What scare tactics do I need to be aware of?

[joey123]

I am trying for a VA2C in April and I want to be as informed as I can be. I have a doula who I am sure has a fantastic wealth of knowledge, but I also want to be informed myself.

I would like to hear about anything that hospital staff may have said to others to try and 'scare' / 'bully' them into having intervention that wasn't really needed. I have learnt a little from my last birth, and there is a lot I would have done differently had I known better, but I am sure there is a LOT more I need to learn.

For example, I wouldn't have let them augment my labour and I would have pushed for intermittent monitoring rather than being stuck on the bed.

Also what things can go wrong / make the birth difficult and how did you deal with it and would you do it different next time round??

Thanks!!

Would love to hear any successful VBAC stories too!

[ladybird11]

I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of the Business of Being Born - it talks about the 'cycle of intervention' etc. Its a good starting point.

I'm going for a VBA2C early April / late March perhaps .

- I'm aware the hossy will want me to have a jelco inserted and take blood to be grouped and saved (just in case). I'm happy to go with this.
- I'm aware the hossy will want continual foetal monitoring. I'm in two boats about this - it is a good method to tell if bubs is happy; but the pads they put on externally are quite inconsistent, the little scalp clip seems invasive, but an 'intermittent doppler' could be an option....Personal choice.
- I'm aware of the time limits the hossy will impose (1 cm dilation every 1 - 1.5 hrs after reaching 3cms). If the baby or I aren't in any distress and all is going along well - I don't see any reason to give in to the 'failure to progress' mumbo jumbo.
- Anything they try to limit my movement will hinder the natural process, so unless its for my and babies interest - it can't happen, I'd have to refuse it.

Don't get me wrong, should bubs heart rate drop, or I start bleeding or something goes wrong, I'm happy to go off for another c/section - I just don't want an 'uneccessarian' . I've also got a doula and student midi (who is also a doula) so they'll help keep me on track and ensure DH doesn't give into the scare tactics to (as all this info is too much for DH to take in lol) either.

xoxox

[joey123]

I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of the Business of Being Born - it talks about the 'cycle of intervention' etc. Its a good starting point.

I watched this early on, perhaps it's a good idea to watch it again

[joey123]

I'm going for a VBA2C early April / late March perhaps .

I can't wait to hear how you go!! GL xox

[ladybird11]

I can't wait to hear how you go!! GL xox

Likewise , I'm meeting with my doula tonight to sort out the birth plan and will see what the OB thinks of that next appointment. Is your OB pro or against VBA2C?

[joey123]

Likewise , I'm meeting with my doula tonight to sort out the birth plan and will see what the OB thinks of that next appointment. Is your OB pro or against VBA2C?

I am going public so don't have an OB. I am in a group midwifery practice though, but don't really want to talk about it much incase she tells me stuff she doesn't want to hear. I just go, have my check up and get out of there. Perhaps I need to talk to her a bit more next time, at least that way I can either be happy that she/they are on my side or prepare myself with comebacks for when I need them.

[Arimeh]

Continual monitoring will certainly increase your odds of another c-section, an active birth is the best chance for a successful VBAC.

I'm sure you will do wonderfully this time round - you have so much support!!

[joey123]

- I'm aware the hossy will want me to have a jelco inserted and take blood to be grouped and saved (just in case). I'm happy to go with this.
- I'm aware the hossy will want continual foetal monitoring. I'm in two boats about this - it is a good method to tell if bubs is happy; but the pads they put on externally are quite inconsistent, the little scalp clip seems invasive, but an 'intermittent doppler' could be an option....Personal choice.
- I'm aware of the time limits the hossy will impose (1 cm dilation every 1 - 1.5 hrs after reaching 3cms). If the baby or I aren't in any distress and all is going along well - I don't see any reason to give in to the 'failure to progress' mumbo jumbo.
- Anything they try to limit my movement will hinder the natural process, so unless its for my and babies interest - it can't happen, I'd have to refuse it.

Don't get me wrong, should bubs heart rate drop, or I start bleeding or something goes wrong, I'm happy to go off for another c/section - I just don't want an 'uneccessarian' . I've also got a doula and student midi (who is also a doula) so they'll help keep me on track and ensure DH doesn't give into the scare tactics to (as all this info is too much for DH to take in lol) either.

xoxox

What's a jelco?
I am not going to allow continual foetal monitoring this time. I think that is what caused my 'failure to progress' and poor positioning last time - stuck on my back.
I am not sure about the progress time limits - I should check this (I am at a different hospital this time), thanks for the reminder. I will be staying at home for as long as possible though to avoid this.
RE movement - the continual foetal monitoring required me to be still on the bed. just check if you'll be allowed to walk around with yours.

I know what you mean about DHs!! Hense the doula for me!

Take care.

and thanks!!

[black_rose]

They will talk to you about going into hospital very early to be monitored, don't!!! Stay at home as long as you can, you will be more comfortable and relaxed if you can go in later and there is less chance of them intervening.

[ladybird11]

They will talk to you about going into hospital very early to be monitored, don't!!! Stay at home as long as you can, you will be more comfortable and relaxed if you can go in later and there is less chance of them intervening.

So true...I have been told at the feel of the first contraction to go straight to the hospital or I could have a dead baby on my hands (exact words used by the OB).

[joey123]

So true...I have been told at the feel of the first contraction to go straight to the hospital or I could have a dead baby on my hands (exact words used by the OB).

that is disgusting!

[black_rose]

I hated the clip on dd2's head, prob because it hurt a lot when being put on, my waters were broken at the same time. It took a while to heal, but it was better than being monitored on the bed.

[Shades]

I was really anti-scalp clip but after I had my epi I was lying down and the continuous monitor kept dropping out so they asked to put it on. I thought I had done heaps of research and I had a student Doula too but it is still really really difficult to be sure enough in yourself to be able to tell them NO when they're telling you the scalp clip is the ONLY way to make sure your baby is safe and happy.
So make sure you are very very well researched and so is your Doula (mine was unhelpfully silent when the request was made despite knowing I didn't want it and despite seeing my uncertainty) so that you can feel strong and safe and justified in refusing x intervention.

[wysiwyg]

Also hoping for VBAC, but here after my experience with scalp clip last time if that is what keeps them happy, and reduces their insistence on time frames I will go for that as preferred form of monitoring, it was wireless ( a cord hung out maybe 10cm and was sellotaped to my leg) so did not hinder movement at all and was not a mark on DD head. Waters have to be broken though so will be avoiding if possible, but I was so dubious about it last time, but after having it was so much better than those stupid pads which come out of position.