[mizznicole]

I'm trying for VBAC and wondering when you would suggest first visit to the MW or OB.

I feel pretty ambivalent about prenatal visits in general. We don't do most tests, want to keep u/s minimal, etc.

However, I wonder with VBAC if you have to do more homework and communicating with your provider.

I lost my first baby at 13 weeks and got stuck with a bill for over $400...for nothing...it seems silly to go before that critical time when you can't do anything to save the pregnancy anyhow.

 

[floye]

I would definitely try to get in at the 8-12 week period with a perspective provider and you might want to go in more than you would like to just so you know for sure that you are on the same page.

Make sure you and your provider have the same philosophy about birth -- fetal monitoring, birth positions, use of the tub, episiotomies, etc. etc. Also, ask them how many births they have done that are like the one you desire.

My first OB told me that I could have the baby any way I wanted, but later I asked how many natural births she had attended and she said only 1 and that it was pretty exhausting for the mother. She also recommended not hiring a doula.

All I'm saying is that you need to be very specific with your Dr/midwife and then double check by asking for specific birth stories from them. Such as, "Please describe a birth you attended in the past year where the mother was not flat on her back" or "How many episiotomies have you preformed in the past year?"

A lot of drs will pay lip-service to being supportive of your wishes, but if they haven't attended a birth that mirrors what you want, I would go with someone else.

 

[murphysaangel]

If you can get it (not sure if it's out yet or not) Your Best Birth by Rikki Lake and Abby Epstien has a great list of questions for your Ob/Midwife/hospital.

Other than that I would make sure to ask about their statistics: what is their rate of success for VBAC's, induction rate, c-section rate, etc. Also how long past your edd they'd "let" you carry, and what they do at that point, induce or repeat c. I'd also make sure to ask at what time they meet you at the hospital (some, but few midwives sit in through labor's entirety) for a VBAC. And ask what the hospital's response time is in case of an emergency situation such as rupture, and whether or not they've attended anyone who's ruptured. More qustions include what policies are as far as fetal monitoring, IV (can we do a heplock instead if it's necessary), freedom of movement, H2O birth and laboring, how long after the water breaks will you be allowed to labor.

good luck!

 

[meatloafkend]

If you don't like invasive providers. Just request a visit around 12 weeks or so. Then they can try to hear the heartbeat, check your blood pressure, and overall health.