[shenanegans]

<p>Any of you ladies planning vbac's? if so, feel free to check in here and tell us your story. This will be my second vbac so I am not nearly as stressed and frantic about it as I was last time! I had my first son, the c-section in Japan, basically a slow leak in my fluid with no real labour after, 5 days later I reluctantly agreed to be induced. Once in the hospital, there was endless internal checks, a maxed out induction that after 8hrs started to cause stress on my son's heart beat. I convinced them to stop the pitocin and wait till the morning, the labour stopped and by morning I had an infection (probably from all the internal checks) so we had the c-section. It was a very hard time, my son was super healthy and had no problem breastfeeding but I couldn't help but feel like if I had been in a different environment the birth could have turned out better. So baby #2, back in Canada, I couldn't get a spot in one of our local birth centres, there is a huge demand and not that many spots. I was followed by my family Dr. but hired an underground private midwife around 20 weeks. So for the rest of the pregnancy I was kind of checked by both the Dr and the midwife until I finally told my Dr my plans.  Then had my son at home with my midwife and her assistant, 9 days after my due date. Long slow labor but NO STRESS! I plan to have a homebirth again this time but it all depends if I am able to get a spot in one of the birth centres or not. If I do get a spot, then I don't have to pay for the midwife, which would be ideal! We will see! </p>

 

[MrsNichols]

<p>That's me! So excited for my VBAC. Not a lot of birthing centers in my area but the one we are close to I am very excited about. My first real appointment is the beginning of Nov. I went a little over a week over due with DD #1 and was not in a natural birth friendly area. My doctor actually stripped my membranes without my permission about 3 days before I had her. However, she wasn't head down yet, which is why labor hadn't started on it's own. So I labored slowly for three days, I think my body was still trying to get her to turn and I really feel she could have had I just had some help. I finally went to the hospital, checked in at 5cm dilated. Labored for about an hour or so and was checked and at a 9.5 so she went ahead and broke my bag of waters and then said that she was still transverse so I had to have the c-section. <br><br>
Very let down by my birth experience. I never even got a chance to do it the right way, I feel. So I'm just really excited to be doing it again with more like minded group of people.</p>

 

[BethaniaDawn]

<p>I am hoping for a VBAC as well.  My first and second babies were born vag (the second after 4 hrs labor).  My third was a c-section because he was determined to be transverse or breech.  He had so much room in there he was turning summer salts <span class="huddler-mention">@ 40 weeks.  My</span> doctors had me freaked out that my water would break and the cord prolapse because he was no where near engaged.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I live in an area where VBACs are not really supported. I have a midwife but her office does not support VBAC and I was told that there are no practitioners that do them here.  I am continuing to research and have three or four leads.  Two or three of them are about 30 minutes from me and one is an hour and a half from me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am concerned that I will be considered too high risk.  I am going to be 40 when this baby is born.  My twin sister had Gestational Diabetes in her last pregnancy 4 years ago (I have the same due date she had ) and she is convinced I will get it as well.  On top of that, she is much more in favor of interventions than I am and is totally freaked out over the idea of me VBACing.  My babies dad and I had just decided to back off on our relationship when I got pregnant (ok, he told me he had been talking to someone else the morning after I told him I am pregnant.  We were under no illusions that we were each other's ever after, but still his timing sucks.) ANYWAY, I will be doing this on my own and do not have much support for VBAC at all.  But I am the one who had the last C-section and I am the one that knows my body will take time I don't have to heal if I have another one.  I want to be able to remember this babies first hours, to be the one to feed him or her, to be there for this baby rather than being doped up on pain medications.  Looking forward to getting some support from the women on here!</p>

 

[shenanegans]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>MrsNichols</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17486046"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p>That's me! So excited for my VBAC. Not a lot of birthing centers in my area but the one we are close to I am very excited about. My first real appointment is the beginning of Nov.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>So, your appointment is at the birth center? I have my first appointment with my family Dr in early December, when I will be about 12 weeks. I just have to wait and hope that I will get a spot at the birth center, they can call anytime up until 30 weeks! . At least I know I can hire my same midwife that I used last time if I don't get a midwife through the birthcenter. So its not too stressful. I would just prefer not to pay! </p>

 

[shenanegans]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>BethaniaDawn</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17486226"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p> </p>
<p>I am concerned that I will be considered too high risk.  I am going to be 40 when this baby is born.  My twin sister had Gestational Diabetes in her last pregnancy 4 years ago (I have the same due date she had ) and she is convinced I will get it as well.  </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Did you have gestational diabetes in any of your other pregnancies? </p>

 

[charliemae]

