Disappointed with Obs view of VBAC! Have you had a successful VBAC at FPH?

[ticklish]

Help! I want to find an OB who is encouraging and has a high success rate with VBAC at FPH.

Has anyone here had a successful VBAC at FPH? Can you recommend a sympathetic VBAC Ob at FPH?

We are TTC ATM but I like to be prepared and find a sympathetic OB beforehand.

I am pretty much settled on FPH, basically because it is colocated with the RWH and the drs there are much more experienced in the my particular complication and would not see me as such a freak or panic so much!!!!!

My GP has advised that my options are really only The Mercy, Monash or RWH because of complications that may arise and she believes I need a hospital with an ICU for both me and bubs - JIC!

I have consulted an OB at FPH, while I think he is great and definitely the person I want to see to treat the complications which are likely to arise in my pregnancies I don't think he is the sympathetic VBAC OB I am looking for. His attitude is a tad negative, he says that a VBAC is likely to be only 50% successful because I have not laboured before. I want more than a 50% chance of being successful and would find it hard to maintain a positive attitude and trust an OB who thinks I have a large chance of failing and wants to prepare me for a caesar anyway!

I REALLY DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAESAR!!

I would love to have a homebirth with a private midwife but my history is complicated. I would not be accepted into a birth centre and need frequent monitoring!

Please tell me your positive stories of VBAC at FPH or RWH. Give me hope that I can find a sympathetic VBAC OB at FPH!

Thanking you in advance.

I haven't been to that hospital, but had a c/s last time and am having a homebirth this time. Did you know that the majority of vbac's that fail are because of women changing their mind in labour!!! Not because of any medical complications.
I am highly skeptical of obs, IMO they are really just surgeons and will always look to the just in case scenarios to save themselves being sued, which doesn't help us though, does it?!Especially when we try so hard to avoid surgery.
My advice would be to not really take any notice of the obs negative comments, and just concentrate on the fact that you will be having a vbac!! Have you thought about taking an independant midwife with you to hospital, that way you have someone more into the natural side of things there to help and encourage you, and to give you the other side of the story if something does happen and the ob is explaining things to you. From my experience they often over exaggerate a situation to get the outcome that they want, quite often a c/s. Having someone like a private midwife that you have gotten to know and trust there with you will help you to remain calm and focused.
Just an idea for you to think about.
Good luck with your vbac!!

[Rouge]

YES YES YES!!!!

I had Lionel Steinberg and had the most fantastic experience at FPH I had a VBAC and my son was 10lb11oz so don't let anyone tell you that size matters either (I know thats something they can say). Although these days he prefers to work from SV so I'm not sure if he's still operating from FPH.

Do not let ANY obs tell you that you can't have a VBAC. I had an Ob like that and dumped him like a sack of potatoes and found one that would support me.

I had a wonderful experience and I know you can, if you really want it you can do it!

*hugs*
Cailin

[Carrie]

Hi Ticklish!
You sound like me - I SO DON'T WANT ANOTHER C-SECTION. It was the worst experience. I'm booked into FPH with Dr David Freidin, who was recommended on BellyBelly and a good VBAC Dr. and at my first appointment he was really supportive of a VBAC. Admittedly, I did get to 8cm dilated first time around, so I don't know what he would have said if I didn't labour.
However, an OB will not be with you while you labour and this is the important time leading up to how you will birth your baby. If you really want a VBAC I would recommend also having a Doula or private midwife who will be their to support you and who is knowledgable about VBACs. THis is what I'm wanting to do. Have a look on the "locate a Doula" section of BB.

I really hope that you get to have the birth that you want and that you find it to be a wonderful experience.

[Janie]

Ticklish, my Ob works out of FPH and is very pro VB. As I don't know your situation I have no idea if he would be happy with a VBAC for you but it might be worth a shot. Let me know if you want his details. He is a wonderful, caring Dr, and I love him!

I do think Lionel sounds great though, he's probably the one to try first

[ticklish]

Yep, Bec I am highly skeptical too having already have a very BAD/HORRIFIC experience with my first baby. Yeah - a private midwife might be another option - I'd be interested to talk to one to see if he/she would be interested in me given my history. (I wonder if Alan can pop-in!) I am definitely taking a doula with me when the time comes (we are only TTC ATM!). Good luck with your VBAC and homebirth. I'd be interested to here your story of a VBAC homebirth. Unfortunately, a homebirth is not really an option with me because of complications.

Cailin- Yep, vaginal Lionel definitely has the rep. It worries me a little that he prefers to work out of StV and not FPH. He must have a reason for it!

Carrie - thanks for the recommendation - he might be someone worth thinking about. Definitely doing the doula thing next time - I have been doing some research on this and have some names and numbers!

Sezjm - yes please - I would love the details of your OB - PM me if you don't want to post them here!

[krisp]

I havn't had any experience of hospitals in Melbourne as I'm new to VIC but am also wanting a VBAC. I'm seeing Dr Danielle Wilkins and birthing at Jessie Mac PH. Danielle is fabulous, very supportive of VBAC's and only delivers at Jessie Mac as it is attached to Monash if something goes wrong so has the NICU on site and also 24hr anethsetists on site if another CS is required(fingers crossed I don't need one!). Good luck with your decision, and sending you positive vibes for a successful VBAC.

