Not feeling supported for VBAC

BB is certainly a great starting point for feeling some positive vibes for a VBAC but it's not the same feeling I'm getting else where. Although I may end up with a 2nd caesarean I'd like to feel as though it's my choice rather than being what I feel pushed into. How have other Mum's coped with this feeling?

I'm going completely public with bub 2, as I did with DD. ,I was very happy with the hospital, midwives and doctors with DD and I can't say that I was upset when I ended up with an emergency caesarean when bub went into foetal distress. After 2 1/2 days of contractions and very little sleep, I really was worried about how I'd get through labour and delivery, especially as I was only 4cm along and things hadn't settled into any sort of rhythm yet. The caesarean went very well and te recovery was textbook. As a result hubby is very pro-caesarean this time too as it's what we know, it went well last time and I'm sure that part of it is that he doesn't want to see me in pain.

When i spoke to the midwife at my last visit about it she said that I'd have to talk to the doctor but to consider the fact that most Mums want as natural a VBAC as possible but the reality is that Mums having a VBAC (at this hospital atleast) are strapped to monitoring equipment for most of the time and are mostly restricted to the bed. This means very limited use of the shower, bath, walking around etc. With 1st bub I hated being on the bed to be monitored and really wanted to be moving around. So there's one VBAC negative.

When I saw the doctor she just handed me a brochure and said that we'd discuss it at 34 weeks. I'd like to have things sorted before then but being a public patient I don't have much choice.

When hubby was talking to our GP, who I usually really like, on an unrelated visit, they started talking about VBAC Vs 2nd caesarean. The GP said, "Why would you want to go VBAC." His point was that even though both options have very rare complications, if something did go wrong then the VBAC complications would generally take longer to recover from than the caesarean complications.

There are 23 months between the birth of 1st bub and the due date of 2nd bub. Some of the resources I've been reading are saying that 2 years is the minimum time between bubs for a safe VBAC. I've enoticed at least a few Mums on BB who have had shorter than 2 years between their bubs and have had great VBAc outcomes.

Hmmm, too much to think about. I'm certainly not looking forward to a VBAC, like many first timers I'm a little freaked by the idea of giving birth but then again the MUCH shorter recovery time is very exciting.

Disregarding for a minute what hubby says, and the poor support you've had so far, what do YOU want? If you really want a VBAC, then there's some work to be done getting your support team in order. If you want a c/s again, that's ok too... but think about it hard as you don't want to feel cheated after the event or like you were pushed into a c/s you didn't want.

If you do really want a VBAC, I would to urge you to get in contact with the hospital, or consider another if it's possible? You need to get hubby on board too. Point him towards some of the BB VBAC articles for a start ;)

Does the hossy have a VBAC clinic? The public hossy I went to had one, where the midwives specialise in supporting VBAC. I wouldn't wait until your 34 week appt to discuss. By then it will be very late if you find that you're not happy with what they will offer. If your 34 week appt is anything like mine, it'll be a midwife who doesn't even work on the labour ward, going through the motions of 'this is where to park, this is when to call, these are the rules regarding visitors, this is what to bring, etc, ok thanks for coming'. When it came to actually answering any of my questions about the birth, the care bub and I would receive, etc, it was useless. My appointment with her, even though we discussed a number of things and I asked her to follow up on an issue that was important to me, had absolutely NO bearing on my birth experience. When I arrived for the c/section, no-one knew anything about what had been agreed, nothing was noted in my file, and I had to have the same conversations & arguments with the midwife I ended up with on the day. So my point (getting there) is, if you're going to stick with that hospital, it would be worthwhile pushing for an appointment with someone (preferrably senior), and getting them to note anything you discuss and agree to IN YOUR FILE. I don't know if you can even do this in a public hospital, but no harm in trying. Ask for someone who is a VBAC advocate, or someone who you can especially discuss VBAC birth choices with.

Also, I'm pretty sure you can refuse continuous monitoring and ask for intermittant monitoring, can't you? You can also stay at home as long as you can manage to avoid their policies and clock watching as much as possible.

