Me again.... VBAC questions to ask hospital.....

[Beach Mama]

You must all be sick of me by now, sorry.

I'm going to make an appointment at the Monash tomorrow and will also be speaking to the Mercy where I am booked in the next few days about their VABC policy and am wondering what types of questions I should be asking.

So far I have:

When will you book me in for a c/s if I don't go into labour naturally?

While in labour can I have intermittent monitoring as opposed to CFM?

How long will you allow me to labour for, prior to wanting to cut me open..oops I mean go in for a c/s?

Can I eat/drink during labour?? (I want the option although with Iz I was happy with water)

Will I be able to have a fully active labour? Will I be able to use the bath?

Can I have a cannula put in my arm instead of hand? or can we skip it altogether!

Can I have skin to skin in theatre, breastfeed asap and baby with me during recovery if I do end up having a c/s?

That's it for now.... Is there anything I have missed!!????

[Arimeh]

Hmmm.. I'd ask if you get a canula put in your hand as soon as you get there - just cos my SIL had it immediately upon arrival to the hospital and it really interfered with her ability to grab onto things to help cope with pain, so she made me ask my OB if they do that.
Thats all I can think of at the moment....

[Beach Mama]

Added - thanks Mel!

[sunshine_sieben]

I would definitely ask about their policy after a possible c/s. A girl I know was wanting to do a VBaC here on the Gold Coast and they said if they have to do a C/S, it will be classed as an emergency C/S and that means baby will be removed and placed into NICU immediately (they are allowed a very brief cuddle) no matter how the baby seems to be doing, it's just policy.

Sasa

[Beach Mama]

Thanks hun - added!

[paradise lost]

The only change i would make is turn every question into a statement and ask them how they feel about it, i.e.

I won't consent to an elective c/s for post dates until EDD+14 (or 10, or whatever you were comfy with), how does that sit with policy?

I will be bringing food and drinks with me in case i get hungry during labour, will that present you with a problem?

I don't want CFM, but i'd be really glad of IFM if you would provide it. *Then SMILE*

I think if you go in with questions the ball is in their court, they can just say "no sorry, we don't do that" - KEEP the ball in your court, tell THEM what you want/expect (and be prepared to negotiate), rather than going in with questions and getting all the honest answers that you didn't want to hear, kwim?

Best of luck hun, you REALLY deserve your VBAC.

Bx

[Tobily]

Tanstar just wanted to add that even though initially you may be told that "x, y, z" are "policy" for vbacs, everything is open to negotiation and discussion - or flat out refusal

Routine cannulas may be their policy for vbac...you can quite simply tell them you will not be having a cannula until it is needed. It takes no time flat to put one of those in and there is absolutely no legitimate reason you should have one just in case.

The same applies to alot of the other baggage that goes along with vbac'ing in hospital.

Find out what their policies are by all means because you need to know - I guess what I'm saying is do it in such a way that you're not "asking" them what you're "allowed" to do...make sure they know that you are fact finding so that you have a starting point for negotiation. They must know at the outset from the way you approach things that they won't be running the show all on their own In saying that it doesn't have to be confrontation, just clear

GL

[Tobily]

snap bec ...posted at the same time!

[Beach Mama]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. Bx and Tobily - that makes complete sense - so rather than asking I will do the telling! I KNOW what I want and they can make do with what I tell them will happen. Will let you know how I go next week at my Dr appointment.... Monash aren't taking any VBAC's right now (unless you go to Dandenong) Whatever.