[BellyBelly]

I think it is something to do with the conditions at FPH - there is less incentive or something, someone mentioned? I have supported women in both hospitals, only St V's once (about to go for my second, with lionel too) and I find St V's to be fine so far, midwives lovely... here are some Obs on BB we suggest for those going down the Ob path! They all support breech birth too:

Victorian Obstetricians

Dr David Freidin

Suite 3, 96 Grattan Street
CARLTON 3053
Ph: 03 9527 1388


Dr Peter Jurcevic

Suite 8, 96 Grattan Street
CARLTON 3053
Ph: 03 9349 3686


Dr Lionel Steinberg

Suite 2, Ground Floor
59-61 Victoria Parade
FITZROY 3065
Ph: 03 9347 7917


Dr Peter England

Suite 105, 320 Victoria Parade
EAST MELBOURNE 3002
Ph: 03 9415 9088


Dr Dennis Price

Suite 2/145 Wattletree Road
MALVERN 3144
Ph: 03 9509 5744


Dr Peter Lee

53 Brady Road
DANDENONG NORTH 3175
Ph: 03 9790 0333


Dr Tilak Weerasiri
Northpark Private Hospital
Greenhills Road
BUNDOORA
Ph: (03) 9467 6016

Good luck with your VBAC and homebirth. I'd be interested to here your story of a VBAC homebirth.

Thanks!! I will definately let you know how I go-such an exciting time and not too far away.
I am confident that you will find a midwife that will support you, if you are interested I can give you the names of mine, though I am sure that Alan will be along soon to help boost your confidence and tell you that you CAN do it!! A doula is a great idea too, I have a trainee and she is awesome. I really wish I had of looked into this stuff for the birth of my son, though I think I was a bit nieve and kind of thought everything would go perfectly and that nothing awful would happen to me. Oh well, at least I am informed this time hey!

[Minky]

Ticklish,
I think my Obst who looked after me through my pregnancy is the one you are refering too, high risk complications. I was very happy with him as a caregiver and when circumstances were presented I went the ceaser option, I never felt pushed into this decision but at my 6 week post appointment he told me I would have to the the exact same thing in future preg. I'm not TTC just yet it is going to be interesting my first appointment with him.
Bec

[ticklish]

Thanks Krisp - I am glad you have found a VBAC friendly ob. Monash is another option but ATM I am thinking FPH and RWC - just a little easier to get to.

Thanks heaps Kelly - that is quite a list. I think I will phone FPH and match up those on your list.

Becmc - yep, I was naive too! I thought I'd go with the flow and see how things went - I thought my OB and DH would be all the support I needed - how wrong was I! Hence why we face VBACs! End of August not too far away. All the best.

Bec G - yep, I could be talking about the same OB but I don't know that there is only one specialist high risk ob at FPH. Personally, I think he is a brilliant DR and obviously very clever person. I don't think he would push me into anything but having had such a bad experience first time round I want someone who will be positive about a VBAC first-up. I just need to be surrounded by positive vibes and being told I only have a 50% chance for no other reason than that is the statistic is not what I wanted or needed to hear. The other problem, which is actually a good thing, is that I really don't need to see him because I am not really high risk - it is just other doctors are ignorant about my particular complication. I was thinking that if I went to a VBAC-friendly OB at FPH I would have more confidence in having a VBAC and that OB could talk to the high-risk OB if I did develop the complications. Good luck when you decide to TTC!

No matter what OB I decide on, if (which is bit of a big IF) and when the times come and whatever Ob I choose, I am definitely taking a doula with me. I'd be interested to talk to private midwives as well.

[mummato3]

Oh Ticklish, I so feel for you....especially as I know I will face a similar dilemma in a few years when we decide to have another bubba. DO NOT let anyone try and tell you that you cant do it....there is great element of fear from certain members of the medical fraternity when it comes to women wishing to birth vaginally after a ceaser. There has been extensive research and reports produced that show that women who have a vbac are at no significantly greater risk for complications, than women who have never had a c/section. With the right support, including a supportive ob, you are well on your way to having a successful vbac outcome. gather as much info as you can, not only for your own info, but so you can show your obst that you know what you are talking about.
The list that Kelly has given you is brilliant and you should have no trouble finding a vbac friendly obst there.
I was told sometime ago, and dont quote me on this, but the reason that more obsts like their vbac women to birth at St Vs, is that overall, the staff there are more supportive of vbac's in general, as opposed to FPH.
It is really hard, I know I would love nothing more than to be able to go to a Family Birth Centre for our next baby, as I know I could have the best of both worlds, the 'home' like environment, and the availability of back up if necessary.

Good luck with your TTC and the choices for your care.

[ticklish]

Thanks for your support Mummato3.
When I finally get that BFP I will be here looking for more VBAC support. Shame I didn't know about this site first time around.
Thanks for the view on StV being more VBAC friendly - that is the kinda thing I'd like to know. ATM I am thinking FPH for the reason that the OB I was consulting is there - he has the correct view about how to treat my condition, it is just that I didn't get the positive VBAC vibes I want from him. Unfortunately for me a birth centre or home birth is not an option because of complications.
I will aslo be exploring the doula/private midwife option for the VBAC. I am not going anywhere near a hospital without independent professional support AGAIN!

[mummato3]

Do you mind me asking what happened with your first birth?

[ticklish]

Mumma, I sent you a PM.

[Carrie]

Hi Ticklish, If you are wanting to speak to a private midwife, I got together with both Alan (a midwife who is on BB heaps) and Julie (a Doula on BB heaps), they were both so lovely and gave me heaps of great information on both VBACs and birthing options. I would definately recommend getting together with someone sooner rather than later so that you have all the info and know what you would like to do as soon as you are pregnant - things seem to move so fast once you get your bfp!

[mummato3]

thanks Ticklish

[ticklish]

Thanks Carrie, that's great advice. Must get onto it. No BFP yet!