Rant- so discouraging

YaraC

I'm just ranting out of frustration and worry. Please feel free to ignore. 

 

The whole VBAC process is so discouraging and frustrating. I got the official word from my OB today that 41 weeks would be the deadline after they had led me to believe that 41 weeks would be when we would "discuss" plan B. With my daughter at 41 weeks I was closed up tight as a drum and I don't have any reason to believe this guy will be done cooking any sooner.

It's just so maddening to have to fight for the right to make choices for my own body and be told that at a certain date, even if if there is nothing wrong with me or my baby, I have to have surgery. How does that make any sense? My daughter was born at 41w5d in perfect health, with a perfect placenta, and never having a single decel. It seems reasonable to me that my babies just gestate longer and it seems like Drs could figure out to take these things case by case rather than blanket rules.

I think I am just mad at myself for having a hospital delivery first time around and becoming a victim of escalating interventions. 

So now I have a choice between sticking with my OB or switching to Midwife at 31 weeks, if she would even take me. I would still have to deal with the stupid hospital policies as no midwife in my area does home or birth center deliveries for VBACs.

 

MAprincess

That really stinks.  The 41 week deadline I was given was the hospital's policy, not my midwife's.  She was pretty irritated by it also because I had DS at 41.5 weeks and she said that some women just gestate longer than others.  We aren't machines.  I had the option of induction at 41 weeks (which was more like 41 weeks, 2 days since we went with a later due date) and had a successful VBAC.  But the arbitrary rules are maddening.

octoberbridesrule

I switched at 38 weeks, so you can too! I think you can switch anytime before you go into labor (I think).

MrsJordanalmond

i too am dealing with the 41 week deadline.  there is some research to suggest that AMA women have greater chances of bad outcomes the longer they go.  not that it happens all the time, just a great chance.

 

anyway, i asked my doc, hypothetically, what they would do if i refused surgery at 41 weeks, and they just said i would have to sign a bunch forms releasing them from responsibility and liability.  i am going to acupuncture every week to try and ensure that labor starts on it's own ... because of course if i hit 41 weeks ... my hospital won't allow for vbac women to be induced (even tho ACOG and AMA have guidelines for safe induction of vbac women) ... whatever.  even tho i'm unhappy, i think the best thing i've done is ask about these policies early enough so that i can come to terms with what i can and can't change.

at about 25 weeks i looked around for a new practice ... but almost everyone has the same policies.  unless i went the midwife/homebirth route ... and i'm NOT that committed ... so it was just a matter of sucking it up.  but make no mistake, i'm not happy about it.

so yes, i feel your frustration loud and clear ... i just feel like they are hovering with a scalpel over the AMA VBAC-er ... 

Kristine Schilling

Dont be so sure that this LO will be late like your DD. Many women carry longer their first PG. You might pop just fine before Dr's deadline.

Also, remember, you DO have the right to refuse RCS without a trial of labor. DR would have to have some dang good reasons to decline careing for you should you say no to RCS at 41 weeks. **such as obvious proof that baby is in distress unless RCS is done? or state laws, see Florida laws, they suck for VBAC**

Am I right, ladies with more experience?

ChavayJakov

41 weeks?  Yesterday, I was only given 40 weeks.  In fact, when I asked when that would fall exactly, she said my due date was December 29th...I corrected her and said it was December 30th.  She argued, apparently on their paperwork, they've got it down to December 29th (so, not that is the THIRD due date they've come up with since I've been pregnant....and *yes* they are quibbling not only between 40 and 41 weeks - without 42 weeks even being discussed - but they are *also* quibbling over one 24 hour period since they don't want me past my due date by one day.)  Crazy, right?

And this was the office I *switched* to so I could have a VBAC (after 2 proven natural births, no less).  Then they came up with this 10 pound rule...if the baby is at 10lbs, then c-section....my last child was pretty near that boundary...I'm not the mom that remembers pounds/ounces, so I rounded up to 10 lbs...they put me down as having a 9lb baby instead (rounded down). I didn't care, really...until the baby started measuring in the 90th percentile rate with a whole month to go.

Yesterday they did say, however, that they'd give me a "trial of labor" ... I have no idea what that means in real time.  I asked, but she said that they'd let me go until they felt something was preventing it....so...I'm hearing that while it could be something medical, it could be that I'm just slow, too.  Like the clock is winding down and they'd like to go home for supper (that's my negative spin in my head).  

 

YaraC

OMG, I would go apesh!t over the 24 hour difference thing. I'm sorry for the fight you are having to have at what should be such a happy time. It is so ridiculous that we can't make choices for ourselves.