VBAC SUPPORT

Anthea, to get started, you would attend a free info session with the midwifes, just phone them and make an appointment. At the info session you will meet one or more of the midwifes and they answer anything you want to know about the unit and the whole active birth / midwifery care system. After that you would still see your gynie for your 12 and 20 week scans, but see the midwife for all the other check ups.

You where really lucky to have been at Femina for your first baby, its one of very few truly pro normal private hospitals in Gauteng.

Eve, just to do some punting here - I have just started my Doula course, and as I am doing this for the love of it, and not the money, if you need a doula, please shout
I have done the hypnobirthing myself as well, and would seriously suggest them

Good luck!

Thank you so much ladies!!

I have contacted a midwife that works at Birth Options in Plumstead. She delivers at Vincent Pallotti and works with Dr Dumbrill and someone else who I can't recall.

I've emailed her my situation and asked questions so will take it from there.

Shoo, I saw a pic of a VBAC birth on the internet and was slightly (okay very shocked) and for a split second was very scared and changed my mind ahahahahahaha

Guess I will really need those hypnbirthing classes.

Eve - if I was in your shoes - I would go the midwife and doula route, and I would seriously think of doing the HypnoBirthing course. And I can vouch for every single one of Spiral's recommendations.

HI Eve,
i would always recommend a midwife over a gynae for anyone wanting a natural birth - that is their area of expertise. You can find a cape town midwife on www.capemidwives.co.za She will be your primary caregiver & help you make arrangements witha vbac supportive gynae for back up - usually one of the dr's at vincent pallotti.
If you however choose to go the gynae route then the go to doc is Douglas Dumbrill or Jackie Searle. But i would suggest you then hire a doula www.laliludoulacare.yolasite.com as well to help give you the best chance of a vbac. I would also recommend doing either the hypnobirthing course www.beautifullyborn.co.za or mama bamba www.mamabamba.co.za as trying for a vbac is more an emotional & psychological battle than a physical one and one of these methods will help empower you in your journey.
Good Luck!

Hi there Hasie

I was just at the normal hospital with a normal gynae... I did however attend the antenatal classes at the birthing centre and was very impressed with the facilities! The lady who gave the classes made a HUGE impression on me about how we were made to handle normal birth and that it was our right to insist on one...

I would love to hear more about the midwives-exclusive ative birth centre, and the process of getting started... If you have that information for me please?

Thank you.

Hi ladies

I hope you are all well!

I used to be on this forum but haven't been on in almost a year (shocking I know)

Hubby and I have decided that we want to start trying for our 2nd baby. Due to various things happening in my life, we have planned that I can only have a baby from August next year, so we would need to be pregnant by December / January. I know timing etc doesn't always work but I'm finishing up my degree and can't have a 2nd baby while still studying - the first one was hard enough.

Okay so to cut things short - I have no clue about VBACS except that gynaes don't like them. I need to go for a checkup before we start trying as I never did my 6 week follow up after Connor was born and he's 2 years old now (reason: my gynae was a total ass so I refused to go back)

Question 1: I need to choose a gynae now that is pro VBAC so I can have my checks and then start trying - and then stay with him/her for the rest of the pregnancies. Which gynaes are pro VBAC in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town?

Question 2: Do I not need a gynae? i.e. should I be making an appointment to see a midwife instead, to better my chances of having a VBAC?

I feel like I'm getting ahead of myself, not even being pregnant yet, but I don't want to get a new gynae and then fall pregnant only to find out he/she won't even consider my VBAC request.

Thanks in advance

Eve