[Pau]

I am in the Gatineau-Ottawa region and I would like to be in touch with moms that VBACed in the region (either Ottawa or Gatineau )
What is the reality of a VBACing woman behind the scenes? How the nice speech of the midwifery care comes to reality at the moment of true?
Of those who didn't get their VBAC, hindsight what was the real reason for the failure?
And well, I'd love to hear about TRUE midwifes.
If you decide to go with the OB way, do you know if it's possible to know about the hospital protocols, I know what the SOGC states on vbac, but do hospitals hook you to an EFM, without freedom to move? Do they really respect your birth plan?
Anyone willing to share her experience will be greatly appreciated.
You can pm me and discuss it more off board.
Thank you all wonderful moms.

 

[star*mora]

i'd love to hear of successful vbacs in the area too.
hopefully i'll have a success story of my own in october

the only person i've met who vbac-ed in the area is my family dr at somerset west health centre. the practice there has 3 family drs who deliver at the civic, and she told me they are very vbac supportive - and she is very keen on her clients having vbacs. had i gone that route instead of with a midwife, i would have met all 3 drs, as well as continued to have her as my dr through the pregnancy, and a lactation consultant is provided there at no charge for nursing, pregnant mamas. they are a real gift to the west centretown/hintonburg community.

hope you get lots of responses, pau.

 

[Megan73]

Pau,
I'm not sure about other hospitals but the General campus of the Ottawa Hospital has a telemetry system - wireless fetal monitors that they told me could be used in the tub.
Hope you get your VBAC!

 

[Pau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by star*mora i'd love to hear of successful vbacs in the area too. hopefully i'll have a success story of my own in october the only person i've met who vbac-ed in the area is my family dr at somerset west health centre. the practice there has 3 family drs who deliver at the civic, and she told me they are very vbac supportive - and she is very keen on her clients having vbacs. had i gone that route instead of with a midwife, i would have met all 3 drs, as well as continued to have her as my dr through the pregnancy, and a lactation consultant is provided there at no charge for nursing, pregnant mamas. they are a real gift to the west centretown/hintonburg community. hope you get lots of responses, pau.

I hope you could make a final decision (I remember your situation)
That health centre sounds great. I guess they are not taking any new patients, are they?
I haven't got to many answers yet, just another mom mostly in my same situation.
Perhaps we could be in touch and support ourselves. I am not pregnant I am just doing some research in advance, but I think it is very important not to be alone in a situation like this. Do you know what is Odent's advice for VBAC moms ? Stay at home as long as possible (if you decide to go with hospital way) and surround yourself with positive mind people.

Hugs

 

[Pau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan73 Pau, I'm not sure about other hospitals but the General campus of the Ottawa Hospital has a telemetry system - wireless fetal monitors that they told me could be used in the tub. Hope you get your VBAC!

Thanks for your answer Megan73.
As I said, I am not pregnant yet just exploring options in advance.
Thanks for your good vibes too.

 

[mamatowill]

I delivered in the General- I did not get my VBAC but my OB was verrrrry supportive of the idea. In fact she insisted it was the best way to go and I did not have real pressure to change. The problems were more to do with the size of the baby and the lack of support from my partner for my birth plan.

 

[star*mora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pau I hope you could make a final decision (I remember your situation) That health centre sounds great. I guess they are not taking any new patients, are they?

if you live in the catchment area you can waitlist. my dh, ds and i all had different drs so i went on the waitlist and was cleared in just over a month! i know the normal waitlist time is about 6mths. they also use nurse practitioners so that health care can be provided if you are waitlisted for a dr.

you just go in to the centre in person, fill out a quick waitlist form with your health card number and address, and when the waitlist clears they send you a letter.

so even though it may come up that the dr is not accepting clients on the college's website, it's not entirely true

i did make a decision and also am going with a doula who will be there as well to support me, so am feeling better in general. sometimes making any decision is better than none!

feel free to pm me anytime.

 

[Malva]

Quote:

Originally Posted by star*mora if you live in the catchment area you can waitlist.

I want to add that if you or your spouse WORKS in the catchment area (even if you don't live in it), I believe you can also get on their waiting list.

Edit: And I'm pretty sure star*mora is talking about the Somerset West Community Health Centre.

 

[Pau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamatowill I delivered in the General- I did not get my VBAC but my OB was verrrrry supportive of the idea. In fact she insisted it was the best way to go and I did not have real pressure to change. The problems were more to do with the size of the baby and the lack of support from my partner for my birth plan.

