medical events that would warrant a CS

[gardeningkate]

I am going to go for my VBAC2 in a public hospital, and just battle it out with them. I suspect that I will have to negotiate with them, and wondered if I could get any advice from non CS biased people about what sort of situation either before or during birth would warrant a CS, when the risks of not actually outweigh the risks of the CS. I think I might get further with the hospital if I appear to be being reasonable (of course I am being reasonable, the hospital policy is the problem!!,...) but rather than coming across to the doctor as just being hysterical and saying no to CS no matter what...
Let me know your thoughts!!
Kate

[Arimeh]

Hi Kate

I wish you all the best for your VBA2C - that is what I will be hoping for next time also.

I don't know much about the medical side of it - but I can share my experience if you like?

DD was two weeks overdue. My OB was willing to let me go 42 + 5, as long as I was monitored with scans and everything to show all was well.

At 41 + 6 I had a scan which showed my placenta was deterioriating and that the baby was having to work 5 times as hard to get blood through the cord because the cord was beginning to shut down as well.

We discussed the option of my OB breaking my waters - but aside from the fact that my cervix wasn't anywhere near ready, and the baby was stuck under my ribs - she was unsure that the cord would take the impact of labour and the baby would be born, whether she would still be alive was unknown.

I couldn't take that risk - and it far outweighed all the risks of a repeat c-section in my eyes. I didn't get pregnant to have a VBAC - I got pregnant to have a baby in my arms at the end of it.

I'm still disappointed that I didn't get my VBAC - but makes me more determined to do it the second time around.

Not sure if that was what you were after

Good luck!!!

[gardeningkate]

Yes!!! Keep them coming!!

[Ozziehoffy]

I didn't get pregnant to have a VBAC - I got pregnant to have a baby in my arms at the end of it.

Mel, honey, what a great way to put it and sounds like you're doing a lot better now

I had c/s due to baby being bum breech, so bum in pelvis. They did scans and advised that my pelvis really wasn't big enough in their opinion to try a natural birth so we went c/s. Second was VBAC and vacuum assisted due to distress but I actually found the hospital to be very pro VBAC which was great cos I was up for a fight but I didn't need to fight at all. Not sure if that's what you're after??

[Nai]

I had a c/s due to foetal distress so that would be another reason, if the baby is looking like it is in danger then a c/s would be warranted.

[Nai]

Ooops double post

[Arimeh]

Mel, honey, what a great way to put it and sounds like you're doing a lot better now

Thanks Cass *mwah*

3 months is a long time in the healing process.

[Junglemum]

There are many medical situations that warrant a C/S, do you have a private midwife or an experienced doula? They would be a great support in the situation you descirbe, as they would have good knowledge of 'necessary' or not.
In my case i had pre-ecplamsia, i didn't have a c/s, but i was very close to having one, and it would have certainly been warranted had my cervix not been favourable for induction.

[gardeningkate]

"Necessary" is a very subjective word isn't. I am considering having a private midwife, but I need to have a hospital birth as I have a titanium joint in my leg that has a history of staf infection and I need IV antiobiotics whether I have a normal or CS birth to prevent reinfection. I don't think they can be administered outside a hospital. I am going to see how I go at my initial appt, and possibly labour at home first and then attend hospital for a homebirth backup, ie with my midwife so that I can have the antiobiotics administered. Where I am worried, is I don't want to not have the CS if my baby's life is in danger, but I don't trust the CS orientated staff to make a fair call. My last experience was that they will jump at any chance to scare you into consenting, and use any excuse, and so I want some pro birth input to that decision!
Keep any stories and ideas coming!
Kate

[Lulu]

Get yourself a doula/private middy for sure hun. You can chat away for months before your birth and you will feel safer knowing she can be your mouthpiece when you are distracted.

I wouldn't go to hospital without one!

[gardeningkate]

I think I will, I already have spoken to 2 lovley ladies from the Maternity Coalition and just have to work out the logistics, there is a chance that my hospital will try to say I am too high risk and send me elsewhere! I'll keep putting my story on the site, I hope it can help others!
Kate

[Inanna]

Good on you GardeningKate for being so proactive - this ensures an empowering birthing experience.

Basically when a pregnancy becomes a medical event C/S is more likely.

This can be a large number of things - I had 3 VERY natural mother led births - Imogen was born by c/section.

If your placenta is looking like it's not functioning correctly c/s is often the safest way to deliver. Simply sometimes it just wouldn't make it through the labour - and sadly this would mean the loss of the baby. (my case) Maternal illness where a mothers medical condition (preclampsia, HELLP, unstable diabetes etc) makes c/s safest. (my case also)

However, taking a long time to birth does not warrant a blanket rule for c/s. With good support from a woman known to the mother and who herself has a good knowledge of birthing women have the BEST outcomes in all labour situations.

