Alright, let me preface this by saying that I am not a medical professional, will never claim to be one, and that this is purely my opinion based on what I’ve experienced personally AND what I’ve experienced by assisting others in the area achieve a VBAC…
In my honest opinion, I feel like a woman’s best option for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is by going with midwives (click for more info on what a midwife is). In our area, from what I understand, the Certified Nurse Midwives at the hospital will not attend VBAC clients because they are too “high risk” for them. For an idea of the relative risks in a VBAC versus other rare, but serious, risks in childbirth and labor (for ANY laboring woman), I really like this blog’s information.
The midwives that I used for my pregnancies were great. Kelli and Shanna at Motherly Way Maternity (also known as The Birth Center on Texas Street) were great and helped me to understand my risks and the risks to the baby in all of the available birth scenarios (including vaginal birth at home, the birth center, the hospital, or a repeat Cesarean). I chose what was most comfortable to me, which was HBAC. Click that link for tons of information. Keep in mind, though, that in her chart about home vs. hospital, the use of a doula is not mentioned. A doula can help you to feel much more in control of your birthing situation, regardless of whether or not you want an induction, drugs, or a whole host of other interventions (or none at all). I would highly recommend these ladies to anyone wishing to VBAC in the Midland/Odessa area because they already know and understand that pregnancy and birth are totally normal functions and processes and don’t sound an alarm unless something is truly an issue. Once issues arise, you’re given choices, a game plan, suggestions, etc. This is much different than being given scare tactics and having your choices stripped of you (which is often the case with even the nicest of OBs). I’ve noticed how OBs work in fear of litigation, many times, instead of working for the best outcome for the patient and the baby on a case by case basis.
Another midwife in our area is Dawn Cockrell and she is based out of Odessa, but will travel to deliver throughout West Texas and SE New Mexico. She has extensive experience in breastfeeding assistance as well and has run the La Leche League in our area in the past (and I believe will be starting it up again in the near future).
If you are considering a VBAC, please keep in mind that you should interview several care providers to get a feel for them or their practice. Even if you choose a care provider and they seem okay at first, if they start to push you around, belittle you, sidestep answering questions, or fail to give you balanced information to make your decisions, this could be a red flag on how they will be during your labor. Many times OBs will be “pro-VBAC” up until about 37 or 38 weeks and will truly start trying to find reasons to perform a repeat Cesarean after all. I think all women that want it should be allowed a TOL (Trial of Labor) unless it is a VERY, VERY dire medical emergency to get the baby out that second, you know what I mean? If your OB or midwife is pressuring you in the later weeks, guess what?
It is NEVER too late to FIRE your care provider. YOU pay THEM and they work for YOU! Know your rights during pregnancy and labor and specifically regarding your right to refuse.
