[MissButtercup]

So I had my 28 week check up with my OB today.

Wasn't exactly what I expected.... after being advised at my first visit (have shared care with a mid wife in OB's clinic so only see her at key visits) with her that she would support my VBA2C her opening line was "so it looks like we need to organise a caesarian for you."

I was very taken back but after I guess you could say reminding her (though tears) that I'd prefer/had planned a VBAC she went on you explain the conditions (spontaneous labour, wireless monitoring through out etc, which is all fine with me as there is good reasons for this).

I guess I was disappointed that after seeing her for all my pregnancies (this being the 3rd) that I am still just a number, especially in such a small practice. You would think she would at least have read my notes for 2mins before the appointment...

Has anyone else feel just like a number? Or been in a smilar situation?

This post has been edited by MissButtercup: 17/10/2012, 12:28 PM

[Oma Desala]

I know exactly what you mean. That's how I felt when dealing with my local hospital that I booked into as my backup (am planning a home birth). I couldn't stand their attitude or lack of caring so I've booked into another hospital that actually treats me with respect.

I really do hope it was just an unfortunate oversight on your OBs part and that you get a beautiful VBAC without challenge.

All the best

[MissButtercup]

Thanks Oma.

Unfortunately there's only one hospital within a 200km radius so I don't have much choice. I am really happy with the midwife care but I kind of feel a little intimidated by the OB at times and normally just cave to what she's saying (caved to a second c-section due to breech baby when I should have investigated more into a VB..). However she's the best of the 3 OB's available in my area. It's really a no win situation.

I was feeling pretty confident about a VBAC but now all the worries I had about not being supported are coming back to me which where my main concerns to begin with.

[axiomae]

Do you have to see an OB? I never saw one at all throughout my pregnancy/labor. I was cared for by midwives and it was wonderful. Not sure if its mandatory after your caesars though.

[kelly77]

I saw a midwife for all my antenatal appts and at my 2 compulsory OB appointments (public) I got very good at saying 'no' and asking 'why?' I also took my research with me so I could ask about it and asked them to show me studies that supported their policies. And I'm not a confrontational person AT ALL. But it your body and your baby. Don't let the OB intimidate you, they work for you.

Best of luck with your VBAC.

[naturalgoodness]

I complain to my DH about this kind of thing every time I leave the public clinic at our hospital. After answering the same questions over and over and filling out the same information on forms I am left wondering why they can't take a few minutes before calling me in to familiarise themselves with the case notes!

I had a horrible surprise at my first consultant appt (I am doing shared care) where I had been told that I should prepare for a "managed" birth including having an epidural immediately upon admission because of THEIR concerns about my respiratory issues (which my respiratory physician has no qualms about!). This person hadn't bothered to read the form I had filled out in reception as he asked all the same questions over again

Its hard when they don't take the time to get familiar, and it makes me grateful for the limited contact I have to have with them and happy that as soon as I hold the baby I will forget all about them

Good Luck!

[Unatheowl]

That brought you to tears? My god, I would never be an ob.

I'm sorry, op, I don't understand your attitude at all. She probably just forgot. I had a vbac and I had to remind my ob that I would like to try for it rather than go straight to Caesar. We had a joke about it and moved on.

I can never understand building this stuff up so obsessively that you end up with PTSD if if didn't turn out exactly as planned. Perhaps start seeing a counsellor now?

[MissButtercup]

Una - I shouldn't have to explain myself but feel i have to for some reason. I've seen this OB for all 3 pregnancies and all gyno appointments, she works in a small practice, says hello by name if I bump into her down the street, yet she can't spend 2 minutes reading my notes before seeing me at an appointment if she can't remember our previous conversations (which being a VBA2C which apparently she's only had two other woman try for before you think would stand out). Its about customer service, I am paying for a service I am not receiving. And yes I am one of those emotional people that tear up at the drop of a hat when I've had next to no sleep due to working night shift and Braxton hicks when I do get a chance to rest....

This has all been bought up again in the last week when she read my growth scan results incorrectly - she read that bubs was in the 90th percentile where in fact bub is in the 9th percentile. Luckily my amazing midwife picked it up and I am now on twice weekly ctg monitoring and I see the OB once a week for cord flow monitoring....

So it's not the fact that I may or maybe not get a chance to VBAC (which yes I do hope I can) it's about receiving the care that I would expect and hope for... my question after all was about feeling like another number!

This post has been edited by MissButtercup: 11/11/2012, 06:51 AM

[elmo_mum]

if u want a vbac, and have researched associated risks, and if you still want one
STAND YOUR GROUND!!

u have to give consent for a c sect....

[SnazzySass]

That brought you to tears? My god, I would never be an ob.

I'm sorry, op, I don't understand your attitude at all. She probably just forgot. I had a vbac and I had to remind my ob that I would like to try for it rather than go straight to Caesar. We had a joke about it and moved on.

I can never understand building this stuff up so obsessively that you end up with PTSD if if didn't turn out exactly as planned. Perhaps start seeing a counsellor now?

Isn’t part of the job of a doctor patient care? Many pregnant women are overly emotional, it’s a symptom of pregnancy so wouldn’t someone trained in that area take that into account- not saying that they have to walk on egg shells but I am sure she would be understanding of a woman crying even if you aren’t.
There is nothing wrong with having a preference and one of the indicators for PTSD is if the person felt that they had no choice. If a person feels that they were in control of the situation and were able to choose what happened to them they are much less likely to develop PTSD.