XP: Worried about being pressured/forced into c/s

704bride

I also posted this on the Natural Birth board.

I'm starting a hypnobirthing class tomorrow and from what I am reading (and this is pretty well known), the c-section rate is way too high and should really only be for life or death situations.  Apparently, the World Health Organization says that the rate should be no higher than 10-15%.  I'm trying for a VBAC and without even taking the class yet, I'm already feeling confident that I can do it.  I keep thinking about what my doctor said about how the conditions really need to be perfect for a VBAC to happen, particularly in terms of the timeline they'd want me to follow.  I have so many questions for my doctor on Monday now and will have even more after my first class tomorrow.  I want to know if I have to be monitored as soon as I get to the hospital and how long they would let me go before doing a c-section (and how much of it is really my choice).  Of course, then I also think - I'm not a doctor, so who am I to know that my uterus is not about to rupture?  I'm happy to hear that those who practice hypnobirthing tend to have shorter deliveries, so I'm really hoping that holds true so there is no reason for them to feel they have to pressure me into a c-section.  Is anyone else in a similar boat?  I just can't imagine switching doctors at this point or switching to a midwife, but am also getting worried about just how supportive my doctors truly are about VBACs.

angelina477

Just wait until you take a few classes, your mind will be at ease. I felt so empowered after taking hypnobirthing about the whole birth process and working with hospital and OB staff. We ended up with  a c/s because of breech presentation but I am still so happy to have taken the class and learned what I learned.

taurus424

my anxiety stems from the same thing. I have already switched OB's and am meeting with the CNM of the new OB group on wednesday. i am just going to flat out tell her that under only extreme circumstances will i consent to a section. I do not want to be badgered at every office visit regarding a section. Hey if this group isnt on board then i will switch again.

I am not going to be bullied into an unnecessary surgery. I plan on a large family of at least 5 children, have a four year old who needs me up and moving, need to go back to work in a timely fashion, am not having major abdominal surgery bc its more convienent for my doc, do not want to risk a post op infection, am not interested in a "spinal headache" after an epidural, and my list could go on and on.

I am a doc (not an OB) but can tell you that the doc and patient need to be on the same page...and if not everyone loses.

I feel like my appointments should be a happy time for hearing the babys heartbeat and getting excited about birth...they shouldnt be full of anxiety because of what the docs schedule looks like etc. (that is he reason i switched from the first doc)

fingers crossed that all the ladies on this board get the VBAC they hope for!

CHS2005

I had a VBAC in March. I would not say they pressured me to do a C-Sec, but they mentioned it several times and I got the impression they thought it would be easier on me. Having said that, I took classes and made myself knowledgeable about the process to that I was able to at least discuss why they felt that way - they just seemed to think it would be easier than laboring. (He made very little progress between -1 and 0 for several hours.)  I just kept saying, as long as it is safe, I would like to try for a VBAC, even it its slow and takes a lot longer than it could do just do a c-sec. I told them that I had nowhere to be and could take all the time I needed! Always put health of mama and baby first, but unless there is a MEDICAL REASON to move toward a c-sec, I just held my ground that I wanted to at least try. HTH

cchill01

taurus424:

....the doc and patient need to be on the same page...and if not everyone loses.

I feel like my appointments should be a happy time for hearing the babys heartbeat and getting excited about birth...they shouldnt be full of anxiety because of what the docs schedule looks like etc. (that is he reason i switched from the first doc)

This!  I am switching providers for my next.  With my new provider, I plan to lay it all out and I don't care if I come across as a crazy biotch.  I won't be negotiating timelines - it's 42 weeks or nothing.  If baby and I are both healthy, we're playing by my rules.  If the doctor flinches, then I know I need to find a new provider - because the fit is not right.

cchill01

704bride:

I want to know if I have to be monitored as soon as I get to the hospital and how long they would let me go before doing a c-section (and how much of it is really my choice).  Of course, then I also think - I'm not a doctor, so who am I to know that my uterus is not about to rupture?  ........I just can't imagine switching doctors at this point or switching to a midwife, but am also getting worried about just how supportive my doctors truly are about VBACs.

I'm going to push for occasional monitoring and stay home as long as possible.  I want to be able to walk  and move around as much as I want.

Leap08

cchill01:

704bride:

I want to know if I have to be monitored as soon as I get to the hospital and how long they would let me go before doing a c-section (and how much of it is really my choice).  Of course, then I also think - I'm not a doctor, so who am I to know that my uterus is not about to rupture?  ........I just can't imagine switching doctors at this point or switching to a midwife, but am also getting worried about just how supportive my doctors truly are about VBACs.

I'm going to push for occasional monitoring and stay home as long as possible.  I want to be able to walk  and move around as much as I want.

I'd love to be able to do occasional monitoring, but the hospital won't allow it. It's not my MWs policy, it's the hospitals and there is really nothing I can do about it. It is the one thing I really wish I could change. Like you, my plan is to stay home as long as possible. I will even leave the hospital if I feel like I haven't progressed far enough when we check in.

704bride

Leap08:

cchill01:

704bride:

I want to know if I have to be monitored as soon as I get to the hospital and how long they would let me go before doing a c-section (and how much of it is really my choice).  Of course, then I also think - I'm not a doctor, so who am I to know that my uterus is not about to rupture?  ........I just can't imagine switching doctors at this point or switching to a midwife, but am also getting worried about just how supportive my doctors truly are about VBACs.

I'm going to push for occasional monitoring and stay home as long as possible.  I want to be able to walk  and move around as much as I want.

I'd love to be able to do occasional monitoring, but the hospital won't allow it. It's not my MWs policy, it's the hospitals and there is really nothing I can do about it. It is the one thing I really wish I could change. Like you, my plan is to stay home as long as possible. I will even leave the hospital if I feel like I haven't progressed far enough when we check in.

From what I am hearing, you have the right to refuse anything you want to.  It's part of your rights as a patient.  I plan on looking into it more, but I am pretty sure that they can't force you to do anything you don't agree with.  

BlinkingLight1

704bride:

Of course, then I also think - I'm not a doctor, so who am I to know that my uterus is not about to rupture? 

Your doctor doesn't know if your uterus is about to rupture either, no one does. And really, your chances of that happening are around 1%. 

A lot of people switch doctors late in pregnancy. I took Bradley and after the first week or two of class two different couples switched to a midwife that was more supportive of their birth philosophy. Having a supportive provider (and people around you- husband, doula, nurse) is so SO important. In fact, I know I would have ended up with another c/s if it wasn't for their support.

ETA: Actually, if I wasn't with a supportive provider I would have been induced at 39 weeks (which is what the high risk OB wanted me to do, I declined) which would have been WAY before he was ready to be born. He was born at 42.5 weeks. Supportive providers are so important!! /soapbox