Best VBAC provider in DC

[Anonymous]

After a terrible, traumatic first birth at Sibley ending in an "emergency" c-section, and years of antidepressants and therapy, I am looking for my best chance for a VBAC with a new provider.

I've been seeing the GW OBs but am not impressed. Their response to my fears has been "Whatever happens, happens" and "some things are just out of your control" But I want someone who will be supportive, find alternatives and do everything possible to avoid another c-section. Should I look into the GW midwives instead? Is there somewhere else that's better for VBACs?

Any other VBAC advice welcome as well. I'm already doing spinning babies, have a doula, and am considering a chiropractor once I'm further along. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I would consider a provider who has a lot of patients who are part of a faith community that values big families. They probably have a lot of experience with VBACs.

[Anonymous]

At one point (5 years ago) GW Midwives were considered the best for VBACs.

[Anonymous]

OP you sound like you have very unrealistic expectations. I would not recommend you switch providers, the GW OBs are the best in the business. The midwives are b rate comparatively, and I say that as someone who was a patient with the group for 8 years and had my first baby with them. Those OBs will be your best bet for maximizing your CHANCEs of a VBAC more than another other group in the area.

Please understand that any birth can be empowering or traumatic. There are traumatic vaginal births and empowering C sections. Your use of the quotes emergency C section makes me sad - almost like you don’t believe you needed it or you don’t think it was necessary, when in hindsight you made the best decisions you could at the time and followed your doctors advice sacrificed yourself for a healthy child. That’s the mark of a loving, caring mother and you should be proud of yourself.

Have you been evaluated for postpartum PTSD or other mood disorders? Have you truly made peace with the first birth, or are you trying to have a VBAC to heal the first birth and give birth “the right way”? I worry you haven’t truly made peace with your first birth, that you have unrealistic expectations of a vaginal birth, and that you seem more focused on the mode of delivery (vagina or stomach) than you do the most important thing - the healthy arrival of your next baby.

Anyone doing a VBAC needs to be ok with trying for a vaginal and realizing that you may end up needing an emergency C section anyway. And that recovery is HARD. And you need to be ok with it, either way. I worry that you are putting way too much emphasis on having a healing delivery and are too focused in the mode of birth and are setting yourself up for disappointment and sadness if your dreamed of
Empowering and healing vaginal birth where the stars align doesn’t materialize. I hope you’re in therapy, you sound like you still need it.

[Anonymous]

“I'm already doing spinning babies, have a doula, and am considering a chiropractor once I'm further along. Thank you!”

How far along are you? This does not make sense. Is your baby Breech? Why are you doing spinning babies?

Let’s see…I had 2 cesareans. The first because the heart rate dropped. The second because the doctor recommended a repeat.

I saw Dr. Sheth in Bethesda and had a VBAC after 2. I explained my desire to avoid a cesarean because of the recovery and my husband having to be deployed. I exercised, I felt strong and at her encouragement tried to believe that I could do it. While still remembering to “forgive my body and circumstances” in case it did not work out. I had a my membranes swept at 38 weeks. I had a Foley catheter balloon thing induction at 39 weeks. My water broke. Pushed for 2 hours and the baby came out vaginally.

To be honest, I had a doula and she was pretty much a waste of money mostly because I wanted/had an epidural. I didn’t need an advocate because I trusted my doctor.

Obs and midwives aren’t magic…they can’t predict the future. Try the best you can to stay healthy. It does sound like you therapy may be key for you to help with anxiety. In the end, you and your baby need to safe. Wishing you well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you sound like you have very unrealistic expectations. I would not recommend you switch providers, the GW OBs are the best in the business. The midwives are b rate comparatively, and I say that as someone who was a patient with the group for 8 years and had my first baby with them. Those OBs will be your best bet for maximizing your CHANCEs of a VBAC more than another other group in the area.

Please understand that any birth can be empowering or traumatic. There are traumatic vaginal births and empowering C sections. Your use of the quotes emergency C section makes me sad - almost like you don’t believe you needed it or you don’t think it was necessary, when in hindsight you made the best decisions you could at the time and followed your doctors advice sacrificed yourself for a healthy child. That’s the mark of a loving, caring mother and you should be proud of yourself.

Have you been evaluated for postpartum PTSD or other mood disorders? Have you truly made peace with the first birth, or are you trying to have a VBAC to heal the first birth and give birth “the right way”? I worry you haven’t truly made peace with your first birth, that you have unrealistic expectations of a vaginal birth, and that you seem more focused on the mode of delivery (vagina or stomach) than you do the most important thing - the healthy arrival of your next baby.

Anyone doing a VBAC needs to be ok with trying for a vaginal and realizing that you may end up needing an emergency C section anyway. And that recovery is HARD. And you need to be ok with it, either way. I worry that you are putting way too much emphasis on having a healing delivery and are too focused in the mode of birth and are setting yourself up for disappointment and sadness if your dreamed of
Empowering and healing vaginal birth where the stars align doesn’t materialize. I hope you’re in therapy, you sound like you still need it.

