VBAC SUPPORT

Hi Georgina,

I've had 2 Genesis births now (1st c-sec, second VBAC) and I can just echo SMA regarding the great service from the Clinic!!!
You really feel like you are birthing in a hotel

I used Dr Maasdorp for my backup as well, and was happy with him. I only saw him the two times - +-9 weeks, and 36 week checkup (20 week scan was done by Maryke at Genesis).
He took his time with the appointment, discussed everything with me, answered all my question - at no point did I ever feel that he was trying to rush me out to make space for the next patient - I think my appointments were easily 30-45 mins each!

As for the Doula - Genesis has actual staff doula's as well as midwives With both my births I was lucky enough to be assigned one.
With my VBAC, she stayed by me during my entire labour, from when I arrived, till I gave birth 5 hours later. She talked me through every contraction, supported me, gave advice. I still think that its thanks to her that I managed a completely natural birth - no pain meds whatsoever!!

Hi ladies. My son was born via vbac with epidural at 8cm dilation at Vincent Pallotti in Cape Town this year the 7th of May. Dr. Douglas Dumbrill was my back up and I used the Birth Options midwifes from Plumstead. Same room, same midwife as my second son (first vbac) 9 years ago!

I kept meaning to post my birth story, and I am actually sorry for all the ladies that came after me that I havent yet, as I understand just how important these tales are, especially when you're afraid and the mountain still lies ahead of you. What I can tell you is this- be brave, you will walk through the fire and you will emerge stronger. You can do this, you are the only one that can do this and in many ways you cannot prepare for it. I went to 41 weeks and I must be honest that even though Dr Dumbrill supported me in theory, he did push for a repeat c section pretty much every appointment from 32 weeks on, with absolutely a perfect pregnancy. With both of my dr’s I tried so hard for them to see the human I am and not the patient- I begged them to see me and to realise that I cannot face my future knowing that I didn't do my utmost to have my son vaginally, and that that section has the potential to tear my family apart and rob my children of a mother free from severe depression. Sadly, they dont. The do not see you, you are their job, you are a ‘risk’ that equates a potential law suit and you are vulnerable and afraid so you put your faith, life and body in their hands. My caesarean left such a massive scar on my psyche I COULD NOT go through that again, so my only choice is to push as hard as I can for my birth. Raspberry tea gave me two weeks of hellish false labor, I wouldn't do that again. I tried everything to go into labor, you name it, I did it. I felt under enormous pressure to not go overdue as I insisted on a full term pregnancy of 40 weeks. The Monday before going into labor Dr Dumbrill phoned me himself and said that I am on the surgery list for the Wednesday, one of his patients had a still birth the week before after going overdue and he was not taking any chances. I refused and insisted I be given a few more days, knowing full well that as physicians they cannot refuse you care, and that if I arrive at the hospital in full blown labor they could not turn me away and neither can they force a c section on me- NOT WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURE AKA CONSENT!!! It did however get me into a full blown panic as I knew full well I was overdue, my midwives were prepped and we were all just waiting. I tried desperately to book a chiropractor appointment but could only get one for the Tuesday morning and it was also decided I would go in for a stretch and sweep of my membranes, which is only successful if your cervix is ripe and ready. Thankfully it worked as I went into labor at 9.30 that evening but only really believed I was in labor from about 12 as I was up and down with labor pains for over two weeks with that bloody tea! By 1am they were around 5 minutes apart, so we dropped the kids (my older two) at a friend and headed to Vincent Pallotti, thank goodness for that time of night as I was so worried about traffic- I live in Bloubergstrand.

My midwife on duty made us tea when we arrived and I pretty much got into the birth tub immediately where I kinda floated and stayed until 5.30am and the wanted to walk, so got out, it soon became more hectic and I asked for an epidural.
hindsight, I handled my pain very well but I got afraid that i wouldn't be able to handle it at the end, maybe I would've- who knows, but I chose to have an epidural. My husband noted that it went from a dark room, floating calmly in water to a medical intervention very quickly. From me, myself and I on my own to feet in my own space, to a drip, a bed, at an angle on my back with hectic shakes (adrenaline). I do wish I was braver to deal with the pain but it worked out well. I can tell you that my epidural was a count 10, whatever that means and I started struggling to breathe, so got propped up as the flatter you are, the higher up you go dead- didn't like the feeling of being like a lifeless doll at all. Also, I pushed for an hour and a half and i got panicked as I struggled pushing against "nothing". I asked for epidural to be fully turned off after only an hour as it felt too much numbness. It was only when some sensation started returning that I successfully pushed him out. His brother was born sunny side up, in perfect silence, eyes open and i lifted him gently out myself, it was the most spiritually profound moment of my life- this one came out flying, purple, swollen and screaming his head off! I felt nothing but RELIEF. I didn't think I was gonna get him out! My first vbac was 2.4kg baby, this one 3.7kg and to be honest, its not all concentrated in the head as with both I only grazed and got two stitches! With both babies, I struggled getting their heads past my pubic bone, in both cases I asked to be helped up and turned around so that i was supported on my knees and held onto top of bed- this change of position really helped me in both births as it enabled me to then push them out. I was on www.spinningbabies.com all the time as my son was breach until 32 weeks and that was the one thing my gynea would not even hear of, so I was desperate to turn him. Lying around a lot in pregnancy is not good for positioning and if you struggle with a breach baby, consider some of the exercises on that site and walk, walk, walk- the motion and the pull of gravity really helped me, I am convinced of it. My first vac’s pregnancy was very difficult (profuse bleeding at 3 months, and a placenta that detached halfway, very low fluid count (5 at 32 weeks) and a tiny baby- and I still did it. This one was normal, overdue, big baby- exactly the opposite in terms of pregnancy. In both cases my gyneas freaked me out and tried desperately to get me to have a section, and in both cases they came to apologise to me after the birth- the first one because she was adamant my baby would not weigh 2kgs and would end up in incubator or worse- he weighed 2.4kg! Perfect Apgar and we went home the next day. This last one, Dr Dumbril came to apologise for scaring me with the stillborn baby’s case, as that was a 47 year old mom, thick meconium and in vitero- so risk wise, not even comparable. I appreciated that he came to explain. He was on leave and came back to hear a high risk patient, overdue, lost a baby- I fully understood how he immediately wanted to manage my “risk”. My son was born at 10am after 12.5 hour labor, I got discharged at 3 that afternoon and voted at 7….. soos my pa sal se- Meer hardkoppig as ek kry jy nie!!!!

