everyone trying to talk me out of VBAC

Hi there,

DH and I are going to TTC #2 around Feb next year, and I am hoping desperately for a VBAC. I will be going to the Mater in Brisbane (public) as I am apparently classed as 'high risk'. Labour with DD was not terrible, but just did not progress after 24hrs and countless gel applications 1cm dialated and pre eclampsia out of control, so c section went ahead at 37 weeks. DD has numerous health complications that may or may not have anything to do with fetal distress during this time, no one knows.

So now it is just assumed I will be having an elective ceserean at 39 weeks. This is so not what i want! If at the time it is needed for the safety of our baby I have absolutely no problems with it, but most cannot understand my want to at least know I gave it a try and tried my hardest. It is something I really really want (to experience natural childbirth). GP has already told me the Mater will reccommend an elective c section. Does anyone have any tips for handling medical professionals treating me like a fool for wanting to try VBAC? There is no real reason I can see why I couldn't
a) Wait for labour to initiate naturally (NOT at 39 weeks)
b) If I had to be induced still try VBAC, of course I would not push the issue if our baby was in distress or I needed a c section for any other reason.
c) LISTEN to me :)

Thanks so much, off to read some lovely VBAC stories in this section now :D

Oh hun, it sounds like you had a really tough time of it with your DD. I think it's great that you want a VBAC this time around. I really hope you get it, and feel fantastic for it. If others aren't supportive, it might be best to just not talk about it with them (come on here and talk to us instead ;) ).

I don't have any advice, but just wanted to say all the best - and good on you for standing up for what you want. Hopefully some other ladies who have been in your position will have some advice for you :)

thanks guys :)

I have definately learnt my lesson already speaking to a few people about it haha. Will definately come on here and chat more - thanks for your replies. xx

Good on you for researching this now! You can definitely go for your VBAC, as you say there is no reason not to. Insist to your care providers you won't be booking an elective caesar. Talk to the hospital to see what their policies are and don't let your GP put negative thouhts into your head. Come join the VBAC discussion thread and start reading the VBAC birth stories. Good luck!

VBAC.com has got plenty of information and encouragement.
If you are fit fine and healthy when the time comes I can't see why you have to have a cs?
Maybe see if you can get intouch with a private midwife and see if she can support you in a hospital setting?
Information/knowledge is power.
Once you have the information, present it to the appropriate people and ask them to defend themselves. You don't need to have all the info at your finger tips but when someone says something "negative" research it and then present it again. This way you will remain informed of both sides of the "argument". And inturn be prepared as much as possible when the time comes.
Also keep in mind - you are entitled to second opinions....!!!

Just wondering who has told you thsat you would have to go to the mater??? Maybe just double check that if you would prefer to go to the Redlands?

I would just research research research, know what you are talking about and therefore it makes it a lot less likely that you can be swept along by drs etc

Also I would look into have a wonderful support team around you, invlove dh in the research process so he too knows his stuff, look into having a doula I would really really recommend this! Ans maybe even look into having a home birth and see if thi is an option you would consider?

One little gem of advice I was given by a midwife when I was preg with ds2 after having a complicated pregnancy first time round was that this new pregnancy is innocent until proven guilty not guilty until proven innocent. I found that really wonderful advice and had a completely complication free 2nd pregnancy and birth!

Being surrounded by unsupportive people can get you down, you just need to surround yourself with supportive and positive people, those who have done it, and read lots of things on BB :) The VBAC forum has lots of good links and articles, so arm yourself with that and you'll have plenty of confidence and information to respond to your critics with :)

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Does anyone have any tips for handling medical professionals treating me like a fool for wanting to try VBAC?

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My advice is go to your appointments with the knowledge that VBAC is safe, so have the stats with you so you can question any claims that a repeat CS is safer for you and your baby. If the OB's tell you something different ask politley for a reference to where they got their information so that you can read it and make your own informed decision. If they still try to talk you out if it just tell them that you are fully aware of the risks thank you very much, but are still going to have a VBAC. Knowledge is power when it comes to VBAC because if you are educated about the risks and the process of birth, the medical professionals won't be able to treat you as an idiot by trying to scare you away from VBAC because you know that it is a safe option.
As for anyone else who questions you, use the same tact, 'I am aware of the risk and am satisfied that VBAC is a safe option for me and my baby, thanks for your concern' and then leave it at that. It is no one elses business how you bring your much loved baby into the world.
Good Luck with it all, I hope you don't run into too much negativity.

Thank you so much for the wonderful advice!

I am a huge believer in 'knowledge is power' - so am really trying to get my facts straight before I head into it. As I found when pregnant with DD then during her labour and 6 month hospital stay after her birth, doctors don't always know best.

Unfortunately I am not allowed at the Redlands, definately the Mater all the way. I do love them though, so it kind of works out well (so far anyway, don't know what they will be like this time around!)

During my pregnancy with DD I had scans at the Mater every fortnight from my 20 week scan, she was quite small the whole time and had extra fluid on her brain. Had MRI's etc on her in utero...the extra fluid issue resolved itself by 36 weeks, then developed pre eclampsia so induced at 37 weeks. Her small growth was pretty much a mystery, once they decided I wasn't lying about smoking, and definately had my dates right (knew my date of conception), and there were no blood flow or placenta issues....still no one knows why she was so little for 37 weeks (4pound 9 ounces). Then after she was born she had a multitude of blood flow issues both to her bowel and heart. I had her at Redlands, and she was transferred to Mater NICU at 47 hours old, and we almost lost her several times in the 6 months she (we) lived at the Mater. It was later found at 3 months old she had a congenital heart condition, but apart from that no real diagnosis. at 48 hours old she had an operation on her bowel, as she had been diagnosed with NEC (Necrotising Enterocolitis). I could carry on for pages and pages about her health issues :wall: but basically nowhere but the Mater will touch us with a 10 foot pole. and to be honest I probably wouldn't be comfortable anywhere else :)

Sorry for the novel - just wanted to give some background as to why everyone is so against me doing anything not (in their eyes) considered the 'safe' option.

Ellasmummy, I was under the impression that the Mater Public (especially being a tertiary hospital) was quite pro VBAC. I also know of someone here on BB who had a
VBA2C at the Mater. If everything is healthy with your next preg I can't see why they wouldn't encourage you to VBAC. Could your GP be misinformed? If I were you I'd call the maternity unit there and just have a chat to them to get a feel of their VBAC stance. This may ease your mind a little.
Other option might be the RBWH? They actually have a VBAC clinic I believe.

:hug: just quickly & I haven't fully read all the replies, but I would suggest reading as much as you can, and go to your appts armed with information ;)
At the very least you ahould have Drs etc who are prepared to listen to you. In most cases VBAC is considered a safer option than repeat CS. If there is no indication of any other problems I cannot see why this would be a problem?
Read, be informed, know your stuff & want it & they should listen to you - or at the very least you can put up a good fight!
Good luck :goodluck:

Thanks everyone - Will let you know how I go, am going to contact the Mater directly, but guess the only way I will know is when I get that BFP and start my journey. xx