Best hospital in Melbourne for a chance at VBAC???

[Beach Mama]

A few questions about my options for this baby!
I had Izzy at Box Hill - we will be going public again.
Does where we go really matter or its it more the info we arm ourselves with and the people we take with us that give us the best chance?
When I spoke to the Dr at the u/s I said I might go back to Box Hill but want to go somewhere where my chances are best of having a VBAC and he said Box Hill was it.
Our other options as far as distance go are Monash, Mercy Heidleberg, Royal Womens (although it feels too sterile for my liking and is a little bit far) and possibly the William Angliss.

Since finding out about this baby, I keep thinking about my caeser, just on and off, and keep picturing it happening again which I don't want but am trying to be realistic and also positive that I can do this!

Another question - can you go to a birth centre if you are going for a VBAC??
Um I think thats it for now!
TIA

ETA: Just reading some other threads - how do you learn to trust yourself and not be scared that it won't happen???? I'm glad I've got a fair way to go so I can read up and prepare myself because Im not feeling that confident right now

[Olive]

hi tan!! best of luck for your VBAC!!

perhaps check this out http://www.health.vic.gov.au/materni...erform0506.pdf
its a site kelly posted regarding whats going on where, it may help

[Beach Mama]

Hey hun - thanks for that but the link isn't working, I might try going straight to the health site and linking from there but not sure what Im looking for either!

[Olive]

mmm not sure why!?
the link is in this thread, tyr that!!
Victorian Birth Statistics - What's Happening During Birth

[Jo+3]

Tanstar,
I had 2 successful vbacs at different hospitals in Melbourne. My first vbac was at the Mercy, but when they were in East Melbourne. The ob was very encouraging and could see no reason why I couldn't vbac (1st baby was breech) and the midwives were fantastic during my labour. They didn't falter when I asked for every drug they had and another c/s. I ended up having a drug free birth, no tear and great recovery.
My second I had at Monash Clayton. I went with this hospital as it was closer to me (we're in Hughesdale) than the new Mercy. I checked out Royal Womens but didn't feel comfortable there. I had the same encouragement from Monash, both from the obs and the midwives during labour.
I felt both experiences were really positive and I didn't really have good support (my poor dh was hopeless at advocating for me).
Good luck finding a hospital you feel comfortable with and I hope your vbac goes to plan.

[Jo+3]

sorry forgot to post, you can't use a birth centre as you are considered " high risk". You will be monitored through the labour. Check with the hospital as my last was 22 months ago and they may have changed their policies since then.

[Pandora]

WRT the automatic classification of 'high risk' after a c/s, do they take into account the reason for the c/s when they decided this or is it one size fits all?

[feeb]

They make anyone with previous cs high risk due to uterine scar no matter if they had cs for breech or for fetal distress.

There is only a tiny risk of uterine rupture but they do take it very seriously.

[Beach Mama]

Well I've done a little reading and it seems that support people, midwives and obs make the difference here - not the actual hospital. If I was going elsewhere it would be for the birth centre which I cant go to anyway. Im comfortable with Box Hill - its lovely since the reno's and doesnt feel like a hosptial at all so I think I will go back there. Im trying to get into their Know Your Midwife program so I will have the same one or 2 midwives the whole way through - fingers crossed. Having said that I did the midwife clinic last time and they were all gorgeous- it was just the doctors I had an issue with but Im better prepared now and wont let any young hip Dr who has been in maternity for 1 WEEK tell me what to do! Not bitter at all
Thanks again for all your replies! Im sure I will be back with lots of questions!

[Rouge]

I hate to say it tan but box hill has a bad rep for not supporting VBAC's and high risk pregnancies. Kelly is away atm but I'm sure she has a list of VBAC friendly public hospitals.

[Beach Mama]

Arrrrrgggghhhhh...... when I had Iz, about 4 midwives came to me and said there is no reason I have to have another c/s and that they run VBAC classes at the hospital and everything.... I might have a chat to the midwives when they call me back this arvo. Thanks for the heads up hun.

[Janie]

Tan, I'm no expert, but from what I can gather, the staff at Box Hill are very good at going "yeah, you can can have a VBAC next time" but aren't very good at all at helping you to achieve that. And really don't care whether you do or not (maybe the midwives do, but 'the hospital' doesn't). I think they put alot of obstacles in your way, and make it sound really scary.

That's the way it seems to me anyway

You might be better trying the Mercy or Angliss. Don't know about Monash, hopefully Kelly can help you better.

Good luck hun, I know you can do it! Here for you whatever you need

[anney]

Hi Tan,
I had DD via c/s at box hill and when I went back there for my antenatal appt. the second time around, the midwife that was with me the whole time with DD labour, (she even did 3 hours overtime and stayed with me until I got out of recovery) saw me in the antenatal clinic and said to me "are you going to try for a natural birth again". I was so surprised that she said that, as I was also 44 so age was against me. anyway I did not get to try as we had a miscarriage but the midwives certainly were encouraging of the VBAC. but as the others have said, if there are hospital policies that discourage it then it is difficult for the midwife to override that.
good luck with getting what you want.

[BellyBelly]

I believe it's Warragul which has the best VBAC rate but I am thinking you don't want to travel in labour LOL

Most CBD hospitals leave much to be desired so have a strong support team and will!

If you go over your due date you will get harassed by most... I know women who went overdue at Box Hill and they kept booking her in for her c/section and she kept having to tell them she wasn't having one.

[Beach Mama]

Well Warrigul is definately out of the question!!!

I guess that if they are all pretty much the same I will stick with the devil I know rather than going to one that is further away and unknown. I might still check out the Angliss because we might be moving a bit further out that way, but otherwise BH it is.

[mrscricket]

Just crashing this thread very quickly - sorry Tan! - Warragul does have the best VBAC rate i think. They really really promote it and recommend it. I had my c-section for breech there and was given heaps of info regarding my next birth straight away (not that i was even thinking about more babies at that stage ). I know it's too far for you Tan, I was just thinking in terms of anyone else reading this thread.

[Beach Mama]

Looking at the Stats - Birralee had a higher rate of successful VBAC than Mercy, Angliss and slightly higher than Monash. Interesting.
Kelly can I just check - if I am going to have a doula, which I am! do you think it matters where I go. I dont like the Angliss at all so am going to check out the Mercy, and Monash - but overall if all the stats are so similar and leave much to be desired - will it really make a difference, and if I just go wehre Im familiar with - armed with my terrific support people, articles, studies and tell them I AM having a VBAC not trying for - it won't really matter?
If it will - which out of them would you recommend - considering Im also looking at a BB doula! I realise it is ultimately my decision but Id love to know your thoughts!
TIA

[Rouge]

Not to scare you... but I want you to have the BEST birth you can. Paris was at Mercy and I really wouldn't go back there. Even though they moved between then and now I still know quite a few people who had similar issues that I did with the new hospital. Is birralee box hill? Sorry I'm not familiar with that name.

But I'll also tell you this, in the end, if you have a great doula, and a strong family support person ie hubby or mum etc who can come and fight for you if needed at appts I think if you put your trust in YOUR body and YOUR self (emotionally) it won't really matter where you as you will achieve this. I don't mean that to sound corny, but I had 1 midwife who was a bit *groan* wanted to strap me to the bed with the monitor didn't want me moving around. Tried to guilt me into being on the bed and we basically got rid of her. I didn't care what she said I was doing my own thing because I knew if I wanted to birth my baby I had to listen to myself. I never put myself or my child at risk, but I knew my rights and I knew what I had to do to help keep my labour effective. If you need to chat ANYTIME I am always here for you You can do this!