Just an update

I kind of took a hiatus from the TS board due to the request for a VBAC board... it may have been my hormones but I took it as a personal insult. I was reading all the birth stories and checking in on people but my heart was not into the board anymore. I went to iCAN for support and understanding and now I'm ready to post here again...

I'm almost 27 weeks, the VBA2C struggle is very hard and I think I found a new MW to take my care... I start hypnobirthing tonight and its finally dawning on me that its only 13 weeks away. The twinkies still have no real understanding that there is a baby there but kiss and hug my belly all the time.

 

Erica, I have missed you and I am so glad you are back!! I am glad that you are doing well and WOW only 13 more weeks!! YAY!!! I hope and pray that you get the VBAC that you want!! you have always been an inspiration to me.

:hug99: ,
Heather

 

I don't normally post here but I am glad to see you are back. I was wondering about you!

 

Good luck in your search! I'm sure it is difficult! It's not too much longer! I'm so excited for you!

 

I really love ican as well. I went to a meeting last month and everyone shared their experiences. It was great. If there are local meetings in your area, I highly suggest you go. I had to really push myself to go since it fell on a weekend and was kind of late, but am SOOOO happy I went.

I think going for a vba2c is fantastic! You stated that you are having some struggles. Do you mind if I ask you what they are? I'm having some struggles as well. My husband and I are planning a hbac (homebirth after cesarean). I have the option of returning to the hospital and birthing there with a pretty good group of midwives, but feel my best chance of having a peaceful and safe birth is at home. I struggle with all the "what ifs" that can happen. Part of that is the OB community pulling scare tactics.

If you're interested, I am reading a hugely informative book about the truths of the OB/hospital community and why they make the decisions they do (i.e. pitocin, not allowing you to reach 42 weeks, epidural, cytotec, controlled birth, etc...). It is a huge eye opener. The title is "Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First" by Marsden Wagner. The author is a perinatologist and director of several important groups, one of which is the WHO.

I've also read "Pushed" and both of Ina Gaskin's books. I started reading them at 30 weeks and am now 34 weeks, so it's never too late. I really hope the best for you and your coming birth.

 

Erica, So happy to see you back...I was annoyed by the whole VBAC thread thing myself. I am also hoping for a VBAC this time, I had a VBAC with my dd, but she was the last one at our local hosp. (she caused a little controversy...long story) So this time, I totally had to search for a new OB who will do it and ended up having to go to another state...I live near the border...but still.

I am worried about weather they will actually follow through...I plan to fight tooth and nail for it assuming we are both safe. I am amazed by the lack of support out there. I had never heard of ICAN, but I went to the website and e-mailed the local chapter...but they are pretty far away. I wish I had known about them sooner!

Oh well, welcome back anyway and I look forward to sharing the journey! I can't beleive I have just over 4 weeks to go, although; I am secretly wishing she will come a bit early!!

 

Great to have you back! When I got back from our trip, I was wondering about the appearance of the new VBAC page. Now I know.

Have fun at hypnobirthing! We really enjoyed our Hypnobabies class.

 

Thank you for understanding


My local ICAN chapter is quite a bit away so I'm online with there yahoo group right now. The whole VBA2C issue is stressful. My current OB has stated very clearly its a liability issue as its against the ACOG since I have no previous vaginal birth. I was convinced I'd labor at home until I felt the urge to push and then go in to deliver. That sounded like a great idea until I started looking at it realistically -- I'm an hour away from the hospital and I'd wind up giving birth in the car! I did find a midwife group that delivers at the hospital that is willing but first I have to be OK-ed by their supervising OB. I go on June 18th to find out if he'll "let me" VBAC.

Kate: If this midwife group won't allow it, I'm heading across state borders myself. Its a shame that we have to fight for what our bodies are meant to do! You can do it. Four weeks to go will go super fast! Do you have an OB willing? Its strange that they won't let you VBAC again... those bans are the strangest I have ever encountered!!

Babies@2: Thanks for the book suggestions. I'm going to go today to Borders to see if I can find them. I kind of updated in the above... but I applaud your HBAC!! DH is willing to drive to a Birth Center 2 hours away but won't agree to a HBAC. Do you have a midwife or will it be an UBAC? I'm not really to worried about the "what ifs." Its more about if I can do it, I keep having the doubts and I think that's where hypnobirthing is going to help.

By the way, highly recommended! I have already had a few break through in just one session.

