I am having a really hard time deciding if I want to try a VBAC. I was all set in my mind to do one, but then the doctor put in his :2cents: and now I'm freaked out! He pretty much told me that 1 percent of women have their uterus rupture and that even if he was right there with me when it happened, the baby would probaby die. Then he told me that only about 70% of women actually succeed having a VBAC. He said for practical reasons it would be easier to do a c-section because if I do VBAC he would have to stay close to me as soon as I got to 4cm dilated and if he had another baby to deliver he wouldn't be able to stay with me. (The whole time he is saying this I'm thinking "another c-section isn't practical for me, its major surgery and I have a 2 year old!") He sent me home with paperwork to sign either stating that I want a c-section or want a VBAC. One of the paragraphs I have to initial if I want a VBAC says "I understand that if I decide to have a VBAC there is more risk to my child's safety than my own." I was crying by the time I got out of the dr's office. My husband is totally against VBAC now even though all the literature I have found has said that VBAC's arent quite the crisis situation that the dr implied. DH thinks that I would be putting the baby in harms way for my own personal comfort! Sorry this is so long, Please help mamas I need some advice!
JDT
06-25-2008, 12:14 PM
I would imagine that if you read the "release" for any procedure there would be something scary in it.
At the end of the day you need to do what's right in your heart. Nobody has to have that baby but you. Weather it's a VBAC or C-section YOU are the one who has to go through it.
Don't decide today. Give yourself a little time to think about it, sleep on it or do whatever works for you. If you feel like this doc is not the right doc for you then find someone that you're more comfortable with. Also consider getting a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion.
I had 3 c-sections. Two of them were by choice. THe key word being CHOICE. Search your heart and decide for yourself what will work best for you and your baby.
In the end having a healthy baby and mama are the most important things.
sweetpeamami83
06-25-2008, 02:33 PM
Do what you know is right in your heart. I have had two vbac's. A lot of drs will try to scare you into the csection because for them yes it is faster and they can do it on their schedule. I myself would never volunteer to have a csection. no way no how. I just had a 8lb 15oz baby at home all natural (he is four weeks now) and labor and delivery and recovery we're way easier physically and emotionally then my csection was. If a vbac is something you have your heart set on then go for it. There are many MORE risks to a repeat csection then there are to a vbac. Maybe you should look that up and give your husband the information. I would also look into finding another doctor. Your doctor doesn't seem very supportive of vbac imo. If your husband won't support you then you at least need a doctor who will.
medicmom
06-25-2008, 02:39 PM
If I remember correctly there was a mama on here who went for a VBAC and had a rupture and ended up perfectly fine. AFmama i think.You might want to pm her and talk with her. I am VBACing this one and plan to do a homebirth. I would strongly recommend finding a new doctor. If you do decide to VBAC with this doc he will probably be looking for reasons to have a c-section and thats just an uphill battle no laboring woman should have to go through. Try getting DH to watch the business of being born too!
glorybee
06-25-2008, 04:24 PM
Mama.. sorry your Doctor is trying to scare you into doing something convenient for him. It breaks my heart to hear that.
Yes, you have a 1% chance of rupture. You have a greater chance of something going wrong in the surgery.. infection, blood clots, them cutting into your bladder or the baby and the risks are greater with a second c-section than a first. Your doctor does not have to be in the room with you the whole time, but they will have to be on site or near the hospital. Also, it is harder for most to recover from surgery than a vbac. Any other pregnancies you have will be affected by this (that is why you are where you are at now). There is a huge chance you will be successful with a vbac (70-80% if I remember right) and if you are successful the chance of a rupture with another pregnancy later drops to half a percent.
Please check out this website for more facts... it was really helpful to me.
http://ican-online.org/advocacy/home
I wouldn't be signing anything. I would be thinking about switching Dr's as he isn't setting you up for sucess. I have had two vbacs now and they were amazing compared to my recovery from C-section, but it is your choice. I hate that Dr's try and scare people for convenience factors. It isn't his body and baby it is yours.
Good luck mama!
Jillybean
06-25-2008, 04:29 PM
Mama.. sorry your Doctor is trying to scare you into doing something convenient for him. It breaks my heart to hear that.
Yes, you have a 1% chance of rupture. You have a greater chance of something going wrong in the surgery.. infection, blood clots, them cutting into your bladder or the baby and the risks are greater with a second c-section than a first. Your doctor does not have to be in the room with you the whole time, but they will have to be on site or near the hospital. Also, it is harder for most to recover from surgery than a vbac. Any other pregnancies you have will be affected by this (that is why you are where you are at now). There is a huge chance you will be successful with a vbac (70-80% if I remember right) and if you are successful the chance of a rupture with another pregnancy later drops to half a percent.
