“If I Were You, I’d Just Schedule Another Cesarean Section.”

“If I were you, I’d just schedule another cesarean section.” – OB during prenatal discussion of mother’s desired VBAC .

44 people dislike these words.

There are 13 comments to this post.

Sarah had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 4:39 am (Quote)

And if I were you, I’d give factual, evidence-based information, and encouragement to go for a VBAC if all conditions are favorable. Isn’t it nice that we both have such a vivid imagination?

[Reply]

Lynn had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 4:54 am (Quote)

Thank goodness you’re not me! Or my doctor anymore.

[Reply]

Sarah Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 5:42 am Sarah(Quote)

Said on the way out the door.

[Reply]

Jane had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 6:06 am (Quote)

“Informed consent” doesn’t mean you get to inform me what you personally would consent to.

OP, I hope you left this practice.

[Reply]

Wendy Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 4:27 pm Wendy(Quote)

Haven’t you heard? It means doc “informs,” and patient consents.

[Reply]

road2vba2c had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 7:00 am (Quote)

Thank you for your opinion. Now, can we continue discussing MY choice?

[Reply]

BeckyJ had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 7:05 am (Quote)

“Well, you’re not me. So, I guess we’ll be attempting a VBAC, now, won’t we? Oh wait, since you’re not open to the idea, I’ll find someone else. Thanks for nothing.”

[Reply]

road2vba2c had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 7:05 am (Quote)

Now that I think about this some more, the double standard in modern obstetrics angers me. If the patient was planning an abortion and the doctor said, “If I were you I’d just put the baby up for adoption” the doctor would be in hot water (probably get sued, pro-choice activists would boycott him, etc. If the patient was planning to continue a pregnancy with a baby with a condition that was fatal and the doctor said, “If I were you I’d just have the abortion.” the doctor would be in less hot water (socially–probably not get sued, but SOMEONE would hear about it). But, if the doctor says something like this, we are to just take it? Grr….

[Reply]

Heather had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 9:39 am (Quote)

Well, if I was you I’d like to line my pockets as thick as I could too!

You’d be surprised how women I know talk about how they dislike their drs encouraging “forcing” them to try VBACing. Yes a scheduled csection is easier than a difficult labor followed by csection, but it doesn’t always have to be one or the other.

[Reply]

Robyn had this to say, Oct 15, 2011 @ 10:39 am (Quote)

Well, if you were me then I’d be you and if I were an OB then I wouldn’t make a practice of scheduling unnecessary procedures. So, if you were wanting a repeat c-section without any indication that you weren’t a VBAC candidate then you would have to find another doctor. I guess that’s exactly what *I* will do after all. Thanks for advice!

[Reply]

Sheva had this to say, Oct 17, 2011 @ 3:09 pm (Quote)

In the brilliant words of my then-4 year old brother – “C’mon, Sheva, if you were me you would do the same thing I’m doing.”

[Reply]

Jes had this to say, Nov 3, 2011 @ 2:17 am (Quote)

I’m the OP of this one, and after this comment – and about every other attempt to scare/bully me into a repeat c-section AFTER initially agreeing to help – I hired a midwife and had my VBAC baby at home on the family room floor! The OB who said this to me did agree to be my hospital backup, however, whose services we thankfully did not require … but 2 days after my successful HVBAC, I received a certified letter dismissing me from this OB’s practice for medical non-compliance. Ah, it must be great to feel invincible, eh, OB?…

[Reply]