Thanks for your answer.
Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions,
Did you go into labor spontaneously? Did they give you pit/occ, whatever inductor while in labor?
Did they mention that something should be done in case you go beyond 41 w ? (Considering that everything is ok a no sign of labor is present)
The size of the baby, mmmmm that is kind of red flag to me as a valid reason not to vbac.
Whatever you could share it' will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[huha]

I successfully VBACed at the General in Oct 2008. I went with an OB who was very supportive of VBACs. I am off the impression that most of them are in Ottawa.

I had a non-medicated birth of an over 9 lbs baby. From my questioning the doctors only 10% of people have unmedicated births at the hospitals. It was rare enough for them to ask if it was ok for some med students to observe.

Hospitals and OB want to follow their rules and protocols that protect them (and sometimes you). My doctor was surprisingly forthcoming saying that it is 'hospital rules' but it was my choice to decline them. Specifically the continual EFM.

I made a point to labour at home. I never went into labour with my first child so I did not know what it was like. I showed up at the hospital 5 cm dilated, declining the EFM, demanding minimal vaginal checks, requesting for a jacuzzi room and strong indication of a non-medicated birth - in their terms they did well in leaving me alone.

My surprise was that (1) I was exempt from continual monitoring, they still wanted to monitor every 15 minutes which I found very interruptive. (2) As well, they have a nurse with you all the time (different ones at different times) which can be helpful if they are good at helping you focus through contractions but not when they are telling you when/how to push when you should be listening to your body. (3) I am not sure if they 'let you' birth in anything but the beetle on its back position. It happened quickly and I regrettably was too out of it to go against it. (4) Lastly, there is a nice, old female pediatrician and she so strongly urges you for the Vit K and eye drops to be given that you it is hard to say no. 'no one ever declined these'

Overall, I was happy with the General. I was out 24 hours after giving birth. For a hospital birth it was quite good. The doctors and nurses were nice and they do what is the norm for them.

The key is too be prepared; well read, have a supportive partner and able to speak up for yourself.

 

[Pau]

Quote:

Originally Posted by huha I successfully VBACed at the General in Oct 2008. I went with an OB who was very supportive of VBACs. I am off the impression that most of them are in Ottawa. I had a non-medicated birth of an over 9 lbs baby. From my questioning the doctors only 10% of people have unmedicated births at the hospitals. It was rare enough for them to ask if it was ok for some med students to observe. Hospitals and OB want to follow their rules and protocols that protect them (and sometimes you). My doctor was surprisingly forthcoming saying that it is 'hospital rules' but it was my choice to decline them. Specifically the continual EFM. I made a point to labour at home. I never went into labour with my first child so I did not know what it was like. I showed up at the hospital 5 cm dilated, declining the EFM, demanding minimal vaginal checks, requesting for a jacuzzi room and strong indication of a non-medicated birth - in their terms they did well in leaving me alone. My surprise was that (1) I was exempt from continual monitoring, they still wanted to monitor every 15 minutes which I found very interruptive. (2) As well, they have a nurse with you all the time (different ones at different times) which can be helpful if they are good at helping you focus through contractions but not when they are telling you when/how to push when you should be listening to your body. (3) I am not sure if they 'let you' birth in anything but the beetle on its back position. It happened quickly and I regrettably was too out of it to go against it. (4) Lastly, there is a nice, old female pediatrician and she so strongly urges you for the Vit K and eye drops to be given that you it is hard to say no. 'no one ever declined these' Overall, I was happy with the General. I was out 24 hours after giving birth. For a hospital birth it was quite good. The doctors and nurses were nice and they do what is the norm for them. The key is too be prepared; well read, have a supportive partner and able to speak up for yourself.

Thanks so much for your input.
If you don't mind I 'll pm you to go more into details.

 

[JessieBird]

I don't have any personal experience but I do know that La Maison de Naissance in Gatineau is fully supportive of VBACs. I met a woman there who was 7 mos preg with her second and intending a VBAC. I haven't crossed paths with her again so I don't know how the birth went but she did tell me that she was very pleased with her prenatal care and that there was no question about their support for her VBAC. I birthed my son (1st child) there six months ago and it was a phenomenal and very holistic experience, the birth weekend itself as well as my pre- and post- care. I love my midwives dearly.

However, you have to have a Quebec health card to access their services. The catchment area is huge (entire Outaouais, Pontiac and beyond I believe) but only on this side of the river. If you do live in Quebec, call the second you get your HPT+ because there is a waiting list.