VBAC

So I'm watching this movie...

... "The Business of Being Born"... and I'm so glad I didn't watch it before I had DS b/c I think I would've FREAKED out when they said c/s more than I did. But it got me thinking, I don't want to necessarily have a home birth but can you vbac w/a midwife or a doula? From what I'm reading about OB's that "support" vbacs they really don't and if I decide to go that route I just know that I'll need all the support I can get. What have your experiences been? TIA
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Re: So I'm watching this movie...

  • I haven't seen BoBB, but I do think there are certain OB's that are truly supportive of VBAC's - although I think it can be hard to truly know if they are until push comes to shove (although if you can find recommendations through local friends or a local ICAN list, you've gotten half the research done for you!).  Other options include a family practice doctor (if your hospital allows them to oversee VBACs) or a midwife, if they are available in your area. 

    My original OB wasn't overly encouraging about a VBAC.  She said I could have a trial of labor, but when I asked what I could do to up my chances of a successful VBAC, she told me to grow a smaller baby or enlarge my pelvis.  Um, thanks...  she also wanted a growth u/s later when we first discussed VBACs around 13 wks.  I knew I wasn't at all confident with her.  I'm now with a FP doctor and have a doula (such a valuable thing to have for a hospital birth in general, and especially a VBAC).  There are other OB's in the area that I could have gone with that were at least more encouraging than the OB that delivered DS, but the likelihood of me getting them for the actual birth played a big part in me going with a FP doctor.

    Anyhow - I do truly think that there are VBAC friendly OB's out there - I know some ladies here have told some stories of fabulous OB's.  It's just a matter of finding them, and then seeing if you can actually get them at your birth instead of just for prenatal care and a possibly non-supportive on call OB. 

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  • My birth story is a couple of pages back, but I had a hospital waterbirth VBAC with midwives and we hired a doula.  The back-up OBs were both extremely supportive of VBAC, as were the L&D nurses and other hospital staff.  I think the birth environment can have an equal impact on your VBAC as does your provider.  HTH.  And I did watch BoBB before DD was born, but I completely believed my hospital at the time wouldn't do such things... boy was I wrong!

    ~Sweet Girl *8/18/08* c-section ~ Sweet Boy *12/2/10* VBAC ~ Sweet Boy *8/14/12* VBAC~ 

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  • I also had a VBAC in a hospital with a midwife a doula.  I think that having a supportive team is key.  Even though I did push my baby out, I really truly think it was partially just luck.  I got to the hospital pushing and I think if I had gotten there sooner I may not have had a VBAC.  I don't think my midwife was a VBAC friendly as I thought she was and that is why I feel that way.  Had I used a different midwife in the group I think I would feel differently.
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  • My doctor has been totally gung ho about my desire to VBAC so far. I wouldn't generalize about all OB's. Some are very happy to give people the birthing experience they desire. I know my doctor is conservative with unnecessary intervention.

    But I also know my SIL is planning a VBA2C with a midwife, and I think she's planning on delivering at home. I guess if you want to be in a hospital you have to go by their rules.

     

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  • Yes, you can VBAC with a midwife.  I would never recommend to anyone attempting a VBAC at home though, or with a CPM (certified professional midwife) because if there is an emergency, you need to have access to immediate medical help.  However, there are CNMs (certified nurse midwifes) that deliver babies at hospitals.  If you did have a medical emergency (e.g. you had a rupture), your care would immediately transfer to an OB.  For the birth of DS, I switched from my OB practice to a CNM practice and I am so glad that I did! 
  • I am using the CNM that joined the same practice of my original OB from my first pregnancy.  I will deliver at a hopsital and also have a doula with me.  The care with the midwife has been much more attentive than with my OB and she is very supportive of my VBAC plans.  That being said, when we asked the OB before consenting to the ECS of our son if I would be a candidate for a VBAC the next time, he told me I was a very good candidate for one.

    My best advice is find a healthcare provider that you are comfortable with that agrees with your goals and also has the ability to help you reach them.  If they are lacking in any of those three areas, look elsewhere or your chances of a sucessful VBAC will be decreased.

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