Consultant app - questions to ask

[Rosie's Mummy]

Hi girls,

I am seeing my consultant tomorrow, from what I remember her saying its to go over details about my delivery. I have got a few questions that I want to ask her but would appreciate it if you could post anything you think I should ask as a VBAC momma. This is what I want to ask:

1 - How long should I leave it before going to hospital (MW told me to go straight away even if contractions are 10 mins apart)
2 - Can I have intermittent foetal monitoring as I want to stay active?
3 - Will I be allowed to spend time in the water if I feel like it?
4 - How long will I have to stay in hospital for you to monitor baby re-GBS?

I'm sure I will come up with more but these are the main question I have

Thanks for reading

 

[titch]

Having read Ina May's book last week I'd be asking about their policy if you 'fail to progress' as well as questions about what intervention is 'standard' in the hospital for VBAC mothers. Im sure you'll think of everything, I think there was a list of things to ask in the book, which I know youve got, although some are american, it might inspire you!

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Yes thanks Tiny, I'll have to scan it tonight when I write my questions down

 

[katiejane]

I don't have any experience so not alot of use, but it sounds like you've got everything covered, just write it down so you don't forget anything. Oh and don't do what i did, i'm struggling to remember anything at the moment so wrote a list of things i wanted to ask the mw, i was dead pleased with myself, only to forget the bloody list oops x

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

I don't have any experience so not alot of use, but it sounds like you've got everything covered, just write it down so you don't forget anything. Oh and don't do what i did, i'm struggling to remember anything at the moment so wrote a list of things i wanted to ask the mw, i was dead pleased with myself, only to forget the bloody list oops x

Thats my trick! I have been thinking about my list for weeks and now the appointment is here Ive gone blank!

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Ok, Im seeing the consultant this afternoon and although the one I saw last time was pro-VBAC I can't be sure I will be seeing her. This is my list that I am going to go through and hope to get their understanding and co-operation. I do not want them to be invisaging a problematic birth for me.

1 - Intermittment monitoring - I want to have this, IMO constant monitoring leads to intervention and doesnt improve outcomes plus I do not want to be set a time limit for my labour.

2 - I would like to use a pool/water for labour if possible/practical.

3 - Is it possible that I might not have GBS when I go into labour? What are the effects of unecessary anti-biotics when not needed?

4 - I want to labour at home for as long as possible, I am worried that if I go in too soon I will be subjected to unecessary intervention ie. time limits etc. If I do need anti-biotics will one dose be sufficient?

5 - Do you have a successful VBAC rate?

6 - How long will we need to stay in hospital after the birth, I am not keen to stay on a ward at all.


I'll let you know what she/he says in response to me.

 

[titch]

How did it go today? The way i see it, they'll only know youre in labour if you ring up and tell them! lol! I can totally understand wanting to stay at home as long as possible, Im imagining being able to stay in my bath listening to the hypnobirthing cd in peace. Hope the consultant was supportive, from a logical point of view surely you could just buy yourself a digital ear thermometer and get your OH to check your temp every hour or so to eliminate the possibility of the same problems as last time, or if your temp does go up, then you know to go in (?) but then again when did logic apply to the medical profession?!

 

[JJ Mum]

Hi Rosie, how did it go today?

I think i'm a little behind as usual , whats the GBS bit mean?

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Ok, well I will have to have IV anti-biotics, thats fine. I only have to go to hospital when I am in active labour as thats when they give them. I have agreed reluctantly to monitoring, although I have said I want to remain as acitve as possible - she said that this can be arranged within the room whilst being monitored. I won't be able to labour in the water

Their VBAC rate is 70-75% according to her. The consultant was very supportive, when I mentioned about C-scar rupture being very a very small risk she said she had seen it twice not sure if she was trying to frighten me into submission there though.

She also said that if I go ten days over my due date (date going by the scan) then they would think about taking me in and inducing - I stood up for myself here and said I would not agree to that since my date of the 12th is only 3 days past - there is no way I would go into hospital for induction then, thats asking for another C-section if you ask me.

So back to see her at 36 weeks generally Im ok with this, not so happy about the monitoring but will have to compromise on that I think.

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Hi Rosie, how did it go today?

I think i'm a little behind as usual , whats the GBS bit mean?

It stands for Group B Strep - a bacterium carried by a lot of women, it can cause infection in 1 in 2000 babies which could be fatal. Lots of babies are born with it and it doesnt cause a problem but because of that small risk they administer IV anti-biotics to those women who test positively during their pregnancy, during labour.

 

[evajo]

Well it sounds like you covered all bases - shame about the water birth and monitoring. At least they are looking after you well xx

 

[titch]

good for you sticking up for yourself re;induction. Youre gonna have to send Rosie to the grandparents and get lots of as your official due date approached to try and naturally 'induce' labour. Im sure you'll be fine. Shame about the water. And try not to worry about the scar thing, if he's seen 2, think how many 'high risk' births he has seen in his career, as a percentage, thats bound to be very low.

 

[Mamafy]

Glad it ent ell hun

 

[JJ Mum]

Hi Rosie, how did it go today?

I think i'm a little behind as usual , whats the GBS bit mean?

It stands for Group B Strep - a bacterium carried by a lot of women, it can cause infection in 1 in 2000 babies which could be fatal. Lots of babies are born with it and it doesnt cause a problem but because of that small risk they administer IV anti-biotics to those women who test positively during their pregnancy, during labour.

Thanks Rosie, that makes sense now, good you got that covered off then, shame about the water birth, but anything they can do to make it all go smoothly and VBAC is all good

My scar had ruptured already when I had my elective section! only the very inner layer , as when the lady cut, she said a foot went buy underneath in the bag/sac - she called it a window on the womb and suggested I had no more kids

I told them it hurt, they ignored me and said pregnancy does hurt!
so you don't worry, I had got pregnant when baby was only 12 weeks old, so stupdly close to another section fokr proper healing to take place, luckily all was fine with baby.