What happens at OB consult?

LiluBee

Do they just go over your history and give a basic opinion or do they do any examination as well?  I have mine coming up and have no idea what to expect.  I should probably have some questions about the possible c-section but not quite sure what I should ask about that.  I feel like since I've had one before I know what to expect.  Any thoughts or advice to share?

iris427

Can you give us a little more background?  Are you seeing midwives for prenatal care and have to get your VBAC approved by an OB?  Or is this a special appointment with an OB you've been seeing your whole pregnancy?

I had a consult with my OB at the beginning of my pregnancy.  We went over my medical history, what happened with my c/s, etc.  He determined that I would be a good candidate for VBAC.  But this was at the very beginning and we aren't doing any other consult now, just the usual prenatal care.  Obviously if something came up that would make a c/s advisable, things would change.  But otherwise we're just going ahead with the VBAC plan. 

preg_amy

I just had mine last week.

Basically, I just went there instead of my midwife.  She said everything looks good and gave me the go-ahead to try for a VBAC.  She was a little more negative than the midwives, just in that she was like "yeah, well, you can try it."  Instead of the midwives being a little more encouraging.  

But I talked to her a lot about timelines and induction things.  She said that if I need an induction, then it really is up to my midwife, but she's comfortable with a foley bulb (which one midwife told me was a great way to induce, and another told me they don't induce with that).  And she also said she was comfortable with a small amount of pit.

She also told me she prefers if VBAC patients go into labor on their own by 41 weeks.  But if I hit 41 weeks and haven't gone, then she can't make me have a RCS, but we can talk about options and see where we are and it's possible they will let me go longer.

So yeah, obviously, that's just the practice that I see.  But those were the things that we talked about and I asked questions related to those things.  I also asked about other c-section questions, like pain meds (which is a source of anxiety for me, because my epi didn't work during my c-section with DS), and when I get to see the baby afterward and stuff like that.

Also, I thought mine would do an examination, because the appt replaced my MW appt... but she didn't.  I asked before we left if she was going to listen for a heartbeat or anything.  But she said she didn't need to, but if I wanted her to, she could.  And I had just heard the h/b that morning on my doppler at home, so I told her it was no biggie.  

preg_amy

Also, I'm assuming your OB consult is for a similar reason that I had one.  If it's not, obviously it might be a little different.

We see the OBs in a different office, but the same system (they are the OBs who are at the same hospital).  And we see them at 16 and 36 weeks, just to check on things and making sure things are running smoothly for a VBAC.

LiluBee

Sorry I didn't specify but I see my family doctor and just need to have an OB consult with her back-ups just in case I do need a c-section. I don't predict they'll say anything much different than what she has said but I expect they'll be less encouraging!  Thanks for all the info!

papagena

I had to have one because I was going to a FP doctor.  She talked with me about the risks, although she didn't use any scare tactics at all.  Didn't say anything I hadn't known from my research.  She did check baby's position, although she asked permission and I could of course have declined had I wanted to.  We did talk about induction options, as that could possibly be overseen by the OB on call at the hospital if it happened (it didn't, but I wanted to know what options most of the OB's would be ok with before it was an issue). That was about it.

HTH - good luck!