Posted by My OB said WHAT?!?.
Dec
21
Posted by My OB said WHAT?!?.
“You Are An Automatic Cesarean Section.”
“You are an automatic cesarean section.” – Physician’s assistant to mother at pregnancy confirmation visit. Mother had had 2 previous cesarean sections.
There are 34 comments to this post.
It is a HUGE pet peeve of mine when doctors say a patient IS the condition they have (like when my ex-pediatrician told me my newborn son WAS failure to thrive)! But this is even worse, because this PA isn’t actually even making a diagnosis based off of reality/facts/observations. S/he’s just giving bad medical care NOT based on current research and recommendations. GRRRRRR!
(Also wondering what sort of mental/emotional
effect it might have on a woman who’s had 2 c-sections, who might be thinking that her body is “broken,” to hear the words “You are a cesarean section?”)
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“No. no im not.” (this is not mine) i was told something similar to this by the nurses at my local birth center (where i had my two sons by c-section.) the nurse said “your weight looks good, bp is good, normal pregnancy, no signs of danger, you’re having a repeat c-section, your next appointment is in 4 weeks, and we’ll be scheduling your ultrasound. okay?” i responded with “wait a minute, what do i need a c-section for? everything is normal, and healthy.” she gave me a confused look, looked into my chart, and said “you’ve had two c-sections. that’s an automatic repeat.” i argued with her about that for a bit, until she came up with “well, you’ve never given birth vaginaly before. you have no proof you even CAN birth a baby.” needless to say, these people are no longer my care providers. driving over an hour out of my way to VBA2C at a very reputable hospital that is 100% VBAC friendly 
to the OP: sorry, hope my comment didnt hijack your post. it sucks having care providers like that. i hope you either convinced them otherwise, or switched!
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mel Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:44 am (Quote)
I drove 2 hours. Well worth it.
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Carrie Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 2:10 pm (Quote)
I’m currently driving 2-3 hours (depends on traffic) for my prenatal care at vbac and waterbirth friendly mediwives group. Sucks to drive that long, but much better care than is available locally.
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TyMc Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 5:49 am (Quote)
How did it work when you were in labor? My mother and my fiance keep badgering me about that. They’re all “you’re gonna give birth in the car!” I seriously doubt my first natural birth is only going to last an hour.
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Jane Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 6:40 am (Quote)
But on the other hand, if they say “You’re going to give birth in the car!” and you smile with joy and say, “You mean I’ll get my VBAC! AWESOME!” then it might get them to stop saying that. 
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mel Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 9:13 am (Quote)
I got there with 7.5 hours to spare. In fact, I got checked and decided to leave and go to my sister’s place until I was farther along. I had discussed that with her earlier. I was pretty scared of the cascade of interventions, so I made it easy on us by laboring at my sister’s and showing up nearly ready to push . My SIL went to the same OB and same hospital for her VBA2C and got there in plenty of time as well (she lives close to me). And then back there for her next, which was a breech VBA2C. That time she was told to have an ambulance bring her in, because he was a little concerned about her having to deliver a breech baby with only her husband’s help. But for our first VBA2Cs he just told us to have blankets or towels and a pair of clamps and scissors (although preferably not use those) along just in case and to pull over and call 911 if baby was about to be born. I wasn’t concerned. DH is good and levelheaded in an emergency.
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Jense Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:17 pm (Quote)
Good for you. “No.” would’ve been my exact response too.
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Steph in Lex Reply:
December 26th, 2012 at 4:31 pm (Quote)
Don’t you love how those of us with previous c-sections have not proven that we can birth a baby vaginally, and yet first-time mothers are not considered “automatic c-sections” when they haven’t proven it, either?
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tried posting my story 3x but not showing up. This is a test.
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Julie Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:41 pm (Quote)
5x – not sure why it won’t post!
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Chelsea Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:45 pm (Quote)
It might be stuck in moderation… give it time. We look forward to hearing it.
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Mama Wrench Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 8:07 pm (Quote)
If the character length goes over a certain limit, comments get bounced to moderation.
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Carolyn Reply:
December 27th, 2012 at 7:58 am (Quote)
I am interested in reading the pink link. I hope the website owner is able to get it out of moderation soon.
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Details Reply:
December 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pm (Quote)
I think the moderator has gone on vacation, I’m hoping to read your post with the new year (or whenever things get going again.)
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10 Wks along and trying to make decisions about VBA2C. First CS was after 30+ hrs of labor. Was fully dilated and then told my tailbone was in the way and if I tried to push I would likely break my TB or injure the baby’s head. Second was repeat CS – just didn’t question it.
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Found out about 2 docs within 30 min of me that are supportive of VBA2C. Thinking of getting a second opinion. I feel like I should want a VBA2C, but not sure if I really do – honestly fear is holding me back. I have a terrible pain tolerance, what if I go thru it all only to need a CS. What if the tailbone thing is real? Feel more in control of pain with an RCS, but there could be complications with that as well.
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Details Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 5:16 am (Quote)
First of all if you were sitting on your tailbone at the time your doctors were a$$holes. If they cared and knew their stuff they would have gotten you up into a squat before making such a judgment. If that realization makes you angry then you are a good candidate for a VBAC. If you really don’t care that you were manhandled by meatheads then go with the RCS.
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Julie Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 11:03 am (Quote)
I had an epidural at the time, so I couldn’t have gotten into a different position. I realize now that had I not had an epidural and had been able to squat or been in another position, my tailbone would have possibly moved. I do care about my healthcare, my right to make birth decisions. Just looking for support in making this decision, not hostility. I don’t see it as that cut and dry.
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mel Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 1:24 pm (Quote)
Even with an epidural you can get off your tailbone. You can push in a side lying position, you just need someone to support your upper leg for you. It is actually as cut and dry as she says, though. If you want a VBA2C, you need to go in with an attitude and no doubts in your mind. If I had even the slightest doubt, I would not have succeeded in mine. Because you WILL, almost guaranteed, be ambushed at every turn. Unless you can find a really awesome care provider who works alone…
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details Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at 1:00 am (Quote)
There was absolutely no hostility toward you in my statement. Plenty for doctors who leave you on your tailbone and then tell you that it is your fault that your tailbone is in the way. I certainly wouldn’t expect a woman with an epidural to get herself into a new position on her own. Note my original comment was ‘If they knew their stuff they would have gotten you into a squat” and I didn’t even know you were drugged at the time. The reality is that having a serious drive to succeed at VBAC does not guarantee anything, but being wishy washy about it guarantees that you will have another C-section. Reality bites but sticking your head in the sand is no improvement.
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Jane Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 7:54 am (Quote)
Definitely get a second opinion from a doctor who knows tailbones are flexible. And that you can get them out of the way by changing position.
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Carrie Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 8:06 am (Quote)
Also think about recovery time. That’s one of the deciding factors for me to attempt a vbac. You labor for a day or two (hopefully that’s all), and the recovery is much quicker, versus the incision to heal from and all that entails, while taking care of three children…
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Oh yeah? What happens if her labor is so fast that she gives birth before you can section her? Will you wheel her to the OR and cut her open anyway, because it’s “automatic”?
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