Anyone VBAC w/o a doula or MW?

atc282 · July 2011

I am hoping to VBAC with DS this fall but don't have a MW or a doula. I am just seeing my OB who is allowing me to try for a VBAC as long as I don't go past my due date and baby is vertex.

Should I seek a doula? Any feedback/suggestions are welcomed.

TIA

Traycee1242 · July 2011

I haven't had one, am hoping to with this baby though. I'm just going with my OB.. No doula. My OB is the one pushing for a VBAC.. She's wonderful and I trust her 100%. I just wouldn't be comfortable with a MW in the event something goes wrong.. I want my Dr there.

I'd say get a doula if you aren't comfortable with your OB and don't think they have your best interests...

I've discussed at length my wishes/concerns and my OB and I have a plan in place. She wont induce (I wouldn't be comfortable with this anyway) and while she is okay letting me go a bit beyond my due date, I am not. We've gone over everything, so that we are on the same page...I think this is very important. GL

honkytonk_kid · July 2011

I would not be comfortable with not being "allowed" to go past my due date. A doula would be great, but the most important thing is a VBAC supportive provider. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I'm pretty certain the research has shown that going past your due date is not an indication for a RCS.

bugabean · July 2011

I didn't have a doula and I never felt like I needed one. I don't have anything against them per se, but I don't see them as necessary by any stretch. Some women like having them around and some don't. I would not have wanted the due date restriction, though, personally.

cchill01 · July 2011

Yeah, the due date thing is a problem. My OB said the same thing and I ran screaming out the door (ok not literally). A truly VBAC supportive provider does not impose those types of restrictions - unless there are other medical conditions (GD or something).

I would not even consider my next birth without a doula. I feel like I was led astray and generally unsupported by some of the nurses and some of the OBs during my entire first labor. As luck would have it, when it came time to get the baby out - I ended up with the worst nurse and the worst OB. A doula could have helped me speak up - but instead I was exhausted, in pain and went along with whatever they said.

lostaspen · July 2011

cchill01:
Yeah, the due date thing is a problem. My OB said the same thing and I ran screaming out the door (ok not literally). A truly VBAC supportive provider does not impose those types of restrictions - unless there are other medical conditions (GD or something).

I would not even consider my next birth without a doula. I feel like I was led astray and generally unsupported by some of the nurses and some of the OBs during my entire first labor. As luck would have it, when it came time to get the baby out - I ended up with the worst nurse and the worst OB. A doula could have helped me speak up - but instead I was exhausted, in pain and went along with whatever they said.

This! I so wish I had had a doula with a larger "bag of tools" to draw from to deal with extended/stalled labor. And to be my advocate when the CNMidwife, OB and nurses all voted csection...

Geekchick921 · July 2011

honkytonk_kid:
I would not be comfortable with not being "allowed" to go past my due date. A doula would be great, but the most important thing is a VBAC supportive provider. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I'm pretty certain the research has shown that going past your due date is not an indication for a RCS.

That have been studies (cited in the latest ACOG VBAC practice bulletin from last year) that show it decreases VBAC success rates, but doesn't increase risk of rupture. That said, I'm pretty sure going past your EDD has a higher incidence of C/S in moms without a history of surgical birth, too, doesn't it? I agree that a supportive provider is paramount, and I wouldn't be comfortable with not being allowed to go past my EDD either. To directly quote the practice bulletin, "Although chances of success may be lower in more advanced gestations, gestational age of greater than 40 weeks alone should not preclude TOLAC."

Personally, I planned on having a doula with this baby, but my CNM says most of her patients that have had them haven't felt like they were necessary with her, because she is there for so much of their labor. I have a friend that is a doula that may come (she lives out of state but she said she wants me to call her) but that's it. If I were going for a VBAC with an Ob/Gyn, I think I absolutely would have hired a doula.

Good luck!

babes12 · July 2011

I'm attempting a vbac as long as i go into labor on my own and show up at the hospital in labor. They're letting me go 1wk past my due date.

All i have is my regular ob. I don't feel the need to have a midwife/doula. I already had a vag. delivery w/ my 1st and it went pretty smooth.

GL!

Klmorgan83 · July 2011

I had a VBAC with my OB. I never felt like I missed out on anything because I didn't have a midwife or doula. But I also pretty quick labor....arrived at the hospital at 6cm and was 10 within about 4 hours. There were some pushing difficulties because of his position but my OB was more than wonderful in helping me be successful. I think it's just important to have a VBAC supportive provider no matter what their title is.

Anyone VBAC w/o a doula or MW?

Re: Anyone VBAC w/o a doula or MW?

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