New VBAC Wording

USA Today VBAC Article

Click on the link to view the full article. You have to purchase the rights to it in order to copy/post any or all of it. I would rather send you straight to it (I am sure they would too). I found out from the midwife (in the last post) that they are changing the wording on VBAC and the official stand. Not much changed. However, they are verbally saying (as you will see in the article) that they are in support of women having VBAC's now. Of course, they mean in a hospital with staff alerted to what is going on.

I have come to the conclusion that this does not apply to me. I am not one of those c-section people who went and got pregnant right after having the first one. (It is recommended that you wait at least 18 months before becoming pregnant again. Go here for an article about this.) Kaine is 26 months old. I have been doing exercises to strengthen my core (or the muscles used to support the uterus and baby). I did not have muscle separation. I was almost completely healed at 3 months (no stitches, no bleeding, no pain, no complications, etc...) Plus, while laying on the table I was told, "You are a GREAT candidate for VBAC".  Thank you very much! I accept!

I am moving forward from my tragic birth. I am no longer going to ask myself "what could have been?", I am no longer going to dwell on "what might happen". When and if we get pregnant we are going to treat the birth like a first timer going through it. My uterus will just have to learn how to get a baby out. I am letting go of the fear that something terrible is going to happen (Go here for stats on uterine rupture caused by VBAC). Basically it states that:

"Dozens of studies report that for women who have had one prior cesarean birth with a low-horizontal incision, the risk  of uterine rupture is 0.5% to 1.0%." That number is just not high enough for me to worry. Plus, I have NO other warning signs for rupture (I am currently losing weight to lower my risk factor even more. I am not sure if this is a medical truth, but I figure that it could not hurt. The idea being that if you are overweight you don't have good tone and therefore, are putting more stress on the belly (with the help of gravity) and making your scar weaker. This, by association, means that you would not have the muscle support you would need to help your uterus hold a baby and give birth.)

I am moving on. I am having a home VBAC. I am finally healed from my trauma (enough to know that you can never be healed and you accept and learn from what has happened). I will use this to help others, someday.

Current VBAC Climate in Florida

First of all, let me state that this is very dear to my heart. This is a cause I can and will get behind. I would be considered a VBAC patient for all of the births that I am destined to have. I do not mind (I used to) but I know how to take care of myself and plan to do just that. I wanted to post about the current legal status of VBAC's in Florida. For those of you who do not know VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. This is what is currently being fought for:

VBAC's in birth centers across the state of Florida. They are currently being challenged and were previously considered as a "de facto ban" in all of Florida. This means that:

De facto is a Latin expression that means "in fact" or "in practice", commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning "by law") when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without or against a regulation. (From here).

 

De facto standards

A de facto standard, for instance, is a technical or other standard that is so dominant that everybody seems to follow it like an authorized standard. The de jure standard may be different: one example is the metric unit of kilometre, which is the de jure standard for road distances in the United States, while the mile (=1609.344 m) is the de facto standard. In addition, there is no law preventing one from adding a twenty-seventh letter such as þ to the alphabet, as letters were added, centuries ago, without much difficulty, but one is prevented from doing so today by the practical difficulties involved. Thus there is a de facto limit on modifications to the alphabet. The de facto standard is not even formalized in all cases and may simply rely on the fact that someone has come up with a good (hopefully unpatented) idea that everybody else likes so much that it is copied/plagiarized. Typical creators of de facto-standards are individual companies, corporations and consortiums.

In English, this means that there is an "in practice" ban of VBAC's across the state. People are not in favor of doing them in their practices. This DOES NOT mean that they are illegal!! It just means "as a rule" people do not do them. In fact, there is currently only one OB-GYN in Florida that is even willing to approve VBAC's. She is in Miami and will travel the state to come and see you. 

