[peacefulmom]

hey mammas I need some advice....I am 37 weeks and I just got back from the Dr. I am about 1 cm dilated...I had a horrible c sec with my first who is now 2.5...I labored for 27 hours naturally but then they said it was getting dangerous for us both...i started with no labor they induced due to "distress" of baby...so anyway now my new Dr. said she was schedualing me for a repeat c-sec a few days after my due date...on the 23 I am schedualed. I Really want to go naturally...I know you may not have any answers but can you recommend stuff to induce labor before the 24 the of July..and did any of you have a c-sec date set for you?????

......

I had a vbac..on the 8th, thursday...my water broke at 4 am and ethan was delivered at 11;37 pm it was beautiful and thank you for all your support....much love

 

[pamamidwife]

I don't know that I'd do much more than sex and walking. Really, mama, you need to stand your ground. You don't HAVE to have a cesarean the day after your due date. Your due date is approximate at best - it's not an expiration date.

You have the power to have the birth you want.

 

[Kiki Runs]

(((mama)))

Some questions: you say they induced due to "distress"....the quotes around distress make me wonder if you don't agree? What "distress" was it? Actual distress or doc-hurry-up distress? Has this babe shown signs of "distress"?

How sure are you of your dates? If dates are off, a c/s the day after your due date may still be too early for your babe.

Why does this doc want a c/s? Are there ANY indicators of need for one? Is she afraid to "let" you VBAC? If there ARE indicators of a need for c/s, what's wrong with waiting until you go into labor on your own and THEN doing the c/s?

What will happen if you don't show up for the scheduled c/s? Really, what will happen? Will your doc drop you from her service (I have learned here that apparently in some states, docs aren't ALLOWED to drop a pregnant woman w/in a certain time period of her due date)? Will she come to your house and drag you to the hospital? Really, what's the worst case scenario if you refuse (which is certainly your right)?

*I* personally would refuse to consider a c/s (assuming there is no REAL danger to you or the babe) until 42 weeks (and I'm not blowing smoke, here - I had a c/s with DS and I will NOT bow to doc pressure again). As long as you and the babe are healthy and having no problems, there's no reason to worry!

I'd talk to your doctor again. Ask her WHY she feels the need to schedule a c/s so early (as in, why is she even talking about it at 37 weeks? She needs to drop the subject until later in your pregnancy - keep negative thoughts far away from you). WHY is she scheduling the c/s so soon after your "due" date (hello - it's an estimation, and even if it's correct, the babe doesn't have a calendar in there....)? WHAT will she do if you refuse the c/s? WHAT can you do to "pacify" her until your babe arrives (some docs HAVE to have tests "proving" the babe's okay - if you have to go into the office once or twice a week so she can listen to the babe until you start labor, do it!)?

Remember, YOU are the one making the calls. YOU are paying for the doc's "expertise". Yes, part of that "expertise" is helping you avoid harm to yourself/your babe, but she should also be totally upfront with you about what that "harm" is.....

Sorry, no suggestions as to how to start labor, just the suggestions about how to avoid unnecessary cutting. Maybe some of the others here will have ideas about the labor...

I hope you are able to talk with your doc and get things back on track for your natural birth. Remember, no one cares as much about your babe and your birth as YOU do....the doc isn't necessarily thinking about YOU, she may be thinking about her golf schedule or a bridal shower she needs to attend....And as long as you're willing to go along with a scheduled c/s, why shouldn't she go ahead and set things up in her favor, YK?

Good luck, mama. Be strong for yourself and your babe.

Kinsey

 

[peacefulmom]

hey...I question my first because I was i week early and went in and my Dr put me on the Fetal monitor...and said we could get you in because I see some signs of fetal distress...heart beat....so 2 hours later I went into the hospital hooked up on pitocin and vaginal inserts to weaken cervix and sat for 24 hours then an epidural then 2 hours later a c-sec...I started with no signs of labor and the only think my body did was break the water..everything else was induced.....

My Dr. now talks alot about rupture of my uturus...and estimates this boy at almost 9 pounds...they hooked me up to a ultra sound because I was measuring greater than the due date...well today she said I was dilated and that for a back up she wanted to set up a date if I didnt go on my own...she worried that letting this babe go to 42 weeks he would be really big and the "the risk for failure" would be greater??????? So I allowed this date it is 2-3 days past "due" but I have kept my own dates running and I always find I am at 38 now not 36 but Who really knows but baby huh

So I had a questionable first and now due to baby size? Possible rupturing??? I am schedualed for my second....I bought some raspberry leaf tea, and my daughter and I are planning to walk the whole entire zoo for the next 3 weeks

 

[Mom2baldie]

Oh my. How horrible that you are put in this position when you should be looking forward to the birth of your new baby.

I agree with Pam, you dont HAVE to go in. Maybe you could make up an excuse like your other child became ill...or maybe you could just say that youve changed your mind and decided not to have the cesarean. It is your right!

I think that all Drs. began talking about rupture at the end of pregnancies... After all, they know that pregnant women are SO vulnerable and only want the best for their babies.

