Anxiety over Baby #3 and Choice to Do VBAC - 22 Wks Prego!

Watch "The business of being born". If you have netflix, it's on there. Otherwise, you should be able to find it on hulu.com.

I would also advise you to check out blogs and support sites for VBAC to help calm your nerves.

I was born a month late- I'm find(obviously) and my mom lived. =D
Doctors want to push women into the most convenient "schedule" of birthing they can. Doctors also want women to deliver in a hospital because when they deliver at home, unassisted- the hospital/doctor does not profit.

The statistics for infant mortality in the US are astonishing- and I assure you it has more to do with interventions than it does natural/home birth.

Good luck!

First of all --good for you. It is hard decision to go for a VBAC in the c-section heavy climate of obstretical care these days. I would definitely not rush to c-section right at the due date. Did you OB explain why they couldn't wait the ACOG recommended 2 weeks post date?

The best advice I heard about relieving stress about labor is to read lots of positive birth stories. You can find them in books and online. It will help give you confidence in your body. Everybody's body:) is different--some dilate quickly and others don't. I left to go to the hospital with my first with contractions 5 minutes apart like I was told and was 9 cm dilated. Despite the fact I was a low risk pregnancy and nothing was wrong when I got there, some of the hospital staff still felt the need to try to hurry me along (i'd only been in what I recognized as labor 3 hours). My point is that you need to relax and don't label yourself as "slow", because it will never be fast enough for hospitals that are convinced they need to medically manage everything. I am reading Birthing From Within right now and it is excellent. Is it kind of crunchy/granola--yeah but it is all about childbirth prep for you on the inside to prepare. If this OB is who you feel is your best option and you trust them to not medically intervene unnecessarily--then prepping yourself with techniques and just examining your beliefs about how your other labors went should really help.

Here's a link to a discussion about VBAC's in hospitals

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/59317/adv...

Also, is your OB planning an induction for this VBAC?

Take a deep breath mama. I have had 1 c-section and a successfuly induced VBAC. Yep, induced, with pit. I hated it and for the VBAC birth I was going for a homebirth but transferred after my water had been broken (it broke spontaneously at 41 weeks) at 11 hrs. We knew the clock was ticking and my labor was going slow (was only dilated to a 4 by the time we transferred). From start to finish I was in labor for 19 hrs but only 8 of those hours were on pitocin. I was given the lowest dose of pit they could and it was never increased. My body just took over and I was able to birth my son. If you can't find a different OB then make sure he knows exactly where you stand on repeat c-section and that you will only consent to it if you haven't gone into labor by 42 weeks. He'll probably through a fit but stick to your guns. Agree to being monitored (daily if necessary) if that is what it takes to make him comfortable. Talk to him about gentle induction methods (lowest dose pit and even try turning it off once you have and established labor pattern) but do not agree to any cercival ripeaners because those really are very scare when used during VBACs. They can easily hyperstimulate the uterus and can even cause an unscared uterus to rupture and unlike pitocin they can't just be turned off. But just like with the c-section don't consent to it until you're 42 weeks. Also, don't consent to them breaking your water either there is no proof that it actually does anything to speed up labor but it does put you on the clock and can cause greater stress and pain for you and your baby. Would you be willing hire a doula to be with you in labor? Avoid an epidrual (a mother will know that there is a problem during labor BEFORE the monitors will if she is able to feel what is going on) and stay ON your feet. Have you looked into any midwives in the area? Just because there is only one good OB in your area doesn't mean there isn't a midwife that practices at the hospital you'd like to deliver at that isn't worlds better than the practice you are seeing now.

www.ican-online.org
www.vbacfacts.com
www.childbirthconnection.org

Congrats on educating yourself and knowing that VBAC is an option, and a safe one. Here's my story...

Birth #1: Induced 8 days past my due date for high blood pressure. I was very slightly dilated. 51 hours of pitocin with very slow progress and irregular, mild contractions. Most docs would have called in failure to progress after about 12-24 hours and cut me open. I had very patient midwives in a very patient hospital. At around 49 hours I was starting to run a fever. I was dilated 7.5cm and I finally consented to a c-section. The midwife told me to try pushing a bit to see what happened. Well, I pushed for two hours and my (10 pound) daughter came out!

Birth #2: I was terrified that things would go the same way as number one, or worse, but I was hoping for the best. I worried (like you) that my body had never really been "in labor" before. My midwife assured me it doesn't matter - the body knows what to do the second time around. The night before my due date my husband (an acupuncturist) gave me an acupuncture induction treatment. I started having contractions immediately. They were mild and every 10 minutes, but strong enough to wake me up. I had contractions every 10 minutes (on the dot) all night long. I kept waiting to go into more active labor, but never did. The next morning, my due date, the contractions went away completely. That night he gave me a second acupuncture induction treatment and again the 10-minute-apart contractions started. That went on for about 3 hours, I took a bath and got ready for bed. Before going to sleep I timed three more contractions and all of a sudden they came six minutes apart, then four minutes apart, then three minutes apart. Two (very intense) hours later, my son was born (and after only 16 minutes of pushing).

Just sharing this story to let you know that each birth can be completely different. It sounds like you didn't have a true labor with your second birth because your baby and your body were smart and knew better. This time around, if everything is a "green light", then your body your baby will know what to do and you'll have your baby just fine. Keep the faith!

BTW: If you don't go into labor, try the acupuncture induction. It's amazing! Plan for it to take about three days (you'll need a treatment each day). Most acupuncturists won't do it until your due date because it is powerful and you want to make sure baby is ready to come out. My husband's practice is at sassackacupuncture.com and he only charges $35 per treatment, which is more affordable than most places.

