What scare tactics do I need to be aware of?

I am trying for a VA2C in April and I want to be as informed as I can be. I have a doula who I am sure has a fantastic wealth of knowledge, but I also want to be informed myself.

I would like to hear about anything that hospital staff may have said to others to try and 'scare' / 'bully' them into having intervention that wasn't really needed. I have learnt a little from my last birth, and there is a lot I would have done differently had I known better, but I am sure there is a LOT more I need to learn.

For example, I wouldn't have let them augment my labour and I would have pushed for intermittent monitoring rather than being stuck on the bed.

Also what things can go wrong / make the birth difficult and how did you deal with it and would you do it different next time round??

Thanks!!

Would love to hear any successful VBAC stories too!

I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of the Business of Being Born - it talks about the 'cycle of intervention' etc. Its a good starting point.

I'm going for a VBA2C early April / late March perhaps ;).

- I'm aware the hossy will want me to have a jelco inserted and take blood to be grouped and saved (just in case). I'm happy to go with this.
- I'm aware the hossy will want continual foetal monitoring. I'm in two boats about this - it is a good method to tell if bubs is happy; but the pads they put on externally are quite inconsistent, the little scalp clip seems invasive, but an 'intermittent doppler' could be an option....Personal choice.
- I'm aware of the time limits the hossy will impose (1 cm dilation every 1 - 1.5 hrs after reaching 3cms). If the baby or I aren't in any distress and all is going along well - I don't see any reason to give in to the 'failure to progress' mumbo jumbo.
- Anything they try to limit my movement will hinder the natural process, so unless its for my and babies interest - it can't happen, I'd have to refuse it.

Don't get me wrong, should bubs heart rate drop, or I start bleeding or something goes wrong, I'm happy to go off for another c/section - I just don't want an 'uneccessarian' ;). I've also got a doula and student midi (who is also a doula) so they'll help keep me on track and ensure DH doesn't give into the scare tactics to (as all this info is too much for DH to take in lol) either.

xoxox

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I would recommend getting your hands on a copy of the Business of Being Born - it talks about the 'cycle of intervention' etc. Its a good starting point.

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I watched this early on, perhaps it's a good idea to watch it again

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I'm going for a VBA2C early April / late March perhaps ;).

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I can't wait to hear how you go!! GL xox

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I can't wait to hear how you go!! GL xox

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Likewise :), I'm meeting with my doula tonight to sort out the birth plan and will see what the OB thinks of that next appointment. Is your OB pro or against VBA2C?

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- I'm aware the hossy will want me to have a jelco inserted and take blood to be grouped and saved (just in case). I'm happy to go with this.
- I'm aware the hossy will want continual foetal monitoring. I'm in two boats about this - it is a good method to tell if bubs is happy; but the pads they put on externally are quite inconsistent, the little scalp clip seems invasive, but an 'intermittent doppler' could be an option....Personal choice.
- I'm aware of the time limits the hossy will impose (1 cm dilation every 1 - 1.5 hrs after reaching 3cms). If the baby or I aren't in any distress and all is going along well - I don't see any reason to give in to the 'failure to progress' mumbo jumbo.
- Anything they try to limit my movement will hinder the natural process, so unless its for my and babies interest - it can't happen, I'd have to refuse it.

Don't get me wrong, should bubs heart rate drop, or I start bleeding or something goes wrong, I'm happy to go off for another c/section - I just don't want an 'uneccessarian' ;). I've also got a doula and student midi (who is also a doula) so they'll help keep me on track and ensure DH doesn't give into the scare tactics to (as all this info is too much for DH to take in lol) either.

xoxox

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What's a jelco?
I am not going to allow continual foetal monitoring this time. I think that is what caused my 'failure to progress' and poor positioning last time - stuck on my back.
I am not sure about the progress time limits - I should check this (I am at a different hospital this time), thanks for the reminder. I will be staying at home for as long as possible though to avoid this.
RE movement - the continual foetal monitoring required me to be still on the bed. just check if you'll be allowed to walk around with yours.

I know what you mean about DHs!! Hense the doula for me!

Take care.

and thanks!!

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Likewise :), I'm meeting with my doula tonight to sort out the birth plan and will see what the OB thinks of that next appointment. Is your OB pro or against VBA2C?

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I am going public so don't have an OB. I am in a group midwifery practice though, but don't really want to talk about it much incase she tells me stuff she doesn't want to hear. I just go, have my check up and get out of there. Perhaps I need to talk to her a bit more next time, at least that way I can either be happy that she/they are on my side or prepare myself with comebacks for when I need them.

Continual monitoring will certainly increase your odds of another c-section, an active birth is the best chance for a successful VBAC.

I'm sure you will do wonderfully this time round - you have so much support!! :D

Thanks!!

My labour was slow to start as my waters broke early and they kept trying to scare me saying they have seen women like me before who took 3 or more days to go into labour and have needed hysterectomies as a result. I didnt listen to their fear tactics for induction and yes I went into labour spontaneously within a couple of hours of that conversation, and with no problems.

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My labour was slow to start as my waters broke early and they kept trying to scare me saying they have seen women like me before who took 3 or more days to go into labour and have needed hysterectomies as a result. I didnt listen to their fear tactics for induction and yes I went into labour spontaneously within a couple of hours of that conversation, and with no problems.

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thanks. glad to hear your great outcome. what were they wanting to do? induce you?

Yup, hence the reason for requesting intermittent use of the doppler - although the scalp clip (although invasive) won't restrict movement, that'd be my second option.

Those silly external pads for foetal monitoring are notorious for their inaccuracies, I was laying down once admitted with DD (at 31 wks) - and I'd blink and the pads came off. So even laying down with them isn't the best either. I say they should be banned lol! I'm sure they otherwise have their place in medical world hehe!

It was put to me, that there are going to be fights against medic staff, some which are justified, some which are so minor they can be overcome with the use of a wonderful doula and support crew, so I should pick and choose accordingly ;).

Arimeh's Eden is the whiz at this honestly hun, she has been there, done it, and doing it again!! Arimeh rocks!

They will talk to you about going into hospital very early to be monitored, don't!!! Stay at home as long as you can, you will be more comfortable and relaxed if you can go in later and there is less chance of them intervening.

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They will talk to you about going into hospital very early to be monitored, don't!!! Stay at home as long as you can, you will be more comfortable and relaxed if you can go in later and there is less chance of them intervening.

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So true...I have been told at the feel of the first contraction to go straight to the hospital or I could have a dead baby on my hands (exact words used by the OB).

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Yup, hence the reason for requesting intermittent use of the doppler - although the scalp clip (although invasive) won't restrict movement, that'd be my second option.

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Why do you say that the scalp clip doesn't restrict movement? I would disagree with this. It can also leave a sore on baby that lasts for months.

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So true...I have been told at the feel of the first contraction to go straight to the hospital or I could have a dead baby on my hands (exact words used by the OB).

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that is disgusting!

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Why do you say that the scalp clip doesn't restrict movement? I would disagree with this. It can also leave a sore on baby that lasts for months.

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How do they attach it? Is it not just a sticky thing? can you walk around with it? is it invasive just for mum or for baby too?

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Why do you say that the scalp clip doesn't restrict movement? I would disagree with this. It can also leave a sore on baby that lasts for months.

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The one at the hossy I am going to allows full movement, but yeah, the downside is the impact on bubs head.