Any OB's or ldn's around? Some high-risk C/S questions please

[3lilbubs]

Sorry to butt in here mammas, not pg yet. We're considering it, but given my last delivery dh is terrified to have another. Here's why we're a little scared:

ds 1, c/s after 22hrs of labor/ruptured memebranes, failure to progress & confirmed cephelopelvic disproportion (sp?) (yes, mine is absolutely confirmed, none of my babies made it past -2station. )

ds 2, repeat c/s due to above diagnosis, no complications, performed after 4hrs of start of labor.

ds 3, repeat c/s, same diagnosis, performed after 12hrs of labor. My doc has been on-call for the last 12 hrs, so I'm deferred to the on-call ob. It's almost midnight by then. I refused sedation (same as last time) and was awake for the entire c/s and recovery. When the nurses were "wrapping me up" after my c/s was finished they noticed some heavy-ish bleeding from my incision but it stopped before they took me to recovery.

After about 30min in recovery, my bp dropped dramatically and I felt dizzy. I was bleeding heavily from my incision. They opened me up right there in my l&d room (shock of my life, lemmetellyou!) but couldnt find the source. They promptly knocked me out and dragged me back in to the OR for an additional 2hrs.

During this time, they told my poor dh that I had a uterine hemhorrage. Is that even possible after your uterus clamps down and you're sewn up? When I asked my midwife about it at my follow-up visit he says that isn't exactly what the delivery report says, HE says that it sounds from what was written that the OB screwed up and forgot to cauterize something. So how in the world would I know? I mean, it isn't like the OB is going to fess up to that b/c I might sue her!

This is two totally different scenarios with completely different risks and reprecussions for further pg'cies. My midwife said I would be fine to get pg again, but who am I to believe and who's going to convince my dh, who is still saying to this day "but you almost DIED".

So if you know anthing about this, would either of those scenarios complicate another pregnancy?

Also, how do I find a OB that does high-risk c/s? I think I'd be high-risk just because it would be my fourth, right?

Whew! Thanks if you got thru that and a million thanks if you can add any thoughts!

[mommymilk]

Childbirth can be the most beautiful natural thing in the world, but it can also be incredibly dangerous and frightening. You will probably never find out what the real answer is as to what happened. And you will be able to find another OB if you want another baby. If it was a hemmorage, they do happen, and women go on to have more babies. I have also heard of women who had blood squirting out of their C/S incision, and they are okay. Needed to go back in to have it fixed of course, but they are fine.

Your husband on the other hand is going to be your toughest sell. He was obviously very scared, and knows that his 3 boys need their Mama. My husband is the same way. I didn't have sections, but I have other issues that make having babies somewhat difficult. I get rather sick, especially after birth. Our third, and final, is/was a complete accident, but going well. He is still petrified of having another NICU baby (we are 2 for 2) and me getting sick, along with the post partum I had last time. We have come up with a plan, and he is now okay. I suggest taking your DH to a new OB with you, and talk to them about TTC again, so DH can get a doctors opinion. Even if you have to see a few different ones to get different opinions. I am sure he will come around. Plus remind him of all the fun you get to have trying!

[3lilbubs]

thank you, mamma. I told him if he would consider going with me, that I would get an appt with my first ob (that delivered the first two) for a opinion. He's a great ob, just not the best bedside manner. At least I know he'd give it to me straight, right? Dh is still reluctant. I'm hoping as the memory of the birth fades (like it did w/#2) that he'll be more willing to see a doc about trying again. Thanks again! I guess that was a pretty "out there" question for a natural parenting board, right? LOL *sigh*

[AnnaG01]

I guess I have high risk c/s too. My uterus is thin and I am going to have my 3rd c-section...sometime, I have preemies (and have already been on bedrest for almost SIX weeks) so hopefully baby will bake until July or Aug.

My OB told me that I could have as many c-secs as I wanted, and she would never limit me.

I go to a specialist for my high risk pregnancies, but my regular OB performs my c-section; I see both doctors.

[mommymilk]

Originally Posted by 3lilbubs I guess that was a pretty "out there" question for a natural parenting board, right? LOL *sigh*

There is NOTHING you could have done to get that baby through your birth canal. The important thing is your healthy, and so are your boys. However our babies come into the world, whether natural childbirth, childbirth with medication, c-section, or adoption, it is all about parenting. Not birthing! Hope you don't feel bad that you didn't push your little ones out...I myself have to be induced. I will be trying more natural methods this time, and try to avoid the pitocin, but we will see what happens. I am not less of a woman for giving birth with an epidural or induction, and you aren't either for having c-sections!

[AFMama]

Originally Posted by mommymilk There is NOTHING you could have done to get that baby through your birth canal. The important thing is your healthy, and so are your boys. However our babies come into the world, whether natural childbirth, childbirth with medication, c-section, or adoption, it is all about parenting. Not birthing! Hope you don't feel bad that you didn't push your little ones out...I myself have to be induced. I will be trying more natural methods this time, and try to avoid the pitocin, but we will see what happens. I am not less of a woman for giving birth with an epidural or induction, and you aren't either for having c-sections!

Sorry to hijack, but thank you SO MUCH for saying that. I'm having a really hard time accepting that I'll likely not be able to have a VBAC this time around, and I have been feeling pretty darn crummy about it. Thank you so much for your perspective on this. It is kind of hard to keep priorities straight when what I'd *like* to happen will probably not match up with what will likely happen. Thanks

Okay, hijack over.

[3lilbubs]

Thank you both. I really wanted a natural birth, I just couldn't and nobody really knows why. I am the only woman in my family for several generations to require one. My mom and grandma were shocked, both had quick natural births. It still makes me a little sad, I have just accepted that this is how my children must be born and I'm grateful for the technology that exists, otherwise a birth would be fatal for me and the baby. c/s mammas.