Comments on: VBAC = Very Bad At Communicating? http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349 Feminist mother, philosophical doula, and snarky storyteller Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:08:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-3426 BirthingBeautifulIdeas Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:31:51 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-3426 Claudia, I'm so sorry that you've run into such difficulty with your doctor! Have you considered changing care providers? It sounds like you really want a VBAC, and having a supportive care provider is <em>key</em> when it comes to planning a VBAC. It will probably make for a much less stressful pregnancy in the long run, too! Claudia, I’m so sorry that you’ve run into such difficulty with your doctor! Have you considered changing care providers? It sounds like you really want a VBAC, and having a supportive care provider is key when it comes to planning a VBAC. It will probably make for a much less stressful pregnancy in the long run, too!

]]> By: Claudia http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-3413 Claudia Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:56:52 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-3413 I asked my OBGyn if I could have a Vbac. He had told since I had my son 2 yrs ago That I would have to do a repeat csection. I didn't ask any questions. I thought it was the law. I spoke with a friend that is a nurse and got so mad at the misinformation I was given. It didn't matter since I miscarried not long after that at 9 weeks. When I got pregnant again I asked about the Vbac this time more informed and he let an exhale out and said he recommended the csection I asked my OBGyn if I could have a Vbac. He had told since I had my son 2 yrs ago
That I would have to do a repeat csection. I didn’t ask any questions. I thought it was the law. I spoke with a friend that is a nurse and got so mad at the misinformation I was given. It didn’t matter since I miscarried not long after that at 9 weeks. When I got pregnant again I asked about the Vbac this time more informed and he let an exhale out and said he recommended the csection

]]> By: Glenda http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-677 Glenda Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:02:22 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-677 I tried to plan a VBAC at a 'ban' hospital as the alternative is a 2.5 hr. drive or a homebirth. I received a letter from the hospital that informed me they would not take me (I know my patient rights hold otherwise) and that more babies die from uterine rupture than they do for a repeat cesarean. Of course they didn't mention anything of the risks to me or baby from the repeat cesarean such as maternal death, iatrogenic prematurity, etc. SO tired of docs and hospitals watching their own backs instead of taking care of women based on evidence! Fight hard for us!!! I tried to plan a VBAC at a ‘ban’ hospital as the alternative is a 2.5 hr. drive or a homebirth. I received a letter from the hospital that informed me they would not take me (I know my patient rights hold otherwise) and that more babies die from uterine rupture than they do for a repeat cesarean. Of course they didn’t mention anything of the risks to me or baby from the repeat cesarean such as maternal death, iatrogenic prematurity, etc. SO tired of docs and hospitals watching their own backs instead of taking care of women based on evidence! Fight hard for us!!!

]]> By: Rachel http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-617 Rachel Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:45:03 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-617 I got the bait and switch, but thank goodness the "switch" happened at 16 weeks instead of 36 weeks. I had plenty of time to find a different provider and ended up with an amazing VBAC :) My first OB gave me a number of reasons for why he did not "do" VBACs. One of them was that apparently, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women are not "satisfied" even if their VBAC is successful. This study supposedly found that women who had successful VBACs were unhappy with the experience and their recovery. Yes, that's right, my OB - who clearly knew nothing about me - was telling me what would and would not SATISFY me. We left and never looked back. I got the bait and switch, but thank goodness the “switch” happened at 16 weeks instead of 36 weeks. I had plenty of time to find a different provider and ended up with an amazing VBAC :)

My first OB gave me a number of reasons for why he did not “do” VBACs. One of them was that apparently, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women are not “satisfied” even if their VBAC is successful. This study supposedly found that women who had successful VBACs were unhappy with the experience and their recovery.

Yes, that’s right, my OB – who clearly knew nothing about me – was telling me what would and would not SATISFY me. We left and never looked back.

]]> By: Sara http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-600 Sara Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:33:04 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-600 I had an OB/GYN scream at me I was an "obstetrical disaster" and then threaten me with a "leaky bladder" if I attempted a VBAC. She also looked at my husband and said "Do you want a dead baby and dead wife?" At 39 wks 3days I was told "Have a repeat c-section or find another care provider!" The hospital staff told me the same thing and "it's the only option!" So much for Patient' Rights! lol All based on an ultrasound at 38wks that said my baby was 98%. My first son was 9lbs 1oz at birth, 40wks term. I'm 5'4'' and 125lbs and was told I'm just "too small" to give birth. There is more to this story. I delivered my second son vaginally at another hospital May 11, 2009. Only 12 hours of labor, 1 hour or pushing, no edipural, tears, forceps, KIWI...etc. Ready for the shocker??? He weighed in at 9lb 1/2 oz! I just filed my grievance with the medical compliance officer on 2/22/10! I had an OB/GYN scream at me I was an “obstetrical disaster” and then threaten me with a “leaky bladder” if I attempted a VBAC.
She also looked at my husband and said “Do you want a dead baby and dead wife?”
At 39 wks 3days I was told “Have a repeat c-section or find another care provider!” The hospital staff told me the same thing and “it’s the only option!” So much for Patient’ Rights! lol
All based on an ultrasound at 38wks that said my baby was 98%. My first son was 9lbs 1oz at birth, 40wks term. I’m 5’4” and 125lbs and was told I’m just “too small” to give birth.
There is more to this story.
I delivered my second son vaginally at another hospital May 11, 2009. Only 12 hours of labor, 1 hour or pushing, no edipural, tears, forceps, KIWI…etc.
Ready for the shocker??? He weighed in at 9lb 1/2 oz!
I just filed my grievance with the medical compliance officer on 2/22/10!