The BirthGirlz website is currently mounting a legal battle to help support those of us who would desire VBACS out of hospital. Please visit their website and see how you can help to support this worthy cause!  Go here for the post that alerted me to their existence. Here is the original post (Just in case it disappears):

Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration is expected to permanently ban Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) in the state’s birth centers. In response, BirthGirlz, a national nonprofit based in Florida, is mounting a legal challenge, arguing that the ban is beyond the scope of the state health agency’s role. 

The ban aims to close the loop on what is already a stringent policy on VBACs in Florida. To have a non-surgical birth after a C-section, women are compelled to go to hospitals that permit it (which are not accessible throughout the state), or, if a physician signs off on the procedure, they can have one at home with the guidance of a licensed midwife. VBACs currently don’t occur in Florida birthing centers because of what is being a called a “de facto ban” due to outdated language in the state regulations. The language, which will be updated this week, will turn the ban from de facto to explicit—making VBACs illegal in all of Florida licensed birthing facilities.

Miriam Pearson-Martinez, a licensed midwife who serves on the Pushing for VBAC committee of BirthGirlz, said that the organization has hired an attorney and will file a legal challenge to the ban when the AHCA moves to amend its regulatory language.

This is the current action being taken by BirthGirlz:

We have secured and paid for the attorney that will be fighting for a woman's right to choose a birth center setting for her VBAC. We have paid her fee in full and just need a little help flying her to Tallahasee. Due to the fact that the state acted with NO NOTICE to open the rules governing birth centers.

I am appalled to see that it has come this far!  Do our human rights really have to mean so little? If women are given the choice to end a pregnancy, just because it is not wanted, don't you think we have the right to birth the way we want? (I am not advocating abortion here!) We won the right to choose, but we do not have the right to choose where, when and how we give birth to our babies. Many people feel it is dangerous to even be given this right. Others have no clue and are blindly walking into a situation that can cause more harm than good. Our right to educate ourselves and make our own decisions, about what is right for us and our children, are being taken away from us! And, worse, we are letting them do it!! 

Moreover, I am appalled by the midwives in this state. I am horrifically offended that there is not more fighting going on in the midwife communities of Florida to better a woman's right to choose a home birth or a birth center. Many are to afraid to stand up and fight for what they know is right and good and just. Just because birth centers and home birth are still allowed does NOT mean the fight is over ladies!! That was just the beginning.  What about the other women who would be perfectly fine having their babies at home or with a birth center? What about the breech babies, the VBAC's, the twins?? Not enough has changed. We should not be afraid to upset the status quo! Fight for what you believe in. I know you gals are out there! 

Don't let us go underground. Let us stand in the light and fight for the rights of women. The rights of our daughters, our friends and our babies. There is still more to do. Don't let what we know to be right be taken away. It is our right and our choice. 

A time for every purpose

I have started the process of becoming a Bradley Method teacher. I just finished my application and Matt will be sending it away tomorrow along with the money order that is also needed to hold my place. So, in October I will be on my way to Atlanta, Ga to become a Bradley instructor! I am so excited! One of the many steps to get into Midwifery school has started.

I am also going to go and get more things done this week, while Kaine is at Nana's house. Since this was an unexpected surprise, I am going to use it to my advantage. More progress will be made this Fall than ever before to get everything in place for either this winter's session or next Fall's session. I will have to wait and see until much closer, what time frame I am looking at.

Things are happening now. I am no longer "waiting and seeing". We are going ahead with our plans and putting others on a back burner. I feel very good about our decisions and am very hopeful about what is to come next.

Test Results-Vacationing

So, one good thing about the blood test was that it was negative. Matt was disappointed, I was relieved. I asked Matt why he was disappointed (because I said it would be bad news to be bleeding so bad AND be pregnant). He said he wants us to be pregnant. Good news, on that aspect. So, the adventure continues. More updates will be coming soon when I get all the other stuff done!

We got insurance, for all of us. It started Saturday. I just have to wait for the cards to come in and we will be all set. Hopefully there is not a huge waiting period for me to use gyno services. We shall see.

