Best VBAC hospitals in NSW?

[monday]

Does anyone know where would be the best hospital to have a VBA2C in Sydney?

[kirky2]

Hi there,

I'm not pregnant yet, but I plan to have my next bub (VBA1C) at the birth centre at RPA. I called the other day to check if they did VBAC and they said yes. They did ask how many caesarians I'd had.

K

[monday]

My concern is that most hospital will say that they do VBACs, but I want to know which have the highest rate. I wonder if there is somewhere to get that information?

[jackrose]

I believe there is somewhere to get the information you are looking for Monday. I found such information for Victorian Hospitals in a government document called the "maternity services performance indicators". It lists the VBAC rates for all Victorian hospitals. I am sure that there would be a similar document in NSW.

It is a really valuable piece of information to have as your chances of having a successful VBAC are directly tied to hospital policy, and the hospital policy is clearly shown up in their statistics! I think you are right when you say that most hospitals will say that they support VBAC, but in reality there can be a huge discrepancy in the level and the quality of the support they offer.

I am currently pg and looking into a VBAC also. From the little research I have done I am feeling more and more empowered about it and really excited! If you are able, you should look up one of the Bellybelly members 'GardeningKate' to read her VBA2C story. I really found it inspiring.

Also, look into hiring a private midwife or a doula to be with you at your birth. The statistics once again look very favourably on women who have extra professional support with them in birth. If you get in touch with some private midwives and ask some questions, they may be able to help you find the information on hospital VBAC rates too. I recommend looking at the Maternity Coalition website as a good place to start.

Good luck Monday!

ETA: here is a link to gardeningkate's birth story

[Midwife Melissa]

Also, look into hiring a private midwife ... The statistics once again look very favourably on women who have extra professional support

You could go anywhere, but this is the best advice I would give. You need impartial advice throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth, and a private midwife can give this.

[monday]

Thank you jackrose, that is really helpful

[1MOREPLZ]

Monday hun when you find out i am interested aswell i am *hoping/praying/yearning* for a VBA3C for my last bubba when i get preggers again.

[monday]

I'll let you know what I find out.

[jackrose]

Hi Monday,
I just read in the paper today about a website set up by two women which lists all of the statistics about birth in hospitals and birth centers in the one place!

I had a quick look and it seems to be full of good information. Check it out at mybirth I am very impressed to be able to find such well laid out info, hope it helps you!

[monday]

Thank you Jackrose, I wish this had been availble before my 2nd birth. The stats for my hospital are scary

22% c/section
8.5% c/section with labour
13.8% VBAC success

Definitely going to find me a new hospital before I have a third baby!

[1MOREPLZ]

DAMN!!!! checked my hospital....

14.2% c/section with labour
19.5% successful VBACS
30.9% c/sections

might just (when it happens) book in hospital then go into labour....labour at home as long as possible and when it is near time to birth go into hospital...OR birth at home my GP is willing to be there for support...

[Rouge]

Having had a vbac at one of the highest c/s rate hospitals in melbourne I would recommend finding an ob that supports vbac, a private midwife and a doula. The support you can take with you will no doubt impact a lot higher. And if you can look into Calm Birthing courses. And if you have bad memories associated with your previous hospital then definitely stay clear. Goodluck xxx

[jackrose]

Wow, they are terrible stats Monday and fluff-a-holic!! It does somewhat clarify why things go down the path they do - there must be something else going on behind it rather than just 'you'.

I am so glad I found the site too, it makes it so much easier than trying to track down the stats individually. I am such a strong believer in informed choice and it makes me both mad and sad to realise how little informed choice I had last time I gave birth despite all the research I did. (I keep posting about informed choice at the moment so I am going to sound like a bit of a nut soon, really I am a pretty easy going person )

I have chosen a midwife this time around to attend my birth and I was very pleased to see she has a VBAC success rate of around 80%. Interestingly, this figure seems to concur with the literature of what the VBAC success rate should be... hmmm...

((ETA: Sorry on the link post ))