VBAC mamas- Do you/did you have to do this?

BlinkingLight1

Our hospital requires midwifery patients to schedule a visit with one of their OBs to discuss the risks of a VBAC. I'm annoyed that I have to do this, but I scheduled the appointment with (what seems like) a VBAC friendly OB.

Do you have to do this with your hospital (if you're seeing a midwife)? 

MissyOlivePants

I'm having a homebirth & according to state law i have to do this as well.

MAprincess

I VBACed with a midwife and did not have to do this.  I DID have to sign the informed consent required for the hospital that listed the pros and cons of both VBAC and RCS and then at the bottom I stated which I wished to have and signed my name.

BlinkingLight1

MissyOlivePants:

I'm having a homebirth & according to state law i have to do this as well.

Interesting... maybe it's our state that's requiring it and not just the hospital. 

soontobe05

Yes, I had to do this at 30wks and sign a consent form stating I'm opting for VBAC and understand all the risks as they were described to me. Wasn't a big deal and my MW set me up with an OB in the practice that is also pro-vbac and doesn't try to scare you out of it. 

Leap08

Hmmm... I know I have to sign a form that basically says I understand the risks. I don't know if I have to see an OB. I've only had 1 prenatal appointment for this pregnancy, and I still have a ton of questions. If I do have to see one, I assume I'd just see one of the OBs that my MW practices with.

nosoup4u

BlinkingLight1:

MissyOlivePants:

I'm having a homebirth & according to state law i have to do this as well.

Interesting... maybe it's our state that's requiring it and not just the hospital. 

Yeah, I think it depends on what state you live in. I never had to do it myself when I was pg with DS2.

myantonia

I'm jealous that you're allowed to see a midwife!  Our insurance company won't let VBAC patients be attended by the midwives... we have to have an OB (ugh, like that doesn't already sabotage my chances of a successful VBAC!)

 

In addition, I had to sign the same waiver it sounds like everyone else had... saying that I agreed to the risks of a VBAC. 

papagena

I saw a FP doctor, and yes, I had to do it.  It was hospital policy.  See if your midwife can set you up with a doctor that is pro-VBAC.  Mine was fine.  She went over the risks, thought that I was a FP doctor because I seemed so informed about them, and I went on with my life.

Treasa

Yes, I have my appointment set up with the OB at around 32 weeks.  Not really looking forward to it!

Geekchick921

Nope, and I think it's insulting to the midwives there that the hospital that appointed them to their staff doesn't seem to trust them to be able to fully explain the risks of each themselves.  My CNM has never mentioned anything like that to me. I do know she refers her patients to a group of VBAC-friendly OBs if she has to, though, but that's standard.

lorryfach

I gave birth in Denmark, so the system is pretty different, but I had to meet with an OB to 'discuss my options.' Basically it went like so: "I want a VBAC." "Good. Any questions about it?" "Not really." "Have a good day." OK, maybe not quite that simple but they just wanted to make sure the hospital and I were on the same page.

chicsub

Yep bc my midwives can't attend vbacs in the hospital w/o an OB backup.  I agree that it is insulting and I was nervous about the appointment.  However, the OB was really laid-back and pro VBAC so the appointment was about 5-10 min. tops even with my GD going on.  I don't mind the midwives having a relationship with an OB for backup, but don't see the need for me to actually meet with her.  When I had #1 I was with the midwives in the practice and never saw an OB, but ended up with a c/s with the OB in the practice anyways. 

preg_amy

Yes. I had to do it at 18 weeks and I will have to do it again at 38 weeks.

I agree that it's insulting to the MWs, but they are "overseen" by the OBs for all VBACs (not for non-VBACs) and it sounds like much of the final say when it comes to going longer than 41 weeks and different induction methods come down to the decisions of the OBs.  Which, like I said, sounds pretty insulting and sucks... but if that's the way it is at the MW practice that I love, I'm willing to go with it.

Something that I really did like about it was that I got to ask about c/s procedures and while I have my heart set on a VBAC, I feel like it's important for me to be thoroughly prepared for a c/s and to know what things will be like if I have to have a RCS.  I was really happy with the OBs answers to all of my questions... And honestly, she was actually more lenient with going overdue and trying different induction methods than one of the MWs I saw.  And when I talked to her, she answered a lot of questions with "Well, your midwife will be the one who decides that."  So that made me feel good and like "overseeing" the MWs was more of a technicality.