2 C/S & PG with No.3 - Can I have a positive experience this time?

[queen bee]

Hi,
I am pregnant again for the third time and it is bringing up emotions from my previous birth experiences. My first birth was by C/S at 36.4 wks; my water broke at home and I had just found out that week the baby was breech after I complain of intense pain in my pelvis(pinched nerve they said). I now know that DD came early prob because of a weak cervix due to having a bicornuate (heat shaped)uterus. Had had no probs until then except tiny bit of spotting at 6 wks. I was geared up for a natural birth with no intervention and feeling really positive about it all, then this happened. I was in shock, we didn't have anything ready, DH and I were going to do it all that day (pack bag, set up nursery and get my mother's room ready who was coming from OS. Not to mention my baby shower was to be the next day!) My recovery wasn't too bad but I did not sleep that week in the hospital. I had a lot of trouble BF, she was acting Prem so I expressed for 3 months until I gave up.

My second pregnancy went without a hitch except the OB became aware at an earlier stage that this baby was also breeched so he scheduled a C/S at 39wks. I tried my best to get bubs to turn but I think it was too little too late and not enough info. I was terrified before the C/S and remember crying in my room whilst waiting to go to surgery. I had the catheter inserted before the epi and it hurt like hell, the nurse just said "Just be thankful you are not giving birth, that would hurt even more". The epi hurt went it went in which made me yelp, then when the started cutting I could feel it, which I promptly let them know. My OB took a look around whilst down there and noticed then that I had a bicornuate uterus and latter explained that is why I had had two breech babies. Once again I had trouble BF, even after 4 visits with a LC and ended up with very sore nipples and mastitis, I lasted 2 months and ended up expressing for the last month.

I feel that there has been nothing natural about my experiences and that my body has failed. I feel as though I have been grieving again now that I am pregnant again. I am longing for a more natural experience with no.3 and am going to try and get bubs head down and have a VBA2C,if not I would like my C/S to have an element of "natural" by being able to have baby skin to skin after birth and hopefully BF in recovery.

Let me know if you have any suggestions. This will be my last baby and I am hoping for a positive experience to make up for the other two.

[Lady Zaidie]

Hugs lovely.

I don't know if this will help, but if you google it I'm sure there are positions you can sit in from 30w+ to encourage head-down. I did all of them and DS was head-down and back-out - but I don't know if that was just luck of the draw or not.

Those ruddy needles hurt more than giving birth - or labour at any rate. That nurse doesn't know what she's on about!

[KimB]

Hey QB, my last birth was by c/s and I have to say it was fairly uneventful. I had to have one because I had pre-eclampsia but didn't feel it lol. The head of obs/gyn of the hospital was the one given the task of handling my case and he was super lovely. They gave me options and we tried an induction that ended up with loss of show and contractions but no movement downward from bubs. I was in the hospital from Friday night and ended up having the c/s on the Sunday afternoon. Everyone involved was wonderful and let me know straight away what they were going to be doing. We even had a nurse taking photos for us so we wouldn't miss any of the birth. Sounds gross lol but later we were very glad to have them. We also had a midwife there the whole time just for me. She held my hand when I needed extra support and got DP to calm down when he was getting over excited lol. Our little girl was a month early but didn't need to go to nicu or anything. She was also wrapped up until we got to recovery and then my midwife unwrapped her and sat me up a little and we had heaps of skin on skin time and during that time she latched on for a feed. It was so nice and not scary at all for me. I felt very looked after and even tho I had to have a c/s they still let me do everything else afterward that happens when you have a natural one too. Try to get as much info as you can from the drs and nurses. If you're not happy with any of them let them know and ask for new ones. You are the patient and have to feel good about everything. If you have to have another c/s then it can be a good experience too. And next time don't let them put the catheter in until the epi or spinal is done. They shouldn't have done that first. Causing unnecessary pain is not good. Sorry for the ramble but I think I got across what I needed too lol

[Trillian]

Do you know if the bicornate uterus stops the baby from turning or not? Might be something to think about too with how you approach your next birth if you can't have a VBAC. You can head to www.spinningbabies.com for loads of info on how to get bubs in the best position for birth. And of course you can have a wonderful experience. even if you do end up needing a c/s you can still plan things so that you can have your baby put straight to your chest to encourage feeding etc. I strongly suggest you look into getting a Doula or a private midwife to support you during your birth too just as someone who can be there as well as your DH as you probably know by now that busy hospital midwives don't have time to spend with you and support you. I really hope that you do get your VBAC, but you will have to be prepared to fight for it and any extra support you can get will be invaluable. Good luck

[queen bee]

Thanks Lady Zaidie, I have been put onto a website called spinning babies which is fantastic and highly recommended; I have already started to put some of their advice into practice to give us the best chance of having bubs head down.

Kim B thanks for sharing your experience, I think that my experience could have been a lot worse and I did end up with 2 completely gorgeous kids who are happy and healthy. With hindsight i think it could have been better and I am determined (as this will be our last baby) to have a really positive outcome and give it my best shot whatever the outcome. Just got to reamain postitive. That is the one message that has rang loud and clear on BB.

