Where can we go to get a VBAC
Have you had a successful VBAC lately or know where women can go to have one? Share you story, advice or even a rumor. (Please practice good manners. Content here may be edited or removed to maintain the integrity of the site.)
I have been told by a Doctor that Little Rock does VBAC regularly. I have heard a rumor that one of the OB's from Fayetteville is going to Rogers and will do VBAC and I have also heard that they already do someup there. But this is rumor. Also I have heard of women doing VBAC's at home (HBAC).
Reply to this
I am a licensed midwife currently practicing in Texas. It makes me so sad that women who have preciously experienced C-section, often feel they have no other option than to repeat the experience. I am in the Houston area. At this time there are still 2 hospitals that perform VBAC, but there has been much controversy with the procedure. In fact, it was to be banned at one of those hospitals a few months ago, however, they received so much negative response from consumers, that the decision was reversed. At these 2 hospitals, I only know of one doctor at each that performs VBAC. Most home birth midwives in Texas service VBAC clients. It is not without risk and these ladies must be screened very carefully as well as educated in how to increase their chance of success (nutrition, nutrition, nutrition) and midwives must be even more vigilant during labor to monitor baby and transport at any sign of compromise. Many birth centers that are run by midwives have been banned from or chosen not to offer VBAC. Also, Medicaid will not pay for VBAC even in a hospital. I know that there is much discussion and several cases of complaints brought by hospitals against midwives who have transported VBAC clients, so it is anyone's guess how long the practice will continue here. I wish those ladies who seek VBAC all the best in their journey.
Reply to this
The Texas midwife is planning to move to Arkansas and contacted us. We asked her to write a little about the VBAC climate in TEXAS.
Thank you for giving us a picture of what is going on in other states. Keep in touch!
Reply to this
Fort Smith has two hospitals that allow vbacs, Berryville has a hospital/birthing center that allow vbacs, and Siloam Springs Memorial hospital allows vbacs. A woman who had a successful vbac at Northwest but only after refusing to have a cesarean. She used Dr. Amy Sarver. Rumor has it that she is unofficially supportive of vbac as well as other docs in her practice
Reply to this
This info. is firsthand and new as of Feb.08. She called the hospitals herself. There seems to be some confusion about Willow Creek- the nurse there told her the DO VBACs but it is up to the doctor- interesting.
Reply to this
As of last week I was told at my first OB visit to one of the groups of OB/GYN's at Willow Creek that although the physician may perform VBAC's, there is no hospital in the NWA area that allows VBAC. Very disappointing
Reply to this
I find that interesting about Dr. Sarver. She was my OB for a very short time in 2004. She told me she would not do any vbacs. I changed OB's and Dr. Hannah did my vbac.
(Kelly later wrote back in......)
Dr. Hannah did my VBAC Jan. 14, 2005 at Northwest of Benton County. He does very much support VBAC's, but he told me a year or so ago that the hospital wouldn't allow him to do them anymore.
Reply to this
If we are going to name names.... I told in Jan of 08 that WRMC wont allow their Dr.s to do VBAC. But was told that Dr. Pickart is leaving, possibly going to Rogers and told one of his patients he would do her VBAC up there. So at the very least I think he can be added to the short list of VBAC friendly Dr.s in the area. Dr. Birch told me there was no reason I couldnt try VBAC next time, except that they cant do them at WRMC. All of the medical staff I have talked to seem to agree that it isnt dangerous and seem supportive of VBAC except that they aren't allowed to do them.
Reply to this
I recently moved to the area in my third trimester. I had a C with my first child due to the fact she was breach and did a VBAC with my second and am hoping to do a VBAC with my third. I first saw Dr. Pickhardt where he told me he couldn't do VBACS at WR. He didn't mention moving any time soon, but did connect me with a doctor in Rogers that will do one. I haven't had an appointment with the new doctor yet, but will keep everyone updated.
Reply to this
Thanks for the info. and do update us after your first apt. Also educate yourself on "informed refusal" at www.ican-online.org. If this route interests you let me know and I can hook you up with a wonderful local woman who did this and had a successful VBAC with a supportive doctor at NW in Bentonville. Also, if you are interested in getting involved with this issue consider joining the local chapter of ICAN that is just starting and will be leading the way in trying to reverse the ban on VBAC in NWA. The first ICAN meeting is March 19th Jones Center 7:00pm. You can contact them by emailing alyNWAican@hotmail.com . It is up to Us, the consumers, to turn this thing around. If we arent willing to do it for ourselves no one else will do it for us.
