C-section grumpiness

[anasilanishtar]

I am semi-accepting of the fact that I have to have a c-section: Prior section in this area of FL require a repeat one, and apparently because of HPV and the displaysia (sp) that was discovered recently, also requires that I have a c-section. What I am grumpy about is the fact that my OB says I have to have it a week to 10 days before my due date.

Comments

[duchess_k]

Unless labor and dilation would specifically be harmful to you or the baby, I don't see any reason to take the baby early, and it seems to be really common practice: "well, since you're going to have a C, let's just get it done ASAP". There are so many reasons to not take a baby early, and it sounds like you're well aware.

Ask him what the specific reasons are other than convenience and not having to deal with an unscheduled section. The well-being of your baby is more important than their convenience. Why the heck does your husband think you will rupture? Was your last C done with a can opener and twine or something? Aie!

[anasilanishtar]

My husband is convinced that since I already have scar tissue, and since it doesn't stretch, then he thinks I will rupture. And the likelyhood of rupturing increases the closer to full term I get. He's going maternal and child this semester, so I am really hoping that a lot of the pre-conscieved notions he has will get busted - since listening to me doesn't seem to work for him sometimes.

Lol... I think he thinks my last c-section was with a can opener or twine ;)

[duchess_k]

Good luck with all of that! Sheesh, if rupture were that likely, nobody would get pregnant a second time! Maybe the new ACOG guidelines about VBAC would set him straight?

[adayofsilence]

I have an amazing doctor, and he kind of rolled his eyes at the topic of not allowing VBACs, but generally, its hospital policy, not just the OB.

I talked it over with my nurse when they told me I would probably be scheduled for closer to 38 weeks than 40, and they told me that especially since I didn't have my last c-section in their hospital, they would want to schedule early. They have no records of how I healed, or how the surgery went, and because of that, its better safe than sorry.

Its a way of watching their backs, I suppose. And unfortunately, even if your OB is all for allowing VBACs, if the hospital policy is against it, there's not much they can do about it. They schedule early to prevent the chances of labor, because if you do have too much scar tissue (like I do) its better not to risk it. But at the same time, I am nervous about having the baby early...my last child was two weeks late.

[a_tergo_lupi]

Yes, a section scheduled early is to prevent you from going into labor, since labor is what would cause a potential rupture. A planned section is safer than an emergency section.

As to whether you agree with the section or not is another issue.

[gen_here]

The chance of a previous uterine surgery uterus rupturing during normal, non-induced labor is about 1-1.5% higher than a never cut uterus. A planned section is more convenient than an emergency section - that's it. Even "emergency" sections usually take a good 30 minutes to get going.

OP, unless you're having the baby at a small hospital that doesn't have an OB and anesthesia on staff 24/7, this is simply for convenience for your doctor. I know that FL's laws are awful, but newest recommendations say that a vbac is safer for mom and baby than a repeat c-section. If nothing else, you don't have to show up for a scheduled section, and you can show up at the hospital as soon as you feel you are in labor.

[anasilanishtar]

Yeah, my local hospital is tiny and the only one in the county to do births. The big ones (St Joseph's and Tampa General) are about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from here and aren't really a feasible option.

And I have considered doing that. Cancelling the c-section at the last minute and just waiting to go into labor.

[a_tergo_lupi]

I didn't say that having the section was best or even advisable. In fact, I specifically did not address whether she ought to have a section. What I addressed is the simple truth that the risk of rupture--however large or small it may be--is from labor period, not from pushing or any other such thing. As such, if one wishes to prevent the risk of rupture, one should section prior to the onset of labor. And, yes, a scheduled section carries less risk than an emergency section. If a woman must be sectioned for emergent rupture, she's already bleeding out, at the very least. Planned section carries a lower risk of infection over emergent section. Planned section also carries a lower risk of PPD for the mother over emergent section. And, while people here tend to poo the idea of scheduling because of how convenient it is, all surgeries that occur out of standard operating hours tend to have poorer outcomes

[meeksnmeebs]

I don't think any of those "reasons" (aside from policy in the area) should prevent you from having a VBAC. I too was pressured into having a c-section about the same amount of time before my due date because my son was breech and they didn't want me to "risk" going into labor because it was my first baby and they didn't know how fast I would go. *rolls eyes*
PLUS! The OB that did the section told me to not be upset about it because it hurt HIS feelings. WTF?

[amyadores]

My first ended in a c-section so my second was a scheduled c-section. I'm hoping to pull off a VBAC for baby #3.

You should not be grateful that the Dr is letting you go to 39 weeks, its actually the earliest they normally go so that the lungs are ready, if it was done any earlier they would have to have an u/s to check the development of the lungs. They do it at 39 weeks so that you don't cut it too close for going into labor, at least that's what I was told. Did you happen to ask the Dr why you go in 7-10 days before the due date or did you just not accept the answer?

[anasilanishtar]

I didn't ask why he was scheduling it then, I assumed. I will be asking him tomorrow when I go in for my check up.

[this_is_krister]

I know there aren't a lot of VBAC friendly hospitals in your area, but have you looked into having a HBAC with a midwife instead? I'm in central florida too, and decided that would be my best option after talking to several different non-VBAC friendly OBs.

I have a friend who is a midwife student/doula in Sumter county, and knows a lot of the providers in your area... I can send her an email for some references if you would like :-)

[anasilanishtar]

Thank you for the lovely offer :) But we don't have the funds to pay for a home birth - our insurance doesn't cover it. They won't even cover midwives, unless they work directly under an OB. If could try for a VBAC, I could drive the hour or so to St Josph's Women's or Tampa General, but my OB did explain to me why I need to have the repeat c-section. It's a health issue, rather than being a convienience thing.

Thank you once again :)