We went to my grandma's house this weekend. It was lovely. We went to the beach, swam in her pool, ate some hearty meals, went to the farmer's market, playground, walked at the shops downtown and went to church with her on Sunday. I even got a dresser from her. Matt and Neil loaded into the back of the Jeep. Matt and Neil caught mud crabs for fishing. It was a lot of fun. We will be doing that again and, hopefully, soon. Next weekend we are off to Orlando. Matt to a conference and Kaine and I are going to hang out with Patty and Douglas! It should be a ton of fun!!

Blood Test

Went and got my blood test done today. Without insurance, the cost was $15! I could hardly believe it. Best of all, results will be available for pick-up tomorrow. How is that for efficiency? Plus, I waited I think a total of 1 minute in the empty waiting room (and it was 11 am!). I could hardly believe my luck! I was even entertained by a delightful phelebotomist while she took my sample. All-in-all, it was not the dreaded experience I was anticipating and putting off. I was so please I started to peruse their other services, trying to see what else I could get away with!

Over the weekend, pending a negative prego test, I will start taking 200mg of Ibuprofen. (Possibly start using the tincture that has been curing on my kitchen window sill made of Shepard's Purse?) This was recommended to me by Maryanne and something I had read to help slow down the bleeding. I will also start the search for an affordable ultrasound to check my innards. Hopefully, the diagnosis will not be grim.

Oh, I would also like to note that I had Matt palpate my uterus (or just below my belly button-to which I feel a bulge and uncomfortable fullness). As he laid his hands upon my belly I was taken aback. There is such a weird sensation of, as I described to him, "raw, tender meat being mushed together" (with all the sensation of an open and gaping wound). I have no idea what that could mean. I just know it doesn't sound very good, at all!

Results tomorrow...

To Health and Happiness

I am dragging my feet about getting my blood drawn. I do not have much confidence in any sort of pregnancy test (part of me wishes I am pregnant but, the more sensible me, wishes I feel relief in knowing that I am not). I also do not want to see what it is going to cost me. Especially since insurance has not been approved yet. I do not think I can put it off much longer. I have the address and the hours of operation of the closest lab (40 minutes away!). I don't want to go.

My bleeding stopped for a record of 12 hours (due to the holiday, I am convinced! Everyone needs a little bit of freedom from all sorts of burdens, what better day than the 4th?). It is back but, thankfully, not with a vengeance. Spotting mostly, with some cramping. Hopefully, it will go away and not come back for a while. 

In other news, we put in to see another house. It says, thanks to Google Maps, that it is 16 minutes away from Matt's work. That would probably put me at 20-25 minutes to the Birth Center, either way, it is better than what we are doing now. It sits on 2.23 acres and seems to be nice from what I can tell in the photos. We have no idea what we are doing, however. Matt says he is going to go and talk to the people at the bank on Friday and, hopefully, we will be approved for a loan. (A good loan.) I have a feeling that my past may come back to haunt me on this one as well. I have to confess, I am getting used to it; not that it makes it any easier. Although, someone told me that since I am not working that they will not even look at my score, just Matt's. I hope that is true. I hope we are able to get something, at least, in the $100,000 range (not much for Gainesville, but enough for what we will need).  Hopefully, happy news on all fronts will be coming next.

***Editor's Note: I talked to a loan officer on Tuesday. It turns out that my stuff will not be evaluated after all. Due to the fact that I have not worked in two years, I would not be a helpful profit to the outcome. Good news. I hope it continues.***

My Girlie Problems, Continued

So, I spoke to Maryanne, at the Birth Center, regarding my bleeding issues. Her suggestions (which were in line with mine) were to go and get a blood test to make sure I was not, indeed, pregnant. From there, I would need an ultrasound to see what was going on in my uterus. This is the plan for this week. Get a blood test. Get the results. Get an ultrasound.

As luck would have it, I have stopped or severely slowed down in the bleeding department since I talked to Maryanne. I am still going to go and get a blood test to make sure I am not pregnant (or are pregnant?). I have not ruled this possibility out, especially since my hormones have been completely unpredictable lately.