Keep us posted on your Doctor search.
Reply to this
I had an emergency classical cesarean to deliver my daughter,Hope, on November 5, 2005. My sweet baby lived for 3 days. I grieved for Hope and her birth. My husband and I chose to wait 2 years between births for emotional healing and to give us the best chance of VBAC. My son was born joyfully at home on December 6, 2007. Originally I had planned to go to St. John's Hospital in Berryville. As my belly grew bigger, so did my doctor's hesitation to help because of hospital politics. I chose to have our little guy at home because it was the only place I felt was safe to do so vaginally. After 17 1/2 hours of labor, including about 3 1/2 hours of pushing, he popped out! It was amazing to see his head crown and then he was in my arms! Grumbling, covered with a towel, he was adorable. It saddens me that the hospitals in our area are not open to helping with VBAC. While I chose to give birth at home and am comfortable with my decision, I realize that many other women wouldn't be. Their hospital option, unless they know to give Informed Refusal, is repeat surgery.
Reply to this
Congratulations on your successful HBAC! That is exciting. I would love to know who did your HBAC. I want to have one very much but have been told by the midwives I have contacted they are not allowed to. Thank you!
Reply to this
Just out of curiosity, am I correct in my assumption that Michelle Duggar has had more than one VBAC at St. Mary's? Is she an exception to the rule? Does anyone know who her OB is?
Reply to this
Good question! Yes she has had several VBAC's and HBAC's (home births). And the Duggars' are supporters of reversing the VBAC ban and have offered to help with this issue locally where they can.
The hospitals claim that the reason VBAC is banned is because they dont have 24/7 anesthesiologist coverage. The Duggars said that they paid out of pocket to have an anesthesiologist present for the VBAC birth of their last child. So this seems like a solution everyone could use- if you want a VBAC very bad why not just pay out of pocket(I heard it was 500.00 or so) and you can have your own personal anesthesiologist just in case, right?
WRONG- I asked someone at St. Mary's about this possiblility and found it is a little more complicated than that. Doctors can get away with flying a VBAC Mom in under the radar now and then because sometimes a woman shows up dilated enough that they have to go ahead and deliver- no time for c-section- so the Doctors have an occasional excuse if they have a VBAC on their record. But, if lots of women started paying out of pocket to have the anesth. on site then the Doctors would start doing so many VBAC's that it would raise red flags and the VBAC sirens would go off and ...... I dont know what would happen.
Anyway, it sounds like this may not be an option for everyone. Possibly the hospital let the Duggars do this becasue they didnt want international bad press. But I will say that when my time comes you can bet this will be an angle I will try to use. If they will let me pay extra to get around the 24/7 anesthesia rule then I will do it, and I would think that my insurance company would help since a VBAC would be way cheaper for us all than a repeat c-section.
So good thinking!
Reply to this
She was in my childbirth class and has had 2 sections and multiple vbacs. Im not sure, but she may have used dr amy. I know that she did a lot of searching for an ob and I am happy she found a way. If she can do it so can we! When I spoke with a nurse at st. mary's I was encouraged to show up in labor and refuse a c-section. It really seems like a lot of ob's and nurses are supportive of vbacs, but the hospital just won't let them. It is within your rights to refuse surgery, regardless of how far into labor you are but I believe that you must be in active labor for ETMALA to be in effect.
Reply to this
I spoke with a woman I know who is a L&D nurse at willow creek. She says that they do not do vbacs, but if a woman shows up around 8cm dialated then they offer her the choice of a vbac or repeat cesarean. Thought I would share the info.
Reply to this
I can not believe they are telling people that. Ladies please, please educate yourselves about informed refusal and don't go to the hospital at 8 cm. You CAN get a VBAC whether they offer them to you or not by doing a informed refusal- they can not perform surgery on you unless you let them. But you have to know your rights and how to do this properly- go to www.ican-online.org and read about informed refusal in the "white papers".
