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VBAC
The uphill battle - surprise attack - a VBA2C update
First off, please know how excited I am to meet my little one and so blessed to have grown a healthy baby thus far. With that being on the table, I can't believe this is happening to me.
At 4:45 pm on Friday, I got a call from my Dr's office stating that they would not be doing my scheduled c/s booked for 6 PM on 3/11.
First off the 6PM c/s felt like a big FU b/c I can't eat all day and I'm a high anxiety patient, so they know that I will spend all day stressing. For those of you that have had a c/s, you know that you also won't be "eating" through the next day at least. Not really a big deal to get your bundle of joy, but it wasn't ideal. Also they had informed me that they couldn't promise anything for this c/s. My biggest weird request is to have a doula and husband present so that I can relax and enjoy c/s. When we had been on board with this the whole time, I felt like it was a bullying to get me to choose the Monday 3/7 c/s where all my needs could be accomodated.
Back to yesterday, despite every single DR and Midwife agreeing in the practice that I could elect and hold off on having a RECS (repeat elective c/s) until 41 weeks (3/13), so long as everyone was healthy. If I had a c/s earlier than that, there would be a medical reason for it (Low Fluid, High Fluid, Lack of Movement, etc). Despite this agreement, I was asked to move the c/s to Monday(3/7) or Wednesday (3/9).
I told the Dr how much I appreciated how they've gone above and beyond for me, accomodated requests, and really supported me along the way, but that I felt that I'd already backed off w/my Friday c/s (3/11), and wasn't negotiating for earlier. I was willing to take the risk of an unsuccessful VBA2C to experience labor and know in my heart that I'd tried everything I could to have a vaginal birth. (With past two births, I haven't been given a fair shot at attempting vaginal birth and have no reason to think that I can't do it - 1 - failed induction at 40 w/ poor bishop score (1) and snowball effect of interventions) -2- Scheduled RECS at 40 W b/c of no progress and higher fluid. I told him that I would do a Monday (3/14) ERCS. He replied that he wanted me to know that I was doing this against his best judgement and that I was risking the safety and well being of my baby.
He also said that they have all been impressed w/ my cooperation, questions, and agreeability, but that this goes against his best judgement.
Finally he stated that I was required to come in for a NST and BPP, Monday 3/7 and fortunately they still had room in the OR schedule so that if something was wrong with the baby, they could c/s me. From my experiences, the NST and BPP can be a great information gatherer, but also a great excuse for dr's to guesstimate weights, over/under measure fluid, etc., in an attempt to sway your decision. Honestly I don't really trust my borderline measurements from the past two pregnancies and felt like the tests were used after I didn't consent from suggestion alone.
Since that phone call, I'm a wreck. Please know that I'm not an idiot. If I go into labor and the baby has a decel, I'm going to jump onto the OR table. If I'm not progressing and labor maybe stressing baby, I'm going to jump onto the OR table. If there's meconium, OR table for me. If anything doesn't look great, I'm going to do what's best for my baby and me. I'm not so insane, that I don't understand that. I just want the support that was offered to me from day 1. I'm at the end, and I need to be able to trust my dr's.
No labor signs yet although I'm having much more tightening all day, more pressure than I've ever felt, and lots of healthy movement. The biggest plus - Physically I feel great!
For those of you needing a timeline of my craziness
2/12 - Baby Breech
2/24 - Baby confirmed Vertex and slightly engaged
2/28 - Breech c/s scheduled and canceled
3/6 - 40 Weeks
3/7 - 1/st c/s scheduled against my best judgement and canceled, now BPP and NST
3/9 - Dr's 1st choice for my c/s
3/11 - ERCS I agreed to although earlier than 41 weeks- now canceled by DR 3/14 - My ERCS suggestion that Dr stated he feels is unsafe
This discussion has been closed.
Re: The uphill battle - surprise attack - a VBA2C update
Wow, I don't think you're an idiot at all. Your doctor is making you feel like you have to defend your choice here and I don't think you do (at least not to us!). If there's no medical reason to do a c/s at this point and they've known all along that you wanted a VBA2C, why are they suddenly pushing you to do a c/s? It sounds like your OB is pulling a bait and switch on you and I can see why you are so upset--I'm upset for you.
Did the doctor give you a specific reason that a 3/14 c/s date would be unsafe? Can you talk to one of the other doctors or midwives in the practice? Would a midwife do your VBA2C or are they not allowed to?
Oh gosh, I really feel for you and hope that things move along so you don't have to deal with this crap from your OB when you should just be enjoying the end of your pregnancy. I'm only a couple days behind you (with GD, mind you) and so far there has been no talk of an eviction for the baby, but I'm still nervous about my appointment on Monday and my u/s on Thursday if I go over EDD. It's just so wrong that docs pull this when women are most vulnerable and it's pretty obvious to an outsider following your story that you're well-educated on what's involved so I feel like it's doubly insulting. Have you had a heart-to-heart with your doula about how you want to proceed? Anybody else you can reach out to?
Like I said, hopefully you don't even have to think about this and baby will show up before then! Keep us updated!
You are not crazy. I'm so sorry that you're doctor is trying to pressure you into something you don't want to do. It sounds to me like you want to do something safe, reasonable, and supported by evidence (and ACOG).
You mention that you appreciate how they've gone "above and beyond" for you - but I wonder what exactly they've actually done? It sounds to me like they made some agreements that would have been great if they intended to keep them, and they don't! I also notice that your doctor praised you for being "cooperative" and "agreeable."
The reason I mention that is that I don't want you to worry about being a "good patient" or making sure they still like you. I know from personal experience that it's really easy to back down from confrontation (especially confrontation with a doctor!) even when you feel strongly about something. Don't let them badger you into being "nice." It sounds like you are actually doing an awesome job of this so far, but I just wanted to make sure you know you're not crazy just because you stop being "cooperative" with the doctor's plans for you.
Good luck!! Keep us updated!
I agree with what Rachel said, too. I remember reading recently about how doctors and midwives are very adept at getting their patients/clients to do what they want (even though the provider isn't coming from a malevolent place, you know?).
Anyhoo, when I was pg, my doula would remind me to be very polite and calm (or have my DH be the point person, bc he can stay much more calm than I can) when refusing or talking about due dates - it helped me a lot.
I also did the non-stress test monitoring, but I refused the u/s afterwards, bc I didn't want a big baby scare or low fluid scare (I went past 40 weeks also). I had to sign an AMA form and talk to the midwife on call, but even the on-call midwife couldn't disagree with the fact that if the EFM is good, then having an u/s isn't totally necessary. Hang in there, and good luck! I hope you go into labor really really soon so you don't have to deal with this anymore!!!
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
I'm trying so hard in all of this not to lose sight of the excitement of welcoming my little one. Thanks for your support.
Dr stated increase chance of rupture - double checked w/SIL obgyn - not true
Midwife can do VBA2C.