Symptoms (as of late):

Severe sleepiness (falling asleep at 8pm, once 6pm!)
Crying at commercials (something I only do when pregnant)
Moodiness (being fine then, suddenly, exploding on the closest person)
Being annoyed by stupid things that would not have normally annoyed me
Having a full feeling in my uterus
Having to pee every 30 minutes or so
General feeling of grossness

Here, I must note, that all of these symptoms go hand in hand with having fibroids too. So, we will see after all of the tests are done!

Fibroid Tumors - TMI

So, it may turn out that I have Uterine Fibroids that are causing all of this bleeding. This is why all of the supplementation that I was using (herbs) were not working. After much more reading and research and talking to my mother-in-law (who in turn called her sister, another RN) I think I am experiencing this problem.

The symptoms I have seem to add up. Excessive bleeding for an excessive amount of time. Bleeding in between periods. A feeling of pressure (or in my case, fullness in the abdomen or my uterus). Clots and some pain. All of which are symptoms. Not to mention feeling super tired because of the lose of blood. Also, what they call "soiling" of your clothes due to gushes of blood at unexpected times. For example, I was sound asleep last night and woke to a gross gushing feeling and discovered that I not only bled through a super tampon (because the Diva Cup just wasn't cutting it- Boo!) and onto the bed! Fun times! So at 4:30 this morning I was up "fixing" my problems. UGHH!! Talk about frustrating!

Anyway, I am planning on going to go and see someone about it. I just have to wait for the insurance stuff to be approved. I don't want to go before because, God forbid, they tell me it was a pre-existing condition and won't pay for anything.

The scary thing is, everything that I read about the treatment of such a condition is scary! They start by saying stuff like: not everyone will need a hysterectomy. Did you read that???!?! Are they serious!? Other things are a D&C (although I heard this from my MIL and her sister not from any research I have done. BTW, that is a scrapping of the uterus). Hormone therapy (as in reducing estrogen output. I don't know how this is done). Some sort of MRI ablation (laser that is pinpointed to the spot and kills the tumor cells. Super scary. This is suppose to be the most non-invasive procedure. You will only be in twilight and it is outpatient). They can do a 3 inch abdominal incision, under full anesthesia, to remove the fibroids (I am afraid of this because they will also have to cut into the uterus to remove the fibroids. With my history of C-section, I don't want this to up my chance of not being able to have the option of a midwife, out-of-hospital birth.Which would probably be likely). There are also myomectomy procedures to remove the fibroids (these include laproscopic and the 3-inch thing above falls in this category go here to read more about this type of procedure and see what else in involved, if you so care to).

Anyway, I am super scared of all the options. I am still wanting more children and I am afraid that any of these options will interfere with the outcomes of my future births (if I am even able to get pregnant. -This, however, I am ready for, I have been prepared for this since I started my period. It has never been normal. I was always told I would have problems and I would lose pregnancies.- I hope it is not as bad as all this).

I am just in the beginning stages and I hope I am wrong about what is going on. Wish me luck and Gods guidance. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason (like with Kaine, I enjoyed every part of it-  I thought it was going to be hard and it wasn't- therefore, I still felt like the pregnancy was a miracle because, as I was told, I was not suppose to be that easy). Anyway, that's all I have to say about that, for now. (Rhiannon- maybe this is why November is going to be a surprise??)

Menorrhagia

I am still having menstrual issues. It started a little over a month ago. Strike that, I just looked at my calendar and this has been going on since the end of April, no wonder I am fed up! This is the run down so far (for I am currently bleeding):
April 24-May 10 (17 days)
May 23-June 3 (12 days)
June 14-to now June 20 (7 days to whenever)

I bought some herbs for my condition. I have on hand Shepherd's Purse, Nettle, Raspberry leaf (which I use all the time for other things), Yarrow, Agrimony, and Lady's Mantle. All are good for one thing or another having to do with the female reproductive and general (female supporting) systems. Right now I am infusing Shepherd's Purse, Yarrow and Nettle hoping to make a tea that is going to stop or severely slow down the bleeding. I have tried other teas, but I did not get any help. In fact one seemed to make it worse but, that could just be all in my head because I was trying to stop menstruating when I was barely bleeding (warm tea always seems to stimulate my blood flow, for some reason). Anyway, I am going to go out tomorrow and buy some vodka so I can make a tincture of some of these herbs so it will be even more convenient to take and have on hand when and if this problem occurs again. I am hoping that I finally found a way to get this problem under control.

