It seems my plight is ending regarding seeking out second opinions regarding a Vaginal Birth After Abdominal Myomectomy (VBAAM). I have sent out five faxes to Obs and physicians in the area along with numerous emails to online doctors, midwives and doulas. Initially the OBs that I sent my letter and operative report too, gave me the same answer as my current OB office…no vaginal birth. So I figured that I better seek out the advice of some midwives since the OBs may have some contractual or liability issues that were standing in the way of them making an objective recommendation. I emailed a doula in my area who referred me to a physician that she said had allowed a woman in my situation with uterine scar at same fundal height to labor, however in the end she need a c-section. That physician and his partner stated that based on my operative report, they agreed that I should have a c-section. Still not convinced, I gleaned some information from the worthwile blog and found a wonderful midwife by the name of Elizabeth Stein who has written some articles on VBAC among other things. I sent her a fax with my information on yesterday and low and behold she called me this morning to discuss. She said ‘You may not like what I am about to say, but I recommend c-section based on what I have read in your operative report’. I told her that I really needed to hear it from a midwife instead of an OB because I know that midwives are more in tune with women’s needs and are more willing to do what OBs are not willing to because they are more concerned about liability issues etc. We chatted for about 5 minutes and she gave me some stories of VBAC births and the outcomes…one of which she spoke about a woman that labored but required c-section and they went in only to find the baby peaking back out at them through a hole in her uterus. That one sent me for a loop. All in all I trust her opinion more than anyone else, like I said I think it is because she is a midwife and I’ve read up on some articles she has written. I do still need to hear from two other doctors, one that a doula referred me to and the other is a mid-wife clinic in my area, but as of now I am focusing my energy more on planning a natural c-section and working with a doula to prepare for this event.
Either way I know I want a doula in the room to reassure both me and my hubbie of what is going on. After my myomectomy he was terrified seeing me laid up like that and he is still terrified. I need to get a handle on this so I can help comfort him and let him know that everything is going to be fine. I started researching this natural c-section birth and really like the idea of it. I also learned that I can have epidural anesthesia is I have a planned c-section instead of an emergency one. In epidural they will just numb the area that they’ll be cutting in so that I can’t feel it, but in general anesthesia I would be drugged up and unable to enjoy any part of the birth. I found a wonderful c-section plan at the ICAN site that had a wealth of information regarding the best way to plan a section. So, I am going to begin to focus my energy on this.
After reading those sites, I realize a c-section does not have to be as primitive looking as it once was. I imagined myself completely doped up on the table, Mr. Butterbean Sr. completely terrified as they cut me out and rip my baby out in a matter of seconds, then wisk her off to be checked, poked and prodded while I never get to hold her until I get back to my room and at that point I am too doped up to even hold her or remember anything that has happened. I don’t want that. But now I’ve learned that it does not have to be this way at all. I am still a bit skeptical about how I will care for my baby while trying to heal up, but in the end it may be my only option and I’ll just have to make do.
Having done all the research makes it much easier for me to accept rather than just being told what I have to do with my body. Now I feel it is truly my decision and I am making an informed one…that makes all the difference in the world.
Either way I know I want a doula in the room to reassure both me and my hubbie of what is going on. After my myomectomy he was terrified seeing me laid up like that and he is still terrified. I need to get a handle on this so I can help comfort him and let him know that everything is going to be fine. I started researching this natural c-section birth and really like the idea of it. I also learned that I can have epidural anesthesia is I have a planned c-section instead of an emergency one. In epidural they will just numb the area that they’ll be cutting in so that I can’t feel it, but in general anesthesia I would be drugged up and unable to enjoy any part of the birth. I found a wonderful c-section plan at the ICAN site that had a wealth of information regarding the best way to plan a section. So, I am going to begin to focus my energy on this.
After reading those sites, I realize a c-section does not have to be as primitive looking as it once was. I imagined myself completely doped up on the table, Mr. Butterbean Sr. completely terrified as they cut me out and rip my baby out in a matter of seconds, then wisk her off to be checked, poked and prodded while I never get to hold her until I get back to my room and at that point I am too doped up to even hold her or remember anything that has happened. I don’t want that. But now I’ve learned that it does not have to be this way at all. I am still a bit skeptical about how I will care for my baby while trying to heal up, but in the end it may be my only option and I’ll just have to make do.
Having done all the research makes it much easier for me to accept rather than just being told what I have to do with my body. Now I feel it is truly my decision and I am making an informed one…that makes all the difference in the world.
1 comment:
You should be really proud of yourself. So few people take control of their care like you have. It's good to know what you want, but also to know WHY you want it and if that reason is realistic. Your research doesn't prove in your favor, but knowing your options must be relieving.
Good for you!
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