I'm sure that some mummas who have been there done that will be in with some great advice very soon. Goodluck xx

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Disregarding for a minute what hubby says, and the poor support you've had so far, what do YOU want? If you really want a VBAC, then there's some work to be done getting your support team in order. If you want a c/s again, that's ok too... but think about it hard as you don't want to feel cheated after the event or like you were pushed into a c/s you didn't want.

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:yeahthat:

About my VBAC - I'd had 2 previous VB & an emergency CS with DS2 due to foetal distress. I went public for my VBAC.

WRT monitoring - I was told the same. I asked about intermittent monitoring & the gist of it was they preferred continual. I have heard of many women however who had intermittent monitoring.
I was prepared to argue this when the time came, however I did end up strapped to a monitor the entire time AND sitting on the bed, not allowed to move, due to a risk of cord prolapse. It had nothing to do with my VBAC in the end, anyway :doh: however my labour progressed & I got my VBAC.
Also should point out that during my labour with DS2 (which ended in CS) I was monitored continually, but I was able to move around the bed, stand, use the birthing ball etc. I wasn't as mobile as I would have been with no monitor at all, but it wasn't like I was tied down either.

As for your GP - ha. When I first mentioned my previous CS to my GP he said 'oh, you'll have to have another one then' - as if he'd never even heard of a VBAC :o
And when I was a week overdue, he wondered out loud why I didn't just have another CS as it was 'much easier, you know'
- well of course HE would know, huh? I guess he'd done both before ? :shakehead: They might be doctors, but that doesn't necessarily make them knowledgable on VBACs!

If you aim for a VBAC & end up with a CS, your baby will benefit for starters. There are hormones released during labour & I believe also that the contractions assist with bloodflow for bub (someone correct me if I'm wrong?) - anyway, it's definitely better for baby to choose their birth-day.

As for the length of time between your pregnancies, as you say there are plenty of women with short gaps between kids. Arimeh had her VBA2C and all 3 kids under 3 ;)

And when it comes to being freaked out by the idea of giving birth; we all are for the first one, hell I was freaking out with all 4 ;) don't let that put you off.

Ultimately it comes down to what you want, you can go with either option, there is no right answer, only what's right for you. There are women who choose a repeat CS & are perfectly happy with that choice. But if you want a VBAC you should get the choice, KWIM? If you get all the info, decide it's not for you...at least it's been your choice. And if you decide you want to go for it, then you have all the info to back you up.

We'll be here to cheer you on, whatever you decide.
Good luck!

Your labour sounds very much like mine, however my C/S and my recovery from my C/S was less than ideal! I understand where you are coming from and I am sorry you have not received much support from those around you with regards to your thoughts about having a VBAC.

I would advise that you may need to do a whole lot of research yourself so that you know what your choices are. I have found that the opinions given to me by others including doctors, midwives and well meaning family and friends just simply do not match what the research tells me. I am certainly listening to what people have to say, but with my reading now, I feel confident in the decision I have made to have a VBAC.

With regard to the hospital policy, that is a really tricky one. I had Noooooo desire to be strapped to a monitor while in labour as it was harrowing to be attached to it for 'short' periods in my first labour. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that EFM is not all it is cracked up to be, but I honestly don't want to be on the defensive in labour and fighting policy. I want to be calm and focused on the birth. It is that reason among others that I have decided to have a home birth this time.

You can take an independent midwife or a doula in to your labour with you who can work with you and fight for you to get the birth and the VBAC if you want it. It can take the pressure off your DH and has been shown statistically to increase the liklihood of having a successful VBAC.

Other things that have helped me so far are reading great books such as "the thinking woman's guide to a better birth" by Henci Goer and "Silent knife". They were really excellent for putting all of the confusion around birth into perspective and enlightening me as to what all the interventions were for and would do. Research concerning childbirth, C/S and labour is well covered in these books.

