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D.C. Area Babies
Sick of me yet?? :) (XP from VBAC)
Waaah, waah, I know...
I'm due tomorrow, at my appointment last week, doctor said baby had dropped down and I was about 50% effaced. Went yesterday, a different doc in my practice said I was still only about 50% effaced and that she could still feel the baby's head "floating around up high". After several phone calls yesterday, the only responses I could get were that they had no idea why they would have 2 drastically different opinions of baby having dropped or not, and that they would not wait on a c-section - I am still scheduled for 40 w 6 d, as is their "standard" for VBAC patients, next Thursday.
I am having a hard time believing that the baby hasn't dropped, my stomach looks and feels drastically lower, I have a huge amount of heaviness and pressure in my crotch, and have been having tons of the "lightening" pain for over a week. I'm just getting scared that this baby needs 42 weeks and they aren't willing to budge on it.
So about going rogue - from what I know, I don't have to show up for my c-section. I never signed anything consenting to surgery. I also know the hospital can't turn away a woman in labor. So WWYD? If I get to next Wednesday and am still not having contractions, I'm going to have a meltdown. I've tried everything in the book to get labor going but I just think he needs a bit longer. Does anyone know of anything I can do or say or suggest to convince my docs to let me wait it out a bit longer? I've got another appointment Monday and I'm trying not to freak out since I know anything could happen in the next week but I just really really really want to try for my VBAC, especially since I'm in perfect health, BP is good, baby's heart rate is great, and everything looks perfect. Help!?!? Getting desperate here!!
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Re: Sick of me yet?? :) (XP from VBAC)
Uggh, I was really hoping the baby would make a move. Have they explained to you whether there are any risks are of letting you go to 42 weeks? Don't they need a solid medical explanation or set of risks for saying that you cannot wait until 42 weeks? If there are no additional risks to you or the baby, I don't understand why they can't let you schedule it at week 42.
So sorry to hear this.
First of all--big {{hugs}} to you!!! Hang in there!!!
Second of all--please remember that this is YOUR body and YOUR baby. I am not a medical expert and I have no personal experience with VBACs, but I had 2 kiddos who found my womb way too comfy to come out when the doctors thought they should be ""ready." In both instances, I went into labor on my own and things worked out--for DD#2 (who was born 10 days after her due date), I really had to fight with one of the doctors in my practice to push back the induction date that was automatically set at 41 weeks and that was for a completely complication-free pregnancy. I'm so glad that I stood up for myself and listened to my body--the baby was moving regularly, the fluid levels were fine and I felt fine (as fine as any 9 month pregnant woman can feel;)
At your appointment on Monday, I would talk through all of your options with your doctor. Ask for specific risk factors for YOU in YOUR situation, not just the general risk factors for someone like you. Educate yourself as much as possible to ask the questions that will help you make a decision that is right for you and your family. They can do a non stress test and they can do another sonogram to check fluid levels and the baby's movement. That would also help confirm the baby's position and other information that would help give you and your doctors the information you need to make a good decision IF you get to next Wednesday and nothing has happened on its own. Since I don't know much of anything abotu VBACs--is there a reason why they can't try to get things going by stripping your membranes or breaking your water?
Another thing to keep in mind, is that you still have another 5 days before that scheduled c section--that's plenty of time for the baby to decide to come. Positive thoughts your way that the little one comes out before then!!
GL!
Oh, hon, I was you last September. My experience is below, if you feel like reading the details. If you don't, my advice is to schedule your appointments with the doc that will be most supportive to your requests and craft your plan. I was super nice about the whole thing so that they weren't put on the defensive and I just stood my ground. In the end, it wasn't too hard to get what I wanted, I just had to work through the process with them and agree to certain things that would make them happy. PP had some good advice. Definitely talk about your situation specifically and the risks to you (not generalities). I wish you much luck and I hope you get your VBAC.
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In my case they told me I had to have the repeat at 40 weeks, but I kept putting off scheduling. I made all of my final appointements with the doc I knew would be the most supportive of my position - this was KEY. My due date was a Friday so at my 38w appointment we scheduled the repeat for 40w 3d. I guess since my due date was a Friday, no one wanted to do a section on the weekend. At my 39w 5d appointment, I asked for more time and the doc said I could go to 41w (4 days more than the original schedule), but I had to agree to some in office monitoring. No sweat. At my 40w 5d (2 days from scheduled repeat) appointment I again asked for more time. They agreed to let me go until 41w 4 days, but I had to do a biophysical. After my biophysical (at 41w exact - a Friday) I called to check the results. They told me that they looked really good, so I asked for even more time. I knew I could not push past 42 weeks. They agreed to 42 weeks, but I had to come in on Monday for another check. I was so happy that I would have done whatever they asked. At my check that Monday (41w 3d) I was 1-2 cm and 50%. When I went home I was so depressed. Due to scheduling conflicts (on their end) I had to schedule my repeat for 41w 6d, so I basically had 3 days to get going and nothing, nothing was happening. That night I did an EPO insert (can't remember if I did 1 or 2 pills) and my water broke at midnight - I was 41w 4d. I had the DD #2 11 hours later.
The doc that delivered me (who was not the one I had been seeing most) was absolutely AMAZING and completely and totally suppotive. She really got me through the VBAC. She had complete confidence in me. Even when we had to take a break from pushing, she never once suggested a section. Ever. This is amazing considering DD #2 was getting "stuck" the same way DD #1 got stuck (which led to the section), and DD #2 was 9 lbs 6 oz and I am barely 5"1'. Most docs would have wisked me away for a section at the first sign of difficulty.
Thank you so so much for sharing your experience. It's exactly what I'm hoping for. Of course I don't want to put myself or the baby in any danger but everything has just looked so good this whole time - I really want them to agree with my wishes if I consent to some monitoring. When I got off the phone yesterday I was basically told that they won't do anything past 40 w 6 d. I am taking my husband with me to my appointment on Monday (to keep me calm and rational) and also taking a list to make sure I discuss all options....membrane stripping, amniotomy, foley cath, stress testing, BP profile, etc. I've requested that the doctor I have the best rapport with be at the appointment, but at this point I'm kind of feeling like they are all closing the door on me!
The whole thing is so frustrating because if I had gotten the 41 week deadline from the beginning, I would have found another practitioner who was willing to discuss 42. I hate the "VBAC supportive" bait and switch!!
sent you a PM.
all good ideas above, as well.
and 2vthokies - way to take control of your situation! so awesome!
ETA: many OBs do the vbac bait and switch. it's an ICAN running joke. well, it's not really a joke. also, be careful when considering an amniotomy - this puts you on the clock. it is essentially an induction. once the water is broken, you will have a baby within 24 hours. if the amniotomy doesn't start labor within a certain period of time, you'll be headed for a repeat, since pitocin is highly counterindicated in a vbac TOL.