VBAC

I need your honest advice

Background: Successful induction at 37 weeks due to pre-e in 2008. Stubborn breech baby necessitating C-section in 2010 (actually was in labor and had no clue, went to hospital bc of cramping and spotting at 38 weeks and away to the OR I went) 

Now I am barely pregnant in a new state (5 weeks) went to see my OB yesterday where he laughed at me when I said I wanted to VBAC.  He said the hospital here doesn't allow it! I literally teared up. I hated my CS and the recovery was awful.  I CAN push a baby out... so let me!! He said he would look into it, run it pass the hospital board and would be willing to spend the night at the hospital if it was required (that's if they say it's OK)

My options are to stick with this guy to see if he can get it approved OR switch my care to the nearest big(ger) city, Macon, where they do allow VBACs.  My gut says just switch but it's a 30 min drive and I have 2 kids that will need sitters every time I have an appt.  

Need your advice. I will adamantly refuse a Csection. What would you do? 

Re: I need your honest advice

  • You say Macon, so I assume Georgia.  I don't know the geography of Georgia very well, but there are three ICAN chapters there.  I know for a fact the Atlanta chapter is very active and know of several providers willing to take VBAC.  The Middle Georgia chapter is relatively new, and then there's the Athens chapter. 

    ICAN of Atlanta
    Atlanta

    Contact: Elaine Mills
    eMail Address: icanofatlanta@yahoo.com
    Telephone: (770) 886-4267
    Website: www.icanofatlanta.com/

    Or Contact: Maureen F Hetrick
    Telephone: (404) 609-9873


    GA

    ICAN of Athens
    Danielsville

    Contact: Rebecca Quintana
    eMail Address: mrquintana99@gmail.com
    Telephone: 706-296-4857
    Website: athens.ican-online.org/

    Or Contact: Rachel Bainum
    Telephone: 706-372-1687


    GA

    ICAN of Middle Georgia
    Macon, Warner Robins, and surrounding areas

    Contact: Samantha Gilbane
    eMail Address: ican.middlega@gmail.com
    Telephone: 478-542-1936
    Website:

    Or Contact:    
    Telephone:  

  • Thank you! I am calling now!
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  • https://www.facebook.com/pages/ICAN-of-Middle-Georgia/281277521906735

    https://www.facebook.com/ICANofAtlanta?ref=ts

    https://www.facebook.com/ICANofAthens?ref=ts

     

    That's not to say you won't get some great advice here, I just know you'll get region specific advice from them.  

     My advice would be to find a genuinely supportive provider even if it requires sitters and travel.  I have heard of MANY women through ICAN who travel states away, and stay in ATL for weeks leading up to their deliveries to deliver with one of the doctors in ATL.  A 30 minute drive wouldn't personally phase me.

  • I agree that a 30 minute drive would not phase me.  DS came to many of my appointments, so I can't see why yours couldn't come with you.  I had a MW so maybe OBs don't like that?  Also, not sure who needs to send the memo to these hospitals that it is against the law to veto VBACs like that.
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  • I think the hassle of a drive to and from a supportive provider is less to deal with than the stress of trying to fight the hospital red tape, especially while in labor. I wouldn't want that weight hanging over me throughout my pregnancy. I would at least meet with a doctor from the other hospital and check it out.GL! My recovery was awful too so I totally understand why you teared up.
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  • I say switch.  Find someone who supports you--it will help you to at least enjoy your pregnancy too!

    If you can, bring a lap top or portable DVD player with you to your appointments and have the kids watch while you're talking with your doc.  It will keep them from climbing on everything haha.

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  • I just posted this is May 2012 moms -- I have a long drive to see my awesome VBAC supportive doctor.  It sucks a little bit but it's worth it to me.  I'd do the drive!  Esp. since you've had a successful vaginal delivery. 
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  • I'm driving 40 minutes to see the VBAC doc highly recommended by my ICAN chapter and bringing DS with me to all my appointments.  I like the idea of buying a portable DVD player to bring along (so I'm stealing it!!).  I say, find a good doc within a reasonable distance and go with him/her - it will relieve a lot of stress.  GL!

  • imageHarper'smom:
    I think the hassle of a drive to and from a supportive provider is less to deal with than the stress of trying to fight the hospital red tape, especially while in labor. I wouldn't want that weight hanging over me throughout my pregnancy. I would at least meet with a doctor from the other hospital and check it out.GL! My recovery was awful too so I totally understand why you teared up.

    ITA.

    30 minutes doesn't sound far to me at all.  My husband drives that far to go to wwork everyday.  I brought my 2 y/o to all my OB appts--not ideal but definitely doable.

    GL! 

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  • I would run to a new supportive provider!  I live in the mountains outside of Albuquerque, so all providers are 25-45 minute drive.  My midwife is 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic, and so totally worth it.  She has a bin of toys that my son plays with, or sometimes I drop him off at a friends house for an hour.  Good luck with whatever you chose!  You sound like a near perfect candidate for VBAC.
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  • Thank you all so much! I contacted my local ICAN and got some recommendations on VBAC friendly providers.  I transferred my care to an OB in Macon (who also uses midwives) and will see them in 2 weeks.
     
    Also I found this interesting and not sure what to do with this info BUT my ICAN informed me that my local hospital's policy is supportive of VBACs if past successful vaginal birth.  Regardless, I am going elsewhere and I WILL deliver this baby with a supportive doc! Thanks again! 
  • just switch offices...its a pain but i did it at 25 weeks and have been happier ever since.
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    Dc#3 born vbac 1/2012 <bra DC#4 born VBAC 3/2014
  • Its odd that they say that because history of Breech birth is the most favorable condition for VBAC according to my OB. 
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  • a half hour drive is worth the chance to VBAC. My hospital is about a half hour away but I chose it for the pedatrician, not for my care. lol. Granted its a great hospital with great maturnity care, the pediatrics and NICU were my main concerns.

     

    However, just letting your doctor look into it shouldnt be the end of the story... Write a letter to the hospital as well. Make sure its a hospital thing, not the doctor hiding behind the hospital.

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  • Switch.  Odds are if the hospital doesn't do VBACs it's for a reason and they won't overturn it.  If you are in a small town it may just be resources.  The small town I live in doesn't allow them because in order to do VBACs you have to have surgical staff IN hospital at all times, and our small hospital just has people on call for emergent surgeries.  And if you VBAC and rupture the 30 minutes that the surgical team is allowed to get to the hospital is WAY too long and completely unsafe.  I would just go to a larger hospital and find a provider that supports your VBAC.  
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