Reply to this
Okay, please help me to understand this. I have had sooo many women tell me to get my "answer" from the ICAN website. I have read, read, an re-read the ICAN website and I cannot understand what it is telling me on this subject. Do I just go to the hospital in labor, without a particular OB and refuse to sign the c-section form? Can you explain it better? THANKS!
Reply to this
I am so glad to have found this forum. My husband and I have put off getting pregnant again because I have had 2 Cs and refuse have another - it was sooo horrible. I have asked local midwives if they would be willing to help me with a homebirth and they have all told me that they cannot LEGALLY do an HBAC in our area. I am devastated by this & the fact that I cannot choose how I birth my own children. We are not currently try to get pregnant but if it were to happen I know I will check with Siloam Springs hospital and Dr.s at St. Marys.
Reply to this
There are several women on here in your same shoes, so welcome. www.ican-online.org has great info about informed refusal. Look under the "white papers". It's good info to have. There is a group in NWA that is working on getting some legislative support for this issue. There is also a new chapter of ICAN in NWA that just started this year, its a good place for support and answers and they will have speakers every-other month on the VBAC topic. You can find out more about that by emailing alynwaican@hotmail.org.
You do have options- informed refusal, going to a place that supports VBAC already, and there are some women in NWA who have chosen to do HBAC and have been able to find professional support for that. If you get serious about this option we can put you in touch with the moms who did this and maybe they will share some info. with you.
Share any info. you find out as you go to doctors or call hositals, etc. Just sharing the info. with each other is a BIG help so each person isn't having to do all the ground work for themselves.
Also, depending on how interested you are in getting really involved, there are a few women in our area who are thinking about forming a group that will work only on reversing the VBAC ban in NWA. So if you think that might be something you would like to do email the website and we can put you in touch with these women.
Reply to this
That is great, I am so glad to know woman are trying to change this ridiculous VBAC ban. I personally hated my whole hospital experience and want very much to have a homebirth but am told that I can't have one. I don't like to be told I CAN'T do something. If anyone knows a midwife who will do HBAC I would love some info! Thank you!
Reply to this
Okay, I am not sure where to post this so I will try here. Has/does anyone birth at Siloam Springs Memorial Hosp.? Or had/have Drs. Crownover or Hill? If so, please tell me your experience! I think I might be able to VBAC there, any info would help! Thanks!
Reply to this
My son, Logan was born 7/08/08, I used Mari Slape at WR during my pg. At full term, I had prolonged ruptured mem. and failure to prog. and proceeded to a CS, performed by Pickhardt. Logan had a unexpected terminal metabolic disease, ultimately took his life at 7 mo of age. If DH and I have another we would not use medical intervention because the disease was so horrible. This being said, a VBAC would be our best choice for the babies health and likelihood of survival. I have a close relationship with Mari Slape and Pickhardt. From now on I will be going to Willow Creek, (though not my fave) however, Pickhardt will be there for time being. He is the only one I'd trust during that venerable time (IF we try again, the genetic odds are unknown) Pickhardt told me straight up after my CS and I would need a repeat for subsequent pg. However, he has moved and something tells me he's one of the 'good' guys. He may not be willing to work with me on the issue but never the less, for a Dr. he's a good man. I like the idea of one day being able to actually BIRTH a baby into the world. A CS was certainly NOT the plan, but nothing about my sons birth or life went right. I am surprised Mari is still at WR, or has she moved? the hospital seems to be ripping at the seams with controversy and I plan to never return.
Reply to this
I am trying to find a VBAC-friendly doctor in NWA, so looked on this site for more info. However, it is quite time-consuming to read through every comment to glean doctors' names...does anyone have a complete list with perhaps comments on each doctor listed? Some say Amy Sarver will do VBACs as well as other doctors in her office, but others say not so. Also, I know Dr. Hannah has done VBACs...but how is he to work with since the ban took effect? Also, another question...if it's as easy as not signing a C-section acceptance form, shouldn't I be able to go to the hospital when only dilated to 4 and not 8? I think that is what the "informed refusal" is if I understand it correctly. One more question, which I believe was posted already by someone else but not yet answered...how is Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital (besides allowing VBACs) and how are their 2 doctors...Hill and Crownover? Thanks so much for any and all info anyone can share. It is encouraging to have others who are in the same situation and uphill "battle" as it were for better healthcare.
Reply to this