Where to begin looking for a Midwife who will do a VBAC?
Hello ladies... I just joined this site and would like to see what advice I can get from you =)
My first baby was a C-Section due to breech presentation (16 months ago). We are now thinking about TTC #2 but I am a little worried and much excited at the same time. I SO want a VBAC it scares me that what if I have a c-section again. It truly scares me.
With my first, my labor was progressing very quickly and smoothly until the nurse told me my baby was breech and we had to have an emergency C/S; my contractions were one right after another, I was having an incredible urge to push. The rest is a blur.
Now that we're planning for a second child I don't have a clue where to begin searching for a midwife. I called the clinic where I delivered and they told me they do not do VBAC's, though I want to have mine at home with a midwife.
I would love to get advice, any and all of it! I see this site is new and there's really nothing on VBAC's yet. So here I am.
Thanks to all and hugs!
Natalie
My first baby was a C-Section due to breech presentation (16 months ago). We are now thinking about TTC #2 but I am a little worried and much excited at the same time. I SO want a VBAC it scares me that what if I have a c-section again. It truly scares me.
With my first, my labor was progressing very quickly and smoothly until the nurse told me my baby was breech and we had to have an emergency C/S; my contractions were one right after another, I was having an incredible urge to push. The rest is a blur.
Now that we're planning for a second child I don't have a clue where to begin searching for a midwife. I called the clinic where I delivered and they told me they do not do VBAC's, though I want to have mine at home with a midwife.
I would love to get advice, any and all of it! I see this site is new and there's really nothing on VBAC's yet. So here I am.
Thanks to all and hugs!
Natalie
Tags: VBAC
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Briana Mager, CD(DONA), HCHD on
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To look for a midwife you can try starting here: http://www.findamidwifetoday.com/birthmarket/
Also try looking at Citizens For Midwifery http://cfmidwifery.org/find/#4 and contact any of the resources listed for your state. Make sure you take a look at the internet directories they have listed too.
Hope that helps you find the perfect midwife for you! -
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Permalink Reply by liz creditor on
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Hi Natalie
Where do you live?
Liz -
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Permalink Reply by Natalie Gudzenko on
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WA state on the border of OR, so I could go to either state.
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Permalink Reply by Maggie Simon on -
When I was exactly where you are, emotionally recovering from my first birth & c-section, and looking forward to becoming pregnant with baby #2, I found a lot of support/information from my local ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter. I went on to have a VBAC with a midwife at a free standing birth center. I'm pregnant with baby #3 and planning a homebirth with a midwife.
You might want to check out the ICAN website, and see if there is a local support group in your area. Here is the link: http://ican-online.org/chapter/search -
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Permalink Reply by Krista Harris on -
Natalie, I'm in Portland, OR and let me tell you we live in a *GREAT* place for VBAC. There are lots of midwives in the area and I have several friends who have VBACed at home and had wonderful experiences. I personally know a naturopathic doctor/midwife who I would hire in a second if I were to get pregnant again. I've had 3 kids....1st was emer. c-section, the 2nd was a VBAC with an OB in a hospital and the third was a VBAVBAC (you like my term? I made it up!) with a midwife in a hospital. We're done (as far as having babies goes) but if we did find ourselves unexpectedly pregnant, I'd have a homebirth for sure! Oh and I'm also involved with the Portland ICAN chapter so let me know if you need any info. You said you were on the border, but its a big border so not sure if you are close to Portland or not.
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Permalink Reply by LaVona May Anderson on -
I live in WA as well and tried vbac's the last 2 pregnancies. There are 2 hospitals in WA that do vbac's and one even has midwifes that do vbacs and water births for vbac's. Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital and Southwest Washington Medical Center as well. Legacy is the one with the midwives, in a group called Pacific Midwifery. Hope it helps!
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly James on -
Natalie, the VBAC Ban database at http://www.ican-online.org should have info for you. Also, contact the nearest chapter in either state.
Are you wanting to pursue homebirth, hospital birth, or possibly a birth center? Birth centers associated with OB practices and staffed soley by OBs and CNMs generally do not allow VBACs. The AABC (American Association of Birth Centers) isn't really fighting that battle right now. Free-standing birth centers, sometimes staffed by CNMs and more general by "lay" or professional midwives, sometimes do. Some family practice docs and CNMs will do homebirth, but that's the exception. Most states have some sort of regulatory board that establishes the parameters for homebirth. The hospital might be able to tell you which CNMs have privileges at your hospital(s). You'd want to find out about their back-up docs too.
You're an excellent candidate for VBAC! One sight that has brought me much comfort is http://www.childbirthconnection.org. REALLY great resources. And you'll need support - from people in your community, if possible, but also from on-line groups. Check out the ICAN forums, or MotheringDotCommune, or Birth After Cesarean. I've learned so much from the ICAN and BAC women! -
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Thank you all so much for all your support! It's amazing what support really does! =)
I've already checked a few websites that were recommended... and will do so MUCH more as time goes.
Thanks and hugs,
Natalie =D -
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Krista, do you think you could give me the naturopath/midwifes contact info? Does she have a site I can save to my favorites or a name? Do you have any idea how much she charges? I'm not pregnant yet so this is not a rush, but I sure would love to speak to her as soon as I do get pregnant (hopefully soon!) =)
I'd love to hear from you! Thank you for your encouragement =) I also love the fact that the midwife is also a naturopathic doc! Sweet!
Krista Harris said:Natalie, I'm in Portland, OR and let me tell you we live in a *GREAT* place for VBAC. There are lots of midwives in the area and I have several friends who have VBACed at home and had wonderful experiences. I personally know a naturopathic doctor/midwife who I would hire in a second if I were to get pregnant again. I've had 3 kids....1st was emer. c-section, the 2nd was a VBAC with an OB in a hospital and the third was a VBAVBAC (you like my term? I made it up!) with a midwife in a hospital. We're done (as far as having babies goes) but if we did find ourselves unexpectedly pregnant, I'd have a homebirth for sure! Oh and I'm also involved with the Portland ICAN chapter so let me know if you need any info. You said you were on the border, but its a big border so not sure if you are close to Portland or not. -
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Permalink Reply by Amy on -
My first baby was an "emergency" c-sec due to breech presentation as well! My second baby was born at home in the water. I found my midwife through my local ICAN chapter. I found it incredibly helpful to meet with the other successful VBAC moms in my area and ask them about the midwives and OB's they had used. I was also able to weed out a midwife who was very well represented online..but upon hearing many personal firsthand experiences from women in the area, was able to determine that midwife was not the type of caregiver that I was looking for.
Even when a care provider states that they "perform VBACs" you can get a wide range of support. If you can meet up with or contact other VBAC successful moms in your area through ICAN you will be able to quickly narrow down the list of care providers you wish to meet with.
Best of luck!
~amy -
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