Intervention: What thought disturbs you more.

[Glamourcide]

I am *petrified* of episiotomy... don't ask me why, I just am. Like, phobic. During DD's birth, the old hag midwife I had (oh, she was a right ol' cow... don't get me started) leaned in close as I was struggling to gather enough strength to push again, and threatened to 'cut me' if I didn't 'stop whingeing and do what you're told'. I was so frightened that she would just go ahead and cut me without my permission that I shut up and just about tore myself to shreds trying to get DD out - there was nothing wrong with her, the monitoring equipment had slipped and they weren't getting a proper reading of her heartbeat so the old cow assumed she was in distress and kept hurrying me.
Thankfully I gave myself enough time to stretch naturally, I didn't tear or have any problems and it has just made me more determined to avoid an epi unless it is literally a matter of life and death.

I would much, much prefer vacuum over anything else, provided it could be done without an epi. Forceps I would take if necessary, again, but I'd still prefer a vacuum extraction over forceps - I watched a few assisted-birth videos before having DD and vacuum looked like a much gentler, less traumatic option than reefing the poor kid out by its head with big tongs...

C-sec would be an absolute last resort for me, but as others have said, a lot more doctors these days don't offer the option of forceps or vacuum and will just send you for a c-sec as they 'know what they're doing' and don't have much experience with forceps etc. In fact, when I was discussing birth options with my midwives before DD's birth, and I mentioned vacuum, I was told flat-out that 'we don't even *have* vacuum equipment in this town - it's forceps or c-sec if you can't do it yourself'.

[Snacks]

I really dislike the foetal monitor so can I opt for a doppler or other form of intermittent monitoring?

Of course. They will probably insist on fetal monitoring only if they have already intervened previously (i.e. synto drip or epidural). With Natty, I was only monitored with a doppler intermittently. (In the pushing stage, they would monitor her briefly between contractions which was still bloody annoying but much better than the fixed monitor!)

[Inertia]

Of course. They will probably insist on fetal monitoring only if they have already intervened previously (i.e. synto drip or epidural).

Oh good. I don't have to worry about the epidural - the chances of them getting a needle within 5kms of my spine is non-existent. And I will happily tell them I am not responsible for the my phobia driven defensiveness if they even try it (which the pathologist today did not help at all. I *really* miss the path from Nepean). I do manage to keep myself still enough to get a canula for synto drip, but they only have my permission to use it in the third stage to prevent repeat PPH. I wont even let them attach the bag until after I have delivered the placenta.

Its really coming together now!

Goth: That mw sounds like a right cow. Only had 1 like that when I had Sam. I remember the conversation going something like this.

MW: Don't push yet, you're not ready
Me: I'm not bearing down yet. I've done this before too you know.
MW: Well I have delivered hundreds of babies.
Me: and here I was thinking I was doing all the work.

She was just getting impatient because she had already written the DoB on the baby tags and it was half past 11. No faith whatsoever in us at all. *sigh* If she had the slightest clue on how much of that contraction I didn't push for... They wouldn't go away without some form of push - and that seems to be about the norm for me - so something must be happening that requires a little push.

[BekZ]

OMG I really haven't thought about assisted deliveries. I have been fortune enough to birth my 2 girls without any assistance. Makes me think that I need to read a bit more so that I have informed choices

[Toomanytoomany]

OMG I really haven't thought about assisted deliveries. I have been fortune enough to birth my 2 girls without any assistance. Makes me think that I need to read a bit more so that I have informed choices

I must admit I've been very complacent. I've had five very easy deliveries, and always assumed they would be so. Now that I'm heading towards some high risk areas (age, multiparity) I'm considering those issues much more carefully.

[Inertia]

I must admit I've been very complacent. I've had five very easy deliveries, and always assumed they would be so. Now that I'm heading towards some high risk areas (age, multiparity) I'm considering those issues much more carefully.

LMAO! Thats pretty much it, isnt it TM. Five smooth labours - but they still look at your g/p and start looking at all the things that *may* go wrong, so you really have to be prepared for what they may pipe up with at any moment. Both my mum and my sister have had 7 unassisted - so I really dont think its as big of a deal as they make it out to be.

[HotI]

What disturbs me more?

Having a baby with a disability because an intervention should have occurred and didnt. I think you have to hope for the best but prepare for the fact that intervention may be necessary and at that time you might not have a choice. Try to go for health care providers that you have trust in, because if ***** happens, you want to believe they are doing the best job for you and your baby.

[Junglemum]

I had a private OB in a private hospital and had a forceps delivery. No episiotomy, 3 stiches.

There was no option of ventouse as she was too high. It was either forceps or emergency c/s. If i wasn't 10cm i would have been heading to theatre. I was so glad to be able to have forceps, to me it was a much better option than C/S.

I think it is great to have preferences, but sometimes a particular situation will not allow for a choice. I am fortunate in the same way Yael is, i totally trust my care provider and know he is on the same page as me.

But my answer to the original question..... IF i had a choice. Vac or foerceps first. C/S absolute last resort.

BTW- That midwife sounds like a cow, do like your comeback though!