Hi Sonjiji,

My daughter was born by c-sec over 9 months ago and, hindsight being a beautiful thing, I wouldn't have had it any other way!

In the end, I was diagnosed with three separate conditions: velamentous cord insertion (VCI), vasa praevia (cord over cervix) and placenta praevia (placenta over cervix). My placenta had moved out of the way by my 32 week scan, however the umbilical cord was still VCI and vasa praevia.

I found out near the end of the pregnancy that the VCI would never change and that it was unlikely that the cord would move away from the cervix. However I hadn't been told this at the original diagnosis (my 20 week) so for ages I held out hope that I would be able to have a natural birth.

At the 32 week scan i was told that nothing had changed with regads to the VCI and vasa praevia, but was happy to know that the placenta had moved away from the cervix. After that scan I had an appointment with the birth centre midwife who told me that I would have to be transferred out to the 'main stream' ward; that the risk of the cord rupturing was too great and that I would need monitoring. At this stage I did not have an OB so the midwife set up an appointment and assigned me to a doctor in the hospital. I went to see him 2 weeks later and, after waiting over 2 hours, was told that I would "probably" have to have a c-sec but he would see me in another 2 weeks to make sure.

I have to tell you, I was really uncomfortable after this appointment - I felt that I was given little info on the subject, was being pushed into main stream program, was scorned at by the doctor for originally choosing a natural birth and that I had little choice about the c-sec. Also, and I know this sounds terrible, but I had zero affinity with this doctor and the thought of him doing any examination on me in the future made me shudder. So after this appointment I researched other doctors in the hospital and made an appointment to see one a week later.

I don't know if it was because she was female or simply not that other doctor, but I felt very comfortable with her - she immediately sent me for an internal scan, something that no one had done on me previously. She wanted to know exactly what we were dealing with (i.e. was it actually vasa praevia ro not). Turns out it was. She gave me a lot of verbal info on the subject and told me that the situation would be extremely serious if I was to go into labour. And with that in mind, she wanted to hospitalise me that afternoon and deliver my baby by c-sec two days later!

That was a lof of info to take in in the space of 45 minutes! But she told me that if i was to go into labour, any pressure by the baby on the cord would most likely result in a repture which could be fatal to both mother and baby. Perhaps if i had been with a less understanding doctor or one i was not comfortable with, I would hve freaked out and asked for a second opinion. But I trusted this doctor and therefore was totally ready to put myself under her care.

After that appointment I was immediately taken to the peri-natal ward for additional testing. I was then told to go home, pack my bags and return that afternoon to check into the hospital. Once I had checked in I was visited by a ream of doctors who would all be involved in the c-sec. Each one told me their role in the surgery, managed my expectations and allievated my fears. I felt I had the best care I could possible receive - I'm not sure I have the adequate words to appropriately express how safe I felt under their care.

I had always wanted a natural birth and there I was having the most interventionist birth possible - but I was understood the dangers of the situation I was totally appreciative of modern medicine. Big picture - I wanted a healthy baby. And that's exactly what I have now. Caitlin was born 4 weeks early and was slightly under the preferred weight. She spent one night in 'special care' and was then moved into my room. She is small for her age, but is developing just as rapidly as her peers.

I don't have the experience of child birth that i originally wanted, but I have a beautiful girl and I wouldn't change it for anything!

Not sure I've answered any questions you may have so feel free to ask way

Cheers,