VBAC help needed

Hi there,

I was wondering if you know of any caregivers[gynaes & midwives] in the Northern suburbs who would be able to assist with a VBAC please?
It seems like all midwives and doulas are either in the southern suburbs, or the atlantic seaboard, which is way out of the way for me.

I had a c-section in February 2009 due to problems with my placenta right from the start. At first it did not want to attach properly, resulting in Intra-Uterine Growth Retardation, I then developen preeclampsia and later almost non-existent amniotic fluid.
My great gynae tried up until the end to allow a vaginal birth, but when my cervix just did not want to open up, we had a c-section at 39 weeks and 5 days.

My pregnancy now is absolutely problem-free.
No issues with baby, no issues with me.

My gynae however retired in Feb this year, and I’ve been to 2 gynaes, both of whom are not even allowing me to talk about having a VBAC now.
Always saying that we should look at that when the time comes.
That is NOT the way I want to go. All of their pregnant patients are being booked for c-sections, even if it is not medically necessary, and I fear that the way they are going now, they will just force me into having another c-section, something I absolutely would not allow, and do not want, as even more than 3 years later, I am still not over the fact that I could not give birth vaginally.

PLEASE could you advise about anyone in the Bellville/Kuilsrivier/Durbanville area, as I live in Kuilsrivier, right on the border of Bellville and Brackenfell

That's great, I look forward to your call. To answer your questions, the midwife in Paarl is Nicolene Laubscher. And yes, I would be able to be your doula at VP. As a WOMBS doula - I charge R2000 which includes a visit prior to the birth, a visit after the birth, and I will also be with you through your labour and birth. I often do an extra visit (if and when it is needed) and I am also available by phone should you need support or information. For everyone else’s information, I have copied and pasted my pm to you...
I am a Cape Town based doula. There is always a chance that you will have a successful VBAC. The only way to know is to give it a try. Vincent Palloti is a great hospital - very pro natural birth. And the midwives at Birth Options are great. I would strongly advise you to have a doula - having a doula definitely improves your chances of successful VBAC (statistically it is 85% chance - I think!!). I also recommend the hypnobirthing course - as this course can help you work through fears that came about with your previous birth experience. It also teaches you to FULLY relax - which helps with the birth process.
I will be honest with you - sometimes history repeats itself, and some women DO have small pelvises - but baby's are designed with flexible bodies and malleable skulls, and our bodies are designed to stretch. Only a VERY small percentage of women have TRUE "cephalopelvic disproportion" when baby is truly too big, and the only way to know is by trial of labour. Was your baby in distress when the decision was made to do the caesarian birth?
I recently completed the hypnobirthing practitioners course - and I am currently teaching individual couples or very small groups. Kim Young is the other Cape Town based practitioner - she teaches larger groups.
I would also love to support you through your labour and birth as your doula - if you would be interested in my services.
Either way - your chances of successful VBAC depend LARGELY on how you prepare yourself - mentally and physically. You need to "de-program" all the negatives from your last birth and "re-program" with positives, and you'll be much better prepared.
I'd love to hear from you. You are welcome to message me here, or email me on doulanicolette@gmail.com, or phone me on 082 8714856 . I would be happy to talk to you - no strings attached.
Just to let you know - I became a doula AND a hypnobirthing instructor BECAUSE I had a caesarian birth with my little girl - and I'm striving for a VBAC with my next one (when I decide to have a next one!!!).

Thank you so much for your email, I will phone you.

Regards

Hi Reese,

I'm sure Nicolette will be able to help you.

We have another thread where we support VBAC hopefulls, check it out here:

www.moomie.co.za/index.php?option=com_ku...&id=225332&Itemid=82

VBAC is possible, and having gone through the whole labor you are actually an excellent candidate.

What position where you in when you where pushing? There are positions that you can get into to make the pelvic opening larger and thus allow a baby to come out a lot easier.

Another thing is that it sounds like your gyni didn't give you a fair chance and I can see why you feel like you where robbed. Maybe a midwife with a different approach would be better as a primary caregiver.

Good luck and keep us posted! I'm sure if your hubby knows the facts about risks, he would support you in trying for a VBAC.

Hi - I have just sent you a private message.

Hi there, I am 25 weeks pregnant. I have seen that Vincent Palotti together with Birth Options can give me chance to give normal birth after my first born was a emergency section. I was fully dilated, my gynea gave me one chance to push and said my pelvis is too small. I just cant go through this again, being robbed of having a chance of giving normal birth but everyone says i will most likely end up in a c section again as its just to risky to have a VBAC? Is there anyone out there that can give me advice. My first born was 3.7kgs and her head 35cm. Will I struggle again, can your pelvis be to small? Should I just accept things as is or should I try VBAC? Not even sure if my husband will support it, wanted to do my homework first before I approach him for his support. Has anyone been successful with a VBAC, can you share your experience with me. Am I being selfish, am i really putting myself and the baby at risk or isnt it so overcomplicated. One minute I read things that give me hope, like the changes of your scar rupting is very low and then I hear that the baby can die?