Investigations Stage - VBA2C

[Divvy]

Okay guys, don't get excited - it's just ideas for me at this stage (really need a DH/DP before I get excited at ALL!)

I had an emergency c/s with Alex at 34 weeks, he weighed 1.9 kilos and I had pretty bad p/e. This was in May 2003. I was induced, but didn't even get to dilate because his heartbeat dropped so significantly with each of my three contractions that the doctor immediately gave me drugs to stop the contractions. Alex was pulled out of the c/s and his cord came away from the placenta - I was later told that he would have been dead within ten minutes if they hadn't given me a c/s, his cord was cactus (for use of a better word).

I then had a miscarriage in May 2004 at 17w, I ended up in surgery (under a g/a) so I actually don't know whether i dilated at all or what really happened. I was pretty traumatised at the time and haven't been back to that hospital since.

I then had a "scheduled" c/s with Ned in 2005, at 41+2, after desperately wanting a VBAC. I was on Cartia (baby aspirin) from 16w to try and stop any p/e, and also ended up on Labetelol at the end of the pg. The c/s was scheduled one day in advance, after my BP went through the roof (160/100 for more than 24 hours) and I had the frontal lobe headache which is so typical of p/e.

My own research shows that, as my next child will be with a different partner, I don't have the same risks of p/e. In fact the risks go back down to where they would have been, before Alex was born.

However, I do have a significant family history of PIH and p/e - Mum and two out of her three sisters had p/e and the other had PIH (not with all their pgs, just some of them). I'm not really sure how this history will affect me in the future, but I do know that I can't get private health insurance for obstetrics - no insurance firm will cover me AT ALL for this.

I know I will be heavily monitored throughout any further pregnancy that I may have, including medication, ultrasounds etc. I will be going through as a public patient, which has its own associated fun things!

I will probably be hiring our wonderful Kelly, and probably Alan too (but I haven't told him that yet!).

The question really is, how likely is it that I may be able to try a VBA2C, given my medical history? What can I do to try and achieve this?

I'd also be interested to know how many c/s people have had - I've heard that three is generally considered the limit, but what happens if I want to have five children??

[Naomi]

Hi Divvy, i have had 3 c-sections, but my ob said i can have 5
I'm hoping my next will be a homebirth (wishful thinking)

[Julie Doula]

Hi, I know an Obstetrician who proudly informed me that his wife had had 5 caesarians.

Have you heard anything about diet & exercise factors that reduce PIH? I've heard that increased protein, water, calcium, magnesium and potassium during pregnancy, plus exercise and swimming, can help.

Good luck with everything, Divvy.

[castle]

Hi Divvy,
There was some talk about this in another thread, now closed. I've had a c/sec, 2 VBACs, and another c/sec. Each section was an emergency, done for different reasons
Since you're going to go public, you will want to suss this out with the staff specialists at the various hospitals. It really all depends on that. If they are willing to give it a go and support you through a VBA2C, as long as you are informed of risks, then you will be able to plan one. I don't know what the situation is like in Melbourne, but Kelly will be well up on all of that. Just be as well informed as possible. And Divvy, if it does end up that you have to plan another caesarean, you'll be able to accept it with good grace because you'll feel confident that you investigated everything, got all the info, and tried your utmost for a vaginal delivery.
There are increased risks with more caesareans. I went over this with my OB at length, because any future deliveries I have, must be by c/sec. This is not because I've had 2, but for other reasons in my very complicated history! He emphasized that while there are more risks with more caesareans--as you would expect with any series of abdominal operations--it shouldn't have to limit your desired family size. However, again, it's definitely an important consideration and something to discuss with one of the consultants at the hospital you choose.
LOL Divvy, now find that partner!!

[Sarah_H]

Ooer Divvy, how exciting. Start reading is my recommendation & you'll be even more psyched at the possibility. Try Silent Knife & The Thinking Women's Guide to Better birth first. They are both fantastic & will get you totally prepared for more research into it. So exciting!

[MummaBear79]

Hi Sarah, Im actually planning a VBAC2 in the next few weeks. Im 33 weeks now. Where abouts do I find those articles?

[BellyBelly]

BellyBelly has some VBAC articles on the main site, http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth but I think you mean the discussion that had to be closed due to some persistent posters who turned it into a vb vs c/s thing which it wasn't. Thank-you to those who emailed us in support of that thread and for the actions we took. It was about c/s for baby's size, if you look in the c/s forum.

[Sarah_H]

The things I was talking about Mumma Bear are books not articles. Try your library or ebay as they can be quite expensive new.

[MummaBear79]

Thanks heaps girls. Yes I have read your articles Kelly and they are great. Very inspirational. Now I just have to get hubby to read them! haha.

[Divvy]

Thanks guys. I'll have more questions when the time comes...