VBAC SUPPORT

Hello ladies

it seems my insomnia is getting worse, hence am typing at this hour.

Kiki@ as far as i know a sweep can be beneficial if your cervix is ripe and soft already. So hopefully thats so. Water breaking, with that staying clear of internals, bathing in bath tub (shower rather) and sex will help you stay clear of infections. Water replenishes in the womb, usually they say 72hrs is fine to be home for after water breaks before rushing to the hospital. thus increases your chances of a calmer labour at home compared to being in a foreign environment.

Hey Ladies
I haven't posted in here in months, actually the last time I did we were TTC. I'm 39 weeks pregnant and hoping for a VBAC. I'm seeing a midwife at Genesis and I also recently hired a Doula. At my 38 week appointment, my midwife checked my cervix and said I was dilated (didn't specify cm's) and said it was very soft and ripening. I saw her again yesterday for my 39 week appointment and she offered to sweep my membranes at 40 weeks (next week Friday), if I haven't gone into labour on my own by then. I'm very sceptical about that as I read it can cause the water to break, increase infection rate and that it won't do anything for me if my body is not ready. Any thoughts? With my DS, I went into spontaneous labour at 39 weeks 6 days. I'm hoping to go into labour before my 40 week midwife appointment, as I can't decide what to do. Any suggestions?

Morning ladies
It seems the midwife i had contacted is not 100% happy with my choice of Govt hospital. But will see her next week to find out her verdict. Fortunately i am meeting another midwife the day after and she sounds very eager to help me. So praying that i am happy with one of them.

Gloie@ i know. But in the private practice in pmb finding a gynea that is willing to give me a gentle csection is hard and Govt is the only place i can have that fortunately at the one close that i have as a backup

Nels,

Wow, it is as if every option you make has a new predicament!!

The midwife I spoke to also said that they would be willing to let me go until 42 weeks - was impressed as most won't let you go past 40 weeks.

So many things to consider, money is a big factor too...

Let us know as you have decided which way to go!

I went to see the gynea on wednesday and i was overly impressed. He was thorough, not once did he use the risk factor as his game plan. He has had a larger number of successful vbacs(the only one in pmb). He was happy with the fact that i had a complication free prgnancy and so far so too with this one as well.
I did have to wait looooong for him though but he spends about 30-45min with each patient explaining in details and making sure your questions are answered to your satisfactory. His scan showed that i am a week earlier than the other 2 Dr's, he allows his patients to go till 41 weeks (42 if i count from the previous Dr dates) which is better then most other Dr's who said maybe 40!
The only downfall is his R3000 copayment excl other fees that may come up, this copayment has to be paid by 34weeks. *sigh*

Morning ladies

thank you Mirandasn for sharing. It really helps to hear more stories of successful vbacs.

Im in a predicament. I have a doula now but my private hospital options have dwindled to 1 as the other one doesnt allow no private midwife nor doula and i will not have that and their natural birth rate is low so csections are high 3 of 3 births of friends that i have known all to be csections now i know why.
We ended up checking the Govt hospital close to me and we were impressed. It was clean and in the labour ward there was only 2 patients and their antenatal section is great too, they even have scans unlike the previous one I knew.
My other option is now a home birth which dh suggested on wednesday as he does not want me to be forced into another scection.
We are now considering a homebirth with a midwife and using the govt hospital as a backup as with them i can also have a gentle csection, delayed cord clamping etc without fights (the doula used to work there and the midwife in charge's son is my sons class mate).
The gynea wants a R3000 copayment by 34 weeks let alone the other costs involved.
I must say this has become tiring even more as my choices of alot of things just kept dwindling.
If only i was in Jhb.
Oh and the midwife that am going to see might not allow my choice of Govt hospital as she prefers the crappy one and has forced another mom into using her own selection of doulas (which that doula made the moms birth horrid). So thats another hurdle i have to face on tuesday because i will not go to her choice of hospital and take the doula she likes as its my birth and my money. At this point i have had enough.*sigh*

Marindasn, thank you so much for taking the time to post your VBAC birth story! What an amazing story - congratulations! Interesting about the raspberry leaf...