Vbac - Orlando,FL

I was told my my ob that it depends on the state you live. Each state has different laws. I was told that in Florida once you have a c-section each child you have after that is a c-section. Hope this helps

Is your question whether or not you can have a vbac? Or you should try? I did. I labored for 38+ hours (at home-tried to do a homebirth with my 1st child) and pushed for 2 hours and ended up having an emergency c-section. 22 months later, I birthed my 2nd child vaginally, no problems what-so-ever. Not sure if your infections have a say in whether or not you can have a vbac. But maybe you should look for another doctor? Is that an option? How close are the pregnancies (1st born from your pregnancy now)?

I am 7 months pregnant and I am doing a VBAC. It took us a long time to find a doctor who would agree to do it. Very few doctors will do it because 'they say' it is risky, but c-sections (as you experienced) have a much higher risk of problems. If you really want to do this, you might have to find a new doctor. Start calling around your area and continue doing research. Doctors will try to scare you into not doing VBAC's but many women have had very successful natural births after having c-sections.

Hi, J.!

I think it is wonderful that you are looking at all your options, and I think that you should have a care provider who supports that. Being pregnant and giving birth is wonderful and challenging, and you need a team that supports you. If your doctor shuts you down like that for asking a question, he may not be right for you.

I'm not sure what his reasoning is, but it doesn't sound like he explained it so you could understand. Maybe you should talk to another doctor. Ask any moms you know if they know a doctor or midwife who does VBACs, and try this website: http://www.ican-online.org/

I wish you all the best, and I think it's so great that you are so strong!

J.,
VBAC's are really only starting to gain popularity in the US, although they have been common elsewhere for some time. It is certainly true that only a doctor or medical professional can determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a VBAC. But there are many, many doctors (especially the "old school" docs) who aren't comfortable with the idea, period. You still have plenty of time before you are due. I too would advise you to at least explore changing doctors. See if you can find someone in your area who is more progressive-thinking. Hopefully you can find someone who is willing to consider the option and then review your medical history to determine whether or not you are a good candidate. Remember, a woman should have as much control over her birthing process as possible, but when it comes down to it, we depend on qualified medical professionals to make the right call and take care of us at critical times. Therefore, you should have a doctor that you trust and who you believes has your best interest and that of your baby as his/her 1st priority. If you don't feel confident your current doctor can provide that, don't be afraid to at least interview or meet with other doctors.

FIND A MIDWIFE AT A BIRTHING CENTER! I REPEAT - AT A BIRTHING CENTER - Not a "midwife" that works out of an OB/GYN office that only delivers hospital babies!
FIND A MIDWIFE AT A BIRTHING CENTER!

You can message me for more info if you like :)

Now that I went to see where u are located - I reccomend Labor of Love in Dunedin or any other of their fab offices! You may be closer to the Tampa office - go to them - they are wonderful women! www.laborluv.com

Look for a new doctor who will perform a vbac. I've had 2 successful vbacs and I pushed for 9 hours with my only c-section baby. She was too big to come out. Many teaching hospitals will do vbacs because they always have someone in the hospital.

Most docs are not going to do it, because of liability to them and risk to you and the baby. I wanted to have a vbac too, but had to do 2 csections instead. Once your first is a c-section, they most likely will do another. Sorry.

Go with your intuition, if so change doctors. Especially if he looked at you like you were crazy instead of discussing the options/ risks etc

Here is a good link:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/vbac.html

"Dystocia: Dystocia refers to a long and difficult labor due to slow cervical dilation, a small pelvis, or a big baby. Many women who are given this reason for previous cesareans, deliver vaginally the next time, and give birth to a bigger baby than the first! ACOG states that the effects [or difficulties] of labor with a baby more than 8 ¾ lbs have not been substantiated.

There is not evidence that a big baby necessitates a cesarean. The pelvis and the baby's head are not rigid structures and both mold and change shape to allow for birth. During labor there are certain positions that a woman can use to help open up the pelvis, allowing a larger baby to move through. For example, squatting opens the outlet of the pelvis by 10%. "

.

