update:)Edit:Need A New Ob Cuz Mine Is a Liar! Can U Help?

Holy hormones, breathe woman.

No doctor would ever say one thing and do another without good medical reason not to. Do you know exactly where your placenta lies? Do you know what your blood pressure is right this moment? Do you know for certain that baby is head down?

I'm a HUUUUUGE advocate for vaginal birth, but I also have a lot of faith in medicine Instead of being upset and running away from the issue into the arms of a new doctor who doesn't know your history, ask him WHY he feels it's medically necessary to do another c-section. Why did you need one the first time? You're leaving a lot of out this story....

How do you figure he's a liar and a fraud. At the beginning he said he'd let you try. Now, later and with more info, he says it's not safe. Doesn't sound like a liar and a fraud to me.

I suggest you ask him to refer you to a doctor that would more likely allow a VBAC. He knows his colleagues.

There shouldn't be a problem changing doctors. You just want to be sure to ask them about the VBAC issue up front.

Check with your insurance first - not only (as some already said) your insurance may not pay for a VBAC, but also make sure that your insurance will alllow you to switch Drs without "cause" in the 3rd trimester.

It doesn't really matter WHY you had the c-section to begin with.... in terms of your ability to have a VBAC.

Your Dr couldn't possibly have known at 12 weeks that your baby would be bigger than the first one. He probably said - as long as everything looks good you could try VBAC. Well, things no longer look good.

Would you rather risk an emergency c-section if you get right in the middle of delivery and things go wrong?

Generally, Drs don't WANT you to have a c-section (yes, conspiracy theorists will disagree). What your Dr WANTS is a safe delivery and right now he feels that will be best accomplished with a c-section. This isn't fraud - you would sue him for malpractice if he allowed you to have a VBAC and your uterus ruptured.

Good Luck with your birth - I hope things work out for you to have a safe delivery.

Oh yikes, it doesn't sound like he is lying or being fraudulent. There are times when a vbac is possible, but many times a c-section is the safest way to go, so having flexibility with the birth plan is a good idea. It doesn't often present itself as medically necessary to have a c-section until the pregnancy is more advanced, which is why he said it was a possibility when you were only 12 weeks. It doesn't matter that your first c-section 'wasn't your fault', the truth is, it was needed then and now you have to deal with the possibility that you may have to have another. If you try a v-bac when your body needs a c-section, it could cause a uterine rupture and all sorts of dangerous things for both you and baby. However, you can still find a new Dr. who is more knowledgeable and able if you need for a second opinion, it's not too late for that. Since I don't know the medical options, it may still be possible, your current Dr. just might be trying to play it safe.

Edit on your update: That's great news, good luck!

I think you are possibly looking at this in a very one-dimensional way. Instead of thinking the doctor is a liar, ask questions without being angry. Tell the doctor what you thought, why you thought it, why the change, etc. Give the doctor a chance to talk this through with you.

Your own medical condition could be the reason a VBAC isn't workable. If that is so, you should know this and understand the reasons behind it, and not just pass them over because you don't like the answer.

One of the most militant believers in VBAC's on this site had a baby 3 months ago, and was bound and determined to do it with her midwife. However, it was not meant to be and she ended up in the hospital with a c-section. I give her TONS of credit that after she had been home a little while and had gotten past some of her worst hormonal upheavals, she readily admitted here that it saved her and her child's life because the baby was too big to be born.

Open-mindedness so that you can listen to what the doctor says instead of just having a knee-jerk reaction to this news is very important so that you can make an INFORMED decision.

Good luck,
Dawn

Are you willing to sign a waiver releasing him from any wrong doing if anything goes wrong? B/c obviously he feels something may go wrong....

The most important thing is to have a healthy baby. Nothing else matters as much. Not your method of delivery, not your recovery time. I hope you find a great doctor and I hope you have a very healthy baby

At 12 weeks he said he'd let you TRY vback. Now at 31 weeks, things have CHANGED. The baby is bigger, so he feels the situation is different than the previous information (your daughter) he was working with. That is not a liar or a fraud.
That said, you can go to a completely different hospital and see if someone will take you, since the hospital that he works at has a small group of doctors that are sticking with an agreement. You need to talk to someone, they will want to see all your doctors' notes, check you out, etc and then they'll have to make their own decision as to what they think is medically best for you and your baby. In the end, it really doesn't matter as long as you're both safe. It's not about what you want, it's about what the person handling the situation feels comfortable with because he has your life, and that of your baby, in his hands. If you switch doctors, it's still going to be the same thing. They'll try your wishes only as far as they think is safe. The method (and everything else) is subject to change if medical issues arise. I'm sure that you would want what's best and safest.
Good luck, whatever you do and whoever you do it with. I wish you and your baby well!

Honey, your doctor said he'd try. And now he's saying he doesn't think it's a good idea for you. That doesn't make him a liar. It makes him a safe medical professional.

It's your right to switch doctors/midwives whenever you want, but please take a step back and realize this doctor didn't schedule you for a C-section to piss you off. He did it because he thinks it's the right decision. It's not like it really matters to HIM, y'know?