I also went along to a talk about VBAC run by some independent midwives and it was really inspirational. DH went along too and he was really moved and motivated. I am not sure where you are but they were held in Melbourne. Let me know if you want anymore details.

Good luck with the decision process and the journey. It is a difficult one as there is a lot of mis-information out there and a lot of scare-mongering. At the end of the day you have to feel comfortable about the decision and the birth.
all the best.

ETA: Jasp replied while I was typing and I want to say I agree wholeheartedly with the entire post! Especially

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Ultimately it comes down to what you want, you can go with either option, there is no right answer, only what's right for you. There are women who choose a repeat CS & are perfectly happy with that choice. But if you want a VBAC you should get the choice, KWIM? If you get all the info, decide it's not for you...at least it's been your choice. And if you decide you want to go for it, then you have all the info to back you up

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thanks to all for such quick, positive posts. I know that a lot of the situation comes down to my choice but it just feels like fighting up hill when there isn't much support. There's an attitude around me of "why waste time looking when c-s is the "best" option, or what I'll end up with."

The plan from here i think is to do more research. Thanks Jackrose for those titles, I'll have a look for those. I'm on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland) and I certainly haven't seen any presentations from midwives but I'll keep my eyes open.

Hmm, don't know about going AMA when it comes to monitoring. I usually do as advised when i feel that the person giving the advice is more equipped to know the right thing to do, after all they are trained professionals. With DD it literally was just luck that I happened to be on a monitor at the time that she went into distress. I was supposed to have just been on the monitor for a short while but when the midwife came back in to check, some piece of equipment hadn't been plugged in right so I had to be monitored again. Less than a minute into the the second lot of monitoring her heartbeat dropped dramatically and didn't come back up. I suppose that that colours the decision some what for me, and that's something that i need to get past, especially if i want a VBAC and don't want to be tied down to a machine. As i said though, it may mean that if a midwife or doctor tells me that i need to be on a monitor that i'd probably just do it, and that would very much make the whole experience more negative. Once again, more research needed as o the types of monitoring available and their individual values.

Don't know if my hospital has a VBAC clinic but skeetabouts point checking into that is a good one. I'll have to ask, didn't even think about that.

Although I usually "go with the flow" when it comes to the advice being given, I really don't think that it applies to the VBAC Vs C-s issue as it seems as though i am being given a choice, just that those who are giving the advice seem more inclined towards caesarean, but not completely against the VBAC.

Thanks for the thoughts so far. Keep them coming.

Are you able to hire a doula or even an experienced student doula if money is tight? Studies around the world show birth with a doula results in 50% less C/S - and thats what you are hoping for ;) Something to consider? You'll need to find a way to get your own support unfortunately, as the system generally speaking isn't very VBAC friendly and even if they support it, they impose many restrictions.

I've just started a VBAC group on FB too, if you'd like even more support. Loads of midwives, doulas etc frequent that page :)

Normal Birth After Caesarean is NOT High Risk - Full Options For VBAC'ers!! | Facebook

Its a shame you are going public because Selangor is one of the best (and mOst supportive) hospitals for a VBAC. They were even supportive of my VBA2C.

So its true, you might end up with another c-section - VBAC's don't have a 100% success rate - so I guess the biggest questions are - do you want to attempt it or can you live with never giving it a go? And - how would you feel if you tried and you weren't successful?

Try and surround yourself with as much support as possible - research both options for risks, and go with whats in your heart.

You can't control what the outcome will be - but you can control your approach to it :D

It is quite depressing isn't it that you feel you have to fight uphill to get the birth you want, especially when it is a reasonable thing to want as it is most likely best for you and the baby! Actually, more than depressed, I am feeling outraged by it at times!!

It can be a complicated issue as sometimes a c/s is the best option... but the problem is that often this is not the case. Unfortunately the agenda of the person pushing advice has to be looked at very closely to work out if their advice is best for you. For example hospital policy is not always made with the best interests of the mother/baby in mind. I don't mean to sound conspiratorial as I don't think it is necessarily, it is just that a hospital has to balance the needs of the patient, the staff, and the bottom line and when that balance is made, sometimes our best interests are not met entirely. Unfortunately we often think that could not possibly be the case and imagine that any hospital policy would have our best interests at the core.

