The Women's Melbourne & birth plans

[zap]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone has birthed in particular vbac at RWH in Melbourne and had a birth plan? Was is taken seriously? This is my third birth and my second VBAC and whilst I had a very successful VBAC last time I wonder if I should write up a plan this time? You know re monitoring etc? Any feed back would be appreciated.

[BellyBelly]

Birth Plans - Is It Worth Writing A Birth Plan?

[Beach Mama]

I think it is up to you but it does let your carers know what you want regarding monitoring, time limits, VE's etc. All the other stuff like music, atmosphere is important too but the hospital will be more interested in the medical side I guess. It made me think quite clearly about all those things as well and what I wanted to happen once I was in labour. Did you go to the Women's with your first VBAC?

[zap]

Yeah I did and they where really busy that night so didn't pay too much attention to me which was great but you just don't know who is going to be on that night do you?

[Beach Mama]

Very true and it means that your birth support people and whoever is on know what you want and you can focus on labouring rather than trying to explain why you do or don't want something xoxox

[HotI]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone has birthed in particular vbac at RWH in Melbourne and had a birth plan? Was is taken seriously?

If you are going to a place where you think they may not take you seriously, it is even more important that you write a plan and have multiple copies so you can give it to every staff person and even better ask them to sign that they have read it and understand your wishes.

[e_p]

discuss it with them, in detail. Please. I don't want to be negative, and I don't want to scare you. A friend of mine had what she describes as a negative experience with the Women's about 18 months ago. Perhaps it was her specific care provider. It was her 3rd child, 1st VBAC. Her OB supported her going for a VBAC over an elective c-section, but birth plan was ignored. She was forced to have continuous monitoring, including the scalp clip on the baby's head, despite her ob previously agreeing they would do intermittent monitoring as long as all was ok. She was told several times during her labour (6 hours) they were preparing surgery for her c-section despite making good progress and no concerns for the baby. Cord was clamped immediately despite her request to wait until it had stopped pulsing. She ended up delivering vaginally not 20 minutes after being told she was not in active labour and it was time for a c-section.

I promise I'm not trying to scare you and perhaps it was a particular doctor that she had problems with, but I want you to be able to make an informed decision.

Good luck xxx

[Charlotte91]

I was never given a birth plan, I didn't have a choice in how I would deliver my child. They never discussed anything with me, RWH just booked me in for a c/s.

If you want to be listened to, I suggest you don't go to RWH but its up to you.

Good luck, honey.

[zap]

Thanks for the feed back ladies. I am not really scared of them or the threats the may make. I trust my body will do it's own thing and birth the baby the way it chooses! I had fantastic midwives that where so busy that they had no baby stuff ready as they had no idea I was progressing so fast! By the time a doc got in to examine me (policey only docs can examine) I was fully dilated and ready to push. I guess I really want the birth plan for myself more than anything.