Looking for a Vbac doctor in KC MO.

Re: Looking for a Vbac doctor in KC MO.

• DonnaMartinGraduates member

  March 2011

  I will PM you.

  **Baby #3 is on the way!**

  

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• MAprincess member

  March 2011

  Is there any medical reason why she wouldn't let you attempt to deliver a 9 lb baby?  I only ask because I know people who have vaginally delivered 11 lb babies.  It just bugs me when doctors do that.

  In any case, I hope you find a VBAC friendly doctor!  (And my first was over 10 lbs, but my second was only 8, so the second is not always bigger than the first!)

  

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• Brownie_222 member

  March 2011

  Hi, I'm also in KC and I'll tell you what I've been able to find out.  My best advice is to go interview them yourself because what you like in an OB or midwife may not be my preferred style. 

  Dr. Howard Schwartz is probably the most talked about OB as far as VBAC support goes.  I met him and felt he was very reasonable in terms of his answers to my questions --- how far he'd "let" me go past 40 weeks, how long I could labor, what monitoring would be like, etc.  He delivers at NKC and Research.  Maybe he's who you were talking about in your post?  While I felt he was very reasonable, he did tell me that some of his partners are NOT VBAC friendly.  If he went out of town for some reason and they were on call, I would essentially have to refuse to consent to a cesarean, which would be a contentious situation.  I could do it, but it made me nervous.  Also, his bedside manner was a little lacking in my opinion.  I had a pretty rough pap/pelvic from him and I wonder if that would carry over into the labor/delivery realm.  That said, lots of moms really like him and are happy with their experience with him.

  I have also interviewed Rachel Williston, who is a CNM (certified nurse midwife) with A Mother's Love Birth Center.  She is smart, friendly and very down to earth.  She will make you feel wonderfully confident about your VBAC outlook.  I think you will find midwives to be more encouraging about so called "big babies" than OBs.  9lbs 8oz isn't tiny, but it is certainly NOT outrageously big and lots of women have pushed out babies that big and bigger.  Wherever you decide to birth, you can do it, so don't let someone discourage you due to "big baby.  You might contact Rachel if you are open to an out of hospital birth.

  Last on my list to see is Alison Lee Voi, also a CNM.  She does hospital births at St. Luke's.  I'm going to see her Thursday so I don't know much about her philosophies yet.  I can certainly update you later this week if you'd like.

  Are you on ICAN-KC yahoo group?  If not, I would subscribe.  There are in person meetings every month and the group has email exchanges all the time.  That's how I got some of my leads for providers.  The ladies are very encouraging and helpful. 

  Hope that helps!  How far along are you? 

  

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• jess252

  March 2011

  @MA princess...No complications, or medical reasons, i was just 4 days over due, and since the u/s showed her being big the doc wouldnt let me attempt a vaginal delivery.

  I wish i would have been better informed at the time.

  That encoraging to hear that your second baby 8lbs.

  Thanks for your help everyone!! I will keep everyone updated.

  

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• jess252

  March 2011

  Brownie_222:

  Hi, I'm also in KC and I'll tell you what I've been able to find out.  My best advice is to go interview them yourself because what you like in an OB or midwife may not be my preferred style. 

  Dr. Howard Schwartz is probably the most talked about OB as far as VBAC support goes.  I met him and felt he was very reasonable in terms of his answers to my questions --- how far he'd "let" me go past 40 weeks, how long I could labor, what monitoring would be like, etc.  He delivers at NKC and Research.  Maybe he's who you were talking about in your post?  While I felt he was very reasonable, he did tell me that some of his partners are NOT VBAC friendly.  If he went out of town for some reason and they were on call, I would essentially have to refuse to consent to a cesarean, which would be a contentious situation.  I could do it, but it made me nervous.  Also, his bedside manner was a little lacking in my opinion.  I had a pretty rough pap/pelvic from him and I wonder if that would carry over into the labor/delivery realm.  That said, lots of moms really like him and are happy with their experience with him.

  I have also interviewed Rachel Williston, who is a CNM (certified nurse midwife) with A Mother's Love Birth Center.  She is smart, friendly and very down to earth.  She will make you feel wonderfully confident about your VBAC outlook.  I think you will find midwives to be more encouraging about so called "big babies" than OBs.  9lbs 8oz isn't tiny, but it is certainly NOT outrageously big and lots of women have pushed out babies that big and bigger.  Wherever you decide to birth, you can do it, so don't let someone discourage you due to "big baby.  You might contact Rachel if you are open to an out of hospital birth.

  Last on my list to see is Alison Lee Voi, also a CNM.  She does hospital births at St. Luke's.  I'm going to see her Thursday so I don't know much about her philosophies yet.  I can certainly update you later this week if you'd like.

  Are you on ICAN-KC yahoo group?  If not, I would subscribe.  There are in person meetings every month and the group has email exchanges all the time.  That's how I got some of my leads for providers.  The ladies are very encouraging and helpful. 

  Hope that helps!  How far along are you? 

   

  I would actaully love to go to a birth center. I wish i would have done that the first time. My DH isnt sure though. He thinks we should be at a hospital just in case something happens.

   But it cant hurt to go and talk to them right?

   Thanks for the encouragement. The whole "big baby" thing does scare me a bit still. I wish i would have been better informed when my daughter was born, instead of just eating up everything my OB was telling me. I really think we are our own best advocates sometimes.

  Keep me updated about the CNM at St Lukes. I had my Csec at St Lukes northland with DD.

  Good luck to you to. Have you ever had a Vbac before?

  Im only 11 weeks. But if i decide to have a Vbac im going to have to switch OBs. So i feel rushed..

  

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• Brownie_222 member

  March 2011

  We are due right around the same time as each other!  This will be my first VBAC attempt and the more research I do the more confident I am.  I will admit that I have had my ups and downs, and moments of doubt.  There are lots of encouraging stories to read on this board, so that helps.

  I'll let you know what I think of the St. Luke's CNM.

  Also, I made an appt with Cathy Gordon, CNM.  She is opening a licensed birth center in Overland Park this summer.  Right now she's doing hospital births at OP Regional.  Check out her site: https://www.newbirthcompany.com/.  I think she looks great.  I know what you mean about reluctance regarding safety.  I've had those same concerns, as did my DH.  What I like about this new center Cathy is opening is that it's 8 minutes from the hospital, which is within my safety tolerance.  I think you and your DH should definitely go interview a few providers and see who you feel most comfortable with.

  I know exactly what you mean about worrying about switching doctors/midwives.  I've called 5 people and two weeks from now will have met with 4 of them (two hospital, two birth center).  It's a lot of work but hopefully it will pay off, right?!

  You can also send me a PM with your email and we can talk, or bounce ideas off one another.  GL in your search!

  For an encouraging book with birth stories about "big babies" I'd recommend Ina May.   You can do it!

  

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