your thoughts on my 'plan' for my long wanted VBA3C...am i stupid???

**1MOREPLZ** · January 9th, 2011, 05:29 PM

just wanting other peoples views/thoughts...

I have had 3 c-sections (first in 1999 supposed PE & failure to progress) (second in 2001high BP) (third in 2008 spontanious labour & diabetic)

I desperatly want to have a VBA3C next time round....
although DH will not consider a HB

i am sure he would go along with us having a doula, labouring at home then transferring for the birth, we will be going public as $$ is not feasible for an OB or IM (i really wish i did have the $$$ for that) but will have the $$ for a doula.

Do you think my 'plans' are reasonable? and i know i am going to have a fight on my hands with the hospital but i am also wondering...can they refuse to treat me?

**BeautifulMadness** · January 10th, 2011, 11:45 AM

hey katones....

just going off what i can remember when my vbac...after three c/s i wouldnt see why u couldnt try for a vbac....i mean my OB watched me very closely and i nearly ended up havign a c/s due to my High)

i think arm you're self with infomation and go for it....

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · January 10th, 2011, 11:52 AM

I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting it, i would strongly suggest you go in armed with information (which the lovely BB ladies can gather and provide i'm sure) as to WHY you could do it.

All i can say is be prepared and go in there KNOWING what you want, in saying that also keep an open mind that not ALL OB's say no because they want you to just get it over and done with, some have very valid medical points so don't dismiss all they say.

Hopefully you get your dream birth.. wishing you all the best

**Arimeh** · January 10th, 2011, 11:56 AM

Nope sounds reasonable to me. If your Doula is willing to take the place of an IM and fight the hospital when you are in labour, then I can't see a problem with it. And you can refuse any demands that the hospital says (like continuous monitoring) and then they may get you to sign a piece of paper because of the liability but they can't refuse to take you

All the best! VBA3C isn't that unheard of - my midwife with DD2 had done it

**UsPlus2** · January 10th, 2011, 12:13 PM

Doesnt sound crazy to me either. Ive done a stack of research lately on VBAC's -I'm hoping for one myself any day now - and I have read many stories about VBAC's after several c/s'. I suggest that if you are going down the path of having a doula get one that has experience with VBAC's. I also thought my hospital seemed to supportive at the start for a VBAC, lots of encouraging words when I said at the start of my pregnancy I said I was aiming for one. Now however that its crunch end they seem to back flipping alot, and support waivering. Go in armed with all the information you can, print it off if you have to. I have found that shuts them up go and proper

maybe also speak to your Dr about your previous medical conditions of high BP and diabetes, to see if there is anything you can do diet/medically way to try and ensure they arent issues again - though I know some are pregnancy induced.

Good luck, will have my fingers crossed for you.

**LimeSlice** · January 10th, 2011, 12:41 PM

Have a look into it, but I *think* the risks of a 4th repeat cs outweigh those of a VBAC.
So do your research and know your stuff, be prepared to be flexible with certain things and I can't see how it is unreasonable.

Good luck!!

**MummaBear79** · January 11th, 2011, 10:32 AM

Hey hun,
I am planning a vba3c for my 4th bub due in May. LimeSlice is absolutely right when she says that a 4th cesear carries more risk than a vba3c. With my last cesear, I lost a huge amount of blood and my BP dropped so low, they started to get very worried about me. I definitely didnt want to go through that again. So with this pregnancy, I set out to have a vbac. I was initially going to just have a Doula (I am a doula myself), but after doing some extensive reading and research I came to the conclusion that I just couldn't do it without and IM. You really need someone that a hospital is going to respect and listen too. I know that sounds silly, but from what ive been through, its true. I was lucky enough to find an IM who did homebirths but was also employed by the hospital that I planned to give birth at. She is supporting me for 2K and she has been worth so much more than this. Ive ended up being able to do all my antenatal care with her, she will support me at home when I go in to labour, go with me to hospital and is even able to deliver my baby at hospital because she works there. She is the one who is doing all the organising with the hospital and is even getting the 'approval' from the head OB (more like just letting him know). Ive basically just had to sit back and concentrate on my pregnancy. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. She has been very realistic with me though and to be honest, im fine with everything that the hospital recommends for a vbac such monitoring etc. I know for myself, im going to labour much better knowing my baby is ok as rupturing does worry me. We've spoken around how to labour with monitoring and it really sounds ok to me.

Going in with all guns blazing is probably not the best way to approach it, from what my midwife has told me. Both you and your hospital need to come to an mutual understanding. Do your research, stay calm and just be honest with them. My hospital has said many times to me in their words, 'its my right', so hospitals do understand this. I am fully prepared for the speech the OB is going to give me at my first appt in Feb, but its their job and its something they have to do. But in the end, she knows what I want and she respects this.

If you need to chat, im more than happy if you send me a PM.

**1MOREPLZ** · January 14th, 2011, 02:51 PM

thanks for your reply Mummabear

very much appreciated...

as for an IM honestly....i don't think the $$$ will be there...we are paying to get preggers

so i guess my long wanted VBA3C is going to go out the window

**Lady-bug** · January 14th, 2011, 03:42 PM

What about a student midwife? I'm sure they are free of charge. So maybe a Doula and a Student Midwife?

As Mummabear said its you're right to birth the way you want to. A hospital can't do anything that you dont consent to, as it is assult (An Ob told me that!)