Monday 19 August 2013

A long overdue update!

So it's been a loooong time since I last posted!

I'm now 21 weeks, and all is looking good. Baby is 3 or 4 days ahead on all measurements and - so far - gaining with every ultrasound (which is so wonderful after Sophie, who was always 2 - 3 weeks behind!). I have an anterior placenta, which means that my placenta is in the front of my uterus, something that happens in about 30% of pregnancies. Sadly, this has buffered most of my precious Bean's kicks, so I only feel him/her move when lying breech because the kicks are then aimed lower than my placenta. I have noticed more and more movement over the last couple of days, and I think *just maybe* I'm starting to feel movement through the placenta. It will be a while before I can feel him/her regularly though. Also, we still don't know what gender baby Bean is - the angle wasn't great at my last scan (19 +1) so although the doctor guessed one gender, she admitted she honestly wasn't certain. My anatomy scan is next week Friday at 23 +2, so hopefully we'll be able to see nice and clearly then!

I have also sent off a motivational letter to the hospital ... all local private hospitals have a strictly no doula rule, and I really feel like a doula will be able to help me - especially since my midwife will not allow me an epidural since this is a vbac attempt (which I'm secretly grateful for, since epidurals seem to be associated with decreased vbac success, as well as increased uterine rupture risk).

This is the letter that I sent:

Dear XXX (Client service manager)

I had my first child at XXX Hospital on 10 February 2012, a failed induction turned caesarean section which I found bitterly disappointing. Since then I have been researching and hoping for a vbac. I am now 21 weeks pregnant with my second child, and hope to give birth at XXX Hospital again in December. I am seeing Sr XXX (midwife) and she has advised me that XXX Hospital does not usually allow doulas to be present during births.

I feel very strongly that a doula would help in my case specifically and would like to request that you allow me to have one assist at my birth.

Being a vbac mom, I have a number of added fears and anxieties to deal with, and I really believe that a doula would help make my birthing experience a more positive one than what I experienced last time (due to my failed induction and – I believe – rather unnecessary caesarean, not as a criticism of XXX Hospital).

Research suggests that having a doula present can shorten labour and decrease the likelihood of needing a caesarean section. I will not be using any pain medication (Midwife's preference with vbacs), and doulas can help with managing and alleviating pain in other ways. Also, I am concerned that my husband may need more support during labour than I will be capable of giving him and I would really appreciate the support that a doula can offer to him as well, so that he might feel more comfortable with my labour process and have a better idea of how to support me (rather than the other way around!).

I have spoken with XXX (Doula), a WOMBS-certified doula and she is happy to come in and meet with your staff to discuss how she can help me without hindering their duties, as well as to go through any orientation process necessary.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and look forward to your response.
 
Kind regards, etc
 
I copied the Maternity Unit manager in on the email, and have had a response from the Client Service manager so far, saying that the Maternity Unit manager will get back to me soon. I feel quite positive about my request though - if they refuse me I will appeal higher up, probably with the Hospital manager and even higher up in the XXX Hospital group. The group has an article on their website talking about different methods of pain relief/management, where they even mention a doula as an expert in alternative pain management techniques - plus one of their hospitals elsewhere is used as a doula-training facility.
 
I've also been doing a lot of research into vbacs and caesarean sections, including the various risks of both - hoping to link some on here in the next few days.