But you do know, right, that there arent any good studies showing that the risk of rupture is higher just because a baby is over or around 9 lbs? And if you go into labor at 42 weeks with a 9 or 10 lb baby and let things proceed as naturally as possible your chance of failure would not be greater! Size of the baby isnt as important as babys position and labor management.

I hope that you are able to figure something out. I would hate to have to deal with all that.

 

[KKmama]

9 lbs when? Now, or in 3 wks? Respectfully, I *seriously* doubt it...

Oh, peacefulmom, I feel for you. I want to share with you my own situation, just so you know it doesn't have to go the way your dr. says!

I had a vbac with my 2nd son almost 6 weeks ago (yea!). I negotiated with my ob practice to be allowed to go to 42 wks (which is what I believe they allow unscarred women to go to before they schedule inductions). It's really not unreasonable for you to demand the extra time to be allowed to go into labor... there's very little statistical difference in the risk of being 40 wks pg vs. being 42 wks pg.

By the way, I had my son at 41 wks 5 days. Yeah, my repeat C was scheduled, and I was sad and scared and not quite sure what I was going to do if that day arrived. I labored for 38 hours, pushed for ~ 1 1/2 hrs, and had a 9 lb 4 oz boy (see--a big boy *can* make it through a "first time" birth canal just fine). I see no danger in anything I did, and honestly, I'm more conservative than most here at MDC about childbirth. Really. Even though it's kind of hard and scary to tell your dr. no, and she may be a little coercive, you're *really* *not* being unreasonable to expect to be able to vbac this baby and to be allowed to go past 40 wks.

I would think about red raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil... both are supposed to be very safe for vbac mamas. Walking, sex, pelvic rotations and tilts, visualization, acupuncture and acupressure... these are all things I did.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[MommytoTwo]

Kinsey 43-

"I have learned here that apparently in some states, docs aren't ALLOWED to drop a pregnant woman w/in a certain time period of her due date"

How can I find out if thats the case in my state? Just curious. TIA

 

[Kiki Runs]

You know, I'm not really sure how you'd find that out....

*I* only know b/c I've picked it up here on MDC. Maybe some other mamas can let you know. I'm thinking it was IL where that is the case, but I could TOTALLY be wrong on that....

I just saw it in passing....I think the thread I saw it in was in Birth and Beyond - something about a letter from an OB's office????

Oh, and I agree with KKmama. I also *seriously* doubt that the u/s has given an accurate estimation of your babe's size. I know others here are probably sick of reading about my experience, but I'll share it one more time.

I was huge during my pregnancy (I gained 75 lbs). HUGE!! My doc (sOB) repeatedly guesstimated DS' size at 8 lbs. Even when I was laboring in the hospital, he was out in the hallway argueing with the nurses that DS was "eight, eight and a half pounds, max" (Yes, direct quote). Guess how big DS was? TWELVE FREAKING POUNDS!!!! The multiple u/s estimates were off by FOUR POUNDS.... Luckily, he was four pounds bigger than estimated, but can you imagine if he was four pounds smaller? Yikes!! And, TBH, I hear about babes turning out smaller MUCH more often than I hear about them turning out bigger....

I've said before, but I'll repeat it....if any health care provider even TRIES to guess my babe's size based on u/s, I'll laugh in their face. It's unreliable, and ridiculous to plan a c/s based on size!!

How much research have you done on VBAC? How knowledgeable are you about uterine rupture rates? Like mom2baldie said, sometimes it can be used as a scare tactic, especially toward the end of a pregnancy.

Do a bit of research about rupture.....The rates are actually pretty low (although they CAN vary based upon your specific situation), and find out what a rupture actually means. It doesn't necessarily mean your uterus bursts and you and baby immediately bleed out (which is the picture *I* got when I first heard about it) - luckily!

The more knowledge you have, the better. Even if, in the end, YOU decide to go ahead with the c/s, at least then it will be YOUR decision, not your doc's. Knowledge is power.

Good luck, mama

Kinsey

 

[GatorNNP]

Peacefulmom,

I had a 1st baby c/sec for double footling breech at 42 weeks 3 days ( the extra few days was because I went to the OB on a friday and skipped monday since my favorite anesthetist didn't work until tues)

Here's what I can offer you:
I agree with above about waiting until 42 weeks for a few reasons
it gives your body more time for labor to occur (which i personally feel the baby has a large role in starting)
inducing labor isn't natural whether by use of pitocin, herbs, oil or cervix manipulation
full term for some babies means 41 weeks

also coming from a background in OB nursing I know ultrasound at term has a large range for error in regard to estimated fetal weight 1-2 lb off usually

there is benefit to the fetus from having labor prior to even a c/sec, labor tells the baby to stop making extra lung fluid etc

the little bit of extra time seems to make babies better eaters at first

reasons why a doc may want to go ahead and schedule, just that=it is scheduled, labor happens when it wants to. Also they may get grief from covering doctor if they end up doing a repeat.

