Avoiding High Risk, Induction and c-sect for #2...

DD's pregancy and birth was not what I had expected, I was classed as High Risk as I always seemed to have high BP (only ever at the OB's always great at the GP) and at 41 weeks I hadcprotein in my urine so my OB siad that that combined with the high BP I should be induced that week. The induction took 4 days to work, then the contractions were so hard and fast I opted for an epi after 6 hrs, after 16 hrs I had only got to 8cms so they deemed an emerg C sect was needed - Bella was born 45 mins after that.
I know NOW that I should have refused the induction and waited till 42 weeks to see what was going to happen. I have made peace with Bellas birth - it is what it is and its ok (takenme a while but im ok with it now)

So now I am pregnant with #2 I am worried that I will be rail roaded into the High Risk category and the cascade of intervention will begin again.

I would really love to try and for a VBAC but not really sure how to go about it. I have my first MW appointment tomorrow and will then be assigned my OB.
I am going public which means I could be seeing a different OB each time, or as last time I was high risk I saw the same one.

I guess I just need to start thinking about planning a VBAC and trying to avoid going down the same route as Bellas birth.

I am worrried that due to me having a c-sect last time that they will try and make me have another - I would love to try for a VBAC.

I guess I would love some advice!

Kate

I would try going for midwife-led care, rather than the OB (do you have this option?).
What are you hospital's policies/attitude to VBAC? Are there other options around - I'd be asking for recomendations for anyone else who's had a VBAC in your area. And get yourself a doula too.

My situation is a bit different in that I didn't end up with the c/s, but because of what happened last time I'm going with a midwife this time for a homebirth. I want to avoid unecessary interventions and feel the best way to do this is to avoid an OB - I don't need one - and hospital policies.

Good luck!

Thanks Marcellus!
We only have 2 hospitals here and only one is public, we cant afford the private one.
I have not heard of the midwifery care around here but I will be asking about it tomorrow. I will also be asking for a VBAC freindly OB if I have to have one.
Being a small country town there are not many options that I am aware of.
I willthink about a doula but as $$ is tight I dont think it will be an option.
Thanks for all your advice - its given me lots to think about!
Kate

My first question would be, do you really need an Ob? Find out all the Hospital's policies re VBAC. And then see if there are better options. A different hospital, a Birth Centre or a homebirth. And don't forget no-one can make you do anything you don't want.

Ah damn. Being in the country really limits your choices!

Are you familiar with Birthrites? Google it. ETA - oh, didnt' realise, think it's actually a Perth outfit. Anyway, they mght have some useful info.

Kate - I think the most important thing to remember is that they can't make you have a c-section if you don't want one. If you want a vbac, thats your choice, your body. They may "recommend" that its not the safest thing for your baby, but we know thats crap yeah? You would have read on here the statistics, and everything, so if they say to you "its too risky" maybe you could say back to them "hmm well its the same risk of rupture for a first time mother being induced, and I was induced as a first time mother.... so I don't think the risk is very high at all".

Just do your research and don't be railroaded into something that you don't want. If they suggest a c-section, suggest to them your research why a VBAC is better than a 2nd c-section.

I don't think its fair that people should have to "fight" for the right to have a vbac, but unfortunately it seems most public hospitals seem to have that mentality that it is too dangerous - no idea why when they induce people left, right and bloody centre.

Anyhoo - don't stress out about it until you know what you are up against. You may go there and they be perfectly fine with you having a vbac. So just wait and see what happens huh? :hug:

Thanks Mel. You made me cry! In a good way ofcourse!!
Yep going with open mind and seeing what they have to say.. You just never know!!!

Hey chick if its the hossy im thinking of i found as long as you stand you ground and tell them this is what you want they are fine with it, i never had anyone try and make me go down the ceaser road. I was lucky enough to have 2 of the best doctors on when i eventually went into hossy i was considered high risk due to previous ceaser because of fetal distress so i was assigned the head of obs for that hossy and i have to say he was amazing as was the female doctor i had. The only problem i actually had was the first midwife appointment there where she bombarded me with leaflets on what can and will go wrong with a vbac.

Thanks Minny - if your in Moorpna and went public then thats the hossy that I had Bella at and will be going to again this time. Im glad that if thats what I want to do that I can! I know that I will prob get some static but im prepared to stand up and fight for what I want. Can you PM me the names of the Drs you had??

Done chicky :)

Thanks babe! I have seen that OB once when mine was away - he was great!

so I just read the info they sent out for me with the letter formy appointment (should have done that prior!) and they do have a midwife lead program IF you are low risk.. so I guess Ill see if im high or low tomorrow!

Yep he was pretty good and always popped in to check on me while i was there, can only complain about the constant back monitoring which i refused once my waters were broken only had internal monitoring then on. The midwives i had on whilst in the labour ward were fantastic as well.

I will be in a similar boat to you for my next pregnancy. Something I'm thinking about is acupuncture and ways to keep my BP down. If my BP doesn't spike then an induction won't even be mentioned.

No advice, just hugs

I believe you can do it :D

So I had my MW appointment today and it was AWESOME!! The MW was so great and she said that they were all for me having a VBAC (they actually prefer it) and she said that I will have my first appointment with the Ob (the best OB they have and who is very pro VBAC) and then Im in the MW led program! She said that unless I have any issues like Gest diabetes (having test in 2 weeks as my BMI is a bit to hight) then I am a perfect candidate for the MW program!
She was so nice and very motivational about me getting my VBAC! I hope that she will be my MW all the way through as she was young and awesome!!

I am just so happy at the moment! I just hope that I dont have gest diabetes and that I can keep on the MW program! But Im off to the best start that I can be!

Kate

Yay! That sounds so positive.

Look into trying to pass your GD test. It is easy to get a false positive so you want to avoid that. Tips I have heard are to get your test done in the morning and eat well for at least 3 days beforehand- no sugar, fruit juice, fatty foods (pizza, macdonalds etc).

All the best!!

That sounds great, I'm so glad you will not have to fight for your VBAC