<p>This is our first planed VBAC. I only have a vague idea where I am delivering at this point. I am leaning to the Group Health Center in our area because they have the best VBAC rates in our state.  But I haven't decided if I would like a midwife or OBGYN this time around.  I'm going to see my primary care Dr. in a few weeks to get the pregnancy on the books and then start interviews. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our first birth was a planned home birth.  We transferred to the hospital at 10 days past my EDD due to low fluid.  First night we walked to start labor, 2nd day they did cervidel and a folly catheter, 3rd day Pitocin followed by epi on the 4th day c-section.  I had a really great hospital experience for being a transfer.  Every nurse and doctor had clearly read our birth plan and they were so respectful of us.  The c section was pretty traumatic. I could still feel everything so they had to knock me out, I didn't get to see my son being born, and that kinda sucks. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>They said the reason for the cs was stalled labor caused by poor positioning.  I'd like to get some chiropractic and acupuncture this pregnancy to hopefully balance myself out. I'm also working through some meditations to get my head on straight about this. </p>

 

[BethaniaDawn]

<p>I have not had GD in any of my other pregnancies.  I have had three full term but the last one was 10 years ago.  My plan is to eat really healthy for this pregnancy.  We already don't eat a lot of candy, chips or soda and I am going to try to concentrate on eating fruits and veggies, whole grains and meats.  I also love cheese and sour cream but don't care much for milk.  Between eating well and trying to go for a 1.5 mile walk 3-4 times a week, I am hoping to not end up with a GD diagnosis.</p>

 

[MrsNichols]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>shenanegans</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17486599"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p>So, your appointment is at the birth center? I have my first appointment with my family Dr in early December, when I will be about 12 weeks. I just have to wait and hope that I will get a spot at the birth center, they can call anytime up until 30 weeks! . At least I know I can hire my same midwife that I used last time if I don't get a midwife through the birthcenter. So its not too stressful. I would just prefer not to pay! </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Yep, I already had my pregnancy confirmed with them at four weeks. I'll be 9 weeks when I go for my first full appointment. And they operate just like my last OB did, with monthly appointments and such. They only do one u/s at 20 weeks which I'm fine with. My only problem with it is that you don't just have your own midwife because they work in shifts so you deliver with whomever is on the shift when you are in labor so you get to know them all during your visits. I am just very excited to have found a birthing center that does VBACs though.</p>

 

[phoebemom111]

<p>I would love a VBAC this time around but don't know how supportive doc's will be where I live. My daughter is only 10 mos old and I think that scares a lot of health care providers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had a CS due to just being tired and having too many interventions and the whole thing just cascaded out of control exactly like I was told it would if I started with pitocin or an epidural. I thought the recovery from my CS was horrible. I hated being hooked up to so many wires and tubes and being stuck in a hospital room with their uncomfortable bed and people coming in my room every five minutes. I threw up from the meds they gave me and had those weird things hooked up to my legs to prevent clots. It was just impersonal and foreign and sad to me. I think it was a lot harder because I went through hours of labor and pushing before the CS so in some ways I had to recover from BOTH.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And then you have everyone tell you well at least you had a healthy baby and that's all that matters in the end and so you end up feeling like a jerk for wanting to complain in the first place </p>

 

[shenanegans]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>PhoebeMom111</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17488606"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p><span style="line-height:1.5em;">And then you have everyone tell you well at least you had a healthy baby and that's all that matters in the end and so you end up feeling like a jerk for wanting to complain in the first place </span></p>
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</div>
<p>a lot of people really don't understand. I ended up not discussing it with a lot of people because those kinds of comments are so hurtful and people are just clueless. </p>

 

[Dandy Lion]

<p>I'm not a vbac mom, but I just wanted to wish all of you ladies lots of luck. I hope you're all able to find awesome care providers that will support you on your journey.</p>

 

[phoebemom111]

<p><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/community/u/101127/shenanegans" style="display:inline-block;">@shenanegans</a> People don't understand unless they've been there, do they? I imagine it will be that way for us VBAC-ers, too. No one will understand the need to have it our way...not even most doctors. I feel like I need to prepare to defend myself a lot in the coming months. Or just smile and ignore a lot </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oh, man. I hadn't even thought about telling my MOTHER I want a VBAC. She'll have me committed.</p>

 

[BethaniaDawn]

<p>I have found a doctors office that will do VBACs here - it is called Generation to Generation in Orange Park, FL.  They deliver at a hospital that is not known to be the best in the area but it is the hospital closest to me.  When I called and asked them if they did VBACs the receptionist answered that yes they did as if it was the most normal thing ever.  I have an appointment with them on the 29th.  (They could have gotten me in earlier but I am going to be out of town.)</p>

