Dec 21

“…If You’re Going To Insist…”

“We can’t do those here, but if you’re going to insist, we’ll refer you to Atlanta.” – OB to mother who wanted to have a VBAC with her next pregnancy.

22 people dislike these words.

There are 23 comments to this post.

Amanda had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 6:10 pm (Quote)

At least the OB was honest and was willing to compromise.

[Reply]

Leigh Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 6:14 pm Leigh(Quote)

I agree, at least he offered an option instead of lecturing about the “dangers” as so many do.

[Reply]

Jessica had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 6:34 pm (Quote)

Mothers shouldn’t have to insist their doctors do what’s been proven to be safer than a repeat C-section and is overall successful. And just how far away is Atlanta from where the mother is?

[Reply]

jaed Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 6:37 pm jaed(Quote)

Exactly. Why do OBs so aggressively push the less-safe alternative?

(Well, I know why. “Birth is a medical procedure performed by an OB.” That means either induction or CS, and induction often isn’t safe when the mother’s uterus is scarred, so CS is the choice.)

[Reply]

Carrie had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 6:40 pm (Quote)

His tone of voice was actually pretty condescending, sort of insinuating that I was being difficult for not wanting a repeat c-section. My biggest issue with this, though, was that it’s not just his group that won’t do vbacs. It’s the entire freakin’ city. Not a single doctor in this city will do vbacs. They can refer patients to Atlanta, which is roughly two hours away, but I really don’t want to drive two hours when in labor. And I’ve checked in Atlanta for midwives, but there are alot of regulations there. I won’t be able to use a free-standing birth clinic for a vbac, I’d HAVE to go to a hospital.

So right now my options are pretty limited. I really don’t want a second hospital birth, so I can either have an unassisted birth (which is not a good idea due to my history, baby with birth defects and alot of issues there) or else drive 5 hours to Tennessee to a birth clinic. OR just suck it up and go to a closer hospital and risk alot of interventions.

[Reply]

Chara Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 7:03 pm Chara(Quote)

I have a friend in Nashville who drove to Atlanta for a VBAC. TN isn’t much better. Maybe you could just go camp out at The Farm for a week or two?

[Reply]

Emily G. Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 7:41 pm Emily G.(Quote)

We might have the same friend. One of our ICAN ladies drove to Atlanta from the Nashville area because no one in our area would agree to a VBA3C. She said Dr. Tate was wonderful and very accommodating. I found a Dr. here in Shreveport after much searching, but I had almost resigned myself to driving an hour and a half or so to the birthing center in TX.

[Reply]

Chara Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 9:04 pm Chara(Quote)

It sounds like we do have the same friend. Jen? I think she’s looking for someone local this time around, so you might want to talk to her again. Tx doesn’t sound like a bad option. Tx is much more midwife friendly than a lot of states, according to some friends of mine in Dallas. I’m OKC, and OK is a mixed bag. Good luck!

[Reply]

Emily G. Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 6:56 am Emily G.(Quote)

TX isn’t bad. According to ICAN there, there are several options for VBAC. Dr. Cummings in Dallas does VBAMC and VBASSC.

I birthed with birthing center midwives at a hospital in Cookeville, and they were wonderful. But the OB who oversees them managed to talk me into an induction because I was “post date.”

[Reply]

Diana Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 7:14 pm Diana(Quote)

Where are you from? I’m from McDonough. Where did they tell you this?

[Reply]

Carrie Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 7:07 am Carrie(Quote)

This is in Columbus, GA. Apparently there used to be ONE ob who would do vbacs, but his repeat c-section rate was rediculously high. There was actually an article in the local paper a few years ago about this, and how rediculous it is. They interviewed several women who’ve drivin to either Atlanta or Tennessee for vbacs. But nothing has changed.

[Reply]

Kat Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 9:07 pm Kat(Quote)

The reason you can’t go to a freestanding clinic in Atlanta is because as of right now there IS no freestanding midwifery birthing center in the whole state except one in Savannah.

