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VBAC
Found a new OB that does VBAC's...question.
What questions do I need to ask other than what is his VBAC success rate? And what is his VBA2C success rate?
I'm hoping with my first visit at the new OB's office that I'll be able to get a favorable response. For those that switched OB's for this purpose was a pelvic exam done? I'd like for this OB to check the outside of my cervix to see if I'm a good candidate for breaking up the scar tissue to attempt a VBAC.
If this attempt fails and we have a 3rd c-section what sort of things do I need to have in a birth plan? I've never done one of these and I don't know where to go from here.
I didn't think I'd find a new OB, I thought I would really be stuck with the old one. Now that I have a chance at having a better birth experience I have all these new thoughts and not sure what to do with them. I'm excited and scared. I might actually get to VBAC. I have hope again and that's something I haven't felt in a long time. I thought the cancer took away any chance I had at a vaginal delivery. Now that might not be the case.
Thank you ladies so much for your insight and help.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Found a new OB that does VBAC's...question.
Here are some of the things I asked when changing:
- policies for going over EDD.
- their policy on inducing VBACs.
- things that are particular to your situation (scar tissue issues that you're concerned about - what can be done during labor or even beforehand, etc).
- how much they will actually be around for your labor - especially with the scaring being an issue for you. If they aren't around, will you be able to have the nurses call if you are uncertain about what the resident or on call doctor is recommending?
- how likely you are to get them during L&D. If not them are the other Doctor's on call VBAC friendly?
- what to do if you have concerns that need attention when the office is closed. (forgot to do that for awhile with mine)
- if there are any hospital policies for VBAC's (constant monitoring, etc)
- if he has any limit on the time you can labor or guidelines as to how you have to progress during labor.
- if you have a doula if they're comfortable with that.
- if it's a new hospital, preregistration ?'s (not that that is a huge concern at the moment)
As for birth plans, I also discussed options for a c/s delivery at my interview. The possibilities for me to hold the LO and stay together/nurse sooner than with the last one. Unfortunately, she won't have the only say in that one (she's a FP, not an OB, so she wouldn't be doing the c/s, although she'll be there if it comes to that). You could also ask hospital policies for c/s deliveries (when everyone is healthy) if you're not familiar with them.
HTH!
Yay for finding a new doctor!
Is this ICAN list part of a local chapter? It sounds like a great resource but there is no local chapter where I live. I even emailed the regional coordinator and never heard back.
Ditto all of this.
I'm so happy you found another doctor. I hope your meeting with them goes well!
It is a local chapter list (ICAN Seattle). It wouldn't be anywhere near as useful if it were national. I see traffic from pretty much all areas of Western Washington, so it seems that other cities (like Tacoma or Olympia, which I'm sure you've never heard of :P) don't have their own chapters. If there is a mailing list or online group for any part of your state, it might have some value.
I really didn't get solid information from any other resource, including Mothering.com, our childbirth educator, or my nurse practicioner. I don't think my midwives are even 100% clear on which local doctors and hospitals support VBAC.
I'm even looking at switching hospitals entirely because of this reason. My SIL tells me the hospital supports VBAC's but ONLY on the OB's recommendation to do so. It doesn't matter what the patient wants in this case. The hospital is worried about what the doctor wants to do.
I feel such a heavy amount of guilt for leaving my OB. I've been raised to never question what a doctor says, because they are the doctor, not me. But I've got this feeling in my gut that tells me I was cheated out of VBACing Emma and I could have done this without another surgery. I am angry and hurt. This OB I've trusted for so long truly does what she wants to do.
Now when I ask what the thickness of my scar is during my ultrasounds I'm not told the machine (same one as it's always been) can't really detect that. Really? Really? Because when I was pregnant with Emma it did and NOW it doesn't? I know I'm being blocked for having information about my body that I was privy to before.
Who'd you end up going with?
No hospital is really "pro" vbac, it is up to the OB. The hospital can make policies which make it harder/easier for OBs to do vbac there, and they can even ban them, but I don't see what they could do to really be pro-vbac outside supporting the doctors.
Don't think twice about switching hospitals. There are tons of good hospitals around here. There is no reason to feel loyal to one of them.
Good luck!! I hope this OB is a better fit for you
Here's a few points that you will probably want to discuss with your new doctor:
- How do they handle inductions?
- Under what circumstances would they not allow you a trial of labor?
- How often do his OB's VBAC-hopefuls successfully have VBACs?
- What have his successful VBACs done for pain relief during labor?
- What has his experience been with the nursing staff at the hospital?
- When you are in labor, will he be there? If not, will the other doctors available also be supportive of VBAC?
- Ask him to tell you about a few recent VBACs that he has been a part of.
I have not decided yet. I am currently with Premier OB in West Houston and I'm thinking of transferring to West Houston Medical Center further in to Houston.
I'd rather not sign over my records from my first OB to this one if the second OB will deny me a VBAC as well. If the result is going to be the same then I'll stay where I am.
yay for finding a supportive doc!
I think all the questions posted already are great ones!