+1. I had a vbac at sibley with Reiter and hill. I think they were supportive but there are really no guarantees. I also had a scheduled c after the vbac and I will say that a scheduled c is about as non traumatic as you can get…it’s very calm and organized. But I think you would benefit on getting to a place where you are not triggered by the medical experience itself.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine had pre-e, a botched induction (they missed her vein), massive postpartum hemorrhage wherein she almost died and a third degree tear. Vaginal birth.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Beckerman at Foxhall OB/Gyn delivered my second kid vaginally after a c-section. I had several more vaginal births at that practice and was quite happy with everyone.

[Anonymous]

This is…odd. You seem to be worshiping VBAC like there’s 0 downside risk to vaginal, esp after c-section. It’s risky for a reason, but you sound like someone who would benefit from like a home birth in your bathtub.

[Anonymous]

Sorry but I love the GW OBs responses haha they’re the best haha! I had GW OBs for my emergency hemorrhaging c section with first and while I get trauma, I would NEVER consider vbac like why try something else that could go horribly wrong ? You have more control w a scheduled c section - currently 33 weeks and scheduled mine. Be warned that a close friend and coworker ended up with full anesthesia at GW after failed VBAC and a whole host of issues related to the VBAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After a terrible, traumatic first birth at Sibley ending in an "emergency" c-section, and years of antidepressants and therapy, I am looking for my best chance for a VBAC with a new provider.

I've been seeing the GW OBs but am not impressed. Their response to my fears has been "Whatever happens, happens" and "some things are just out of your control" But I want someone who will be supportive, find alternatives and do everything possible to avoid another c-section. Should I look into the GW midwives instead? Is there somewhere else that's better for VBACs?

Any other VBAC advice welcome as well. I'm already doing spinning babies, have a doula, and am considering a chiropractor once I'm further along. Thank you!

Those responses seem realistic. What specifically are you hoping for that you aren’t getting?

[Anonymous]

How about “do everything possible to deliver my child safely and ensure that I am well and not permanently injured from the experience?” That should be their priority, not doing everything possible to avoid a C section, OP.

Unless you’re planning to have 10 kids I would not even bother with a VBAC. You’re just reintroducing a new possible area of trauma when you already have one, and vaginal birth can create a whole host of other problems you probably don’t have (prolapse, third and fourth degree tears, anal incontinence, urinary incontinence) which You are less likely to experience if you have a scheduled C section. What you especially don’t want to happen is to end up pushing for hours and then having to choose between forceps/vacuum or emergency C section - that is just awful. The OBs are being realistic and you’re not. You can find another provider who might promise you the moon and stars but odds are they’re a homebirth midwife who can’t help you if you need a C section and won’t be held liable anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you sound like you have very unrealistic expectations. I would not recommend you switch providers, the GW OBs are the best in the business. The midwives are b rate comparatively, and I say that as someone who was a patient with the group for 8 years and had my first baby with them. Those OBs will be your best bet for maximizing your CHANCEs of a VBAC more than another other group in the area.

Please understand that any birth can be empowering or traumatic. There are traumatic vaginal births and empowering C sections. Your use of the quotes emergency C section makes me sad - almost like you don’t believe you needed it or you don’t think it was necessary, when in hindsight you made the best decisions you could at the time and followed your doctors advice sacrificed yourself for a healthy child. That’s the mark of a loving, caring mother and you should be proud of yourself.

Have you been evaluated for postpartum PTSD or other mood disorders? Have you truly made peace with the first birth, or are you trying to have a VBAC to heal the first birth and give birth “the right way”? I worry you haven’t truly made peace with your first birth, that you have unrealistic expectations of a vaginal birth, and that you seem more focused on the mode of delivery (vagina or stomach) than you do the most important thing - the healthy arrival of your next baby.

Anyone doing a VBAC needs to be ok with trying for a vaginal and realizing that you may end up needing an emergency C section anyway. And that recovery is HARD. And you need to be ok with it, either way. I worry that you are putting way too much emphasis on having a healing delivery and are too focused in the mode of birth and are setting yourself up for disappointment and sadness if your dreamed of
Empowering and healing vaginal birth where the stars align doesn’t materialize. I hope you’re in therapy, you sound like you still need it.

+1. I had a vbac at sibley with Reiter and hill. I think they were supportive but there are really no guarantees. I also had a scheduled c after the vbac and I will say that a scheduled c is about as non traumatic as you can get…it’s very calm and organized. But I think you would benefit on getting to a place where you are not triggered by the medical experience itself.

+2. I had a VBAC with my 2nd child. Hoping for another w 3rd - we’ll see. But OP, you sound like your head is not clear right now. No one can guarantee you a VBAC. The pro-VBAC websites can be very scary and confusing. I have been there, I know it is all a confusing and emotional process.

[Anonymous]

I would not see a midwife. They can’t help you when and if things go south. I would trust your doctor and try to see the same one each time. GW has a lot of doctors. I think they are all pro-vaginal birth/VBAC. What do you think they can do to avoid a cesarean?
Spinning babies is for malpositioned babies.
Chiropractor well that’s not well studied.
Doulas can’t help you other then communicating more, emotional support.
Midwives can’t operate or do forceps.

What you need is therapy. You can not not control everything.

[Anonymous]

Just had my second. I very much wanted a VBAC. After many discussions with my OB and spouse, I finally came to peace with my traumatic emergency csection from my first. My planned csection was a totally different experience, and my recovery has been so much easier.

I would focus on coming to terms with what happened in your first birth and follow the advice of your doctor(s). I know this is easier said then done.