VBAC experiences at Logan Hospital, Qld

[CathyS]

I am just wondering if anyone has had any recent experience of VBAC at the Logan Hospital recently?

I had a VBAC with my son in 1999. It went fantastically. Midwife delivered the baby and I had a drug free labour.

I am just wondering if their policies have changed at all now. Or are things different after having 2 c-sections (both my girls were breech).

If this baby is not breech, I WANT a VBAC so much!!

[CathyS]

Well...if you are hoping for a vbac (after 2 c-sections) don't go to the Logan. Their policy is find another hospital basically if I want a 2nd vbac. They said most hospitals in brisbane won't do it (except the Royal Brisbane). And as I live just 8 min from the hospital, I'd prefer to go to the Logan. So I've resigned myself to another c-section.

[~mamaspice~]

Hi CathyS,

Sorry to hear Logan won't support you for a VBA2C.
Would it take you very long to get to RBWH from where you live? If you really want a
VBA2C I say go for it!

I'll be trying for a VBAC at a hospital 30 minutes away (well 30 mins NOT in peak hour on the M1 )

[Tobily]

The Mater public will also do it Cathy - a little bit closer to you. It's only 20 minutes on the freeway in a good run.

I reckon it'd be worth it if this is what you really want.

Good luck.

[CathyS]

I didn't know the Mater did it! That's cool. I was born there. Now I just have to hope this baby isn't breech like the other 2 girls were.

[Tobily]

The Mater and the Royal are both tertiary level hospitals.

You may have to be insistent and at first you may get a no (which would be the same at the RW). But then it will depend on who you strike too.

But a no doesn't mean no. It just means "we want to know how serious you are about this" iykwim. As is the case anywhere, if they sniff that they can railroad you down their preferred path they will. So go in well armed and make sure they know that you mean it. But they do them, and you've had two successful vb's under your belt as well so you shouldn't have too many problems with them.

Good luck.

[CathyS]

Tobily, is this policy after 2+ c-sections or just 1? Cause Logan DID give me a vbac with my 2nd baby. But not this one.

I guess I'll have to ring and ask them.

The other thing that bothers me is if I sign up for one of those hospitals and the baby goes breech, I have to have a c-section on the other side of town.

[Tobily]

Yep after 2 caesareans.

Most public hospitals are ok (officially at least) with VBA1C but draw the line at two.

Large tertiary public hospitals will generally do them. And I know women who have had a VBA2C at the Mater.

If your baby turns breech and you decide to have a c/section you can just transfer your care back to Logan. It shouldn't be a drama.

[CathyS]

Ok well that sounds cool. I didn't know you could transfer so easily.

[CathyS]

Well I have had my midwife appt finally and the midwife was SHOCKED that Logan wouldn't give me a vbac2!! She said she is going to talk to someone there. It is NOT elective if I am given NO CHOICE but to have a caesar or find another hospital basically! So she reckons I should stand up for myself and if I am strong enough, they should let me have one! I have to go in there with my statistics and my rights etc and tell them what I want basically!

She said drs are becoming unskilled these days because of all the c-sections now. Not good is it?

Most drs/hospitals these days are just concerned with getting sued. If that's the case, I'm happy to go to the legal dept and tell them I'm happy to give birth MY way and sign something saying they are not liable.

Baby was head down yesterday too (I am 26 weeks today). So that gives me some comfort! Stay head down bubby!!!

[CathyS]

Well I have had another talk to the midwife and she has suggested that I write a letter to the Professor of the hospital, in the hopes of getting the vbac2 that I want. I have to give it a go, as it is my last chance really to have the baby nearby at the Logan.

If all else fails, we are looking at hiring a private midwife for a homebirth.

[Inertia]

Hi Cathy,

TBH, I was not surprised at all to hear that Logan started with a stonewall. I learnt long ago with them that you just turn up in labour and they can't turn you away! LMAO.

I do recommend - highly - an extremely stong support person with you if they do agree to it. Someone with your wishes and best interests as their priority. As far as I remember - and have heard since - it is hard enough to get a regular natural and uninterfered with VB in there with some of the midwives.

