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VBAC
blondie42107
member
Countdown and frustration. Thoughts please!
blondie42107
member
in VBAC
I'm also going to post this on the c-section board because I really need thoughts from both sides.
I will be 39 weeks on Thursday and have an appt with my OB. All along she has been supportive of my desire for a vbac. She did not do my first L&D/Csection. My previous records stated: Induction, dilated to 10, pushed 2hrs, baby didn't descend into birth canal. LO was born 40wks1day via emergency csection weighing 8lbs9oz and 20in long. When I asked my OB about a vbac and my chances she said 50/50. A few weeks ago she ordered a growth ultrasound as my fundal measurements have been measuring 2 weeks ahead - nothing too concerning and they've been consistent. Growth u/s was done on Friday, 38wks1day and the tech's measurements gave an estimate of I guess a 9lb baby as of that date, per the OB report. The tech was honest with DH and I that they can be off by 2lbs. She even said that one u/s she did, the measurements estimated a 12lb baby and baby was big but only 10lbs.
Today the OB nurse calls me on my cell while I'm at work and says, "You have a big baby in your little belly. Dr. wants you to keep the csection date." I replied that we hadn't scheduled anything and that at last weeks appt, I had told the OB that DH would attend my 39 week appt and we could discuss the u/s and make a game plan for if baby doesn't come on it's own by whatever date we decide. I know this is the nurse talking and not the OB but with my strong desire for a vbac and end of pregnancy hormones, I got off the phone and have pretty much cried on and off all afternoon.
I'm terrified that I will go to my appt Thursday and all I will do is cry. I don't think my OB will push a csection but now I'm wondering if she'll ask me to consider it because of the estimated size. I guess at what point to I really give up and go with the "Yeah, the baby might be too big lets just schedule something" ??? I don't want to feel like I need to be defensive. I don't want to be disrespectful of my OB and tell her she doesn't know what she's doing, etc. She's been in practice for 15 years and had two 9lb babies herself and she's TINY. I just want to be given the chance to let things happen and see if things can happen on their own.
I do not have hard feelings about my first birth. I do not regret going through a long induction, pushing for 2hrs, etc because I at least TRIED. I am really not sure how I will feel about this birth if I just give up and schedule a RCS.
At the end of the pregnancy, I'll have a baby and I know that's the big picture. I'm just wondering if I should just give up and go with whatever is recommended...
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Countdown and frustration. Thoughts please!
How did your appointment go today?
Please, please, please...don't EVER feel bad about questioning your doctor or really any professional. They are human. Medicine is not an exact science. If you go to three doctors, you will get three different opinions. And if your doctor gets offended by your questions, you should run screaming. A true professional welcomes questions and patients who are active participants in their own care.
My appt yesterday was long but good. Because of my work schedule I typically am one of the last appts for the day. We had to wait about 20/25 minutes for my OB but she spent a good 30+ minutes with us.
We are both in agreement with a TOL. She pointed out that she wasn't there for my last pregnancy and obviously only has the records that she was given. DH did a lot of talking, provided lots of support and asked a ton a questions. Basically as soon as the OB said that the nurse had scheduled a csection to have it in the books, she looked at me and said I looked like I was going to cry and I did... ALOT, We talked a lot about my previous recovery, we discussed concerns of vbac and rcs.
I know that ACOG guidelines suggest that it can be safe to induce, but my OB won't induce (neither does the hospital) and I knew that up front from day one. I was really hoping that LO would just come early. My OB has been in practice for about 15 years and has had two babies herself, both over 9lbs - one was 9lbs 14oz. She knows women can push bigger babies out. She has witnessed uterine rupture with both good and bad results. She has seen damage done to women when baby is too big and the shoulders get stuck, etc. She provided info but said the decision was up to us.
Our hospital will only allow so many scheduled inductions and csections per day because they have to take into account those that go into labor on their own, access to the csection OR, emergency staff, etc. Because of this, the nurse scheduled something as we hit 39 weeks and we could always cancel but it's harder to book.
I do have a little higher than average level of AF, baby has been more easily flipping back and forth from vertex to breech. I am not dilated and baby has no interest at this point in settling into my pelvis. We all know this can change at any time.
DH and I are keeping the scheduled date at this time and we will see how the weekend and week go. I will go back late next week for my 40 week appt and the three of us will all talk again. My OB doesn't want me to go past 41 weeks 1 day (which is the 19th) and I am really okay with that. It's been a roller-coaster of emotions for me. I haven't slept well in over a week. Every time I get up to pee at night, I have trouble falling back to sleep because I start thinking...