Hi Sma,

You were brave! Waited for so long before you drove to the hospital. Like you...I'll also be coming from the South(JHB)...I hope and pray I don't go into labor in the morning....M1 North traffic! Hahahahahahaha

Now you making me wish March was around the corner...but patience.

How was your overall experience with Dr Massdorp? Trying to book an appo with him. Have to see him for my 20 weeks check-up (anatomy scan). But I'm sure it will go well...as long as my thyroid is under control.

Like you...I really don't want to see the hospital anywhere near me when I go into labor....I don't hate them at all...just skeptical. Especially these gynae's....

Hi Georgina

Glad you've dealt with your issues about the C-sec,that will kind of free you up to consentrate and actually enjoy this birth.

I used Genesis Clinic January last year, amazing, my baby is almost 2 and I'm still going on about it. So nje on the part of the clinic it's a total green light.

Dr Maasdorp, he was also my back-up gynae, amazing friendly Doc, if I had to end up seeing him I would have been totally at peace. At 37 weeks he had to remove my cervical cerclage, and check that all is fine and give the midwife a go ahead. He said he doesn't want to see me again , and I really didn't need to.

On the part of the duola, I don't have any experience with one so. But what I can say is that since you are using Genesis Clinic you will only need a duola at home. Once you get to Genesis Clinic there will be like 4 staff midwives attending to your every need. I felt like a princess hahahaha, one was holding my hand, another giving me a sip of water, I'm serious hey, that's how good they take care of you. My contractions didn't get bad, at home I didn't even wake my husband, but I was constantly talking to the midwife, she actually had to convince me I'm far enough and yep I started pushing in the car. So ya, talk to your midwife about the duola also, hear what she thinks, and hopefully other ladies who have birthed at Genesis and had duolas can advise.

Hi Ladies!

I'm new to the board. Just came across this board this morning and I have to say Thank God! I have been dreaming about a vbac since I had my son in 2011 because honestly I believe I was bullied into a c-sec.

I'm currently +-16 weeks pregnant. I told my DH that I am going all natural with birthing this baby and he fully supports me.

I was with my gynae since the beginning of this year when we started ttc. So after months....we finally got those two lines on the home pregnancy test. 'Til thus far I was being cared by my gynae...but I wasn't sure if he was pro vbacs or not because we never talked about it.

Since I knew about Genesis Clinic....I was just patiently waiting for the 16 weeks mark for me to go and see my midwife (met her last year and I knew she was the one). So last week Friday we went to meet up with my midwife and she was just lovely. I'm still in awe how nice she is.

So we talked about my previous birth and why I had an emergency c-sec and to her amazement....she was shocked why I wasn't told what caused the baby to go into distress....but I told her...I have made peace with the c-sec but I'm praying to God that I will birth my baby naturally this time round.

The appointment was about 45 minutes long. Talked and talked and then she did the ante-natal check up and I measured at a lil over 17 weeks. So I was like...I dunno...we'll see. So she referred to Dr Maasdorp to be the back-up gynae. So have to book an appointment with him. I'm comfortable and confident with my midwife.

She did tell me right now...I'm ranked high risk with a previous c-sec and a thyroid surgery (on meds for it). But she reassured me that there's nothing to be worried about now and that she understands I want this experience as a mommy to birth my baby naturally.

I'm thinking of also getting a doula....any thoughts on this ladies?

Hi ladies,

With a VBAC you should stay at home as long as possible, but saying that, I mean for as long as you feel comfortable at home. If your "mommy radar" tells you you should go, then go!!

When I doula for VBAC clients, I usually go to their houses and labour with them. I do find that the VBAC clients usually want to go to hospital much to early. But remember your doula can help you decide when to go in, but can not take any medical responsibility, so she can't check baby's heart rate or dilation or anything like that.

Then also remember that you might think you are THERE and then you move to hospital and the whole process slows down, this is normal because of the disturbance and the change of venue, your body will hold back and go back a few steps in labour, so unless you are ready to push, you won't be to late...

Hi Nels_n,

O dear, missed this post!

It would be so much easier if the doctors could just telephonically tell you that they won't be able to be a back-up gynae! Would save a lot of time and money. Your idea of either home birth of close to hospital sounds good! Please let me know of all the details!

Yip, I agree on the homeopathic meds and reflexology, I am so grateful that there are so many options and so much information available to us to help us on this journey.

Let us know if you have any news with your doctor/doula search!!