Please check out this website for more facts... it was really helpful to me.
http://ican-online.org/advocacy/home
I wouldn't be signing anything. I would be thinking about switching Dr's as he isn't setting you up for sucess. I have had two vbacs now and they were amazing compared to my recovery from C-section, but it is your choice. I hate that Dr's try and scare people for convenience factors. It isn't his body and baby it is yours.
Good luck mama!
I agree with everything this Mama posted. That said I am about to have my 3rd c/sec, so in the end you have to do what feels right to you. There were other variables that essentially forced me into another c/sec, but I'm not fighting it anymore and finally have made peace with the decision.
calideedle
06-25-2008, 05:09 PM
First I would find out his C/S rate! That will tell you A LOT.
Also do your OWN research! OBs have their owns ideas and it sounds like your OB IS NOT VBAC friendly at all.
A VBAC is safer than a repeat CS. You have to do what your heart tells you NOT what someone forces on you.
beckstar
06-25-2008, 05:48 PM
yeah, i instantly thought "he totally wants what's easiest for HIS schedule" when i read your post...
lady, i had a HBAC and it was amazing...its SO POSSIBLE.
tell your doctor you have every bit of faith in your body to deliver vaginally and he should too!
and read ican's site...because there are cold hard facts...i mean, there is a risk of uterine rupture in women who HAVENT EVEN ever had a c section...
and odds are if it does happen, the baby and you would be just fine...especially in a hospital...i knew there was a risk at home and i still had time to get to the hospital if something went bad.
Mamatoabunch
06-25-2008, 06:05 PM
First you need a new OB. He is spouting inaccurate info. Ruptures are almost always NOT catastophic. In addition there are increased risks to both you and baby w/ a c/s that he seemed to have left out, surprisingly. Also he is stating he needs to be close to you for insurance reasons not b/c you are in such grave danger during labor w/ a VBAC. I have had 6 VBACs all at home and absolutely no issues at all.
Deema13
06-25-2008, 06:11 PM
Just so you know according to the studies quoted in the book pushed ,as far as rupture goes you are only 2% safer having c-section so either way the risk of rupture is there. Plus rupture is possible without a prior c-section.
I am having a VBAC at home in august, and part of what made me leave my dr. and switch to a homebirth midwife are the stupid regulations the hosptal has regarding vbac's sounds like your doc and hospital work the same way, sorry to say but if you are serious about vbacing it looks like your going to have to switch providers.
mhaddon
06-25-2008, 07:48 PM
Your risk of rupture occurs as soon as you become pregnant. Your uterus can rupture at any point durring pregnancy not just durring labor. I have had 2 c/s and am doing a HBA2C with this pregnancy, my MW will be by my side the whole time and I am 5 mins from the hospital. She did tell me that you can have a partial rupture or a full rupture. For me it was worth the small risk. Even after 2 c/s my chance of a full rupture is the same precentage any pregnant woman has of having a cord prolaps. I have done a lot of praying and I know in my heart God is with me and whatever happens He is with me. It seems convient for the dr. to try to scare you when he can do it on his time and he'll make more off a c/s. Sounds like a nice OB, I'd find someone else if it was me :)
I also wish I had the links. It is iteresting to know that the ACOG and the Family practice ended up spliting b/c of the VBAC issue and their differences of viewpoints.
NicoleT
06-26-2008, 09:48 AM
Thanks for the support mamas! I am only about 12 weeks right now so I have time to figure everything out, but "How am I going to get this baby out?" is the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night. My doctor hadn't even seen the medical record from my c-section when he was making all the dire predictions, which is really annoying. I think I'm going to find a midwife because this whole situation stinks. i just wish my husband was more supportive. He just doesn't understand how much better it is for me to have a v-birth. (I think he likes the idea of not waiting through 24 hours of labor again)
Mamatoabunch
06-26-2008, 10:25 AM
I just wanted to add the only rupture my friend, a OB nurse has seen in 10 years was 2 ruptures on non VBAC moms, moms who had never had a c/s.
ChocolateMoose
06-26-2008, 10:37 AM
check out vbac.com and ICan!
The #1 I wish I had asked was "do you do c/s only if the VBAC goes wrong, or do you only do VBACs if everything goes right?"