My sister in law wanted a VBAC desperately, so she found a good midwife and had a home water birth. No problems, all went well. She is somewhat of an expert, having written a book on Birth (called Birth - a Brief History of How We Are Born. Don't read it when you're pregnant though, it's got some tough stuff about what they would do with problem deliveries in the "old days").

The book was based on her own experience with her first baby - they wisked her into surgery and she really didn't have a choice. She wondered what they would have done 100 years ago, and that research produced the book.

If you want to check out her blog: go to tinacassidy.blogspot.com (am I allowed to list that here?)

Anyway I think another poster had it right - you have to find a midwife or doctor that will do it.

Good luck!

Ok you cant just tell a Dr you want a VBAC it has to be a Dr that actually does them or he will tell you all the reasons that you cant have one. Drs don’t like to do VBACs. There is more liability, if you rupture they can be sued. Also they have to be in the hospital the entire time that you are in labor so that means canceling all there appointments for the day and spending a lot of long hours in the hospital. You are going to be a bit harder pressed to find a Dr that will ok a VBAC because of the infection it makes you more likely to rupture (according to my Dr) if a homebirth with a midwife is something you would even think of considering, and that health would allow that is your best bet. In the state of Florida a midwife cannot deliver a VBAC in a hospital or a birth center. I am due in April and going to try for a VBAC but I have health issues that prevent me from using a midwife. There is a great website out there called ICAN they have local support groups through yahoo and these people are great they can tell you what Drs in your area are VBAC friendly and recommend a midwife as well. Good luck.

http://www.ican-online.org/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ICANofFlorida/

I love the ladies at Labor of Love- I know the one in Dundein- I'd say call them and get some real info- and what a jerk your doctor is- get a different one.
best, k

I would defnitely suggest taking the advice to meet with other docs or midwives who are vbac-friendly, and also to join the ICAN support group- they are incredibly helpful and can give you the names of the obs and midwives in your area that will give you the best chance of getting a vbac. A good provider will try to find out the reason WHY you pushed for a long time without progression- did they try different laboring positions with you, or were you flat on your back the whole time? Were you induced? Did you have an epidural? All of these can inhibit the ability to birth naturally, and can sometimes create those stalls in labor. I would also encourage you to research doulas, especially if you end up trying a vbac in a hospital. Having a doula with vbac experience can be invaluable when coping with the scenario and the pressure you may be put in to give in to a repeat c-section.
GOOD LUCK!!
K.

Congrats on your pregnancy. Sorry to hear you're being bullied by your dr. I am not too impressed with drs and pregnancy. Remember pregnancy is not an illness. Pushing for 2 hours isn't really long enough, in my opinion, to justify a c section. drs make big dollars for c sections because remember it's major surgery. Birth is a natural thing that happens all the time without medical intervention. The medical profession pushed midwifery aside once they saw that money could be made from it. I strongly suggest you go to a midwife who is kind and sensitive to your needs. The birth experience is much more pleasurable with a midwife. You get what you want rather than drama as you've experienced. I have a wonderful midwife, if you're interested. ###-###-####
She was fantastic with my delivery at home, safe and peaceful. My mother was fearful of home deliveries, she is a dr truster and by the time I'd delivered, my mother was so impressed she's now a midwife advocate. Go mom!
I can't hurt to phone, visit, speak to one right? Not to mention the cost is much lower....
Good luck

ok, i know you have been through the mill with doctors, but in this scenario, I would seek a second opinion. I never had to have a c section, but if it is your heart's desire to attemp to deliver vbac, you should have a doc who is willing to do what the patient wants not what the doc wants. although, you should ask if your pelvis is too small to push baby out, that might be why they want to do a repeat section. and keep in mind that this is your only chance to ever deliver vaginally, so in my opinion, trying the vbac would be what i wanted.

Please, please, please join the ICAN group. It's the most amazing group of women. They have so much knowledge and can provide research and information on all types of pregnancy situations and VBACs. YOU CAN HAVE THE BIRTH YOU WANT! You will have to advocate for it in FL though because our state is pretty vbac unfriendly. You can do it though!!!

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ICANofOrlando/

Please join the group and let these ladies offer you information on providers and options. There is no charge and what you will gain from that group is worth a million dollars.

