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| Posted By |
n/a on 7/17/2008 11:11:36 PM |
| Subject: |
Water Labor & Intermittent Monitoring |
| Message: |
Hi Henci,
I am hoping for a VBAC very soon! My first four children were born completely naturally and vaginally in under five hours each. I then became a gestational surrogate for dear friends which resulted in the birth of quadruplets(result of twinning) in May of last year during the 29th week gestation(due to TTTS &PTL) by cesarean section. Their combined birth weight was not greater than that of a larger newborn. I am due with our own singleton August 23rd.
I was fortunate enough to find a doctor who will allow a VBAC delivery which is very rare around here. Though she does her best to remain neutral about VBAC vs ERCS I quickly got the impression that she is hoping I will choose a cesarean. I found out through my doula that my doctor asked my doula's daughter, who happens to work in my doctor's office, if she thought her mom(my doula) could convince me to have a cesarean. This was very upsetting to me as it is a blatant breech of patient confidientiality and it doesn't evoke any convidence that she will give me a fair trial of labor. According to local midwives my current doctor is probably my best bet for a VBAC even though it may be a very small chance.
My doctor has never suggested to me directly that a cesarean may be safer in my case. She has told me that I must labor in the hospital bed as continuous monitoring will be used and a IV site will be opened. I will not be permitted to use a birthing ball or chair. The worst news for me was that I will not be allowed to use water for pain relief as this was my favorite form of pain relief in all my prior natural births. The refusal seems to be based on my doctor wanting me to have continuous fetal monitoring and the hospital would allow me to labor in water if my doctor approved. I am hoping to find some research or studies my doctor would consider reliable on the use of intermittent monitoring during VBAC and possibly the benefits of laboring in water. My contractions seemed less intense in water and I felt more in tune with my body which would seem to be a plus during a VBAC labor. Are you aware of any studies that would support my labor wishes?
We have considered laboring at a hotel nearby the hospital until things pick up but it doesn't seem advisable for a VBAC. I feel like my doctor will be watching me labor with a scalpel in hand which is far from comforting!
Thanks for any information you can share with me!
Robin
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