Good luck and I hope you go into labor as you wish.

 

[calla lily]

I had my repeat c/s scheduled for um, yesterday. Baby was transverse until a few days before. So we canceled the c/s and now my doc keeps talking about induction. I have told him I do not want to be induced and of course he is trying to scare me with rupture stories and telling me the longer I go, the higher the rupture risks. I'm not even due for a few more days (at least). I am going to keep standing my ground. I want this birth to be on my terms even if it ends up not going the way I hope.

 

[stafl]

you know, it still isn't too late to find a different care provider!!!

definitely educate yourself about the risks of agreeing to or refusing any procedure. Don't take your doctor's word for it, or any one article, or any of ours, either. Go find the studies yourself and see what the risks really are for your unique situation. www.pubmed.com

I totally agree with everyone else who has told you that you don't have to go in. If I were you, and *if* you are totally unable to find a midwife to attend your birth, I would not go back for any more doctor visits, and would only show up at the hospital already pushing... or I'd just have the baby at home and say labor just went so fast you couldn't get there in time.

I gotta add, u/s measurements were off by THREE pounds with my firstborn!!

 

[applejuice]

I hope you get the birth you want with this baby...Good Luck!

 

[3 little birds]

Just my .02. My son was born VBAC at home. He was almost 9 lbs.

He was born at 42 weeks 2 days (dates) 41 weeks 2 days (U/S).

In the scary stories my OB told me about ruptures she had seen (2 mom's), both were induced.

I did loads of research, but the Mothering article about VBAC (about 2 years ago) really gave me the confidence in my body that I needed and the ability to stop stressing about rupture.

We tried primrose oil, lots of nookie, herbs, etc to get things going, (I was scheduled for tests on the baby at the hospital if I didn't go into labor by 42 weeks) but he came when he was done.

Wishing you a happy birth experience!

 

[Electra375]

Please read, i have had the terrible pitocin induced labor with a c/s following, then 3 1/2 yrs later a sch c/s (and I was doubting it and trying to force labor before the date -- didn't work), and then I had a beautiful homebirth on the day that my 3rd c/s was suppose to happen (but didn't do to the fact that my doctor terminated my care at 28 weeks prego).

If you want a natural birth, go for it. Tell you doctor, if he isn't happy leave and get a midwife. yes, I know you're about to have the baby. My midwife has a lot of mamas come to her at 40 and 41 weeks.

I don't personally think you can rush a baby who isn't ready and have a successful natural birth experience. Baby's know when they need to be born and not before.

FYI -- your baby was probably under distress from the labor inducing drugs, they are something like 500 times more powerful than natural contractions.

And the benefits to your baby born naturally are worth every contraction felt (and every obstacle you have to over come to get what you want). My bf experiences have not been good, my 1st c/s babe did not bf, my 2nd c/s babe worked hard for every drop and my milk didn't come in until day 5 or 6 and my natural babe had milk o plenty on day 2 and her latch was incredibly strong, it surprised me.

Plenty of women have VBACs in hospitals without a hitch. I knew how I saw myself laboring and knew what happened the first time. I was hooked up to the EFM and told not to get out of bed. This didn't work for me then and it wouldn't work for me in my last birth either. I called the hospital to ask what routine procedures were for VBAC mothers and was told continous EFM, IVs, and time limits etc. Here is how I see it: You get hooked up to the EFM, you get an epidural to handle the pain b/c you can't move through the contractions, your labor slows down b/c of the epidural, you can't accept pitocin b/c of uterine rupture, and you end up with a c/s which is what the doctors wanted all along!

After my last experience with a doctor terminating my care etc. and having the experience of an excellent direct entry midwife, I am bias to home being the place for births to happen. Check your operative report (available at the hospital your last c/s took place), if you have had double layer stitches on the uterus, then by many standards you are safe to have your baby vaginally.

Ian May Gaskin wrote on the double layer stitches in her latest book Ian May's Guide to Natural Childbirth.

I had about 6 weeks to read, read, and read on the subject you have a much more limited time. I suggest reading the following:

The book by Ian May above, save Spirtual Midwifery for when you have more time or if you cannot get a copy of Guide to Natural CB.

The Thinking Woman's Guid e to a Better Birth Henci Goer (skim it, read the what pertains to you)

Homebirth by Sheila Kitzinger

VBAC Companion

www.spinningbabies.com -- for positioning baby

www.homebirth.org.uk -- research articles on VBAC studie

And mothering.com has some articles on VBACs and homebirths.

My angel is crying for her mama to bf, if you want more info or to chat PM me or e-mail me.

Best to you

 

[peacefulmom]

I am truly touched by all the care and info I am getting from all you mammas..my head is realing with questions and worries so I have decided for now to go to this Dr for the next 2 visits so she can check my progress and talk directly about what I want and dont want....If she is not understanding and set on her own ways for our labor I will contact these midwives ...unfortunatly I will have to switch hospitals buit thats a small price ......... i love you all and will keep checking in...