Unanswered Active Topics Forums Search

UserName:
Subject:	Cervical tear VBAC
Body:	<div class="NTForums_Quote">Posted By Archived User on 08/27/2006 1:05 AM<br>I'm sorry, but your question is outside of my sphere of expertise as it is a clinical question specific to your obstetric history, not one that would be addressed in a study. I think your best bet would be to consult an obstetrician who encourages VBACs and see what he or she says about it. That way, if the ob recommends a planned c/sec, you will know it isn't because the ob would rather just do repeat c/secs. The trick these days is finding such a person. The local home birth midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators are likely to know if such a person exists in your community. If there is no one who fits this bill close by, it might be well worth while to travel for this consultation, seeing as your situation is complex, and a major decision is riding on it. <BR> <BR>If you can find someone satisfactory, here is what you need to know in order to make an informed choice: <BR> <BR>* What this practitioner recommends and why. <BR>* The pros and cons of planned cesarean delivery vs. planned vaginal birth, including how likely problems are to occur. <BR> <BR>You also aren't looking at an "all or nothing" issue. There are choices within choices you may wish to discuss. For example, it is likely that the torn cervix happened during the failed forceps attempt. You might decide to plan a vaginal birth, but if it comes to a vaginal instrumental delivery or a c/sec, you will take the c/sec. Or you might decide to plan a c/sec, but you want to wait until labor starts before having it to ensure that your baby is ready to be born. <BR> <BR>I suggest you go with your partner to the consultation appointment because your partner is also likely to have questions and concerns. In any case, go with someone who can debrief with you afterward. Write down a list of questions ahead of time and take notes on the answers. That way you won't forget to ask something important, and you won't have to count on your memory to recall what was said. <BR> <BR>A good source of general information on the planned VBAC vs. planned c/sec decision is <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ClickedLink=293&ck=10212&area=27">VBAC or repeat c-section?</a> on the Childbirth Connection website. <BR> <BR>Of course, there is more to this decision than information. Your personal values and feelings enter into it as well. Along those lines, it is not uncommon for women who have had a birth as difficult and frightening as yours must have been to have symptoms of post traumatic stress. These include flashbacks, nighmares, high anxiety, hypervigilance (feelings of being on "high alert" all the time), strong avoidance of anything that reminds you of the experience (ex.: inability to walk into a hospital). If you are nodding your head at any of these, getting some help at working through the trauma will help you make a clearer decision freer of subconscious pressures. Working with the right mental health professional can be of great value. Again, the locals may know who is knowledgeable about birth trauma. <BR> <BR>If you decide to plan a vaginal birth, I strongly recommend hiring a doula. Both you and your partner will benefit from having continuous support from a skilled and experienced labor companion. If you want to know more about this option, <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10177#doula">Who can give me support during labor and birth?</a> on the Childbirth Connection site is a good place to start, and here is some additional information on the <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.dona.org/resources/research.php">research</a> supporting doula care on the DONA website. <BR> <BR>-- Henci By: Henci Goer</div><br><br>
Show Replies:

ActiveForums 3.6