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Just throwing this out there to see what other peoples views are...
do you think my chances would be better for a VBA3C at a PUBLIC hospital with an independant midwife as my advocate (even though i know they will say NO straight away to a VBAC, stay at home labouring as long as possible and go to hospital when ready)
or
PRIVATE OB/GYN private hospital?
i am leaning more towards public hospital way...
look foward to hearing peoples views
Private hospitals have far higher rates of c/s.
Personally, I would be interviewing a couple of OB's in your area and discuss your plans to see whether you find a VBAC friendly OB (they actually do exist). This way you are entering into a relationship with your primary care giver vs going through the public system where it's a hit or miss with the care giver as well as hospital policy.
In saying that, the stats in the private sector will look bad - but remember that many women go through the private system especially to ask for c-sections so I think it's important to actually choose your private hospital THEN interview the OB's you are interested in that work there and actually ask them THEIR personal rate of c-sections. From there, ask them how many are elective?
Remember that not is always as it appears on the surface and it's important that you make informed decisions based on research and questioning rather than assumptions from the stats you see on the surface.
Good luck hun!
thanks for the replys soo far :)
Kelly...they are VERY high aren't they......
I have heard from another friend of mine whom is a practicing middie in in public hospital, she reckons i would have a higher chance in a public hospital with a doula.....i am willing to hire a midwife as i think they would help me get the point across alot clearer than a doula.....maybe i am wrong???
I would say public. And with the assistance of a doula or IM your chances are increased again. The greatest rate of success for vbacs are at home with IM's, so that might be worth looking into, and speaking to an IM or two on your search for a cp aswell :)
Katones I work in both a public hospital and a private hospital and the Private hospital is much more likely to intervene in comparison to the public hospital. The rates are also much much higher for c/s at the private hospital but that includes many elective c/s for maternal preference over c/s that are neccessary or advised so to speak.
I would also say public. I'm going public for my VBAC later this year - that stats at private hospitals just speak volumes to me. Its going to be a battle in the first place, let alone add a private hospital to the mix. That's my personal preference. I do know a lot of women who are planning VBACs here on BB have very supportive obstetricians and are comfortable in a private hossy though.
i have been speaking (via email) with a IM and she sounds great...can't speak on the phone as she is away at the moment :( and i have also spoken with another via email who also sounds promising :) i was going to go private...i had found an OB who was willing to support me with a VBAC BUT having said that...i have my doubts about going private...i have had all three others public and had no problems.
gawd i know it's going to be a battle getting what i want through the public hospital BUT i guess if i refuse to 'book in' and turn up in labour and managing i wonder what their response would be?? i was told on booking in when preggers with Jack that i had NO choice but to have a cesarean :(
I'm so glad you're speaking to an IM! Do you have a list of questions prepared for any potential cp? Things like What reason do you recommend repeat surgery, what will you do if I go post dates, what do you consider to be a risk ... etc etc?
fourth ~ hun no i don't have any lists of questions as yet as i am NOT even preggers yet :) i am fairly certain i will go public next time round and hire a IM, i mentioned this to DH last night and he was fine with the idea BUT said he is scared that 'something' will happen and he will blame me....i told him if i had any inkling if something being wrong either prior to birth or in labour i would say i needed a cesarean...
I think that the choice of OB is so much more important than wether it is public or private.
Private hospitals have Horribul c-s stats :( But with saying that I asked for a VBAC with bubs #2. This was a public hospital and I was told by three different obs that a "normal" delivery was not possible after a c/s. Once a c/s always a c/s I was told. So I had a second c/s.
When I fell pg with bubs #3 I asked more questions. :)
I changed hospitals (to another public one) different ob, hired an IM and I got my VBA2C.
Maybe have a look thru the OB reccomendations (in the forum) at the hospitals you are considering. Or ask in the reccomendation forum about VBAC friendly obs at those hospitals. I'd also reccommend that you choose an ob who places the least amount of restraints on you.
For example, if an ob sais he is supportive but only wants you to labor for 2hrs, have continuious monitorting, wont let you go past dates etc etc then you have an ob who will let you go past dates, will let you labor as long as you and baby are coping and will negiotiate monitoring with you. Then I'd be going with the second one. ;)
There are lots of ob thats say "yes I'll support you" but they don't really want to.
Anyway goodluck with finding the perfect support team.
Oh and I would have been lost without my IM. She was amazing so deffenetly go wit an IM :)
Jules
This is a difficult question. Yes, the stats for c/s at private hospitals are generally higher, but there are various reasons for this. The advantage is that you will see the same doctor and once you find one who is supportive, then you have their support.
I have heard though, that in the public system they are a bit less likely to intervene. They will do things only if medically necessary, whereas private OBs will be quicker to jump in.
I think there are more things to consider rather than just which hospital, but it is an important decision. Not sure that I have helped, but good luck!
I think statistically you'd have a better chance with a public hospital. However, in saying that, my VBAC was at a private hospital with an OB. It can be done, you just have to find a supportive OB, they are out there.