Feeling dejected about my VBAC
So I had an appointment with my OB this morning and have come away feeling rather deflated, disappointed and my confidence in achieving this VBAC has taken a dive :(
For the most part everything is good. My OB will not use any prostaglandins, syntocins or anything else to induce or speed up labour, supports natural third stage, will wait for cord to stop pulsing, etc. He is happy for me to VBAC but there is a BUT or two...
1. All through our previous appointments we had agreed on intermittant monitoring. I insisted I will be moving around and he was happy to monitor intermittantly. Today he turns around and says he wants constant monitoring. I said to him that I understood they need to know what's going on but I WILL be moving around and will not be tied to the bed. He said I'll be monitored. :wall:
2. Time limits. He said I can "trial" labour for up to 6 to 8 hours. I asked to be checked and if baby and I are both well, I'd like to continue labouring longer. He disagreed and their policy is 8 hours max. This is now freaking me out. No pressure! He asked me if I knew how far I dilated last time. I said I didn't know because I never had a VE. All I know is that my labour started at 37 weeks with SROM, then contractions 5 min apart. C/S was due to placenta praevia.
These two things have just got me doubting myself now in my ability to achieve my VBAC. What can I do to get around this? What can I do to make sure my labour moves along quickly and I birth my baby in under 6- 8 hours and how do I avoid the constant monitoring? My plan of attack is to labour at home as long as possible and head into hospital when contractions are about 3-4 minutes apart.
I'm not worried about labour pain or the process of giving birth or even rupture. I'm just worried that I won't get my VBAC and I really, really, really want it.
Stay positive and you will have a VBAC
One of the hardest things to conquer is the the controlling attitude of Drs. If you doubt yourself and cave in to ridiculous medical demands you will not achieve the birth you desire. It is possible to meet in the middle though and stay safe without confrontation. Stay at home as long as possible. Wait until the contractions are strong,very painful and less than 4 minute apart. When you arrive at hospital don't tell them when you started labouring, tell them a very short time only! Buy yourself a birth ball and sit on it as often as possible, particularly in the last 2 weeks of your pregnancy. Do not sit in any recliners chairs or have any long car trips with the seat reclined. Take your birth ball into hospital with you (if they don't supply them) You can sit on it, pelvic rotate on it, lean on it on your knees etc, stand upright, go on all 4's, stay as active as possible whilst still being continuosly monitored. Ask if the monitor can be removed for the occassional shower, long sit on the toilet etc as long as the midwife listens to the baby's heart rate after every contraction.They are more likely to 'allow' you to labour past their time frames if you have the monitor on and all is ok. Be as calm and relaxed as possible to enhance dilatation. Keep the room dark, minimise noise ie no phones or TVs. Only have your partner with you. Make sure he has an understanding of normal birth. Stay positive and visualize your cervix opening and you baby being born normally. Good luck!