I am 15 weeks along with my 2nd child and so far, my pregnancy has been very happy & healthy.
I had a C-Section 2 years ago and after a miserable experience, I vowed to never allow it to happen to me again, unless the situation was an emergency. My last pregnancy was great... no complications. My labor was as well except I allowed the doctor to induce me and I believe my body and my baby was not ready so labor did not progress past a certain point. I know that I am at a risk level no higher than any one who has never had a c-section so I am willing to do all that I can to have the labor and delivery I deserve.
Apparently, the majority of hospital in the Houston area have bans on allowing VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). To make it harder, the majority of OBs agree with this ban so I am on the hunt for a doctor & hospital that will not try to convince me that a c-section is best. Since I am in my 2nd trimester, I am getting worried I may not be accepted by some doctors since I am so far along.
If anyone has information that could be helpful to my situation, please let me know ASAP. I will be forever grateful!
I have already joined and posted on the the ICAN website but I am also reaching out to find info wherever it may be available.
Thank you for your help! My first choice would have been to have a midwife and an at home birth. My husband was very uneasy with the idea and preferred I find an OB and have our son in a hospital. Besides that, we have great insurance and we would have paid over a thousand out of pocket with a midwife.
I signed up with the ICAN Houston area forum and every person recommended Dr. Jane Reed. I commuted from Katy to the Woodlands because she was exactly what I was looking for! She is wonderful, honest, committed and truly what every Ob should strive to be! Every visit, she updated me on her recent VBACs and whether they were successful or not and what the circumstances where. She reassured me that I had a very good chance for a successful VBAC.
After 19 hours of irregular contractions, Dr. Reed suggested we end the day with a Csec. Although there were no complications, she felt as though my labor would not progress any further. I didn't get an epi until 16 hours had passed because I wanted to take no chance of impairing my chances. I was exhausted and agreed. My son was posterior so there was a slim chance his head would have fit.
I absolutely loved Memorial Hermann Woodlands Hospital as well. I held and nursed my baby as soon as Dr. Reed finished surgery and he never left my bedside (they don't have a nursery). The only thing that upset me was the nurses tried to keep me in my bed during labor although Dr. Reed said I could move around as I pleased. Not to give the nurses a bad rep. They were sweet as can be.
Don't quote me on this, but I'm thinking Dr. Johns at Christus St. Catherine's allows for VBACs. I think I remember a lady in the waiting room mentioning it while I was there for one of my appointments. You'd have to call and ask. He's an excellent doctor. There's no one else I'd have deliver me. Good Luck, darlin!
Hi there, I have a 22 month old baby girl. I always planned on having the epadurl if I ever had a baby, but my friend told me the she wished she had had a Dula b/c, just as you, she has gone throught c-Sec. experience including the pain and all that that entails as well, so when I got preg., I contacted First Birth Ministries, went through the class, enjoyed it. I did decide to go with a dula and just loved her. Her name is Sharon and here's her contact info.; Sharon Tilotta - Houston, Texas
Email: ____@____.com
Telephone: ###-###-####. She is very knowledgable about birthing babies and Houston Hosp.s. I'm a 40 year old mom, I went all natural and loved it:) I do believe I remember Sharon saying that St. Luke's Hosp. is one that will work with moms on trying to give the experience they are going for, so just keep that in mind. But tell her TammyT and Brooke Jolie says Hi:) Loved the expierence, God Bless, t
My first child was delivered by c-section at West Houston Medical by doctor Molson. My second was delivered vaginally by an Air Force doctor. I was told that vaginal delivery is fine depending on how the c-sction was done. I was told that if the incision was done going accross on the surface and inside that a vaginal delivery was fine. However, if your c-section incision was done going accross on the surface and up & down in the inside that a vaginal birth was not an option. Lucky for me I had great doctors both times. I would talk to several doctors and see what they tell you. If they do not offer this information bring it up.
Go to MHHS.org and click on FIND A PHYSICIAN. Do search for OB/GYN at MHKaty Hospital. I know they have done VBAC there.
I do not remember which OB it was.
Have you considered using a midwife? You could even birth at home if you would like that. If you don't want to birth at home some midwives can use the hospital or they have a Dr. there that they work with. Another option is definately the Doula. She will help you have the birth that you want and will be your advocate at the hospital. You really just need someone at the hospital that knows what you want and knows when to stand up to a dr. that just wants to hurry and get out of there. You should also look into creating a birth plan that only gives your husband or doula/midwife power to make decisions with you.
