Hello,
My daughter was born in October 2008 at Woman's in Baton Rouge. I wanted to have a natural birth, but at 38 weeks my OB performed an ultrasound and said my AFL was low (7.3). He said if it was any lower I would have been wheeled to the hosptial. I was induced, the induction fail, and thus I had to have a c-section. To this day I still wonder if it was an emergency level or not. I thought I had made my wishes clear that I wanted an natural child birth. Needless to say my birthing experience was a nightmare for me. Currently, my husband and I don't know if we want to have a second child, but if and/or when we do I would again like to try for a natural birth. However, I still have my doubts about my current OB.

What I am wondering is if any of you ladies have any recommendations for an OB at Woman's who is extremely supportive of women who want to have a natural birth? Who will not try and pressure one into an induction/c-section that is not totally need.

Thanks for any advice,
Angela

I'm so sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately, your story is far, far too common amongst Louisiana women, especially BR, LA women.

I would try really hard to take Nicki's Bradley Birth class and get educated about as many aspects of pregnancy as possible. This can even be done now, before you even conceive again. Just so you'll have plenty of time to figure everything out.

Reading fluid levels w/ U/S is not the most accurate way and repeated U/S is not good for the baby. Not good at all. What CAN be seen on U/S depends as much on the baby's position in the womb as it does on the U/S tech performing the scan. Fluid levels also fluctuate throughout the day, depending on how much the mother has had to drink that day. Most of the time, drinking some electrolyte balanced beverages will substantially increase fluid levels. All this is if mom is healthy (which 95% of women are).

Most inductions do fail if the cervix is not already dilated and effaced, and the closer to 40-41 weeks, the more "favorable" the cervix is for induction. The successful induction also is determined by the baby's placement on the cervix; is her head "engaged" and is the cervix in an anterior position, meaning more in line with the birth canal.

All these things and so much more essential information will be presented to you in a childbirth class that is NOT, NOT, NOT, hospital based. And is NOT, NOT, NOT taught by a nurse who works for your Doctor (in the hospital you plan to give birth in).

Hi Angela,

Your story sounds like my story. My OB scheduled an induction we refused, she schedule another we refused she said do an US, we said OK. Of course of fluids were low we had to have that induction right away! We feeling like our child's life was in danger complied. The induction was a mess (heart when off the monitor- well you just injected how much pit into my body...?), after being nearly wheeled into the section room we made it through with a vaginal delivery with pit and an epi. Everyone is alive and well today. Our second was a home birth with a midwife. The midwife even suspected some excess fluids later in term and we called the Dr. (because you should really use your backup Dr, not avoid them) and she was cool and calm about it. It was a great contrast to my other OB at Womens who was in my opinion looking for reasons to induce. (We later found out she (my old OB) was on vacation the next day).
You can have a wonderful second birth if you want. And you should try and keep in mind birth can be great and beautiful, but if it does not go as planned you must just move on and keep in perspective that it really is a small part of a new big life.

-Amanda

Thanks Ladies. As I have already said, I wanted a natural birth, but this was my first pregnancy, and I feel my OB used scare tactics to talk my husband and I into an induction. I really have issues with her birth. Most people have told me that I just need to get over it, but I just feel that at the core my wishes were not followed. I kick myself for not standing my ground, but we were scared and wanted to to what the doctor said was best for the baby.

Again, if you can give me recommendations on and OB (my husband will absolutely not go for a home birth due to worry) at Women's who will really list to what I want and not schedule procedures because it is convenient for them.

Hi Angela! I know you've seen a couple of my posts in bits and pieces about my experience, so I'll email you all of the details in order...and not to bore anyone else who had to read it for the 10th time...but, I too was induced, failed and had a c/s. ANd went on to have an almost (darn!) natural VBAC!

Dr. Dickerson!!!!! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I've only met with him once, but a couple thing that I loved....he rolled his eyes about pushing for 2 hours and then a c/s for "failure to progress" and stated that "some women just need to push longer" And told me that he pushed with a woman for 4 hours that week before.

He told me he LOVES VBACS! He feels that a woman should deliver vaginally, unless there is an emergency, but a prior c/s is no reason to have another.

I wish I knew his numbers and I really want to ask, because I have so much confidence that they would be better than the national average...or at the VERY LEAST baton rouge average!

Okay, I'm getting long....I'll ramble in an email to you!

I am currently seeing Dr Dickerson at Woman's. I changed to him because he has been highly recommended by this group!

I have met him a couple of times yet and he IS AMAZING. He has so much time when I am there, I can ask so many questions, he is a big natural birth supporter (I can tell you more in a couple of months :-P). He would even do breech births if the mom wants to (I asked him last time), while I guess other OBs would not even consider it.

I would try him - talk to him and see if you like him!

Thanks Ladies. As I have already said, I wanted a natural birth, but this was my first pregnancy, and I feel my OB used scare tactics to talk my husband and I into an induction. I really have issues with her birth. Most people have told me that I just need to get over it, but I just feel that at the core my wishes were not followed. I kick myself for not standing my ground, but we were scared and wanted to to what the doctor said was best for the baby.

Again, if you can give me recommendations on and OB (my husband will absolutely not go for a home birth due to worry) at Women's who will really list to what I want and not schedule procedures because it is convenient for them.

I did a quick google on AFI, and found that under 5 (or even 5-6 acc. to the site I linked) is considered oligohydramnios. 8-18 is normal. It looks like you were on the low side (though, like Andrea said, u/s are not infallible), but not the danger zone, like he said. I would think water, rest, and checking back on the baby in a day or so would be enough. I am not a HCP, just drawing conclusions from what I found online.

http://www.gynob.com/...

You don't ever have to get over your birth!!! Your child's birthday IS a BIG DEAL! Tell your friends and family to get over THAT. Argh.

Your next birth will be very healing for you. I encourage you, after you find your doc, to have a completely supportive birth team. 120% supportive. For my birth, the only attendees (besides staff of course) was my husband and doula. Even my mother, who is one of my BFFs, had natural births herself, was not in the room. It was just too emotional for me to have her there. They'll get over it the moment they see your baby....

Hugs,
Jenny

I second what Jenny said, your birth experience (the good and the bad) is a big deal, and when its bad it is not so easy to just get past. You have every right to feel the way you do, the best way to deal with those emotions is to voice them..to supportive people. It is good to revisit your last birth and talk about the things that you were not happy with, to understand that your body did not fail you, and to regain that faith in your body. You will heal with time, you will get over the pain once you have fully worked through it. I agree with Andrea that taking childbirth classes, even before concieving again, is a good idea. This can help you to better understand the birthing process so you can better understand where your took a wrong turn and how to avoid this in the future. It may also help you gain the confidence to want another child, it can be hard to look to another birth after experiencing such a truamatic one. Talking with others who have successfully VBAC'd is great! Thanks Michele for being here and offering your experience and support.

As for natural friendly at W .. I have to jump on the Dickerson bandwagon here...I have heard such wonderful things from women about him. I have also heard some positive things about a Dr. Davis. Her name was dropped at the BirthHelp meeting I attended, three women there had positive things to say. Anybody else have experience with her?

Your next birth will be very healing for you.

Oh I couldn't agree more!

Like I emailed you Angela, I've become a very emotional person when it comes to VBAC'ing, unnecessary c/s's, unnecessary inductions and so on...a VBAC meant SO MUCH to me and support was priceless....so if I can be there for you, from now until you get pregnant and then 110% when you are pregnant....just let me know!

Katja, I look forward to hearing your birth story with Dr. Dickerson!!!

And I think Allison is also with Dr. Dickerson...also a planned VBAC! :)