No way.
No how.
That's a good 2 years down the road but I have been doing some thinking about delivering our next child. You - my 2 faithful followers - want to know about my plans for baby # 2, right?
I thought so.
I know in my heart that a c-section was necessary with Colin. It's weird but when I think back to when I was pregnant, I somehow knew I'd end up needing a c-section. It's kind of the same way I just knew he was a boy. It sounds odd but it just felt right. But I still feel like I was robbed of my right as a woman to experience childbirth. I don't blame my doctor. He gave my body an ample amount of time (27 hours to be exact) to get things going in order for me to deliver Colin as I had planned - natural and
I'm not giving up hope of having a natural, vaginal childbirth experience. I've been doing a lot of research on VBAC's and I feel confident that I can do it. At first, I wasn't sure if natural childbirth was worth the risk of my uterus possibly bursting during labor but the statistics show that that happens in less than 1% of women who have had 1 previous c-section. And the odds are even less if labor isn't induced.
Whew. That was a long winded way to get to my point. Here are my criteria when choosing a doctor for baby # 2:
-Supports my choice to try a VBAC
-Willing to let me go to 40 weeks (as long as there are no complications like with Colin)
-Let labor start naturally (again, as long as there are no complications)
-If by 41 weeks, labor has not started naturally, will schedule a c-section
I know for sure that I won't be returning to the doctors I used when pregnant with Colin. I want a more personal experience. I will be visiting a midwife practice that is associated with a hospital. They support VBAC's and because of their association with a major hospital, if medical intervention is necessary it will be available. I also plan on checking out a few other doctors but if they don't support a VBAC, I won't be returning.
It feels really rewarding to already have a plan laid out. Now I just hope round 2 goes as planned!
I totally understand what you mean. I've already wished I would have done more research pre-pregnancy. Next time around I want to try a water birth, as i'm still "planning" on going au natural this time around (hoping my body and baby cooperate) Still I've watched videos on water births and they just seem so much more peaceful and relaxing for mom and baby.
ReplyDeleteVBAC is so, so, so worth it. I've been there and done it, let me know if you have questions. Staci =)
ReplyDeleteHeather, if you find a doctor willing to do a water birth, let me know! I've always wanted one but I've heard a lot of doctors won't do it because of the extra training they have to go through. I would think the training would be worth it in order to keep up with the times and with what pregnant women want now-a-days.
ReplyDeleteStaci, once it's time for baby # 2 I am coming to you with all my questions about VBAC!