 

QUOTE(Twinsanity+3 @ Jun 6 2008, 02:02 PM) [snapback]813529[/snapback]
Thank you for understanding
My local ICAN chapter is quite a bit away so I'm online with there yahoo group right now. The whole VBA2C issue is stressful. My current OB has stated very clearly its a liability issue as its against the ACOG since I have no previous vaginal birth. I was convinced I'd labor at home until I felt the urge to push and then go in to deliver. That sounded like a great idea until I started looking at it realistically -- I'm an hour away from the hospital and I'd wind up giving birth in the car! I did find a midwife group that delivers at the hospital that is willing but first I have to be OK-ed by their supervising OB. I go on June 18th to find out if he'll "let me" VBAC.

Kate: If this midwife group won't allow it, I'm heading across state borders myself. Its a shame that we have to fight for what our bodies are meant to do! You can do it. Four weeks to go will go super fast! Do you have an OB willing? Its strange that they won't let you VBAC again... those bans are the strangest I have ever encountered!!

Babies@2: Thanks for the book suggestions. I'm going to go today to Borders to see if I can find them. I kind of updated in the above... but I applaud your HBAC!! DH is willing to drive to a Birth Center 2 hours away but won't agree to a HBAC. Do you have a midwife or will it be an UBAC? I'm not really to worried about the "what ifs." Its more about if I can do it, I keep having the doubts and I think that's where hypnobirthing is going to help.

By the way, highly recommended! I have already had a few break through in just one session.

I will have the birth assisted. My husband was initially against having the birth planned at home, but after reading several books and learning more about the huge issues associated with hospitals and OBs, he now believes it's safest to stay at home. I would highly suggest you consider the birthing center. I have heard great things about them, a much different experience than what you would experience at a hospital. My midwife through the hospital had all her kids at home. She recently switched to delivering in teh hospital. I'm using a different group for the home delivery. Anyway, a few weeks ago at my last meeting with her, I asked her if she struggles with wanting natural births for her patients while being in the hospital. She responded by saying that she is not immune to hospital pressures. That's when I realized that I cannot plan to have a hospital birth.

You should also watch the documentary "The Business of Being Born" produced by Ricki Lake. Very good. Also consider visiting the VBAC forum through www.mothering.com. I have never posted there but really enjoy reading people's posts. I find them really helpful. Again I really hope and pray you have a healthy and positive birth with your little one.

2monkeez: I really hope you are able to have a VBAC again. I agree, it is terrible that we struggle against the medical community about our own bodies. So frustrating!

 

QUOTE(babies@2 @ Jun 6 2008, 11:16 AM) [snapback]813660[/snapback]
You should also watch the documentary "The Business of Being Born" produced by Ricki Lake. Very good. Also consider visiting the VBAC forum through www.mothering.com. I have never posted there but really enjoy reading people's posts. I find them really helpful. Again I really hope and pray you have a healthy and positive birth with your little one.


I did watch the business of being born and that's why we switched to a Midwife ASAP... if I can't get this groups OK, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. The hospital isn't the obstatcle (they have no guidelines or requirements and default to the practitioners) but its finding a CP that is willing to let me VBAC... and I hate that term -- let me VBAC. Like they have full say over my body!

I will check out mothering.com... thanks for the tip.

 

Hey Erica,

I soo hope you get your VBAC . I don't usually post but just wanted to give you my 2 cents, as a L & D nurse. I have worked with both midwives and MD's. I think a Midwife group is the way to go. I plan on VBAC with # 4, TTC soon. The first hospital I worked at, we did tons of VBACs, actually if someone came in laboring the docs would ask them if they wanted to give a vaginal delivery a go, (depending on the situation.) And the midwives would take over. Where I work at now, big city hospital, you never see it happen. And there are no midwives at this hospital. So I plan on going in the last stages of labor as well.

In all honesty the risk of uterine rupture is soo low, Unless using pitocin or a medication like that. The times I've seen it happen all patients were on pitocin, and one was a nurse error. But I have not seen happen without the pitocin. But when it does happen it's a scary situation.

Can I ask what was the reason for your first c-section ? This might be the deciding factor for your MD, besides the liability.

I would reccomend you having fetal monitoring in labor. Which I'm sure you know by doing your research. If you have any questions at all let me know.

Good luck.
Jessica

 

Jessica;
Thanks for all the tips... my first was toxemia and ftp. Personally, I think I went in too early and had the resident OB doing too much - swept the membranes, broke my water and started pitocin within an hour of going back in (all without my OB's ok.) I was also a first time Mom who went in as soon as I lost my mucus plug and had a few contractions (nothing that really hurt.) Second one was strictly due to positioning - both babies were transverse.

I value your opinion and thanks!! Good luck on your VBAC, if anyone can do it a L&D nurse can!