Seemingly a small difference, but one tiny thing went wrong and my midwife gave up and ordered a c/s!!!!! If I'd known then what I know now, I woud have switched care providers and gotten someone more supportive of VBAC.
mhaddon
06-26-2008, 10:52 AM
Thanks for the support mamas! I am only about 12 weeks right now so I have time to figure everything out, but "How am I going to get this baby out?" is the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I think of at night. My doctor hadn't even seen the medical record from my c-section when he was making all the dire predictions, which is really annoying. I think I'm going to find a midwife because this whole situation stinks. i just wish my husband was more supportive. He just doesn't understand how much better it is for me to have a v-birth. (I think he likes the idea of not waiting through 24 hours of labor again)
:hugs: My DH was very leary at first, but is now 100% on board and very very excited. He's more excited about this birth than our first :)
vinsmommy
06-26-2008, 11:49 AM
no advice since I haven't been there, but I want to give you some hugs! There are so many doctors out there who are so negative and push their own agenda!
heather_c
06-26-2008, 01:31 PM
I am sorry that you are facing these scare tactics. IMO, it is better that you know your doctor's biases now rather than having them sprung on you at 38 weeks. :(
Here is a great summary of the medical literature related to Uterine Rupture filled with lots of statistics. http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic3746.htm The statistics provided by your doctor are not in line with current medical studies. According to the studies, the risk of fetal death due to UR is 7%, and only 43% of babies born with a UR are admitted to the NICU.
I hope this helps!
mhr1406
06-26-2008, 01:40 PM
:hugs: The c/s is easier for your dr not for you hun
ds1 was a c/s and ds2 was a successful VBAC! Educate yourself and your dh about VBACs. VBACs are less risky in most cases than another major surgery! The recovery from a VBAC is also tons easier than c/s
If you can look for another more supportive doctor :hugs:
trilliank
06-29-2008, 09:00 AM
Just my quick info! My friend had a vbac in march. On her due date she was not dialated and showed no signs of labor, but her doctor told her if she didn't induce and have a c-section now that she was risking her babies life and he would not go along with it. He refused to do a non-stress test or anything. She changed doctors. Her new dr. did the test and said he knew of several things they could try if needed and he would only due a cs as a last resort if that was her wish. 9 days later she went into labor naturally and had a very successful vbac. She now has a healthy 3 month old baby girl and is very glad she did things the way she did. SO.. fi you don't feel comfortable with what your doctor is telling you see if you can get a second opinion and make sure if you go with the vbac that your dr. is on board fully so he or she doesn't try to scare you at the end! Good luck mama!
rebelbets
06-29-2008, 09:06 AM
Boo on your doctor. He sounds like my first OB. When I told him, "But I have an almost-2-year-old! How am I going to care for him and a newborn AND Recover from major abdominal surgery?" his response was, "Well, if your VBAC goes wrong, you won't have a newborn to care for." Bleh.
So yeah, I switched doctors. The OB who delivered my daughter did not stay by my side from 4 cm on - she treated my birth pretty much like any birth, and thanks to her, I had a wonderful VBAC experience.
If you really have your heart set on a VBAC, switch OBs NOW. That will make all the difference. Your current OB is going to cut you, no question.
-Betsy
MyTwoSunshines
06-29-2008, 09:44 PM
I agree with everyone else that it sounds like you need to get yourself a second opinion. When I was 15 weeks pregnant with this last baby, I went in for a regular OB visit and decided to talk to him about a VBAC. He told me basically "no way, no how, I won't do it." I left the office crying, went home and thought about it and decided to call the OB that delivered my other 2 kids (I love him!!!) He accepted me back as a patient...when I walked in to his office 2 weeks later for my first appt. with him, I said "so this will be a repeat c-section?" His answer? "well, if you want!" I had a CHOICE! Never once during my pregnancy did he ever tell me that we would be looking at a c-section. I had a successful VBAC on March 17th to a happy, healthy 8 lbs. 13 oz. girl. But what you need to do is make the choice in your heart. I am not going to say that I wasn't scared to death during my labor that something would go wrong....but I knew in my heart that I could do it! AND I DID! Your OB doesn't sound supportive....I don't know what I would've done without my OB....aside from my husband, he was my rock! He gave me all the support I needed and told me he knew I could do it. My previous c-section was due to a partial placenta abruption so it was emergency. The fact that I even had the choice was a miracle in itself, but I am SO glad now that I did it and will forever be grateful to my OB for taking that extra step in encouraging me! :hugs: Good luck to you and if you ever need to talk, you're more than welcome to PM me. :goodvibes:
paintedbison
06-29-2008, 10:20 PM
I'm a nurse and have worked postpartum and antepartum. It makes me really angry that obs will glaze over the risks of routine induction, epidural, breaking your water, c/sections but will scare the crap out of someone wanting to vbac.
