. Another thing is to not let anyone tell you that you can't do this. There are very few women who truely require c-secs and most of us who have had them are not those women.

Good luck with your journey! Having a HBAC was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I'm not saying it wasn't somewhat difficult, but it was completely worth it!

 

[txgal]

You have gotten great advice so far. You might also consider a doula. Some people think they are not nessecary in a HB, but if you can find one that is supportive of VBAC, it is just one more person in your corner. My doula was so important to me during my labor. I had a very long labor (57+ hours) and she was there before the midwife would come, I progressed so slowly it took me 40 hours to get to 4 cm. It was also helpful because she had been trained to listen to the baby with the doppler, this gave me lots of peace of mind, and helped me continue.

 

[ebony_vbac]

are you in michigan? if so who was your midwife? i'm considering one who had a hbac also.

 

[rachvj]

While planning a HBAC you may want to seriously consider the possiblity of a transfer to a hospital. I was planning a HBAC and my daughter came premature. Thank G-d I had met with a local CNM before going in. My HB MW came along for labor support. I never expected to have a preemie, but it can happen. BTW, it was a VBAC.

 

[kathan12904]

There is an online discussion group that is located at yahoogroups.com. I'm 14 weeks into my pregnancy and we will be having an HBAC. I"ve enjoyed the comments and discussion.

 

[jrojala]

Thanks to you all so much!!