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Hospital VBAC Restrictions

alkmetz23alkmetz23 member
in VBAC
I am 17 weeks, and looking to have a VBAC. (My son was breech.) Each prenatal appointment so far has brought positive reactions from the OB office staff including doctors and nurses. However, at my last appointment, one of the doctors informed me that of the two hospitals in our area, the Ohio Dept of Health has come in and set restrictions on VBACs at that hospital. She also said they are set to visit the second hospital and possibly do the same. The restrictions are that a VBAC candidate must be in labor and deliver during "work day" hours while a surgical team is already staffed and an OB must be on the floor with rare exceptions allowing the OB to go back to his/her practice and see other patients. I am more than willing to travel to a different hospital in another town, but my question is if anyone else has faced a hospital that allows VBACS, but has been forced to place these types of restrictions on VBACs. Also, can hospital policy force you into a csection? Or can they turn you away while you are in active labor if you refuse an RCS? I would gladly go back into the OR if the life of my baby is in danger, but if I can VBAC, I absolutely want to. In this situation, would a midwife or doula be a benefit to me? Because of any risk of rupture, I'm not comfortable with a homebirth, but I was wondering how a midwife or doula could be of assistance to me in this situation. Any advice or experience in something like this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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Re: Hospital VBAC Restrictions

  • RynnaRynna

    This is very common in certain areas, especially southern Florida.  It's not right.  In this situation, a midwife (and a doula) would absolutely be a great choice for you, if you are comfortable delivering in a birth center or at home.  However, if you want to deliver in a hospital, it's not really going to matter who your provider is, unless they are part of a surgical team, and willing to be with you at all times.

    There have been very extreme stories of hospitals calling the police and physically forcing mothers onto the table for a c-section.  I would think the more likely scenario is that if you were THAT adamant about refusing surgery, that they would refuse to care for you.

    I would research local policy and likely switch to a hospital with fewer restrictions, unless you are comfortable with a birth center.

     

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  • jeapplegatejeapplegate
    I haven't heard of anything like that happening in my area, but VBACS are more accepted here.  I would contact your local or the nearest ICAN chapter to get more info on what is going on in your area.  A doula would be a good idea and she also will probably have more knowledge on the ins and outs of VBACing in your area.  It also doesn't hurt to ask your OB the what ifs.  They will probably only be willing to say so much but they might be able to give you some idea of what happens if you refuse a rcs.  As far as having a midwife, some midwives do hospital births, some only do birth center and home births.  You could check and see if any have privileges at your hospital, but they are still going to be held to the same hospital policies. 
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  • CalMum_MommaCalMum_Momma
    There is a hospital in our area that does not allow VBACs at all. I wouldn't do anything to try to get around it. I just don't go to that hospital.
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  • rcohronrcohron
    I don't think that licensed midwives are allowed to attend home births in Ohio.  I had done some research before my first. 
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  • Kidcrazy4Kidcrazy4 member
    If your not high risk there's no reason you can't work with a midwife and doula and deliver at home or a birth center.. Know your options!! Don't let OBs tell you your choice, I work for an OB and i see all the crap some try and pull just for their convenience
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  • krisbrown1krisbrown1
    If i could afford a midwife i would but where i live in iowa they dont accept me or they are out of network and my insurance wont cover them.. im driving 2hours to a different doctor just for a vbac.. one hospital here doesnt allow vbacs and the other is the same as urs they have to be during hours and dr office has to be attached to the hospital so they can work.. i think its bullshit and i wonder what is to come for my kids future where everyone in the future gets csections because of liability issues.. when did a natural thing like giving birth become a problem? I wish u luck im in the same boat
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