If I was having a vbac I wouldn't even think about it without my own midwife (or doula) - I have been with women in vbac and it's dang hard work - many emotions and fears come up - some you didn't even know were there. You need a compassinate and passionate vagivist with you! Every time I have come away in absolute awe for the woman (and must admit to feeling like I'd given birth myself!!!)

Try not to focus on what couuld go wrong but on what is most likely to go right! That's not to say put your head in the sand - for education is power - you are doing the right thing educating yourself.

Harness the power of all those women before you who have birthed their babies - I believe they are all with you in that room on your Birthing Day... You have the innate wisdom of Woman - it's a gift that we all have we just have to have help sometimes to unwrap it.

With good support, education and that vision held firmly you will birth your baby the way this baby needs to be birthed...

[EmmaEliza]

Hi kate,

Where abouts are you located? It may be worth while in seeing if there are any more supportive hospitals around your area. Some women would drive an hour or more away if it means they have a more supportive hospital behind them.

[Nai]

I agree Kate, it's worth looking around to see where you can get the best support. I am going for a VBAC this time around and have got a pro-VBAC OB and a doula to give me the best possible chance.

[jackrose]

Hi, Great question and one I am keen to get something out of also.

I had a cs with DD, not because of a medical reason but due to the sheer length of my labour.

I was officially in "established" labour for 36 hours and there was another 12 of unofficial labour before that with constant 10min apart contractions. Suffice to say I was exhausted after not sleeping for 48 hours. My DD was not properly engaged the whole time, it seems that her head was only sitting on one side of my cervix and therefore I was not getting any efficient cervical dilation. (I believe one side was dilating beautifully but the other was not.) I arrived at the hospital 4cm dilated and after 24 hours was still 4cm, even after good strong regular contractions for most of that time.

Despite the slow going, I laboured really well, had a fantastic support team and didn't use any pain relief until towards the 36 hour mark and this was mostly due to the fact that I was sooooo damn exhausted. The hospital were great and really supported me in doing my thing as much as I could as DD was showing strong health signs throughout.

In the end it was my decision to go for the cs after discussions with the midwife, my DH and my support friend as I was certainly not progressing, was getting absolutely exhausted and my contractions (which had always been good and strong) were beginning to slow and loose regularity everytime I tried to get some relief in the shower or bath.

In the end, although I had a really strong resolve and a really good mental attitude to my labour, I started to become scared of what was to come as I began to loose my focus due to fatigue.

In the end, I agree wholeheartedly with Arimeh, but for me I didn't get pregnant to have a VB - I got pregnant to have a baby in my arms at the end of it.

I would dearly love to go for a VBAC next time and I am horrified to hear about what happened in your VBAC. I think you have every right to be furious with the railroading you suffered.

All the best with your next!

[gardeningkate]

I am in the Broadmeadows area, and therefore the Royal Womens and the Mercy are both out as they have zoned. I haven't got private health insurance, and factoring the antiobiotics that I need to have going private would cost me probably more than $10,000 (that was only one quote that I got, but regardless we don't have that sort of money). Private hospitals are allowed to say no to me if I refuse a CS, and between my husband and I we only have one car, which he takes to work, so I am a bit limited in terms of travelling. The other battle is at home, my husband doesn't understand what the big deal is, "just do what the hospital says, they know best" so my search for a vbac2 friendly ob is considered silly. He isn't bad or mean, he just doesn't understand, I think he is scared of the unpredictability (I would say surprise) and the pain! When I was nearly at the end of DD2, and I had just signed that confounded form, he and DD1 came in to the room, as the midwife had called them, my husband was mortified that DD1 had seen me in labour and thought he might be traumatised, I think hubbie was the one who was traumatised, Eddie (who I had spent lots of time reading books to and explaining about babies - there are some great books out there to help with the adjustment, like Angel Mae by Shirley Hughes and Shhh, You'll Wake the Baby - ) was nearly 4 at the time, turned to Dad and said, "don't worry Papa, having a baby is hard work, that's all!!!!!! Anyway, I digress, the Sunshine hospital might be worth looking into, unless anyone has suggestions!! THe other possibility is that Northern will say I am too high risk (recalcitrant) and send me to either the Mercy or the RWH.
Keep your advice coming!
Kate

[EmmaEliza]

Thanks for letting us know where you are from Kate.

I am guessing from that and my little search online that you are in Melbourne. Perhaps Kelly, a doula or someone else from down that way could help you in if there is a more supportive hospital close to where you are.

Im In NSW so I cant help you that much Im afraid, But I do wish you the best of luck for your birth and stand your ground for what you want, it will happen but sometimes we have a few hurdles to get over.

Take care