Help me stick to my guns!

RachaelNicole

I had an u/s last week and baby was estimated to be 8lbs 4oz (at the time, I was 35w5d). My OB has been supportive of my VBAC, but she said that if I haven't gone into labor on my own by 39 weeks, we will have to "have a serious chat about reconsidering the VBAC". So, I need some ammo in case we do have this discussion. What are my options, here?

If it makes a difference, here's some background info:

-The reason for my c/s was failure to progress - never dilated past 4, baby's head was cocked sideways.
- My son was born at 37w6d
- I have recently (in the past few weeks) developed hypertension and am on beta blockers for it.

Also, I live in an area with no local ICAN chapter, so I can't really look there for guidance.

Temp937723687505543

The only thing I have to offer is this:  Babies estimated weights are often wrong.  Plus, your body is designed for this- there's no weight limit tagged on your vagina- Warning:  8lb Maximum.  Good luck!!!

nosoup4u

There's no way to confirm macrosomia until after the baby comes out. Was your son really large, which might make macrosomia more likely? Why 39 weeks? You can definitely request non-stress tests every few days to keep an eye on the baby. I had one, and refused the u/s portion of it (if the NST is good, then the whole AFI check with an u/s is unnecessary). I would also refuse anymore sizing u/s. I don't know anything about hypertension, but I would imagine if medication is controlling it, then it's okay to keep being pregnant? You could also ask about gentle induction methods (foley bulb, nipple stimulation) instead of a RCS. Oh, aaaand take someone else with you for mental reassurance! I had my DH on reserve as my spokesman if I needed him .

hth and good luck!

egordon12020

Now might be a great time to start saying no, especially to U/S. The further along your are, you are more likely to get a wrong weight estimate for your baby. Walk loads and reassure your doctor that when you feel something is wrong as you are the customer (you pay her) that you will let her know (especially if you start developing edema or anything serious like that). You know what's best when it comes to you, your baby, and your body. I know it seems stressful but just try and relax. Take a walk, soak in a lukewarm tub and drink plenty of water. Every pregnancy and every birth is different. Your baby will join the world when they're ready to take the stage.

rena5498

Take someone with you that is supportive and will be there to remind you to say no. I wish I had a support person because its hard for me to speak up to a doctor. The average baby is born between 40 and 41 weeks just because you havent made any progress at 39 weeks dosent mean you need to reconsider the VBAC. I mean what if baby comes at 40 weeks! maybe your conception date is wrong maybe baby isnt ready. If she wants to schedule a rcs push for 41 weeks if you can. I didnt have a vbac last month because I had hypertension and at 39 weeks had no signs of labor when checked so they scared me into a rcs saying I wouldnt go into labor. Yet with my 1st section I did at 40 weeks 3 days and dilated to 9 cm but my son went into distress. (YET AT the time i didnt even think of this when she said that) They said with hypertension baby possibly isnt getting oxygen, the placenta dosent function as well and etc. I had a midwife but since my pressure was elevated she had to get the final say from the ob on duty who obviously wasnt vbac friendly.They may try & use that against you but unless your pressure is extremly high as I just learned and have no other signs and baby is fine your okay. Hypertension can be managed. My pressure was around high 140s/81 a rcs wasnt neccessary just for high blood pressure. You can ask for nst scans but dont get any cervical checks so they wont say your progressing, say no to the u/s if nst is fine. If worst comes to worst and she wants to still do a rcs at 39 weeks dont show! They cant do anything. people do it all the time just so they can show up pushing to avoid a csection. I knew someone who dint go to hers and went in at 42 weeks. she never went into labor & baby was born fine rcs. ALso those weight checks can be wrong people have big babies and what happened the 1st time unlikely

BaumMom

You can do it!! I had lost all hope of a VBAC because my first got stuck in my pelvis and by 39 weeks, 5 days with my second I had no sign of labor starting, and all I could think was every day the baby was getting bigger and bigger. My second baby was also very poorly positioned, which can be as big of a factor to a successful delivery as size. But at 39 weeks, 6 days I delivered my baby vaginally, a week before my scheduled RCS. Point is...you never know until you try.

Also...I realized that even if a VBAC wasn't successful , waiting til I went into labor was better because a.) chances are much more likely that baby was ready to be born if my body went into labor on its own and b.) trial of labor releases many hormones that are good for the baby and make the transition to the world easier, even if it ends in c/s.

I second the idea of scheduling a c/s for 41 weeks to put your doctor at ease. Stay strong!!

roonarpia+1

Stay strong!!  You can do it!

RachaelNicole

Thanks ladies!

To answer some of your questions, my son was only 6lbs 13oz when born at 37w6d, so he was not big at all. I would love to take lots of walks, but I'm on modified bed rest because of my high BP, so I can't really do that. I have been sitting on the exercise ball a lot, though. I am having weekly NSTs and have been for two weeks now to keep an eye on baby that way. My doctor said we probably won't do any more ultrasounds.

I am leaning toward telling her that I'll schedule the c/s for 41 weeks, but I don't think I'll bring it up until I hit that 39 week point. If I have him before that, then the whole thing is moot, so hopefully we won't have to worry about it.

She really is VBAC friendly, but not excessively so. I think she'll go along with what I want, but she'll also put her two cents in and let me know what she thinks. I just have to be prepared to advocate for myself.

McSquishy

Hang in there.  I had to fight for my VBAC with my 2nd when I went overdue.... and she was over 8lbs.  Don't let them pressure you!