OB against VBA2C - what now?

[ladybird11]

This may come out a ramble - so I apologise in advance:

I Had my appt with head of Obstetrics today - and needless to say his words were 'I can't stop you from attempting a VBA2C but I strongly advise you against it due to the 1 in 30 chance of your uterus rupturing' . I was so peeved that his 'air of co*kiness' was probably elevated due to having a colleague from the Netherlands present too, nodding his head in agreement the entire appt .

Where did he pull that stat from (1 in 30)? I've been thinking its more like 0.9% per 30,000 or something???

He also said that if I went into spontaneous labour and presented to the hossy that him and his staff would restrict me by keeping me on the bed for monitoring () and would be praying for me whilst running around all stressed out as I'd be going against the 'norm'.

So needless to say, I'd feel less supported knowing that himself and his staff were expecting me to fail, regardless of having a supportive DH and student midwife (experience doula and mum to 2 as well) in tow.

Private care is not an option ($$), homebirth is not an option (sorry, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with that nor does DH), and I don't know if I'd get any more support if I went to another hossy - but I don't know how I would find that out either considering appts are already scheduled at the current hospital.

In any event I've complained about the other hosptial due to poor postnatal care from when I had DS .

I don't want to throw my arms up in the air in defeat - but I'm not sure what else to do?

[Traveller]

I'm sorry your OB was so negative. However you have an agreement that you will not be turned away in labour, and whilst you are going to be restricted to the bed, I would like to see them try that against your consent. Do they intend to physically restrain you, and are they aware this would be assault? This may unfortunately be one of those occasions where you need to be vocal with the phrase "I do not consent".

[Lady-bug]

Could you stay home as long as possible, I mean only go in as you are about to start to push? And how are they planning on keeping you on the bed if you don't want to be there? Does he mean he will physically put you there??

[ladybird11]

Imagine that...I can read it now "police officer assaulted whilst in labour" .

I think he mean't by continual monitoring, IV's etc. He never intimated I'd be strapped to the bed - DH would go nuts if that happened! .

I need to feel supported - and I'd also like it from the hossy staff (even a few midwives would help lol)...

Any idea how I'd go about getting a copy of the hospital's policies stating all these such restrictions?? Freedom of Information request?

[Traveller]

but even at that Leesa, do you consent to an IV? Do you consent to constant monitoring? He cannot make you accept any of that, if you don't want it. Even if you do, you can bounce on a birth ball beside the bed and machines so need not be confined on your back.

[LimeSlice]

Ask the hospital if you can hsve the cordless monitoring - you can even go in the shower with them on...
Also they should have a disclaimer form for you to sign saying you accept and understand the risks involved with imtermittent monitoring and you sign it and it covers their arses with you do rupture and they din't know because the early warning signs you get through monitoring weren't available to them. (This is what I have had to do to get my VBAC)

Have you got a doula? She would be invaluable when it comes to your labour ad making sure htey respect your wishes so you can focus on birthing and she can worry about the politics.
Arm yourself with some information and some recent stats - you will need them to argue for the disclaimer form and intermittent monitoring.

Don't give up hun! Lots you can do - hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman patronised! lol

ETA: You will find it will actually be a written hospital policy regarding the constant monitoring of higher risk and VBAC labouring women. They can scare you with it, but essentially as Traveller says, it isn't legally binding on your part - as in, they can't refuse you treatment when in labour because you refuse the IV or monitoring. If something goes wrong though, they will have the ammo in court.
You will be able to get the hospital policies by contacting the DON or HOD and requesting a copy of them. If they don't let you see them, you cannot know what they are

The IV is also a standard practice, putting it in when tey want at the beginning makes their life easier in an emergency. But just because you have a bung in your arm doesn't mean you are hooked up to anything. But does mean if they need it they can hook you up (if you have a hue haemorrage for example) FWIW I think you need to pick your battles. The CTG is restrictive and contraindicative to your birth plan and attempting a VBAC, so fight it. The IV bung itself though is really a non issue - if they need it and it is there great, if they don't need it and it is there, no loss ITMS.

[*Beema*]

I was going to suggest a Doula, she can help "fight" the battles for you when it comes to when you go into labour.

It sucks when the "professionals" come up with figures like that, completely unsubstantiated

I assume it is too late for the birth centre....

[ladybird11]

Yup, the Professor said he could and will 'block' me from a birth centre.

DH suggested going to a private OB and paying out of pocket for it - not sure how that'll work - but I guess private isn't out of the option now??

[Arimeh]

1 in 30 chance of rupture? What total bullcrap. seriously. I've read up on it sooo much, and not in ANY literature that I have come across did THAT statistic come into it. Pure crap.

Still think you should fly to tassie

[*Beema*]

Yup, the Professor said he could and will 'block' me from a birth centre.

DH suggested going to a private OB and paying out of pocket for it - not sure how that'll work - but I guess private isn't out of the option now??

Frick, I can't really find any nice words to say about The Professor....

I can give you my OB's details, I don't know if you would be able to get in, but would be worth a call, she is very cheap in comparrison to lots of OB's, just over $1200 OOP

[LimeSlice]

If you go private you are more likely to end up with another section...

[ladybird11]

If you go private you are more likely to end up with another section...

Yeah, thats true as well! I'm feeling snookered, totally (unless I fly to Tassie lol!).

Well, I've started making some enquiries about going private (and just paying for it - didn't think DH would be so keen, but I think he saw my reaction after the appt and 'it' registered lol). Even if I could have a one off appt with an Ob to see if they'd support a VBA2C..

Beema, any chance its Anna Bof? . I've looked at Dr Bill Antonas (he was the consult I had at the WCH with DS - and he was great - although his fee's are $2700 plus additional cost if c/s is required - which kind of defeats my purpose lol.

[Arimeh]

If you go private you are more likely to end up with another section...

Depending on hospital

Selangor is VERY supportive of VBA2C's. Down here in old Launceston, the general hospital isn't very supportive. Lucky we have a birth centre that IS supportive otherwise there would be a lot more c-sections coming out in the statistics for LGH.

[LimeSlice]

Maybe we should all move ot Tassie? lol
All the rivate hospitals here have much higher cs rates, lower VBAC rates than the public hospitals, and private obs won't work through the public hospitals.

[Arimeh]

Hell yes! Everyone should move to tassie

Or perhaps the other states should just catch up to tassie and have their own independent birth centres run by midwives that aren't made to follow stupid hospital protocols that mean stuff all in the real world.

I'm not sure what Selangor's c-section rate is, and their successful VBAC rate is - but I do know that they are very supportive and it was just unfortunate that I didn't get to have a natural birth there. But I would have - had I stayed there

[HotI]

Rather than going with a private Ob, you would have more sucess paying for an independnt midwife and having her with you at home and when you go to hospital. Preferably one who is familiar with the hospital, and when they are feeding you ****.

[*Beema*]

Beema, any chance its Anna Bof? . I've looked at Dr Bill Antonas (he was the consult I had at the WCH with DS - and he was great - although his fee's are $2700 plus additional cost if c/s is required - which kind of defeats my purpose lol.

Yep, she is a lot cheaper that any of the other OB's in Adelaide as well as being fantastic and very supportive of VBAC, IF and that it the hugest IF we ever decide to go again I will definitely go back to her for a third time I can give you a copy of the fee schedule if you want it

[ladybird11]

That would be great Beema - I'd love your forever!!!!