Ob interview?

[htuzzi324]

I found an ob practice that fully supports vbac, even with induction methods if necessary. Cue happy dance.

I am going to be so annoying with the questions. It's really going to be an in depth interview. The other ob I was at is absolutely against it. Automatic cs. No thanks.

Did anyone else actually interview obs? I'm a type 1 diabetic and I want a natural birth as this is my last baby. Every one treats me like myself or the baby is going to die at any second and I just don't need to be scared into something I don't want to do, especially if I'm controlled and baby is doing fine.
What should I ask? Hospital policies on high risk, breastfeeding policies, low blood sugar policies for baby, and possibly being able to carry to or past my due date, because that's not really a thing with diabetics, are on my list. What am I missing?

[skinandbones]

I have nothing get to add even though I'm also hoping for a VBAC. Have you checked with ICAN?

[abvintage]

I asked:
1. Who will deliver my baby?
2. What are your views on natural vs c-section births?
3. What all I need to do if I'm gaining too much too fast?
I can't remember all of mine now but those were important to me.

[joi922]

This might be covered under the hospital policies for being high risk, but given your personal medical history I would also ask under what circumstances they would no longer support VBAC. Besides the obvious things like fetal distress or breech position, of course. But sometimes things occur during pregnancy that might make your OB less inclined to recommend VBAC, so I would just want to mentally prepare.

[htuzzi324]

So I just replied a whole thing and it wouldn't let me post.
This doc and his whole practice is very pro vbac for any healthy pregnancy. I mean, other than being diabetic I have very healthy pregnancies. I'm fully prepared to need a c section if necessary. Neither one of my cs were emergencies. I was just stupid.
I will definitely ask hospital policies. All they really had on their site was breastfeeding policies, which I really liked.

[kmitch1]

Definitely interview the crap out of your OB. I found mine through some trusted mommas, but I still asked him a ton of questions. A good OB won't mind, and (IMHO) this is one of the most important people you'll have in your life. How my child(ren) are brought into the world should only be trusted to the best. It was super important to me to find an OB who was supportive, smart, open, and had the baby's/my best interest at heart. Do not feel guilty for going in with a list of Qs. I am not familiar with all that goes into VBACs, but asking what his/her VBAC rate is, overall c-section rate, reasons he would not allow a VBAC, what would happen if he was not available for the actual birth, anything that he'd suggest to increase your chances for a successful VBAC, what the hospital policies are, etc. Google does supply some good Qs as well. Good luck, and lots of sparkly vbac dust coming your way!

[hurricaine]

I don't have diabetes, but had gestational diabetes, so I'm kind of answering knowing that I don't entirely have your experience, but still...

I would ask if they have experience with mothers who are diabetic, and not just those who have gestational diabetes. And I would directly ask what kinds of things they look for in women with diabetes as risk factors. And if they would want to attempt to induce at a certain point.

Then I would ask what extra tests etc they would want to run. E.g. ultrasounds as labour comes closer.

A word on the labour itself (I had a vaginal delivery). I got dehydrated, then they gave me saline/sugar water, which made my blood sugars high so I needed insulin, which caused my daughter's sugars to be low on delivery. Immediately after she was born, they took her blood sugar levels. Moments after that she started breastfeeding and stayed on for 1 hour. Then the nurse came in like a bat out of hell saying we needed to give her formula because of my daughter's low blood sugar. I wouldn't have had a problem giving her formula if it was necessary, but I insisted that they give her another quick blood test because she'd been nursing. Her levels were fine and the nurse backed off, but it was strange. So once you have your OB, I would have a very serious long conversation about the possible issues during labour, and what the possible cascades are (mind you, I'd do everything exactly the same except maybe I'd try to drink more water earlier in the labour to avoid dehydration).

*ETA So incredibly sorry for the novel!