VBAC SUPPORT

Hi there ladies

I am new to this forum and find myself far from the decision you all seem to have made with ease. My little girl Alexis is 4 years old and was delivered by C-Section. I am now (almost) 24 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child, a little boy. I was eager to have natural birth with my 1st born but a low lying placenta apparently made it to risky and I was scheduled for a c-section. I like most of you have an urge to have natural birth and understand there are risks but really would prefer to make my decision an informed one, having given all the options and pro's and con's a good long think. I know it seems soon to stress over this but already I pick up my gynae's reluctance to let me try and a friend suggested this forum might help. Any advise or home truths would be greatly appreciated.

Hi ladies

Thank you so much for your responses. You just confirmed my gut feeling. I can't let my gynae derail my plans because of what he finds more convenient. I still believe that using a midwife at genesis is my best chance for a successful vbac and he should either fit in with that plan or not.

I just sensed that Dr Maasdorp was kind of pushing me towards going back to original gynae, but my midwife said she would just chat to him and get a real sense of what his concerns are and if he is on board or not. I think he will be though. In any case, if my labour progresses(WHICH IT WILL) well and I have my vbac (WHICH I WILL), there will be no need for him anyway - the power of positive thinking and all...

Thanks for re-assurance on baby turning. I also think she will still turn. In fact, i know she will

Oh and still way to early to worry about baby lying head up. But you can check out spinningbabies.com for some tricks to help baby turn.

We have some HypnoBirthing tricks as well, so don't worry, baby will turn!

Elamsmom, I would rather stay with a midwife, at Genesis. Dr Maasdorp is propably just trying to get more gynies to see the light with coming to back up at Genesis. But if yours isn't willing to come to Genesis, then go with Maasdorp. The facility is just as important as the doctor, almost more important.

The doc comes in for the last couple of minutes of the birth if its a natural birth. The staff handles the rest. And there are policies to adhere to at a hospital which might make it harder to do what you want to do.

It would be great to have more mommies doing VBACs in hospitals where more docs and nurses could see that its normal and possible, but why by the guinea pig if you could have a birth at Genesis?

Genesis offers you a wonderful homely environment, a private garden, a awesome birth pool, double bed with rooming in with your husband. You can have a midwife, doula, hubby, kids and basically anyone you want to support you. At most hospitals, only your husband is allowed in, I'm not sure about the policy on Doulas at Sunninghill. And support is everything!

Elamsmom, there is still lots of time for your baby to turn - some babies only turn during labour.

I am inclined to agree with Missy. I think you need to be in a supportive environment that will support a natural delivery, and if that's what you will get at Sunninghill, then by all means, go for it. I can tell you that if I have another baby I will not step foot into an environment that isn't 100% committed to me not having a C-section. And if that means that I don't get to see my gynae, who I love dearly and who has been through a hell of a lot with me, then so be it. The short time the gynae is with you doesn't make up for the heartbreak after a failed labour

hi

Well i would stick with Genesis. Heard chances for a VBAC there are quite high.

While your previous gynae would want you in Sunnighill which is more like a hospital and where a caesar can be set up quickly as they like to get impatient.

If a VBAC is what you really want - don't worry about who your gynae is jus make sure that you have the support for a VBAC and you are in an environment that its highly likely to take place

Hey ScribblingAl! *waving!!!*

I'm based in the Woodmead area.

Just saw Dr Maasdorp at Genesis. Baby is breech at 30 weeks 1 day. If she stays breech, I will unfortunately not be able to have a vbac. Will assess again at 36 weeks (That does explain the REALLY low kicks i've been getting though. Somtimes feels likes her legs are already In the birth canal

I am not even considering the possibility of her not turning though. She just has to turn. I really dont want a c-sec

Anyway, Dr Maasdorp is really nice. But he did ask why I am not using my original gynae anymore and suggested I chat to him and see if he won't be my backup gynae at genesis. I told him that I didn't think that my original gynae would be very supportive playing 2nd fiddle to my midwife after having been my primary care giver etc. but he didn't seem convinced and still wanted me to talk to my old gynae and see what he says...

So I did phone my original gynae and he said that he would be more comfortable doing the vbac at Sunninghill hospital and not at genesis. he says he's afraid of being too far when i need him...and it would just make him feel better logistically if i tried for my vbac at Sunninghill rather...

*HUGE SIGH!!!* I really like my old gynae and I think he has gotten it through his head that I want a vbac and will not compromise on that 9barring any medical reasons obviously). So, question is, should I go back to Sunninghill? It's having my old gynae vs having my birth at Genesis... what would u do???