The doctor we ended up seeing after we had to change to Baylor Dallas, I really liked. But being that it's a 70 mile round trip to Dallas and back, I wanted to find a more local doctor. So that's when I put up the FB post. But, of course, all the doctors that were recommended are... at Baylor Dallas. Looks like we're driving out there anyway.
I've narrowed it down to two doctors. Both were rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Health Grades. One does a sonogram at every appointment, the other does a sono at most appointments. Now, since Ava had her birth defects and we had to monitor it closely, we had sonograms at least once a week for the last 4 months of pregnancy. So, I got a bit spoiled, being able to see her every week.
So I'm going to call the one who does sonos at every visit (and apparently is a very highly sought after doctor in Dallas) and see if she's accepting new patients.
The thing that's going to decide between the two officially though is if they are willing to do a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I really want to try it, and I understand if at the end, it's not possible. I looked up a bit about it yesterday, and since I've only had one and it wasn't medically necessary for me (just a precaution for Ava's gastroschisis) I should be a candidate for it. Of course, I managed to find the small handful of horror stories about the risks. But isn't there a risk to any delivery?
If I end up needing a c-section, then so be it. But I'll be honest, I hated the one I had. It took me FOREVER to heal from it (and I hated having to wake up my husband every time I needed to get up from bed and use the restroom, since I couldn't sit up myself. Those of you who have had a c-section know what pain I'm talking about, ouch). But I felt so removed from the birth of my daughter. I'm laying there, motionless and numb on a table, with a tarp in front of my chest, and everyone in the room knows what is going on except for me. I felt so separated from the whole experience.
And, not that a c-section isn't a "real" delivery, but I really want my husband to experience a "normal" delivery. One where he's feeding me ice chips, encouraging me to breathe and push, etc.
So, dear readers, have any of you attempted a VBAC?
Before I get into my experience with VBAC, remember this... you have a RIGHT to "high risk" care for this pregnancy since you delivered a child with a BD as I did with both of my pregnancies after my oldest child was born with Gastroschisis. Take what you can get! Better care, more likely to get approved for higher level screenings, etc., and if you are not offered High Risk care, move on and find another obgyn.
ReplyDeleteSo my first daughter had Gastroschesis, and my next 2 were born vaginally, one 22 months later and the other 10 years later. I had absolutely no complications except for the fact that after my first daughter was born I cursed that I actually had labor pains before a c-section and how much it sucked (I had no idea that it could hurt more than the early labor pains which was all I had, was I wrong!)
The my answer is yes, (do it do it do it!) especially if your other daughters were born vaginally and the only reason for Ava to be born c-section was because of Ava's condition and nothing to do with you. As you might read elsewhere, our bodies are very pliant and heal well from C-sections. Since mine was 20 years ago, I imagine medicine has come even further.
Hope this helps you in your decision!
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ReplyDeleteI dont have any personal experience with a VBAC, my mother had a c-section with me and then had 4 more children VBAC over the next 19 years. You can totally do it!! Congrats
ReplyDeleteI had a csection in august 2011....it was the easiest surgery I've ever had. No joke. I was up & moving 6 hours after surgery. I know everyone handles it differently, but I don't understand why everyone was trying to scare me about it. It really, truly, was not the "huge, major, terrible" surgery everyone says it is.
ReplyDeleteI did not heal well from my c section either and my dr was very willing to let me try vbac since the section was due to breech, not me. It went well! I still had complications ( bad tear) but healed so much faster from that and was muchore mobile and independent!
ReplyDeleteI did not heal well from my c section either and my dr was very willing to let me try vbac since the section was due to breech, not me. It went well! I still had complications ( bad tear) but healed so much faster from that and was muchore mobile and independent!
ReplyDeleteJennifer-- I initially came to your blog for the scum cleaner and ended up here! Ha! By now you are just a few weeks a way from your VBAC-- I pray it's everything you hope it to be. I, myself, am hoping for one in December!
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