Comments on: VBACing Against the Odds

By: Jen Kamel

Jen Kamel — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:56:09 +0000

Larissa,

Thanks for bringing this to my attention! This is one of the Feminist Breeder’s birth stories and the link had changed. I updated it in the article with the correct link: http://thefeministbreeder.com/jules-michael-birth-story/.

Warmly,

Jen

By: Larissa

Larissa — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:42:56 +0000

Hi there, im trying to go into the link at the top for the “victorious, inspiring birth story”. It wont seem to work for me. Does anyone have another way i can get to it?? Thanks

By: Michelle Potter

Michelle Potter — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:47:55 +0000

During my first VBAC the nurses argued with me about getting Pitocin. (It seemed like that entire birth was managed by nurses. My OB was supposedly around somewhere, but I never saw him. The only doctor I did see was the one who rushed in to catch my son at the very last minute.) I told them that my OB had made it very clear to me that getting Pitocin during a VBAC was dangerous, but they insisted that *he* had ordered me to have it. I flat out refused — the cascade of interventions that resulted in a c-section during my first birth had started with Pitocin.

By: Megan

Megan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:03:56 +0000

Does anyone know of any Chicagoland Hospitals and/or doctors that are really supportive of VBACs? I had a c-section for my first pregnancy and I’m due with my second in May. I’m planning on having a VBAC (I probably didn’t need the c-section in the first place) at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. The two doctors at the practice I go to don’t seem that enthused about doing a VBAC and they both have spent lots of time drilling the risks into my head. It seems they are trying to talk me out of it. Any doctors references you can provide in the North or Northwest Suburban area would be much appreciated!

Megan, I’m so sorry you are going through this, but I’m glad your OBs are telling you what they are all about. They don’t support VBAC. Better now than at 38 weeks. I personally don’t know any OBs in Chicago, but I can point you in a couple directions. First please check out The Feminist Breeder who is out of Chicago and is starting up a VBAC support group. Also, please read Finding a VBAC Supportive OB or Midwife which will give you a list of groups, “in real life” as well as on-line, who can help. Please keep me posted okay? Take care, Jen

By: teresa

teresa — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:35:43 +0000

I absolutely LOVE this woman! I had a very similar situation with my first and only child (so far) that ended in a c-section. I was induced because I was “overdue” 3 days past 40 weeks. Given the pill to thin my cervix (3 times) then the pitocin and breaking of my water at only 4 cm. then the epidural after being there for 30 hours and so called no progression. My baby wasn’t ready! I regret my decision and it really bothers me everyday when I think of it not being how I planned.
I had wanted a homebirth but my husband wasn’t on board with it due to fear and lack of experience, which he now regrets. so we decided to have her in the hospital to kind of see how things went and then have home births for our other children we would hope to have. Now I am faced with the VBAC situation and I want to birth at home so badly. I am not pregnant yet and it has only been 5 months since I delivered. To finish my experience, after I was dilated to 9 cm, the doctors came in telling me that I had been at 9 for too long and my water had been broken for too long and I either needed to get a c-section or it would most likely end up in an emergency c section which could make my baby deliver dead! They actually tried to scare me with a stillborn scenario! UGH! Oh yea forgot to mention that I first went in just to see if I was dilated at all because I thought I was having contractions which it turned out I wasn’t. Then they told me they wanted to induce me just because I was full term. they said I couldn’t leave. I left anyway to talk things over with my husband and eat some dinner and think about it. They even called me telling me I should come back that night because my baby could die if she was in there too long. The nerve!! Also when I left, I had to sign something saying I was leaving against medical advice. I wish I had refused. When we did return that even ing to get her heart beat checked and talk about maybe waiting a few more days,(and she was totally fine then too) they said that if I left again, my insurance probably wouldn’t cover the birth and/or the hospital could turn me away. Anyway, I opted for the c-section out of fear and scare tactics and 40 hours of drugs and about 10 different nurses checking me and being wrong with the number as well. I was told 4cm, then 5cm, then 4 by another nurse) and I knew I should have gone with my gut in the first place and had her at home. The only good thing out of it, a beautiful healthy daughter. 8 lbs 8 oz. I think she was just taking her time and wasn’t ready, we forced her then scared her by cutting her comfy little home open and pulling her out. :{
I’m really trying to get over it but I wish there was something I could do to stop these doctors from being able to do this to people. I hope to have a VBAC at home and plan to wait for a couple years to hopefully increase my chances of success without complications. Wish me luck! :} Thanks for posting all these helpful articles and information. It is really inspiring. I can do it, and I will! GO VBACs