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

:

---

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

:

---

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

---

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

:

---

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

---

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?

:

---

- 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

---

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!!

:

---

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?

---

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.

:

---

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.

---

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.

:

---

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.

---

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).

:

---

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.

---

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.

:

---

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).

---

that is disgusting!

:

---

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.

---

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?

:

---

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.

---

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

:

---

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?

---

Nah, up until last night I thought it was, it's like a thin metal screw and I don't like the idea of that going into my bubba's head! Will PM you a pic.

I hated the clip on dd2's head, prob because it hurt a lot when being put on, my waters were broken at the same time. It took a while to heal, but it was better than being monitored on the bed.

:

---

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

---

Is this what they have told you, or your experience? If you have a cord hanging out your hoo haa, it will affect how you are able to move. ANd if you move too much you can dislodge it, and then they will screw the probe into the babies head again.

Joey, have you done hypnobirthing? I can't remember, but I think I had this conversation with you once before? I recommend that... and you have a doula, which is awesome! I went to hossy once things were probably about 5/6 mins and getting intense. I did some things to "humour" them ... ie: allowed the canula to be put in (made me look co-operative lol) BUT then when they mentioned monitoring, I told them that we were happy for that but intermittently unless there was a good reason that I had to have continual. They were happy with this... cos I was saying, ok (and I let them know we were making INFORMED decisions and weren't silly and would take things as they came if we needed to deviate from our birth plan... this makes them a bit more at ease I think) I'm happy for this but how about we both compromise and meet here. Re: strep B... I never did the swab and they then assume you to be positive and want to give AB's JIC... I refused this completely cos they monitor bubs after birth anyway. I think that the main thing really is open minds from both parties... I went in expecting a huge fight etc but it really wasn't like that (well for me anyway)... the midwives were great. It's the OB's at hossy you need to watch lol. Don't let them talk you into anything! They like "timeframes" and I even had one talking about "checking things out and doing an S&S before I was even due"!! No need for that.... what is there to check if I'm not in labour... nothing! mmmm dunno if I've helped at all ... let me know if it's confusing lol.

:

---

Nah, up until last night I thought it was, it's like a thin metal screw and I don't like the idea of that going into my bubba's head! Will PM you a pic.

---

OH MY GOD! Stuffed if they're screwing anything into my baby's head!

:

---

Joey, have you done hypnobirthing? I can't remember, but I think I had this conversation with you once before? I recommend that... and you have a doula, which is awesome! I went to hossy once things were probably about 5/6 mins and getting intense. I did some things to "humour" them ... ie: allowed the canula to be put in (made me look co-operative lol) BUT then when they mentioned monitoring, I told them that we were happy for that but intermittently unless there was a good reason that I had to have continual. They were happy with this... cos I was saying, ok (and I let them know we were making INFORMED decisions and weren't silly and would take things as they came if we needed to deviate from our birth plan... this makes them a bit more at ease I think) I'm happy for this but how about we both compromise and meet here. Re: strep B... I never did the swab and they then assume you to be positive and want to give AB's JIC... I refused this completely cos they monitor bubs after birth anyway. I think that the main thing really is open minds from both parties... I went in expecting a huge fight etc but it really wasn't like that (well for me anyway)... the midwives were great. It's the OB's at hossy you need to watch lol. Don't let them talk you into anything! They like "timeframes" and I even had one talking about "checking things out and doing an S&S before I was even due"!! No need for that.... what is there to check if I'm not in labour... nothing! mmmm dunno if I've helped at all ... let me know if it's confusing lol.

---

Yeah, I did Hypnobirthing for my last baby, but I don't thing DH beleives in it too much. I am going to start listening to the CDs and reading the book again soon though.

My big fight were the VE's, they just love sticking their fingers up there. I said NO VE's with the intention that I would decide when to have them IF I did have them and I was only going to do so if the result would effect MY decision making. The whole "lets just check on how things are going" means "lets see whether or not you're running to my battery hen schedule and if not I'm going to try and make you". My labour was 36 hours, I dilated only 4 cm in the first 34 and then made up the other 6 in the last 2 hours, if I had allowed them to go doing VE's all the time they would have had me in for a c-section at the 20 hour mark. Bub was absolutely fine, I just had issues with my pelvis being hyper mobile and that made it hard to dilate until I put counter pressure on it.

:

---

Is this what they have told you, or your experience? If you have a cord hanging out your hoo haa, it will affect how you are able to move. ANd if you move too much you can dislodge it, and then they will screw the probe into the babies head again.

---

That does make sense - even more reason for intermittent use of doppler...to 'meet them half way'.

I was really anti-scalp clip but after I had my epi I was lying down and the continuous monitor kept dropping out so they asked to put it on. I thought I had done heaps of research and I had a student Doula too but it is still really really difficult to be sure enough in yourself to be able to tell them NO when they're telling you the scalp clip is the ONLY way to make sure your baby is safe and happy.
So make sure you are very very well researched and so is your Doula (mine was unhelpfully silent when the request was made despite knowing I didn't want it and despite seeing my uncertainty) so that you can feel strong and safe and justified in refusing x intervention.

Also hoping for VBAC, but here after my experience with scalp clip last time if that is what keeps them happy, and reduces their insistence on time frames I will go for that as preferred form of monitoring, it was wireless ( a cord hung out maybe 10cm and was sellotaped to my leg) so did not hinder movement at all and was not a mark on DD head. Waters have to be broken though so will be avoiding if possible, but I was so dubious about it last time, but after having it was so much better than those stupid pads which come out of position.