 

[EarthyLady]

<p>I've had 3 vbac's thus far.  At home even.  Yeah, people totally think I'm wacko.  Especially the elder generation.  Like our landlord.  Last time we didn't tell them we were doing a homebirth.  Just told them after the fact.    They thought it was amazing!  The wife had twilight birth 50 years ago with her children, so it was unbelieveable to her that I'd just had a baby.  At home.  And I was still alive.  </p>

 

[frommontreal]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Charliemae</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17486625"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p> </p>
<p>Our first birth was a planned home birth.  We transferred to the hospital at 10 days past my EDD due to low fluid.  First night we walked to start labor, 2nd day they did cervidel and a folly catheter, 3rd day Pitocin followed by epi on the 4th day c-section.  I had a really great hospital experience for being a transfer.  Every nurse and doctor had clearly read our birth plan and they were so respectful of us.  The c section was pretty traumatic. I could still feel everything so they had to knock me out, I didn't get to see my son being born, and that kinda sucks. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>They said the reason for the cs was stalled labor caused by poor positioning.  I'd like to get some chiropractic and acupuncture this pregnancy to hopefully balance myself out. I'm also working through some meditations to get my head on straight about this. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>My story is very similar. I planned a home birth. I labored at home for 2 days, then got to the hospital to have some tests, wasn't confortable with the idea of the reverse car ride to go back home so I decided to stay at the nearby birthing center. I labored there for the rest of the 3rd day and late at night decided to go to the hospital to have an epidural so I could rest (I was not able to sit or lay down and hadn't slept in 3 days). They finally found out my baby was po<span style="line-height:1.5em;">sterior facing. I had really good care at the hospital, I was lucky to have 2 MDs that were excited with the fact I wanted to deliver naturally. We tried many things (Pitocin, turning the baby manually, pushing him even if the position was bad...) and I finally agreed to the c-section in the morning of my fourth day of labor. And my son was so stuck in my pelvis, they had a real difficulty to take him out. His head was molded in a way that showed us how crooked he engaged. He had problems from it, ended up to be seen by a chiropractor at 3 days after refusing to breasfeed for 24 hours...</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, now I know my coccyx is crooked and I plan to see my osteopath / physio every month of this pregnancy. I'm also interested in acupuncture. I feel like I have more knowledge of my body and some power to better prepare myself for this birth. I really hope to VBAC. </p>

 

[shenanegans]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>fromMontreal</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17490315"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br>
 
<p>Anyway, now I know my coccyx is crooked and I plan to see my osteopath / physio every month of this pregnancy. I'm also interested in acupuncture. I feel like I have more knowledge of my body and some power to better prepare myself for this birth. I really hope to VBAC. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>I know a very good acupuncturist here in Montreal, and she specializes in treatments for pregnancy and birth. She flipped my stubbornly breech baby with one acupuncture treatment at around 36 weeks. She works in both Ville St. Laurent and St. Lambert so depending on where you live you can choose the best place for you. You can call her~ Zoe, 514-203-0400</p>
<p>I haven't used her for 3 years but if the phone number isn't good, let me know and I will look for her current #. </p>

 

[charliemae]

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>fromMontreal</strong> <a href="/community/t/1391520/vbac-mamas#post_17490315"><img alt="View Post" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, now I know my coccyx is crooked and I plan to see my osteopath / physio every month of this pregnancy. I'm also interested in acupuncture. I feel like I have more knowledge of my body and some power to better prepare myself for this birth. I really hope to VBAC. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>We took DS tot he Chiro at about 1 week old too, I'm glad we did.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My midwife suggested the acupuncture I was just planning on Chiro. .  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am a little surprised at the backlash vbac mams face in other areas.  I'm in a pretty crunchy area and before we have left the hospital from my c/s several doctors and nurses had told me it would be safer for me to attempt a vbac next time.  They are really not into repeat c/s.  I haven't actually decided where I am delivering. or who is catching.  So I might change my tune when we start doing interviews.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>With my first we didn't have any ultra sounds until the BPP that was ordered at 41 weeks.  Are U/s recommended or necessary for vbac?  What information would they be looking for with one, other than dates? </p>

 

[frommontreal]

<p>Shenanegans:  Thank you ! I live not far from Victoria Bridge so St-Lambert is a very good choice for me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll give her a call for sure. What a chance that we're both from Montréal. I've read your introduction, I'll have good thought so the birthing center calls you.</p>

 

[shenanegans]

<p>Charliemae- I guess with a vbac the things they would be looking for during an U/S would be baby positioning, plus position of the placenta. If it is too low or embedded over your scar, it can be dangerous during the birth.</p>