I think every pregnancy is different. I had to get pitocin on my first two, i was dialated to 2 for like 2 weeks both times. But the last one went crazy fast. When I got to the hospital after having a few contractions at home I was already at a 7! No time for pain meds or anything! Since this is your third, I think you have a much better chance of going into "full blown labor" on your own. Good luck and try to relax about your decision.

I hope you can have the delivery you want - best wishes!

With my second child I had some complications early on and my doctor scheduled a c-section for me. He, at the time, had absolutely no intention to perform a c-section unless it were medically necessary but he explained to me why he scheduled it.

He wanted to be sure that, in the event my complications continued or gotten worse, he would be ahead of the schedule and already have me 'booked' and not have to do anything emergency (not in an inappropriate room because they had to do it like 'now', doing things too quickly because it was an emergency). He mentioned that there were doctors who opted to do c-sections due to the mother's preference so if he scheduled early he would be able to 'claim the date' just in case I needed it.

I am 100% confident that he is not one of those c-section pushers you hear so much about. I had to be induced due to HBP and three separate times I was almost wheeled away for a emergency c-section. Each time my condition stabilized and he stopped the proceedings. We found out the cord was wrapped around the baby's midsection and he *could* have done a c-section anyway. Fortunately, he has over 30 years experience as a doctor and managed to go past wrist-deep inside and deliver my baby vaginally. He was so skilled that it didn't hurt and he didn't have to cut me nor did I tear.

Yeah I know, a little off-topic, but don't be afraid that just because the OB scheduled it you're going to get one. He/she might just be "saving the date" for you in case other complications arise and the two of you can better control the choice of delivery window.

I would just try and relax as much as possible, and "plan" for a VBAC. We all know these babies have their own plans, and every mother's goal in the long run, is a healthy baby. I would look up successful VBAC stories, as there are MANY out there. Also, stand firm with your doctor, that you will only schedule the section at 42 weeks if you have not gone into labor on your own. Search out our local ICAN chapter, and attend a few meetings. You will get TONS of information at those.
As for having additional children, I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with my 5th, and will be having my 5th C-section delivery. So, if you do end up with another section, having 2 more children after this is definitely not out of the question :)
Good Luck!!!

I have never had a VBAC but wanted to respond to your question--I delivered my son at a teaching hospital (my only option at the time) that was hell bent on procedures, inductions and had a high c-section rate. I had a great friend who successfully had a VBAC after a traumatic first delivery--she greatly recommended positive thought, relaxation and more than anything, reading positive natural birthing stories. She bought me "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" which is a birthing guide that includes dozens of stories of natural births. The book is on Amazon for $10.25--I have to tell you, it is a bit on the "crunchy" side but it is an amazing book. I have passed it on and bought it for numerous girlfriends who are looking to have natural births. Worrying will do you no good. Do your research, make your birth plan and make sure your docs have it on file in the office AND at the hospital. As your due date gets near, have sex, walk, drink the tea, eat spicy foods, do whatever you can (I drank a whole bottle of castor oil because I was 10 days late!!!) Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes!!

Use consultation with Joanne Lindberg at www.birthlink.com
She is birthing expert for our area and very supportive of different birthing choices and knowledgeable about your resources.
Also consider prenatal yoga to relax. Joanne's website can tell you about service providers for prenatal yoga.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Midwives are only a quarter in price that an OB surgeon is. You may be able to get by with a Midwife making payments thru-out the pregnancy.

A Midwife would be the only sure way you'd be given a fair chance to have a VBAC. They also have many ways to help you start labor if it's lagging that are non-interventional and non medication.

I am having my 2nd child in August... 1st was a cesarean with a surgery happy OB. I'll be having my VBAC at home, with a very well established Midwife. I can't wait!! I am so excited to have the calming, natural wonderful birth I was robbed of with #1.

I don't think it's enough to simply come out with a healthy baby... I want my healthy baby and an empowering, natural birth too!

I know you said there is no option of switching, but have you thought about a family doctor? Is there one that delivers at your hospital that is also covered by your insurance? I found that to be the best option for my VBAC, I switched from and OB who said she was ok with a VBAC and then told me all the "rules" I would have to follow. I switched to a family doctor who was very supportive of VBAC and never looked back :) I did have a VBAC, but only with Pitocin. My water had been broken for 48 hours and it was either Pitocin or a repeat c-section, I had done my research and I was comfortable with the risks associated with Pitocin. Like the other person who had a Pitocin VBAC, don't let them do any of the gels or inserts as they can not be stopped, but Pitocin on low dose (don't let them treat you like any other Pitocin patient where they keep upping and upping) They upped the Pitocin by 1 unit every 30 minutes until I had good contractions (which was only at 5 units).

I hate saying it but whoever told you you were a "good candidate" for VBAC is wrong. With your history of needing major assistance delivering I don't understand why you or your doctor would think this time would be any different. I understand if it is disappointing for you to not be able to deliver naturally, but is your baby's health (and yours) less important than your sore feelings? If something were to go wrong you, or more likely your baby, could get severely injured and/or you might not be able to carry a baby at all after this one! I think you should just schedule a csection. But if you REALLY want to roll the dice, please consider only waiting a few days post due date. 2 weeks is too long.

Good luck and best wishes!!!

** My background: I'm a legal assistant (7 years now) working at a law firm that specializes in birth injury and helps the children and families that have been injured by the mistakes and misjudgment of others. It is very fulfilling to be able to help families and also VERY sad to hear about the families that have lost loved ones.