Also, hospital policy is not always based on well researched medical fact. In the past it was common practice to use drugs such as thalidomide in pregnant women until it was discovered that this was causing serious defects in the unborn babies. It was also common practice to use a drug called "Cytotec" to induce labour even though it had never been tested on pregnant women (it had been approved for other use in a non-pg population). Unfortunately it was discovered that this drug caused extremely strong contractions and led to a serious leap in uterine ruptures in both normal births and in VBAC births (this is one of the reasons there is such a fear of uterine rupture in VBAC births.) If you search "Cytotec clip-Business of Being Born" in You tube this is all explained in a much more understandable way than my ramblings ;)! What I have discovered in my recent readings is that EFM has been shown to be no better than picking up fetal distress than using traditional methods of listening and has been proven to cause more interventions and sometimes worse outcomes for babies as it can pick up fetal distress that is not actually there leading to an unnecessary c/s. In addition it means that the staff attending to a pg woman pay attention to a beeping machine and tend to ignore the laboring woman. This is well researched and well documented yet still EFM is used extensively in modern obstetrics. Still worse - In order to be monitored, most times a woman must lie on the bed to be strapped up to the machine (- you and I both know how horrific that is!) What this means is that you are put in the very position that may cause the baby to put pressure on the blood supply to the uterus and may in fact lead to a decrease in blood supply to the baby, hence, 'fetal distress'.

Now, I am not at all against medical intervention. I just really believe in knowledge and informed consent. I don't believe that there is much in the way of real information and informed consent in the medical field so I am taking it upon myself to get informed. I think that the place for intervention is with high risk cases and we should all have the right to birth our way, with our needs as paramount.

I realise that you had a very scary episode with your DDs birth with her going into fetal distress and I am by no means saying that this was one of those false positives. I am not trying to make light or dismiss your situation as you will know much better than me what was going on in your labour. I understand that is also colours your acceptance of the EFM machine. It certainly did for me. I had decided to refuse EFM with my birth then a friend had her baby by emergency c/s as they picked up fetal distress in early labour. (I was only a month away from giving birth) He was born with meconium stained liquor and I was freaked out at the possibility of missing fetal distress! I wasn't as well read as I am this time so I succumbed and for me, I feel it was the beginning of the 'slippery slope' to more intervention and my c/s. I guess I am just saying to you, do what you feel is right for you and be aware there is great information out there so you can confidently question the medical staff if you are not happy.

In addition, sometimes people's advice is simply not up to date and is in fact based on urban myth. This includes medical personnel also! I had a GP tell me all about what a bad risk I was when I know for a fact I am not. He had no idea of any of my history in making this claim and I wonder how up to date he is on his reading about birth etc. You can certainly then take people's opinion under advisement but be confident in making your own decisions.

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Although I usually "go with the flow" when it comes to the advice being given

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It is perfectly fine though if you are the sort of person who likes to go with the flow to do just that. Once again you have to do what works for you. Sometimes people do find it more stressful to know too much! Personally, I have found this journey of research and learning to be inspirational and I feel really confident about the information I have learnt. I am seriously really looking forward to the birth of my second child!! It will really help you though to have people around you who are supportive about your choices (ie your DH and other birth support people - if you can get an independent midwife or doula do it!!)

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I really don't think that it applies to the VBAC Vs C-s issue as it seems as though i am being given a choice, just that those who are giving the advice seem more inclined towards caesarean, but not completely against the VBAC.

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It is worth remembering that some people do pay lip service to the idea of a VBAC but when you are in the middle of your 'trial of labour' or when you are looking like you are going overdue all bets are off and the pressure begins. Not ideal. Get your support lined up!

