VBAC
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I KNEW I loved my OB!!
I had a section with DD because she was breech and my water broke a month early, so there was no turning her. I loved my OB, so when I was planning for number 2 I checked the hospital's VBAC stats. They only had 2 in 2009. I figured I was out of luck. <br>
So I went for my first pre-natel appointment and he suggested VBAC!! The only VBAC's at that hospital are his. Said I was a nearly perfect candidate. The only thing that would have made me better was if I had had a previous vaginal birth. I am so excited to have a chance! His only stipulation is I must go into labor before my due date, he will not induce. Otherwise we schedule my repeat c on my due date. So let's hope baby 2 is not breech and not late!!
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Re: I KNEW I loved my OB!!
hmmm. Not sure how to respond. I'm glad he raised the suggestion and not you, but honestly those odds are horrible. Can he give you some idea of his or the hospitals 2010 or 2011 VBAC rate?
The restriction of not going past your due date is also a red flag. Less than 50% of women go into labor before 40 weeks. Right off the bat, you're decreasing your chance by half. I left my previous practice because they had that restriction.
I'm sure you were excited to hear that it was even a possibility, but now maybe it's time to look around and see if you can maximize your chances. Or maybe negotiate to 41 or 42 weeks?
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
My blog
Thanks for the advice ladies! I didn't want to write a novel to begin with, so I was a little stingy with details. My OB has had 4 VBACs in the last 9 months. He said most of the women who are interested in a VBAC get it.
I want a VBAC for 2 reasons: 1 - so that I am better able to care for my DD post-delivery and 2 - I would, of course, prefer not to have major surgery if possible. I had a great c-section with DD, and have no regrets about my first birth experience. My feeling is, as I get close to to my due date I can negotiate more time if I need it. However, if I did end up with another section, I would not be overly upset.
I also know I have an extremely accurate due date, since I had IUI. I guess maybe the fact that DD came a month early means I am not at all worried about a 40 week deadline. I know every pregnancy is different, and as I get closer that might change. We'll see. I have lurked here a lot as I tried to get pg with #2 and I have seen many women dissappointed with a "bait and switch" OB. I guess it might seem careless to those who are 100% invested in a VBAC, but I don't need a VBAC, I would just prefer one. I made the decision to stay with my OB even if he didn't do VBAC, so the fact that I have a chance is just awesome for me.
Sounds like you're in the perfect position mentally! I agree that if you were really going for a VBAC you might want to switch docs, but if you are OK either way then you are probably best staying with someone you like and have a relationship with already. At least he's not doing a bait and switch like you mentioned, he is being upfront with his restrictions and the fact that he is only semi-VBAC supportive.
FWIW, I was very accurate with my dates too and had #1 at 40w6d and my VBAC at 40w1d (not induced). I just bake longer!
I like that he brought up the idea of VBAC before you did.
But I don't like the 40 week restriction. If your c/s would be on your due date, he is not even giving you the full 40 weeks to go into labor, so that could really lower your odds. A lot of the posters here who had perfectly healthy VBACs would have ended up with an unnecessary RCS with your OB's deadline. There is no reason a VBAC mom can't go to 41 or 42 weeks, so I would negotiate that or look into other options in your area if you really want a good shot at a VBAC.
Have you asked him what his VBAC success rate is?
I missed this earlier. What you are saying is not careless at all. Everyone has their own feelings about this stuff and you have to follow your heart.
Maybe play it by ear at the end then? If you get to your EDD, see how you feel. You may want more time, or you may be fine having a c/s.
GL!
I actually am pretty sure that dd's breech position did cause my water to break early. The fact that I am not worried about going "past term" is not based on any facts. It's more that I just can't picture going that far and generally have an "I'll worry about that when it happens" type personality. As I get beyond the 36 week mark (when my DD was born), I very well may feel differently. At that point I'll have a discussion with my OB, and try to finagle (sp?) more time.
What I meant by the fact that I have a very accurate due date was that at least I know it will actually be 40 weeks. I know some women ovulate late and never really get a properly adjusted due date.
It also just makes me feel better that even if I end up with a repeat c-section, I won't be fighting to schedule it close to my due date. I know quite a few women who's OB's scheduled a rcs at 39 weeks or even 38 weeks. It eases my mind to know I won't have to fight that battle. Again, thanks for all the advice and luck! I really appreciate you all taking the time to read and respond to my situation.