I'm in a spin - Help!

I'm a shared care patient, so I don't usually get to see the same OB twice, but today I saw one of the best ones at my hospital - so YAY!

Toward the end of the appt he asks about whether I'm having a VBAC? I mentioned I was going down the lines of the elective, as I know where the goal posts are (so to speak) I know what to expect (DD was born via emerg c/s - due to severe PE). I've never been in labour, felt contractions, had to deal with selecting pain relief options etc.

The OB really wants me to go down the VBAC line - but I don't know if I'm mentally prepared, I've had elective C/S in my head throughout this entire pregnancy (I'm now 33 wks + 4 days. I've done little research just now on BB about the topic, and I'm not overly scared about the uterine rupture given the low risk %'s. On the plus side I'd be able to get back into action quicker which will help in the weight loss dept for my wedding about 7 wks later ;)

I think he said he'd have me induced at the 39 wk mark - and (just like me) I made a deal with him that if I went into labour beforehand 'I'd give it a crack' :rolleyes:

I mean really, what pregnant lady approaches the birth of her second child with a remark like that???????? :redface: The Dr said he'd go home and pray that I go into labour naturally.

I wish I could be one of you ladies who are so informed of your options and know all of the terminology used.

All of the health professionals I've come across (including this OB) says I've got a large / good sized baby. I'm wondering is there usually a hospital guideline about not having a VBAC if the baby is a suspected certain weight? I'm concerned I'll go natrually and then not progress or something and end up having a C/S - I'd feel like a failure....

Hi Leesa...I see your post is from a little whil;e back so I'm not sure if you're still thinking about a VBAC?

I'm having mine ...whenever bub arrives :lol: she is a few days 'late' now.

As far as size of baby goes, I don't think it matters too much, I certainly hope not.. all mine have been on the big side & this one looks no different, but none of my Drs or mids or anyone I've seen so far has raised it as a concern.

My concern is more to do with going too far overdue... there are less options re inducing etc... with most Drs it seems they will break your waters if they can, but no gel, and no synto.
An induced labour is rougher on your body & slightly increases the risk of rupture (and I belive this is true even for non-VBACs).

I think it's great that your OB is so supportive of VBAc, but it does have to be your decision & one you are comfortable with. never minbd being non-informed! I had no idea about anything and found BB while researching VBAC :) there is so much info on here, if you do decide to go that way it will be a great help to you.

I'm guessing you are about 37 - 38 weeks now, so you've probably decided already! but good luck to you either way :hug:

Hi Jasp,

I'm still aiming for the VBAC - but I'm really hoping not to be induced, for the reasons you stated. OB is saying he'd only use a small amount of gel, and break my waters around the 39 week mark.

I'm not 100% sure why he wants to go down this induction line, whether it's my 'hurry up and get the baby out' comments I let slip ;), or whether it's just how he operates?

I'm seeing him next Tuesday and he'll do an examination to see if its ready to progress the following week (which would then make me at 38.5 wks) - so I guess I better ask him that question on Tuesday.

And yes, you're right - I am at the 37 wk mark today, in fact! :D. I've officially baked my first full termer - and I'm stoked with that alone! Now I just need a safe delivery for me and bubs :pray:.

Thanks heaps for replying to the thread Jasp! I really appreciate it :hug:

Congrats on baking your full-termer :D

It does seem a bit odd that your Ob is so keen to induce.
If I can offer a bit of advice - and it's entirely up to you to take it or not - if it was me I would be wanting to know why he is so keen to induce. - and as for the hurry up comments - show me a full-term woman who doesn't feel like that! I am sooo ready for this baby to be born! But I don't think a lot of Drs would induce on that basis alone.

Also remember it's up to you - if you don't want to be induced then you don't have to be. If there's no medical reason, why not wait another week?

Your OB should be there to provide care & support your decisions, not make them for you ;)

Good luck in any case! I'll look forward to hearing how it goes (hey you might have your baby before me at this rate! :doh:)

Hi Leesa,

I know we have probably talked about this before but please please please try not to be induced. Which hospital are you going to? I was induced after my waters broke with DS and I ended up with a failed vbac and therefore another c-section. I really dont understand why he would want to induce you before your due date. Sounds crazy to me, but thats Just my opinion. Im not saying that you will end up with another c-section but I just get scared that the same is going to happen to others as what happened to me.

leesa
i had a VBAC this year and loved every moment of it!
It was the best birth experience that i could have asked for and I found it healed alot of wounds emotionally that i still had from the birth of my twins
I made sure that i was well informed and when they tried to push intervention on me, I said no and just trusted my body to do what it knew it had to.

I can honestly say that I was never in an pain with my birth- I was one of those women that actually enjoyed labouring- and that other want to slap in the head for saying that lol. It was empowering !!

If you have the chance to give it a go- why dont you just see how you go. Make sure you are well educated and informed beforehand- know your options. That way you are not relying on just one source for information.

The best advice i can give you for labouring is to keep upright as much as you can! They will try and monitor you more being a VBAC but i had to be monitored for 30mins at the star and then every 30 mins for a quick check throughout labour with the portable CTG. Meant that i could keep moving and in the shower as long as I needed. Also cant speak highly enough of having a doula or a support person who is well informed as well.

Good luck hun- you can do this!!!
BTW they said i was going to have a big baby- i went into spontaneous labour at 37+5 and had a 8lb bub.So yep would have been big if it went 40 weeks.

enjoy the experience!!!

Thanks Megan & Det :)

I went in all prepared with VBAC questions last Tuesday with the OB and didn't really get the opportunity to ask them. I said "I read the VBAC booklet from the hospital over the past week" - when the OB interupted me and said "oh, so I guess you're just horrified and put off by the whole idea now?" ;). I reply "yeah, kind of - but I would like to give it a go".....

I guess I'm going to have to be a bit firmer with asking questions this Tuesday.

I :pray: that the medical student isn't at this appt - she is shocking, I don't want her near me during my examination (If its anything like her trying to find the baby's position it is a waste of time, I mean, yeah, everyone has to learn - but I've seen her make the same errors over the past 4 mths - the OB just rolls his eyes now)..She asks me three or so questions before the OB enters the room, reads my pregnancy diary and we then sit in silence for the next 10 - 30 mins while the OB arrives!

Megan - I'm going to the Womens and Childrens hospital. :)

Thanks girls - I wish I wasn't so confused lol! :redface:

Ooops - double post - sorry!

You're a northern burbs girl aren't you Leesa? We should catch up some time. If you want anyway. Ive been pro-vbac my whole pregnancy so I have never really had any confusion other than when I initially found out that I would have a hard time finding support for my decision. Then I did my research and found the right support and its been all go from there.

I am more than happy to talk with you about anything, feel free to ask away if you want to know anything at all, even personal stuff. Im very open and will do anything I can to help.

I dont however want you to feel pressured in any way. This needs to be entirely your decision and you need to be 100% sure about what you want.

Feel free to pm me if you want or if you want to add me on facebook my user name is megan.nigel