Argh, sorry this is much longer than I intended! I just have learned so much in the last months!! I really recommend those books, I bought the Henci Goer one on BB actually! It does explain all of the things I have mentioned and really helped me understand what I did and didn't want in this birth and why.

I also forgot to mention the DVD "The business of being born". I found it at the local library and it was a great resource. (it is the one I referred to earlier - the you tube clip). Also, I had my DH read "Men at birth" a book by men about men's perspective in the birth. I think it helped DH 'get' a few things.

Yup VBAC's dont have a 100% success rate - but simply doing your research and making good choices WILL majorly help you actually get the birth you want. A perfect example is the Maternity Performance Indicator report for Victoria (07/08 - so recent stats) - I was just going through it as my sister and a friend are planning a VBAC. Women are prepared for the likelihood of VBAC failure and you know why? There are hospitals like Sandringham or Angliss with a success rate of 15-17% and yet West Gippsland and other regional hospitals are more around the 80% mark. I don't think it's because women out in the country have stronger scars than us city folk..... it truly is up to you to make wise choices and get informed. I can't stress this enough, for the woman who WANTS a birth a certain way, going with the flow is not good - wish it didn't have to be but thats how it is unless you choose a homebirth! No pressure with a homebirth, low transfer and when you need to you know its necessary.

Qld has the WORST c/s rates in all of Australia. I really do feel for women in QLD who are unhappy at having so many unnecessary c/s. The rates are atrocious, some hospitals sporting 60%+ c/s rates. They'll be back for more business with future c/s no doubt.

jackrose - love that BB has been able to get you excited and pumped about this stuff! We love Henci! She is so educated and does all her work from a scholarly perspective as well as having the birth knowledge... she gives very compelling and confronting arguments based on truth and evidence.

Best of luck Pyxii - I suggest you check out the book in my sig to inform and empower yourself with evidence-based research. Its a great read!!
Also check out the informative free videos on how to have a better birth at the Mothers Advocate website.

If you do go with the VBAC (which i hope you do!), request to have fetal monitoring intermittently.
I have heard that there is a type of fetal monitoring you can have which is constant, but which allows you to be mobile and get into positions which utilise gravity and are optimal for labour and birth (hands and knees, squatting, standing over bed etc). Can anyone confirm this? Nothing less ideal for natural birth than laying flat on your back.

Also keep in mind that it is very unlikely that your second labour will progress as slowly as your first. My first labour was much like yours - waters broke, then I dialated 3cms in 3 days (contractions came on at night and were gone by morning). I stayed home as long as possible with a midwife and had intermittent fetal monitoring, in order to avoid uneccessary intervention at hospital.
Second labour started spontaneously, and was 15 hours from the very first mild contaction to giving birth (still long by most people's standards!) but nothing like the stop-start ordeal of the first labour. And I had a student doula at my side!! Stay positive, surround yourself with positive, supportive people and try to 'believe your birth into being!'

XX

It does feel like an uphill battle to have a VBAC Pyxii. I recently had mine. My babies are just under 20 months apart and I had no problems with my pregnancy. With my first pregnancy I had my appendix out at 17 weeks, then the c/s due to placenta praevia. Two surgeries with scars in five months and I went on to have a successful VBAC. You CAN do it too!

Monitoring was my biggest issue as well. I was afraid that I would be tied to the bed with the monitors and it would stall labour and I'd end up with a c/s again because the doctors like to put time limits on VBACers :shakehead:

I had it clearly stated in my birth plan that I was to have intermittant monitoring and I was happily surprised when I made it to hospital in labour and the midwives automatically checked me with a doppler. I didn't have to fight about it! I did end up with continuous monitoring towards the end of transition but I was still on all fours on the bed and moving and swaying, not to mention I was so in the zone that I didn't even notice the monitors on me.

I also laboured at home for as long as I could manage. They were about 4 and a half minutes apart when I rang the hospital. When I got in I was already 7cm dilated - whole first stage done at home, where I could move around, go for a walk, bounce on the fitball and feel relaxed in my own surroundings without time limits and medical staff poking and checking me. I think this helped ALOT.

