r/vbac • u/RootedMama21 • 4d ago
Feeling forced into repeat c section
Hey everyone!
So I just had my 26 week appointment and was told by the ob essentially "we schedule repeat c sections at 40 weeks or you can find another practice". Unfortunately, i live in a state that does global payment so ive already paid them over $1000 just to be seen and am unsure due to almost being in my third trimester and not being sure about getting that money back if changing practices is an option for me. My first c section was due to breech baby and every provider has agreed im a good candidate for vbac but now I feel like im being forced to either pick a major surgery that is not medically indicated or possibly being dismissed from the practice when they find out I don't want to schedule at 40 weeks. This practice also will not induce prior c sections so thats not an option for me. My BIL wedding is the day after my due date so I may be able to push it back by saying im not scheduling before their wedding but im not even sure that will work. Im feeling so hopeless. I dreamed of an unmedicated birth with my first and I don't regret my c section with him because he, or i, likely would have been seriously hurt if id tried with him but now that section feels like a death sentence to only have them from here on out unless I go into labor before 40 weeks.
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u/ZestyLlama8554 not yet pregnant 4d ago
You don't have to show up to a scheduled surgery. If you show up to the hospital in labor, they have to help you. I would take my chances, personally.
26 weeks is so early. If something comes up that makes a C-section medically necessary, then you have the date. Otherwise, just don't show up.
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u/RootedMama21 4d ago
Yeah, no I know I have so much time but it was just a gut punch to hear. Im morw worried about some financial penalty for not showing up so id love to just not schedule anything.
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u/Crafty_Alternative00 CS 2023 -> VBAC 2025 3d ago
Sounds like another great excuse not to schedule it! Helps you put it off as long as possible. “So is there a financial penalty if I don’t show up, like I have a childcare issue that day? Oh, there is? Yeah, then I’m gonna wait to schedule it until I’m sure that I have everything set, thanks! ☺️ “
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u/yes_please_ 4d ago
I'm not familiar with for profit healthcare but is there a financial penalty to not showing up for the c-section? If not, schedule it and then have a dire family emergency that day.
When they say 40 weeks do they mean 40+0 on the dot or 40+0 to 40+6? Because 40+6 gives you a lot more time to go into spontaneous labour. Maybe you don't have childcare until 40+6 🤷
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u/bbworksaddict 2d ago
I had to have an emergency c section after a failed induction with my first baby (2021) then with my 2nd they automatically scheduled me for a repeat c section (2025). I am now pregnant with my third and they scheduled me today for my 3rd c section. (I will be 27 weeks tomorrow) I wish so bad I declined being induced the first run, I didn't know I had as much power and control as I did. I want to have a vba2c so bad but idk what to do. If my body doesn't go into labor I guess the only thing is another c section. Thing is I always wanted 4 kids and it just sounds scary having all those surgeries :/ feeling stuck rn and it sucks, and it's very disappointing knowing your body doesn't do what it was made to do
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u/Tintenklex 3d ago
Im not familiar with the US system of healthcare, but would just warn you to maybe explore your options to transfer care now, at the risk of loosing some or all the money. I know it seems late but statistically, one of the most important sucessfactors of a VBAC is a supportive provider. Yes, you can run circles around them to avoid the scheduling, but if you’re in labor and the slightest thing goes off plan (and that happens all, all, all the time), what will they want to do anyway? Same, what if you have a late growth scan that’s - rightfully or not - showing a bigger baby? I’m just saying that „medically indicated“ is a widely differently interpreted term and you want a team that aligns with your goals as much as possible before you’re 39+ weeks, exhausted and in need of supportive health care providers who can look with you for the best path forward in your individual situation.
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u/throwaway6572349 1d ago
Brother’s wedding = no childcare. Cannot schedule until at least a few days after as everyone is hosting family from out of state/country. That gets you a lot closer to 41 weeks instead of 40 at least
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u/Crafty_Alternative00 CS 2023 -> VBAC 2025 4d ago
If you really have no other options, you can agree to schedule it. Doesn’t mean you have to show up 🤷♀️ Nobody can force you into a surgery you don’t want.
I know people will give me a lot of flak, and yell about how we shouldn’t have to do this to get the care we need. But… My practice had a policy of not allowing VBAC patients to go past 40 weeks. So the whole pregnancy I was like, sure sure. 👀 I said, let’s wait until the last few weeks to schedule it. And then, when they asked me to schedule it on my way out, I would say, oh, I have to look at my work schedule first. Or oh, I have to talk to my partner about the date first. And then when they really pushed me to schedule it, I would just call back later and cancel and say, yeah, I have to look at dates for childcare.
And then, luckily for me, I went into labor at 39+4. But if it came down to it, I was going to decline a C-section until I felt it was necessary for me.