Am I crazy to be still hopeful for a natural birth?

[TNT]

You don't say where you are having the baby; I'm guessing public hospital as you didnt mention a private doctor? Your major issue is the fact that you are trying for a VBAC as opposed to the size of your baby ( which, as others have mentioned is often very wrong in estimates and also the size doesn't necessarily equate to a harder birth). To have the best chance of success you need to know how supportive the hospital is of your choice ie when will they suggest induction as many hospitals wont let you go more than 7 days overdue and won't induce for a VBAC so it would be a Caesar. Assuming you know they are supportive, then you need to find out what their attitude is towards these things as that will determine whether you get to the starting line. Good luck, but if you are under time pressure and your baby isn't ready, realise that that does narrow your changes

 

[1sttimemom]

Thanks for all the replies, and encouragement. I've been MIA but actually still waiting for the baby. I am now 40wks + 4. My OBGYN asked me to go into the hospital (Baptist) for fetal monitoring today and he is moving well, so I am back at home waiting. My next doc appmt is Friday, so I know I will face A LOT of resistance from my OBGYN as she seems very scared that my baby is so big. I actually am a bit nervous, but feel that I can do this!

To be honest, I have thought about just showing up at a public hospital like QMH (although I live in the NT) and... they can't just ignore me, can they? My risk-averse husband does not agree.

Happily though, my husband is very supportive of my insistence on trying for a VBAC. We've agreed that unless medically necessary, a natural birth will allow for a quicker recovery. I have a 2 year old at home and I really don't want to be taking care of a wound + 2 kids.

@ Thanka2 - thanks for sharing your birth story. I think I laughed and also freaked out... but I get the idea. Trust my body. And relax.

 

[thanka2]

@ Thanka2 - thanks for sharing your birth story. I think I laughed and also freaked out... but I get the idea. Trust my body. And relax.

I would add...submit to and accept the process. If you are fearful and you fight it you'll be going against "sphincter law". Before you get there really analyze what you believe about yourself, your body and birth. Find the fears that you have...the "what ifs" and confront them. It's important what you say and what you think because that will have a great impact on what happens...and if you have fear...even hidden fear that no one else knows about...it will come to bite you in the end. But if you conquer it now--even before you go into labor you will have a greater chance of having the birth you want. Also debrief with your husband and see where he's at.

I had fear going into my second birth. I was afraid of hemorrhaging again. I was afraid of a long 43-hour birth again. I was afraid of going into shock again. I was afraid of a lot. I had a lot of bad feelings over the first birth and my recovery. It brought back memories of post-partum depression of the struggles with breastfeeding and of feeling alone and like my world had collapsed. Some people don't have all of this stuff to wade through but some people do. So, it's important to wade through that trauma or any negative feelings from the first time and any fears so you can start the second birth with a clean slate. It's important to know what affirmations you're going to tell yourself and what you really believe--in your heart. Sometimes it takes forgiveness. I had to forgive people who had wronged me. I had to let go of a lot--a lot of anger. But....that meant with my second birth I went in really free. It took me several months (probably 3-4) to go through all of this and have my realizations and epiphanies and to research and feed myself good, positive messages but I'm very glad I did. That is the advice I would have given to myself with my first birth if I could.

Have a beautiful birth!

 

[thanka2]

Another good Ina May Gaskin video.