Reading and arming yourself with VBAC information is one of the best things to do. Feel positive and have faith in your body. Read lots of VBAC birth stories and of course you have us :)

WOW, so much feed back, so quickly. I've just jotted down the websites, books and videos that have been mentioned and I think I'll start there. There is so much to think about and I don't think right now, having just gotten a toddler off to bed etc is the time for me to get really into all of your comments, bed is calling. I just thought i'd let you all know that I'm appreciating the feedback. :D
Many have suggested private midwives or doulas. Any idea where to start looking on that front? Is there an association etc? Anyone on the Sunny Coast know where to start looking?
BellyBelly (Kelly) any thoughts on why Qld's c-s rates are so high? I really am neive when it comes to some of this stuff, which is pretty sad as I'm very use to hidden agendas etc in my work place. Why would hospitals want to tie up operating theatres and all of the staff associated with a c-s and the facilities for recovery etc, if VB or VBAC is the better option for the patient? Maybe if i can understand some of the agendas/bias/reasons for policies that aren't in the best interest of the patient it will help to better position the advice I'm being given.

Pyxii, I haven't read through all the replies properly as yet but I don't think this was mentioned. I found one of the most useful tools in preparing myself for my first VBAC was the hypnobirthing (calm birthing) course I did. I have now had 2 VBAC's and they were just over 24 months apart. The lady we did the course with now actually lives just off the Bribie Island exit. If you are interested at all let me know and I can email you her details. I highly recommend it as I know a lot of the other VBACers here do also. I did have thoughts like your hubby also before having my first VBAC and that was all I knew was a c/s and maybe I should just do that but I can tell you that I am so, so very glad I did not and I did have my VBAC.

pyxxi - Check out this site which has lots of information and contact details for doulas and private midwives in QLD - for home or hospital births. The reason so many suggest getting your own carer, is that they are hired by you and have your best interests at heart. A hospital has it's protocols and procedures in place from a business point of view (insurance, money, turnover - need free beds so women in, women out). One to one midwifery care is classed by the world health organisation as gold standard maternity care. The benefits are huge, including 50% less c/s, less interventions, less need for pain relief, increased satisfaction for mother and father and so much more. The experience is amazing!

Why are the doing more c/s? A mix of reasons: (not all Obs think this way, but this is the general gist of things)

*Excessive use of inductions (inductions are strongly associated with c/s)
*Money (get paid more)
*Time (can schedule the births and it's over in minutes)
*Insurance (an Ob wont get sued for a c/s as it's seen as an emergency procedure, so they will be looked upon as having done all they could to get the baby out)
*Obs philosophy about birth. Some believe birth is very risky. A well known Ob in QLD who has an extremely high c/s rate tells his clients: 'You went to all the trouble of getting pregnant with IVF, why risk a vaginal birth?' Those attitudes are very unhealthy and spread unhealthy attitudes to women.
* Obstetricians are surgeons. They are specialists in complications, so they look for them or try to prevent them even if the possibility is low (VBAC perfect example, they'd rather c/s than go with a 0.7% rupture rate), then they have a job to do. Without c/s, thats a huge chunck of work away from Obs (that no-one else can do but them), especially given the high rate we have here in Australia. Imagine more vaginal births - Obs don't do that - the midwives look after labouring women (many at once in a hospital). So by doing procedures and operations, they have a job to do. Obs have taken over the relm of normal birth which belongs to midwives, and they have made a huge mess of it making it so medicalised. 60% of us, let alone 30% do NOT need major surgery on their uterus to get their baby out. Or body works much better than that. It's what's being done to our bodies by interfering medicos.
* Other

So there are lots of tempting reasons to do them and it's easy to convince the mother... when a doctor says I'm worried about this baby, what mother is going to question that....You just have to see the link in my sig to see the anti-competitive behaviour and greed the AMA (Australian Medical Association) has with regards to birth. They want to own and control it, and make it sound dangerous, capable in their hands only.