It is never too late to find a new doctor -- I know of a woman who changed practitioners while in labor because her doctor wouldn't attempt a vaginal breech delivery. I know several women who have easily changed doctors at 32 weeks -- you've still got 8 weeks until you're full term.

Not trusting your doctor is not a good thing -- please, try to find someone who you feel you can trust. It will make a huge difference in your birth experience. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in your area (I'm in MA), but I'm sure that there are doulas around your area who are knowledgable about the local practitioners. I just googled "doula Palatine, IL " and got a bunch of hits. Some of them will probably be more than happy to help you find a new birth attendant.

Another point worth mentioning some hospitals will not allow VBAC deliveries.

You should ask for more explanation from your doctor before jumping ship. Perhaps it's a newly developed health concern with you or your child AND/OR it is your insurance policy AND/OR it is the hospital's policy.

Is it your doctor or midwife suggesting the change? Perhaps your doctor is suggesting another c-section because of your safety/health? Did you ask him as to why the plans were changed prior to thinking he is a fraud? If he knows your history, it might be in your benefit, as disappointing as it is. I would think finding a doctor so close to your due date may cause more stress for you and the baby.

Some insurance requires that if you have already had a c-section that you MUST schedule any future c-sections, or they won't pay for it.

I'm also confused - are you using a midwife or an OB?

Its frustrating to me to read the responses you've gotten from fellow women on this board. The problem with their comments is the lack of knowledge surrounding a VBAC. Size of a baby is NOT a reason for a Csect. Lookup your local ICAN chapter. (international cesarean Awareness chapter). You can get a lot of information regarding supportive docs in your area. Im a doula but primarily work in Chicago so I'm not familiar with any docs in your area. I do know that the midwives at Illinois Masonic hospital have the highest VbAC rate in the area. The midwives at West Suburban Hospital are also great. There are 2 different midwifery groups at West Sub, so make sure you talk to both and not just assume the first one you google is the only one. If you're on FB, look up Nurse-midwives at Swedish Covenant Hospital and on their wall you can ask them how late they take transfers. The midwives there are great. Whatever you do, do it fast because some places will not take you after a certain gestational week.

There are medical professionals willing to support your choice. Size is not a reason!!!!! Talk to people who know. In all other parenting respects I find this board helpful but when it comes to birthing you need to go elsewhere for answers. There's nothing "safe" about a repeat unnecessary Csect. This happens all the times with some Obs. They talk the talk to get you in the door as a patient knowing full well that they don't like VBACs.

If you want more info on someone in you area, I can get some names for you. PM me and I'll point you in the right direction.

Good luck!

The midwives at west suburban are happy to support you in your choice to deliver vaginally,

Call them and check out your insurance ;

West suburban midwives association
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Before you tell your current doctor off, make sure you can switch. I was told I could not switch after so many weeks and all the doctors at that hospital stuck with the policy.

I KNOW that my OB lets people try for VBACs if there is no other medical reason they would need a C-Section.
Look up Suburban Women's Health Specialists in Algonquin or Elgin...they work out of Sherman Hospital in Elgin right off of I-90 & Randall Rd or they also work out of St. Alexius in Hoffman Estates on Barrington Rd.

Most won't take on a late pregnancy transfer due to their risk. OB's have notoriously high malpractice insurance because they have 2 patients and everyone expects a perfect baby and when it doesn't happen they get sued even if was completely out of their hands as to the outcome. If people were less sue happy more doctors would submit more often to patient requests and TRY harder but most play it on the safest side possible to avoid their costs going up so high that they can't practice anymore. So what I'd do is make an appointment with a doctor who is onn staff at a differnt facility to get a second opinion, not to switch but for a second opinion. Make sure emotion about your doctor is left out and deliver the facts of your history, allow an exam and listen to their finding and reasoning. If the second doctoe feels it's okay to try see if they will take you on but don't sue them if you end up with a section or something goes wrong with the vbac I can't afford higher medical bills as a patient. I know cections are difficult to recover from but if you need one for safety then keep you and baby safe.

Ugh! Doctors are the most frustrating of species. In advocating for my son I cannot tell you how many have been disingenuous, ill-informed, poorly motivated and just plain wrong - and I mean really, really wrong - stupidly, dangerously wrong.

Whatever you decide to do - do your research and read past the first paragraph. As I understand it the data on VBAC suggest that certain variables - especially how many months between the c-section and the VBAC - are really key. (Even if you must do the c-section, give yourself permission to be mad and sad for a little bit.)

The comment below that no doctor would say one thing and do another unless it was medically necessary is ridiculous. No GOOD doctor would do that but like any other profession there are docs you can trust and ones you can't. I would schedule an appointment to speak with him (in his office not examine room) about why he changed his opinion and make sure you have all the facts. Then if you still feel he does not have your best interest in mind seek second opinion.
All doctors are different, insert legal ramifications, scheduling preferences, level of beleif in birthing without interventions, commitment to trying VBACs etc. and you may get entirely different answers depending on which doctor you use.

I don't know who you should see - maybe West Suburban Midwives and Associates in Oak Park?

But I just wanted to say good for you for knowing the statistics and your options and fighting for what you know is right!!!