However, there are doctors and midwives who attend VBACs around the Atlanta area. I’m so sorry you cannot find support locally. If you do decide to come up to Atlanta, I highly recommend Intown Midwifery, Margaret Strickhouser’s group. They are currently working on starting a birthing center, they do water births (yes, even waterbirth VBAC) at Atlanta Medical Center. Their backup doctor is great, and should surgery become necessary, truly necessary not just “It’s the weekend and we want to go home,” he does his job well. I saw him multiple times during my pregnancy because of my son’s hydronephrosis/pyelectasis. He was always very respectful and kind. When I ultimately ended up needing a c-section, I felt completely confident that the surgery was necessary, and I felt respected through the whole process.

[Reply]

Carrie Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 7:03 am Carrie(Quote)

The midwife group you mentioned has a website about the birth clinic they want to build, and on the page about VBAC’s they state that state law prohibits vbacs in any but a hospital setting. They’ll still assist in those births, but I really wanted to avoid hospitals if possible.

http://www.atlantabirthcenter.org/2011/07/the-atlanta-birth-center-and-vbacs/

[Reply]

Holly Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:21 pm Holly(Quote)

I will say, if it helps, that the ladies at Intown and Dr. Bootstaylor, the OB they work with, will do EVERYTHING in their power to help you avoid a repeat C-Section. I birthed with them in July with PIH/Pre-Eclampsia so I had to consult with the OB. They were great about helping me have a successful induction when it was truly medically necessary.

I completely understand not wanting a hospital experience, but if you have to have a hospital these are at least people who will help make it pleasant for you, know what I mean?

[Reply]

HeatherB Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:53 pm HeatherB(Quote)

So sorry, OP. I’ve been in this EXACT position…twice. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I know this is unsolicited advice from a ransom stranger, but the first time I chose a repeat cesarean. That was a critical turning point in my life. It was when I learned that allopathic (aka “modern”) medicine has little to do with promoting health. I’ll spare you the rant, but since then I’ve only seen a doctor once, and it was to get an ultrasound for my next pregnancy (which in retrospect I should’ve skipped). I’m quite positive I have undiagnosed PTSD, and it will never be diagnosed because I will never, ever, EVER see a doctor again. I will exhaust every other alternative first. And you know what? In the past two years, I’ve discovered a vast and growing world of alternatives. I think I’ll be fine. But if I could do it all over again, I would throw risk out the window and stay home.

Okay, actually I DID do this the next time around. I hired a midwife to attend me at home. But even if I hadn’t found her, I would’ve been better off going it alone than walking back into that terrible place they call a hospital.

[Reply]

Judith had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 7:00 pm (Quote)

so sorry, Carrie. what about The Farm in TN?

[Reply]

Beth had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 7:35 pm (Quote)

Ive heard good things about a Dr. Tate around Atlanta.

[Reply]

Brige had this to say, Dec 21, 2011 @ 7:48 pm (Quote)

We PCSd from Shreveport to Minot nd thank god dr. Robertson refused to see me because I wouldn’t do the gtt the only ob I would reccomend there is dr tynes and even then she won’t let you birth w/o a hep lock and constant fetal monitoring when I called her office they said ” we don’t do Bradley births”

[Reply]

Mama Wrench had this to say, Dec 22, 2011 @ 8:10 am (Quote)

I have to wonder where these hospitals’ patients’ legal advocates are and why no one ever seems to get referrals to them. You’d think a doctor having the possibility of a patient being forced into rash action would want to cover his ass with a waiver or something. I simply don’t see how NOT ever delivering VBAC moms is enforcible without purting moms at risk from laboring at home without monitoring and risking not getting to the hospital on time.

[Reply]

Details Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:12 am Details(Quote)

You would think that at least one lawyer would challenge the legallity of not permitting VBAC espeically now that the ACOG is “recommending” VBA2C as a safe option. How can they possibly keep this kind of monopoly? There should be an antitrust suit or something!

[Reply]

Judith had this to say, Dec 22, 2011 @ 2:40 pm (Quote)

I know of a woman who called the hospital ombudsman to complain about her OB. the only that happened is she got dismissed from their practice. it is called a monopoly!

[Reply]

mommahadavba3c had this to say, Dec 23, 2011 @ 6:18 am (Quote)

Are you opposed to a lay midwife? That could be a wonderful option for you. I had a hba3c with a wonderful midwife that just happened to not have a licence (she does now). I had to drive to the next state but it was well worth it! Keep fighting! Have you joined ICAN? They are a huge wealth of knowledge when it comes to finding a supportive provider.

[Reply]