Hi Pyxxi, I think I know what you mean about going with the flow when it comes to medical advice. I'm hoping to have a vbac and one aim is to not get into confrontations with my care givers. I think it is like this situation though. Have you ever been walking around the block and a well meaning friend or neighbour stops in their car and offers you a lift? You explain to them that you are exercising and they find it hard to believe that you would actually rather walk!

You are getting fresh air and exercise, but the person in the car thinks you will get too tired or you might trip and fall. You both have valid views, you are just looking at the same situation from different perspectives.

I think this applies to caregivers in hospitals and our husbands/partners too. They might encourage a c/s or drugs or interventions because they think you are suffering unnecessarily. They want to fix what they see as a problem.

I have been reading a book called "birthing from within" by Pam England. She is a midwife who had a c/s and then a vbac. It isn't specifically about vbacs, but I'm finding that it addresses most of the issues I am facing.

Some of the main things I have taken from the book so far are: It is called labour for a reason. It is hard work and can be very painful. My husband and the medical staff are there to support me, not just to take away my pain.

Discussing this with my husband has helped us to be on the same page about a vbac and what his role will be.

lol: Love the analogy HollyC, hadn't thought about it from that point of view.:D

:lol: I'm glad that made sense to you.

I guess I just wanted to give you a different perspective on questioning doctors/midwives. It isn't so much about going against medical advice and taking unnecessary risks. People just don't think there is any reason to go through a vaginal birth when they think it is easier to have a repeat c/s.

Good luck!

Hi,

I have just had one of these it was a battle all the way but I did it.
She was born on Sunday naturally in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Firstly I believe if you want to do this you need to interview several hospitals
both private and public to find out their c-section rates and their views on vbacs.
Secondly, hire a doula they are the best decision you can make as they support
you through the whole birth experience. Thirdly, read everything you can about
vbacs so you know when an ob makes a decision whether it feels right with you.
Fourly, speak with midwives they know so much. I was almost 42 weeks and being
threatened with a hospital induction, after everything I read I would never do an induction
if I was having a vbac just my personal decision. I used homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy oils, stretch and sweeps through a private midwife who does 1 hour consultations to get my body into labour. If you do the preparation beforehand you are much more likely to have a positive birth outcome. Also I listened to birthing relaxation cds daily and before going to bed.

The women who have successful VBAC's are motivated, well read and well supported. They are able to deal with the pain of labour with a positive attitude and calmness surrounding birth. You will set yourself up to fail if you plan for medical induction, epidural pain relief and confrontation with Dr's/hospitals etc. Warragul hospital uses cordless monitors which allow for unlimited movement and access to water,they have especially deep baths! and a Known Midwife Program. Having a VBAC experienced midwife who you have formed a trusting relationship with is the way to go.

After my 34 week visit to the hospital and a chat with the hospitals doctor i'm certainly feeling better about my decision and the all of the reading and talking about VBACs that I've been doing in recent months.

After the general check-up side of things the doctor asked, "What do you want to do?" When I said, "VBAC." He looked through my chart and said that it was a good idea and that the hospital was all for it as the literature showed that having 3 or more C-sections lead to risk of rupture during pregnancy, let alone labour. Essentially he was saying that if it's possible, women should avoid repeat c-sections because the risks increase with each one. I'm certainly not planning on going for more bubs after this one, but it was reassuring to hear someone at the hospital say that a VBAC is a good idea.

They're still saying that it will mean increased monitoring, which I'm not so happy about, but at least they're happy enough for me to give it a go.

Thanks beautiful bumps for your positive story.

Thanks Midwifemum, I'll have to find out if my hospital has cordless monitors, they didn't 2 years ago, having said that, it was because the midwife had to hold the monitor in place when i wanted to stand up to be monitored rather than laying down, that the midwife was on the spot when my daughter's heart rate dropped dramatically and caused the need for a C-section in the first place. So there was an up-side to those awful wires.