Trillian I have been seriously considering a Doula and have even found some posts of Doulas in Gippsland which is where I live. I am going to find out from the hospital if they will allow a Doula in theater if i have a C/S.

Thanks again girls.

[julie_ann_jules]

Hi Queen bee!
I had a VBA2C at Warragul hospital in March this year. If you are in Gippsland I would HIGHLY reccomend Dr David Simon at warragul! He also does vaginal breech births and has an amazing "knack" for manualy turning bubs..... lots of obs send their women to him for him to manually turn them. David also allowed me to have my private midwife with me during labor and my midwife has also been in theatre with David when doing a c-section before.
At warragul they provide a hospital midwife to assist u to feed your bubs in recovery and your baby will NEVER leave your side.
My Private Midwife was telling me how when she was in theatre the baby was born and it was healthy. The pediatrician started doing his checks and David (my ob) yelled at the pediatrician "Theres nothing wrong with the baby! Give it to mum NOW!" he is a great believer in bubs going right onto mums chest. U will not find yourself fighting for your wish's at all! I also had a VERY detailed birth plan which included specifics for a c-section.... some of these were ; curtain to be dropped so I can see bubs being born, bubs going straight onto my chest all slimy and disgusting (I found it very difficult only ever being given a cleaned and wraped baby ) and lots more
I also refused continious monitoring during labor and this wasn't an issue at all In fact I labored in the bath and was pushing in the bath (then bubs decided to drop his heartbeat to 70 so he ended up forceps) But i had a very positive and empowering excieience

ANyway I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and labor
Have u checked out the Birthrites - Healing After Caesarean ? U can find my story in the stories/thoughts section under "new" its title "My story".
There is also lots of great info their on VBAC.

Jules

[queen bee]

Hi Jules,
Thanks for telling me that, it has put my mind at ease. I have been reffered to Dr Simon and have had an apt with him, he seemed really nice and put me onto the birthrite website. I will go and look for your story now. Would you mind telling me who your private midwife was?

QB

[julie_ann_jules]

My Midwife was Andrea Bilcliff her details can be found www.homebirths.com.au she's lovley. I had lots of "baggage" from my previous c-sections and she spent hours listening to me go over and over and over how I was feeling. She also went thru my hospital notes from my previous pregnancys with me which I found helped a lot.
Did David put u in the KYM program??? The KYM midwifes are just amazing
Another thing with david (can u tell I love him? hehehe) when Andrea (my independant midwife) was with me he treated her with kindness and respect, something that dosn't happen with many obs - they don't really like the IM. Then when things got a little hairy David had Andrea doing things and working to ensure me and my baby were healthy. In other hospitals Andrea would have been pushed into the corner while the ob only used the hospital midwifes but David used everyone in that room it didn't matter who was paying the wages or who was covered by the hospital insurance. She was trained and experienced and he used that! He then spent 25min chatting to her in the nurses station after my birth about what had happened and what he was surprised by etc etc etc. He's quite a guy

[queen bee]

Hello again,

What is the KYM program? He didn't mention it, however he said that he wanted me to come to hospital for my visits rather than shared care with the GP because my pregnancy is seen as a more difficult one.

Thanks again for writing to me, I am trying to get as much info as I can and it really helps to get some "local inside knowledge".

QB

[Me+him+bub]

oh you poor thing i know how you feel i had a c section on tuesday due to a 30 hour failed induction of labour and cord around bubs neck stopping him from engaging, it was the worst thing i ever went through, i also had the catheter in before the epi and that also was an awful experience, I never want to do it again and am terrified the next time we have a baby, my thoughts have even changed on this as i dont want to go through that c section again, all i can say is you are very strong to have done it twice, i just wanted to commend you on that and wish you all the best with this bub. I also didnt get skin to skin and couldnt breastfeed and have allready just about given up due to the nipple pain and not latching properly because the ceaser makes it hard to sit up and do it properly. just know you arent alone!

[Dedicated Doula Gillian]

Reboza technique has helped with turning bab'. Dr David Simon sounds like he could be the doc'. And maybe breech or not he could help. And there is so much more info on the net try - VBAC Facts , it is USA based but the stories and trials still are encouraging!!! You can do this!!!! And I'm sure there are many people here who will support you!!!!!

[julie_ann_jules]

me+him+bub- I also know how u feel! its so hard to get the b/f after a c-section (I've also had 2 c-sections) and the pain is horrible . Have u seen a lactation person??? personally I have found the independant ones much better than the ones thru the hospital but any assistance is better than none! The first few weeks are hard. Have a look at Birthrites - Healing After Caesarean its a caeserian support network with lots of info. I found the days and months after my c-sections very hard..... leading to PND But other people hear have been fine enjoy your bubba and talk if u need to

queen bee - The KYM program is the Know Your Midwife program. You meet the 4 midwifes in the program and they are on call for you. So when u are in labor and give birth one of them will be there supporting you. This means that you will know the midwife supporting you They are lovly midwifes who also have a passion and lots of experience with VBAC. David will refer you to them. I'm happy to answer any questons no matter how big or small (if I can )

[queen bee]

Lydia & Gillian
Thanks for your support ladies

Jules
I just noticed that on my appointment card Dr Simon has written KYM so I guess I will be in that program which is great.

QB