Best of luck with your VBA2C

[CathyS]

My partner is VERY supportive! He is like "You are NOT having another caesarean unless she is breech!". He worries about me recovering with 3 other kids at home (plus the baby!). So do I!!

The dr did say if I turned up at 10cm dilated, then well, yes, they would deliver me. Makes me want to stay home as long as possible. I am very close drive to the hospital.

They can't FORCE me to sign a consent form for caesarean! (which they want to do at 34 weeks).

We are also considering going with a home birth if the hospital is very against vbac.

I was talking to a pregnant shop assistant the other day and she was told (get this!!) that because her baby was 'low down', that she might need a caesarean!! (at the Logan) WTF!!! I thought this was a GOOD thing if baby is engaged and low down??? It was her first pregnancy. Insane!!

[Ilithyia]

The dr did say if I turned up at 10cm dilated, then well, yes, they would deliver me. Makes me want to stay home as long as possible.

The best thing you can do!!

As soon as your walk in to them in labour, your on their clock! If you stay at home as long as possible your not on anyone's but your body's and baby's watch!

We are also considering going with a home birth if the hospital is very against vbac.

Great idea! You can include you older children in the birth aswell!

I was talking to a pregnant shop assistant the other day and she was told (get this!!) that because her baby was 'low down', that she might need a caesarean!! (at the Logan) WTF!!! I thought this was a GOOD thing if baby is engaged and low down??? It was her first pregnancy. Insane!!

That is insane! It seem some hospitals will feed first-time mum's any bull$hit these days! Even women going in for subsequent pregnancies!

I have a friend who is expecting her 4th baby. She has had 3 vaginal births with no fuss at all. This pregnancy, baby was breech at 34 weeks. They tried to book her into for a c-sect that day for when she was 36 weeks!!! I almost chocked! I referred her onto some websites and positional techniques and baby turned the next week!! If I hadn't have said how wrong this was to her she would have just gone on their advice. Its really sad how much they are taking advantage of women.

At 29 weeks, bubs will probably spin up and down quite a few more times yet.

I'd say prepare yourself for a VBAC and if bubs is breech at 40 weeks, there is always the option of a breech birth at home.

Good luck!

[CathyS]

A c-section at 36 weeks??? That is insane!! And baby's can turn up until they go into labour!!

I will just wait and see what bub is doing. I did try a lot of techniques with Laura's breech presentation, but she wasn't budging for anyone.

I do believe in breech delivery, though my last baby was quite big, and we have big heads that run in the family. That is the only thing that puts me off delivering a breech baby naturally.

[Inertia]

I would stay at home long as possible too. Being so close to the hospital is good, but remember that if anything feels off then head on in straight away. Maybe a HBMW would be the way to go there because she'll be with you the whole way.

With the shop keeper - are they completely insane??? Wait, I am asking this about the hospital that induced my sister at 40+2 on her first, just because they could talk her into it.

They sure can't force you to sign it and they cant turn you away if you turn up in labour - so don't let them push you around! Its good to hear they cant "go over your head" to you DH either. Stick to your guns. If you wont sign the form unless in a real emergency, then they can't just leave you in a hallway.

[CathyS]

Well after sending off my 3 page letter to the Professor in charge at the Logan hospital, I got a phone call asking me to come in. So today I had that meeting (got bulk billed for the meeting too.....think this is dodgy).

Anyway..he said what I expected, they will not do vbac2 at the Logan. They are not equipped to deal with it, think its too risky, and basically said I am best to try another hospital (a tertiary level one like the Mater). So, he booked me in to see the head dr of Antennatal for an appt next tue. But! The head dr rang me this afternoon and told me he is sending off the referral to the Mater hospital today! Now I just have to wait and see.

Wish me luck ladies!! I think it's kind of nice to give birth in the hospital I was born in too!

[Inertia]

If they are equipped with a labour ward and the ability to do emergency c-sections, then what in heavens name could they POSSIBLY be missing???? Struck dumb here. O.o

Good luck with the Mater! I've had 3 babies at the hospital I was born in - and for laughs, their father was born there too! Lyta is actually tickled pink about that.

Fingers crossed for your VBA2C!