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"Trial of Labor" - has anyone had this defined for them?

ChavayJakovChavayJakov
in VBAC

The term was used on me yesterday....

I've been fighting so hard, complete with switching doctors and having to have the expense of hiring a doula now just for extra support, to have a VBAC (a VBAC after TWO uneventful natural births...the last was my heaviest baby weighing in at nearly 10 lbs, full term and without any pain meds).  

I've had my age thrown at me (I'm 42), I've had the length of time since my last birth (1992), I've had my previous c-section (1989), I've had the expectant child's weight (shot to the 90th percentile in the 8th month)....and now I'm faced with this term, "Trial of Labor" before interventions which I'm going to refuse (they want to go right to pitocin, which I can't-won't have).  Though, they might concede to letting me do things like pressure points...but I'd suspect those things would be done *before* they'd issue drugs, which was weird because they mentioned the drugs until I asked for alternatives and they said there weren't any.

So, skeptical that I am, I know that interventions *don't always* lead to c-sections....but I'm also aware that it has been a factor for some.  With my luck, and my state's insistance that people like me (seeking VBACs) must be put through the ringer, I'm trying to avoid inductions/augmentation to labor.

Given that, I asked "What does that mean?  Am I given only a certain amount of hours to progress, or does that mean whomever is on call might get tired of waiting or what?"  The answer *seemed* ok at the moment: "We'll let you go until we have an indication that it just isn't working."  But dummy me now understands that that is a very vague answer.

I'm hoping someone here is sharper than I was, and can tell me what their doctor's office/hospital is defining as "trial of labor."

TIA 

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Re: "Trial of Labor" - has anyone had this defined for them?

  • chicsubchicsub member

    I can't tell you b/c it was never mentioned, but if you have a doula the best thing you can do is stay home as long as possible.  The breast pump and foley bulb are also other options for induction without using Pit.  Since it sounds like you are kind of in a pickle with your docs, I'd focus on getting the most experienced doula I could afford. Lean on her for support in the final weeks if you are getting too stressed by your docs. 

    I hate when I think of follow up questions after I hang up or leave the office!  

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  • MissBHaven1024MissBHaven1024 member
    Trial of Labor is what medical doctors, midwives, and practitioners use when referring to a VBAC. It's only a VBAC if a vaginal birth is achieved. The labor itself is considered a "trial" because they are allowing your body to try and dilate, efface, and contract to get to the finish line of a vaginal birth. Don't feel discouraged; they are simply referring to it the way they are supposed to.
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  • chicsubchicsub member
    True, it's a medical term.  However, I think different practitioners have different views on what TOL entails.  Kind of goes back to the whole being supportive vs. allowing TOL. 
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  • cchill01cchill01 member

    The term stinks (as do many in the field of women's health).  However, I wouldn't get too hung up on medical terminology.  If you've found a supportive provider and you're ok with the rules set forth and your birth plan, then you should be ok.

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  • Kristine SchillingKristine Schilling

    Trial of labor is exactly what it sounds like.

    They let you attempt VBAC via labor for a certain amount of time. However, the Dr will be watching for progress. By which they usually want you to dialate and efface faster that would actually be normal before they start pushing intervention.

     Pitocen causes harder stronger contractions right? But they discourage VBAC because the contractions can cause the scar to rupture. So to use pitocen and/or many other types of chemical induction can actually force an RCS. Heard the term "Pit to distress?"

    Get clear, exact wording from the Dr about how long they will let you "try" without intervention. Find out how long you can labor without a major progression before Dr wants to "pit you" or just give up and go RCS.

    Alternate induction methods: Fowley bulb/catheter. Accupuncture. accupressure points. (ask a decent massage therapist to show you the spots they are taught to avoid on PG women, such as the web of the thumb, behind the ankle, and the spot on the shoulders)

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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member

    You could also find a doula who acts as a montrice (they are more medical than a doula, can check you for dilation, etc), and then labor at a hotel near the hospital. Hopefully you're labor will be fast and easy, and you won't have to spend very much time in the hospital at all.

    I agree with getting a very detailed idea of how they want your labor to go, too. I'm so sorry you're going through this crap! I wish some lawyer would take up VBAC as an issue and sue the pants off of all hospitals that don't support it. Sigh.

    DS1 - Feb 2008

    DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)

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