very supportive hospital but......

Sunshine have accepted me into the caseload program, (Subject to allocating me a midwife) in spite of 2 CS, and will "allow" me to wait until labour is established before coming in, will support intermitent moniterring, walking around/changing position, and even if things go to CS will make sure that I get my baby straight away and take them with me to recovery. The only question I have is the time limit put on my labour, they said I have to dilate at least 1cm per hour, go for no more than 9 or 10 hours or they will have to bring in the ob, of course I can refuse, I see no reason to put a limit on labour if baby and I are doing well. On the other hand, I got everything I wanted, support for my decision to go VBAC, starting labour at home, no constant monitoring etc, so maybe one compromise on my part might be ok, what are people's thoughts?

Hmm, some people can dilate quite quickly towards the end, and I think the time limit would really play on my mind.

I spose you can stay at home as long as possible though, away from their clocks....

Why did you have 2 previous cs???

I ask because if you dilated previously, you may well have a quick labour.

Enjoy caseload its an awesome model of care and very sought after.

Can you re-negotiate for an internal every 4 hours to see how you are progressing instead? Thats what my OB wanted to do - so you'd get more time to progress and wouldn't have it on your mind so much IYKWIM?

Why is indeed the question, the first time I was a failed induction, crossed out with potential CPD followed by question marks, that is what was on my notes, anyway I was induced and baby was not ready so.....
The second time was perfect labour, all going well and his heart rate dropped suddenly (then recovered and stayed recovered which they did not tell me) and they took me off at 9cm dilated for fetal distress.
I guess I don't have to tell them how long I have been labouring at home, and if all other signs are well I can just say I"ll keep going, my choice!

Given you got to 9cm you are likely to labour well.

You willl get a good relationship with your caseload midwife and will phone them directly when you do begin labouring so you will have raport and respect for each other.

good luck

Oh Kate... Your 2nd labour sound like you were sooooo close!! Bub probably just pushed on the cord for a bit....

My suggestion would be stay at home for as long as possible. Get a doula who can support you at home and who will know as well as you when the time is right to head off to hossy. At home you can rest when you like with no-one coming in to check what's going on, you can be in as much pain and be in an environment you are comfy with and therefore things may progress a lot better than at hospital.

All the best and good luck :)
Tanya

Kate- I was recently told by an OB that they wouldnt let me go into prolonged labour, and as soon as I went in labour I had to go down to the Hospital. They didnt say how many cm's I had to dialate per hour. With my labour with the boys, I didnt actually know I was in labour until my waters broke as I had been having BH all through my pregnancy. I too want to be able to stay at home as long as possible because I feel more comfortable at home.

I finally received my letter telling me that I have been assigned a midwife, and I rang her and she sounds lovely. I will get to meet her soon, and I can't wait. I'll talk to her about all the things that worry me, like the limit on labour, and I guess we'll work out together how things will go. I noticed the difference straight away, I am not a patient to her!! I also have this strange confidence that I can do it this time, (I actually think I could have done it before too had it not been for intervention) I just have to listen to and believe in my body!! Yay!! I can't wait!
Kate

Thats great good luck with youe beautiful birth!!!! All the caseload mw are fantastic!!!

when it comes down to it.. when u are labouring it is TOTALLY your decision. They arnt going to jump on u and tie u to the bed and drag u for a c/sec IYKWIM. They will advise u on whats going on and just remember everything is YOUR decision!

Did they say the OB would be bought in to take action at that time or just to check on you?

I had a long labour in a public hossy but it was many hours after the OB first checked on me that any intervention was suggested. There was even a shift change of OB's I was left to labour so long. Not a VBAC though.

It seems to be a concern that pressure on the scar for too long will cause a heomatoma (?spelling??) which can then cause internal bleeding and increase the likelyhood of hysterectomy, however repeat CS on their own increase the likelihood of hysterectomy (which is of course called involuntary infertility when it comes to elective CS). I think it is just something they feel they have to tell me, and I"ll talk to the midwife about it, as I said if baby and I are doing well lengthly labour shouldn't be a problem. And the lady in charge of the caseload program didn't try to convince me, she just said that this is one of the policies in place, and she smiled and said you have done lots of research which is good, that indicates to me that she is giving me the official blurb as part of her job description, so I feel pretty positive about it!

I can tell you now the casekoad manager is a fantastic woman and advocate for natural birth and would never recommended things that were not safe for you or your baby!!! so go for it!!!!

whats your mw name??

I already saw Sue, and my MW is Emily, I will meet her on the 15th Jan, and can't wait!!