First on the old doctor: She called me yesterday and her attitude was completely different that it had been at my appointment on Wednesday night. For a minute, I thought she might be bi-polar or something. She'd apparently had a long discussion with the perinatalogist that also sees me just before she called me. She got some of her concerns cleared up, was much more agreeable to the VBAC, no doom/gloom stories, and turned back into the doctor that I loved when I was pregnant with Shane.
Than, I had a hematologist appointment in the afternoon at the hospital. She showed up to it! She had just come off of an OR case and knew I was there, so she sat and consulted with the other doctor during my appointment, and got all kinds of misconceptions and her panicky concerns cleared up. I felt slightly more at ease with her, but I still wanted to consult with the new doctor.
New doc's appointment was today. He's awesome on so many levels. He is also on the board of obstetrics at the hospital and was able to answer ALL of my questions clearly and concisely, especially with regard to hospital procedures because he helps write them, lol. Old OB told me that IV hydration and an epidural are mandatory for VBAC. This doctor said the only madatory thing is that I get a Hep lock. Everything is is recommended, but optional.
As far as opinions go, he has some of the same as my original OB. Some are very different, but all in good ways. He thinks that I'm a fair VBAC candidate, but has some concerns based on baby's estimated size (8 pounds 11 oz by today's surprise ultrasound!), and the fact that I was so slow to progress during labor with Shane. But, he thinks that if I go into labor on my own prior to my due date it can definitely be attempted. He is also not as concerned with my platelet levels as she is. As long as I'm over 100k, I'm fine. He also said that even if I dropped down to 80k again, it' still fine. Anesthesia would be able to give me a spinal or epi if needed and I wouldn't have to be put under general in the even of a c-section or a rupture. He sees quite a few more ITP patients than she does because his practice is so much larger, so his opinoin on this was very valuable to me.
Than he threw a curve ball at me. He knows my doctor, thinks she is excellent, and told me he thinks I should sit down with her and try to patch things up instead of switching to his practice last minute. He did say that the choice is ultimately mine, he will take me on if I really want to switch. I'm supposed to call him on Monday and let him know what I decide. He's totally fine with me telling her I saw him for a second opinion and comparing things he said with things she told me.
I don't know what to do. I have an appointment that I haven't cancelled yet with original OB. I think I will have the discussion with her, see how she reacts to all of the information I bring to her, and make my decision from there. If I went into labor this weekend, it would be ideal. If my original OB reverts back to crazy doc, I can throw her out of my room and call the new guy, I guess.
I guess my question is, do you think that your OB (the one who was not supportive of what you wanted) is making her decisions based on something other than the health of you and your baby? If you think the answer is yes, then pick up the new guy. Good luck!
I think I can get over our last appointment if she gets it through her head that I won't tolerate her bullying or scare tactics.
Overall, I feel much, much better about things, no matter which way they turn out.
I will admit, that after they gave me the size estimate at the appointment I had to clap a hand over my mouth to stop from screaming "I yield, just give me a c-section, NOW!".
Not that I am a doctor, I do think this guy's thought that you have a great chance of a successful vbac if you go into labor on your own is correct. My labor this last time was much faster 1/2 the time of my labor with C and I was able to hold off on getting the epi which I think also helped a lot.
Is there a reason they worry about the baby's size and your ability to have him vaginally?
Is there a reason they worry about the baby's size and your ability to have him vaginally?
There is an increased risk of uterine rupture after a c-section for VBAC, which is increased slightly more with larger babies. I'm also not exactly that large in the pelvic area. I never made it to pushing last time, so no way to know for sure if I can accommodate a larger baby.
I think their concerns are valid just as your wishes are. I would probably have a meeting with my OB, tell her I got a second opinion and why I did it. That rather than talking to you like a grown adult who is intelligent and has the ability to understand, she resorted to talking down to you and using scare tactics. That to move forward, that has to be something that will never happen again.
Did new doc think you were actually a GOOD vbac candidate? You used the word "fair" which makes me wonder.
Not good, fair. He did not say I wasn't a candidate, but he did mention concerns that slightly lowered my favor. He did say he was perfectly comfortable with letting me try prior to my due date, but after that we'd have to rearrange the game plan. Which is all I ever wanted from the original OB, and is the reason I have a c-section scheduled for the day after my due date.
Did new doc think you were actually a GOOD vbac candidate? You used the word "fair" which makes me wonder.
Not good, fair. He did not say I wasn't a candidate, but he did mention concerns that slightly lowered my favor. He did say he was perfectly comfortable with letting me try prior to my due date, but after that we'd have to rearrange the game plan. Which is all I ever wanted from the original OB, and is the reason I have a c-section scheduled for the day after my due date.
Ok. Well, if you otherwise liked old OB, see if you two can hug it out. Otherwise, go to new guy :-)