]]> By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-586 BirthingBeautifulIdeas Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:37:14 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-586 @Amy Romano - Wow. Out of curiosity, did you ask those doctors what exactly a c-section would have prevented, ameliorated, or benefited in those cases? For the life of me, I can't think of any rational or coherent response they could have given! @Amy Romano – Wow. Out of curiosity, did you ask those doctors what exactly a c-section would have prevented, ameliorated, or benefited in those cases? For the life of me, I can’t think of any rational or coherent response they could have given!

]]> By: Amy Romano http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-579 Amy Romano Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:53:14 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-579 I have *twice* had doctors tell me AFTER THE BABY WAS ALREADY OUT AND HEALTHY that a mother should have had a c-section. In both cases, the main issue was that labor was slow (failure to be patient), but the fetal heart tones were fine both times. And both mothers were of course thrilled to have avoided surgery. I have a hard enough time understanding why doctors (and others) are so single minded about repeat cesarean when they talk to a pregnant woman, but to look at a healthy, deliriously happy mother and a healthy, alert baby and say she should have had a c-section is downright ridiculous. .-= Amy Romano´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=987" rel="nofollow">Becoming a Critical Reader: Bias, Bias Everywhere!</a> =-. I have *twice* had doctors tell me AFTER THE BABY WAS ALREADY OUT AND HEALTHY that a mother should have had a c-section. In both cases, the main issue was that labor was slow (failure to be patient), but the fetal heart tones were fine both times. And both mothers were of course thrilled to have avoided surgery. I have a hard enough time understanding why doctors (and others) are so single minded about repeat cesarean when they talk to a pregnant woman, but to look at a healthy, deliriously happy mother and a healthy, alert baby and say she should have had a c-section is downright ridiculous.
Amy Romano´s last blog ..Becoming a Critical Reader: Bias, Bias Everywhere! My ComLuv Profile

]]> By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-559 BirthingBeautifulIdeas Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:20:20 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-559 @Lisl - Oh yes, the bait and switch. I've gotten that one myself! You're right--there's rarely any mention that each subsequent c-section carries a higher risk of placenta accreta and other major complications, but all sorts of fear-mongering about the very real yet VERY RARE risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC. Anyway, GOOD FOR YOU for switching at 34 weeks! I love hearing positive stories like that! @Lisl – Oh yes, the bait and switch. I’ve gotten that one myself!

You’re right–there’s rarely any mention that each subsequent c-section carries a higher risk of placenta accreta and other major complications, but all sorts of fear-mongering about the very real yet VERY RARE risk of uterine rupture for a VBAC.

Anyway, GOOD FOR YOU for switching at 34 weeks! I love hearing positive stories like that!

]]> By: BirthingBeautifulIdeas http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-558 BirthingBeautifulIdeas Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:02 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-558 @Michelle - As I'm sure you know, the claim about subsequent VBACs having a higher risk of uterine rupture is absolutely untrue! In fact, some recent studies have shown the very OPPOSITE to be true. According to <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18238964" rel="nofollow">this study by Mercer et al</a>, the VBAC success rate increases after EACH VBAC, and the risk of uterine rupture DECREASES after the first VBAC and does not increase thereafter. @Michelle – As I’m sure you know, the claim about subsequent VBACs having a higher risk of uterine rupture is absolutely untrue! In fact, some recent studies have shown the very OPPOSITE to be true. According to this study by Mercer et al, the VBAC success rate increases after EACH VBAC, and the risk of uterine rupture DECREASES after the first VBAC and does not increase thereafter.

]]> By: Lisl http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349&cpage=1#comment-556 Lisl Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:55:41 +0000 http://birthingbeautifulideas.com/?p=1349#comment-556 My favorite is the "bait and switch" - they start off positive ("oh yes, we support vbacs"), but as the pregnancy progresses gradually start injecting negative ideas ("don't get TOO wedded to the idea of a vbac" and "the second section is SO much easier"). Finally, there's the "better schedule the section so that you get it when you want it" talk (or better put, let me get you on the calendar in the morning so I can fit it in before office hours). In my case, there was no discussion about pros and cons of vbac vs. section, the practice neglected to inform me that my surgical report had not been provided by my former OB until well into the third trimester (even though I had made calls and signed various consent forms months prior) and then with no notice scheduled me for a section 2 weeks before my due date (I found out when the hospital called me to confirm), even though I had consistently discussed vbac, going into labour naturally and having an unmedicated birth throughout my prenatal visits. They probably thought that 34 weeks was too late for me to move ... it wasn't. I did manage to have a successful vbac at a different hospital with an incredibly supportive midwife (not to mention doula and husband). My favorite is the “bait and switch” – they start off positive (“oh yes, we support vbacs”), but as the pregnancy progresses gradually start injecting negative ideas (“don’t get TOO wedded to the idea of a vbac” and “the second section is SO much easier”). Finally, there’s the “better schedule the section so that you get it when you want it” talk (or better put, let me get you on the calendar in the morning so I can fit it in before office hours). In my case, there was no discussion about pros and cons of vbac vs. section, the practice neglected to inform me that my surgical report had not been provided by my former OB until well into the third trimester (even though I had made calls and signed various consent forms months prior) and then with no notice scheduled me for a section 2 weeks before my due date (I found out when the hospital called me to confirm), even though I had consistently discussed vbac, going into labour naturally and having an unmedicated birth throughout my prenatal visits. They probably thought that 34 weeks was too late for me to move … it wasn’t. I did manage to have a successful vbac at a different hospital with an incredibly supportive midwife (not to mention doula and husband).

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