Born in Oct 2011

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

Classic_Movie_Queen — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:41:50 GMT

Al, that is awesome news! I am so thrilled for you! Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful home birth. It's an experience unlike any other. It will change you...

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

vendela — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 07:26:58 GMT

Wow! Congrats Al - that is fantastic news!

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

alsestis — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 03:05:03 GMT

Here are some interesting statistics on uterine rupture:

According to the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Report on VBAC , while rare for both, laboring for a VBAC and elective repeat cesarean, current research shows that maternal mortality is significantly increased for elective repeat cesarean, 13.4 per 100,000, compared to 3.8 per 100,000 when laboring for a VBAC.
For women whose labors begin spontaneously, uterine rupture is reported to be less than 1% and the risks similar to those for women having a first birth.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 992-993 women out of 1,000 give birth without the complication of a uterine rupture. In comparison, more women without a prior cesarean are at risk for unpredictable complications including placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse, and shoulder dystocia.
A classical scar, a vertical incision made in the upper part of the uterus, has the highest risk for rupture. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) of Britain recommend that women with a classical scar have a repeat cesarean birth.

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

fingers crossed — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:39:42 GMT

That is fantastic!! What an awesome Doc you have! (p.s. the second part of my post wasn't about trauma it was about a positive "natural" experience in the hospital ;)

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

jojogirl — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:34:13 GMT

I'm planning a VBAC after 2 C-sections. I am not terrified of a hospital birth because i want to be there in the event that my uterus ruptures. I know the chance is small but when it happens, it's catostrophic. My dh has seen it happen. I have come a long way with this. I wanted one with my 4th but he was dead set against it because of what he's seen. It is very real. It can happen...so I still want to be in a hospital where someone can cut me if they need to. If you are religious, I suggest just praying about it. That's what I'm doing and I'm actually really at peace with whatever. If I can end this pregnancy with a vaginal delivery I can seriously say that I would be the happiest person on the planet. I am terrified of another c....but it is what it is. i'm going to try my hardest to believe that I will get my VBAC. In the end....if I don't...well, a healthy baby is all that's important. I just want my baby to be ok. No matter what. Both my section babies came out perfect with no respiratory issues what so ever. It was me who had all the issues with the C. Recovery sucked. The procedure sucked. It just sucked all the way through....EXCEPT for the healthy baby in the end....which I guess is the most important. I let it slide because of that...LOL!

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

Grease Monkey — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:25:49 GMT

Good luck Al! I can't wait to hear all about your birthing experience! I truly hope and pray that you get the birth of your dreams

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

OhmyBaby — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:35:51 GMT

YAY!!!! This is so exciting :) I'm so glad your mind is at ease and you can just enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

alsestis — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:05:06 GMT

**************UPDATE*****************

Funny how somethings work out. On my way home from work yesterday, the hospital called. They confirmed all my info on the pre-registration and they told me the total of my delivery and tried to collect payment - $3700.

Hubby was like, "WO!!!"

And then I said, "and that's not considering the $3k our doctor charges (our deductable will have been met so we'll pay 30% of this plus all prenatal)."

20 minutes later, my doctor calls and says, "let's do a homebirth! As of this morning (!) my doors are open for business." He's gone into practice with two homebirth midwives who can leagally deliver babies at home. He will most likely do the catching but I guess, technically, he'll act as doula.

We have to work out the money part but I told him what I was willing to pay. I don't, afterall, need to pay for all pre-natal visits that I have already paid for.

So, best of both worlds. Homebirth with my OB and two CNMs. Hubby is excited and totally on board now! I can't believe my dream is coming true. He said last night. "this is going to be the most memorable thing that happens to me my whole life. My daughter is going to be born at home."

I can't agree more. My mind is finally at ease.

:) AL

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

OhmyBaby — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:03:39 GMT

Good luck!!! I hope you get to have your home birth and I can't wait to see your beautiful birth story. A blog I read "CJane" talked about her WONDERFUL at home birth story back in March of 2010. I seriously sat there bawling my eyes out from the beauty of it all. So I hope you get an awesome experience like that!

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

alsestis — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:14:46 GMT

I will.