Hi, Jasmine. Hon, there are too many variables for anyone who is not your doctor to tell you why your doctor hasn't considered this option. Does anyone know why vaginal birth didn't work the first time? You may have a narrow pelvic opening or some other condition of the pelvis. There may be something about your uterus after having had so many infections, that it's not safe for you or baby to have a vaginal birth. You have have scar tissue that makes it dangerous; if the c-section surgeon cut you in a place that makes it dangerous for you to labor, then you won't be able to have a vaginal birth.

It's also possible that your doctor doesn't believe in even trying to have a vaginal birth after a c-section, and isn't interested in that option. It's weird that he would get angry at you for just asking questions about vbac; you might want to get a second opinion if he's going to act like that.

The most important thing is that you are safe and well and that the baby is safe and well. How he or she comes into the world is far less important.

I hope everything goes very well for you, and that you have a wonderful addition to your family!

Peace,
Syl

baby #1 was emergency c-section
baby #2 was VBAC
Seven years later, doc who delivered baby #1 said no vbac for baby #3-- I said fine. I trusted this man enough to deliver my firstborn and he did an amazing job. If he thinks there is a risk of rupture to me if I tried a vbac, why on God's green Earth would I risk that?? Sure, you may find someone willing to do it, but if you have a doctor saying there is a high risk of injury, you need to decide what you want to do and who you can "trust"

It's awful that you had so many problems after your first c-section but they aren't all like that. I had a scheduled c-section for the third baby and I loved that! I got to pick his birthday, stay in the hospital a couple of days to recover rather than being shooed away (like when I had my vbac), and family and friends catered to me for a couple of weeks during recovery!!

J.. I have 3 children. My daughter was a cesaran. After 16 hours in labor and not fulling dialated, my doctor suggested a csection. I was devestated. I recovered rather well. when she was 5 months old, I was pregnaunt again. This time, it was my doctor that suggested a vbac. My daughter was 8lbs.12,21 inches so my doctor anticipated a large baby,I was induced 2 weeks early and had a baby boy 8lbs.11, 20 inches. He was fine execept he had water in his lungs at birth and was in urgent care for 4 days until that problem was resolved. 5 years later I had my youngest son. All natural, no planned delivery, no medication, no csection, natural, he weight in at 9lbs.4oz 21 inches.
Every single delivery is diffrent as every child is diffrent. And although you can get diffrent scenarios, they might not apply to you.
The good news is that you can look for a doctor that listens to what you want and can work with you. If the doctor you have does not see your way, find another one. Maybe you will find that it is that doctor's opinion or that it just applies to you nomatter how many doctors you see.
I wish you lots of luck with your new addition.
H.

If you pushed for 2 hours, wouldn't that mean you HAD dilated? You don't usually push unless you're fully dilated. Obviously, it's hard to say whether you should try for a VBAC since most of us are not doctors and don't know your medical history. I do find it suspicious too that your doctor got mad at you and used scare tactics. I would suggest asking moms you know if they know any VBAC friendly doctors so you can get a more accurate opinion. Maybe if you mentioned where you live, the ladies on MamaSource could make some recommendations.

most doctors now a days will not allow pt's to vbac, d/t the higher risk to the pt and baby, and what your doctor said is true, you have a higher rate of another c-section even with laboring, because with your last delivery you where able to dilate fine, but the baby would not come out even with pushing for 2+ hours. also vbac can take a long time, most doctors will not even give pitocin to help labor along due to the old scar on the uterus, there is a higher chance of this scar reopening during labor from the contractions. i work in labor and delivery, a while back, yes vbac happened alot, but now, once a c- section always a c-section. its very rare to be able to vbac, doctors now find it to risky. hope this helps, any other questions, just ask.

Hi
Only few doctors will do VBAC. Try Dr. Wayne Digiacomo, who is also the head of the birthing center on hallandale blvd. He is one of the few doctors in the area that do it.
He was recommmended to me as a VBAC doctor by my lactation consultant,who is also a nurse.
If your insurance approves go for it. He will give u a straight answer..
good luck