This time I'm staying positive, trying to avoid people with horror stories (why do people think we need to hear them!), remaining focussed on what i want and why and reassuring hubby that this is what's best for us, even if a planned c-section would be more convenient!!!

So glad you're getting more support! I just wanted to say though in regard to hospital policy; STUFF EM! Hospital Policy basically means it's what they usually do and they expect you to comply, but they can't force you to do anything. It is YOU who has all the power over what happens, even if they try to tell you otherwise.
Have you decided to have a doula present during your birth? I'd highly recommend it, particularly if hubby is unenthusiastic. And on that note, my partner didn't like the idea of my having a homebirth. I told him point blank that if he didn't like it, he didn't have to be there! It was not negotiable. But as it happens, after witnessing my hospital birth and my homebirth, he's pro-homebirth now too. So even if hubby isn't all for it now, the experience of your beautiful, empowered VBAC will surely change his mind!

Thanks to all who gave me quite a lot to think about. Sorry it has taken me 11 weeks to write about my experience.

i looked into a Doula and decided that a single income family with one (almost 2 ) little ones just couldn't affort the extra cost. I'm lucky enough to live 1/2 way between 2 good public maternity wards, so I asked questions and found that both had similar policies. I read a lot and talked it through with hubby.

When ended up being watched in hospital because of an unexplainable bleed and really strong Braxton Hicks contractions I found that all of the midwives and doctors i came into contact with were very suportive and positive about the possibility of VBAC. When I went home i felt sure that i'd get the support i needed.

When I went in to have bub a week later i had a great midwife. Things slowed down and it was clear that it was going to be a while so the midwife talked to me about the fact that it was borderline as to whether or not I was in active labour. If she put on the paperwork that it was active labour I could stay in the delivery sweet but would be restricted to the bed and i'd be strapped to the monitors (hospital policy that I couldn't avoid). if she said that i wasn't in active labour then I'd be sent over to the ward but I'd be able to walk/move around and stay off the monitors. I went with the second option and still felt very supported as the midwives kept an eye on me and i was able to find ways to help feel more comfortable etc.

When i reached a point where i felt that i needed to use the gas and air i had to return to the delivery sweet. The support was wonderful and the end result was fantastic.

I really don't know what had me so stressed. I'd do it naturally again if i was to have any more children.

Oh thats awesome!! Congrats on your VBAC :D

Oh Congratulations!!! Well done, so glad you got such fantastic support - as well you should!

I'm so happy to receive your good news!

:D Awesome!
Congratulations on your VBAC and your new DD.

Congratulations!

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Thanks to all who gave me quite a lot to think about. Sorry it has taken me 11 weeks to write about my experience.

i looked into a Doula and decided that a single income family with one (almost 2 ) little ones just couldn't affort the extra cost. I'm lucky enough to live 1/2 way between 2 good public maternity wards, so I asked questions and found that both had similar policies. I read a lot and talked it through with hubby.

When ended up being watched in hospital because of an unexplainable bleed and really strong Braxton Hicks contractions I found that all of the midwives and doctors i came into contact with were very suportive and positive about the possibility of VBAC. When I went home i felt sure that i'd get the support i needed.

When I went in to have bub a week later i had a great midwife. Things slowed down and it was clear that it was going to be a while so the midwife talked to me about the fact that it was borderline as to whether or not I was in active labour. If she put on the paperwork that it was active labour I could stay in the delivery sweet but would be restricted to the bed and i'd be strapped to the monitors (hospital policy that I couldn't avoid). if she said that i wasn't in active labour then I'd be sent over to the ward but I'd be able to walk/move around and stay off the monitors. I went with the second option and still felt very supported as the midwives kept an eye on me and i was able to find ways to help feel more comfortable etc.

When i reached a point where i felt that i needed to use the gas and air i had to return to the delivery sweet. The support was wonderful and the end result was fantastic.

I really don't know what had me so stressed. I'd do it naturally again if i was to have any more children.

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