Seriously, how many people do you think would allow the doc to break their water if the doctor said "well, we could break your water, but it might cause a prolapsed cord, which would result in an emergency c/section and possibly fetal death... or at best case scenario will prevent the baby from turning into position and cause you to be in labor ten times longer with excruciating back pain". They don't even present those risks.
I like how they throw out the statistic that vbac is only successful 70% of the time. You're chances aren't that good of having a vaginal birth the first time around in a lot of hospitals. So, the 70% statistic is actually VERY good. (Remember the overall c/section rate is close to 40%.)
Please help convince your DH that he needs to really educate himself and not listen to the overall opinion coming from most obs. I'd highly recommend switching to a midwifes care.
Remember too that a lot of hospitals require a doc to be on the floor if someone is having a vbac. That makes it VERY inconvenient for your doc. How is he supposed to see office patients if you go into labor during the day? How is he supposed to sleep in his bed if you go into labor during the night? This is part of the reason that docs will try to push you into a repeat c/section. They make more money off of it and it takes them significantly less time and they do not risk any litigation.
For your doc, you having a c/section is a win-win situation. Why would he not push for that? However, you have someone much more important to consider... yourself and your baby. You need to take a look at the real risks and not the scary dogma your ob has provided.
kattayanna_mom
06-30-2008, 12:30 AM
I'm a nurse and have worked postpartum and antepartum. It makes me really angry that obs will glaze over the risks of routine induction, epidural, breaking your water, c/sections but will scare the crap out of someone wanting to vbac.
Seriously, how many people do you think would allow the doc to break their water if the doctor said "well, we could break your water, but it might cause a prolapsed cord, which would result in an emergency c/section and possibly fetal death... or at best case scenario will prevent the baby from turning into position and cause you to be in labor ten times longer with excruciating back pain". They don't even present those risks.
I like how they throw out the statistic that vbac is only successful 70% of the time. You're chances aren't that good of having a vaginal birth the first time around in a lot of hospitals. So, the 70% statistic is actually VERY good. (Remember the overall c/section rate is close to 40%.)
Please help convince your DH that he needs to really educate himself and not listen to the overall opinion coming from most obs. I'd highly recommend switching to a midwifes care.
Remember too that a lot of hospitals require a doc to be on the floor if someone is having a vbac. That makes it VERY inconvenient for your doc. How is he supposed to see office patients if you go into labor during the day? How is he supposed to sleep in his bed if you go into labor during the night? This is part of the reason that docs will try to push you into a repeat c/section. They make more money off of it and it takes them significantly less time and they do not risk any litigation.
For your doc, you having a c/section is a win-win situation. Why would he not push for that? However, you have someone much more important to consider... yourself and your baby. You need to take a look at the real risks and not the scary dogma your ob has provided.
That why I ended up with a c/s well my OB stripped my membranes 4 days before my D/D without my permission that led to PROM and prolapsed cord.
I did however fight 8 yrs later to VBAC and did.
skittybub
07-08-2008, 11:29 AM
According to your doc you have a 30% chance of not succeeding and needing a repeat C-section anyway. You have a 100% chance if you don't try. To me it was definitely worth the try. I had a successful VBAC last summer with a 9 1/2 pound baby boy two weeks late. A supportive doctor made all the difference. A lot of docs could have said I needed a C-section from the beginning, or because he was big, or late, but my doc treated my birth as normal and natural and was very supportive of my choices. He didn't have to stay by my side, he encouraged me to stay at home as long as I was comfortable doing so. Find someone who will give you choices and support you in what you want. Talk to your Dh about how you feel and why you want what you do. Let him know he might not have to wait through 24 hours of labor. DD's labor was nearly 40 hours before the c-section, DS was 4 1/2 total.
blossomgoat
07-08-2008, 01:45 PM
I like how they throw out the statistic that vbac is only successful 70% of the time. You're chances aren't that good of having a vaginal birth the first time around in a lot of hospitals. So, the 70% statistic is actually VERY good. (Remember the overall c/section rate is close to 40%.)
Now why didn't *I* think of it that way? Jeeze o Pete, you are so right. That totally puts it into perspective for me! :thumbsup:
I've been working my way towards demanding my VBAC and now I really feel much better about it. Thank you!