We have been arguing about it all morning. Finally, I said, "Look, you trust doctor A and doctor B, right? And they are both onboard with me having a homebirth. Why would they feel it was safe if it wasn't?"

To which he replied, "good point."

We shall see...

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

Classic_Movie_Queen — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:55:59 GMT

Wow Al, what a loop to be thrown for when you thought you had everything mapped out! I think most things happen for a reason, though. You were drawn to home birth in the beginning, so maybe this is how it is supposed to be. FX that either your doc will attend, or the midwife can fit you in.

alsestis:
I just don't understand why we are waiting until the absolute last minute to get to the hospital because of all their damn VBAC restrictions (constant fetal monitoring which means no shower, the cervical check, the heplock) just so that DH feels comfortable. What about me?

I agree 100%.

Please keep us updated.

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

alsestis — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:45:10 GMT

Ugh.

I'm back. Hypnobirthing class #4 reopened up a can of worms. I am back to square 1. Only, now I am over 35 weeks.

Word on the street is that my dear doc is unofficially attending homebirths. I have an email in to him to find out if he would be willing and how he would seek compensation. DH feels comfortable with him attending.

If he says no, well, I can go back to the HB midwife and cross my fingers that she's still able to pencil me in for the first week of next month. Try to make a deal with her for payments or something. I have no idea how the insurance works but I probably need to get a out of network referral or something.

I just don't understand why we are waiting until the absolute last minute to get to the hospital because of all their damn VBAC restrictions (constant fetal monitoring which means no shower, the cervical check, the heplock) just so that DH feels comfortable. What about me?

I will update if anyone is still curious...

To the last poster, I am sorry to hear about your traumatic birth but I kinda skipped the last part because I'm not allowing myself to hear any horror stories right now. Just positive birth stories. :)

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

Classic_Movie_Queen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:43:45 GMT

alsestis:
Movie Queen - Slammed? Uh, no. Not at all. You and I are definately of the same mind on this stuff.

I figured Anyway, I LOVE the affirmations. I think I'm going to print out a copy and tuck it away with some other things I plan on having in my birthing space.

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

fingers crossed — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:59:04 GMT

My son had double shoulder dystocia at birth and was very close to not surviving. He was born about 25 minutes after my first mild contraction. I am terrified of a natural birth and am absolutely insisting that I have a scheduled c section 2 weeks prior to my due date since both of my sons were early. I don't want one at all and I hate hospitals but my feelings are not at all my focus , the safety and well being of my baby are paramount. I just fear that there may not be time to get assistance if it is needed in a scary situation. I had a friend who had a birth plan and used a doula and her labor and delivery was exactly how she wanted it, a midwife delivered and a Doc was never required but the option was there. It was a lovely experience, she labored in the shower on a exercise ball, it progressed very naturally with no medical intervention, they monitored her from time to time but she wasn't hooked up for most of it. I was fortunate enough to share (both of our husbands were deployed at the time so I was her support) If I was at all interested in a natural type of experience that would be my choice, it's the best of both worlds in my opinion. All the best to you for a safe and healthy delivery!!

Re: Scared to death about a hospital delivery

OhmyBaby — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:39:47 GMT

Oh yeah, I know they can't give me anything but an estimate because they estimated Liam as 8 lbs and he was bigger :) I guess what the doctor is trying to tell me is that he is going to let me know how he thinks the baby is progressing (if it looks like it is on the larger side or not) I'm trying to eat better with this one to see if that has anything to do with it . . . but, I think I'm just going to have big babes! I will definitely look into hypo-birthing though. A friend of mine did this and delivered a healthy 9lb 12oz baby completely natural, so I know it can be done. And I've already been told that the cord around the ankle was just a fluke and wouldn't likely happen again. The only thing that is still slightly holding me back from not having another c-section (and this is ENTIRELY selfish of me and I know it ;-/) is that I have a good chunk of excess skin or tissue and since the doctor will be doing a "scar removal" thing . . . I asked if I could have some of the "skin" removed as "scar" and he said he would be able to take some off. Probably not enough for me to eventually fore-go a tummy tuck . . . but, it would be nice to have a little of my normal tummy back. I still have a good amount of time to think about everything and do some more research on the suggestions that you provided. Thanks for your help and I can't wait to hear about your birth story! I hope it's absolutely magical :)