I am also considering holding off getting pregnant until I know how better to get my system back into balance. It can't be good to be this depleted and get pregnant. So, I don't know what is going to happen on that front. I would like to be pregnant but, can we really risk it? I will see how it goes with these concoctions and see what happens in the next month to be able to better judge my systems health.

Send me good vibes and prayers about kicking the caffeine. I think I have gotten to used to not worrying about it and this may be the biggest factor in this saga. I have been getting better but, I find myself giving into it every now and again (I know, isn't it so wrong to ask someone who has a baby that doesn't sleep through the night, is anemic on two levels - which increases the fatigue- to kick caffeine!?) It is really not that big of a deal, I just need to stop myself before I indulge! 

False Alarm & House Plans

No pregnancy. As of this morning, Flow has arrived. It is a good thing. I am not going to dwell on it. It was not our time and it is not the end of the world. It will happen when it is suppose to. I believe it. The timing will be perfect and not anything we can control.

In other news, we are building a nest egg. We are finally out of debt (or very close to it!). Money is going in the pig so we may be able to buy a house in the next few months. I just have to remember not to keep dipping into the extra, because it is there. I really need to focus my energy on getting out of here and being settled. At least for a few years while I go back to school and Matt puts more roots down in his job. Things are looking up. We are on the rise and there is no where else to go but up. I hope it stays like this and something big doesn't come out and bite us in the butt. Please, Lord, stay the wolves until we find higher ground!

My Boobs Hurt & Sewing stuff

I am hoping that a pregnancy test is going to turn positive soon. We have just started to try and I thought I was ovulating. My boobs hurt and are swollen. I am cramping (lightly) and spotting off and on (super light and I wouldn't even notice if I didn't think I was gestating). We will see how it goes. Hopefully, it won't be like with Kaine (after 10 tests-ALL NEGATIVE) I finally got a positive and got it confirmed at 10 weeks with an ultrasound. Here's to crossing my fingers! Either way, if I don't get my period in two weeks, I am going to test. If it comes out positive, I will schedule an appointment. If it comes out negative, I will schedule an appointment for a blood test to make sure that I am actually not. I am NOT going to wait 10 weeks again! So stupid!

In other news, Lilly's birthday is coming up. She is having a princess party. I am going to go to Allana's the night before and help make the castle cake. We are going to get up bright and early and decorate and have lots of fun! I can't believe she is turning four! FOUR! What in the world! Then again, I can't even believe Kaine is 2 and I have been with him the whole time! I am going to be making her a Dora summer shirt with sparkly, girlie straps! I have to find some sort of pant or something to go under it. I guess it could be like a short-ish dress with some pink tights or those things the kids are wearing these days (what are they called?). Either way, I am sure it is going to be a hit!

I also have to finish Landon's curtains! They were suppose to be done in September! I get a little behind on things in those months, due to the overdrive of wanting to make things for the holidays. Especially starting at Halloween - the juices are already flowing for that! (What should Kaine be this year!?).


Anyway...that is what is going on!

Pregnancy

We are thinking about getting pregnant. We want a few more, haha. There are factors that need to be put in place before this can happen, however. I think most of those things are coming into play.

What is different about it this time? We BOTH have baby fever. It started with me, like it did last time. I was seriously over-the-top last time. Begging, I believe, would be the best word! Not that Matt didn't want to have a baby, he is just a worry wort and didn't know if we were ready or had enough funds. This time, I started to talk about it but, made myself  not talk about it all the time or put unnecessary stress on Matt about it. I didn't want it to feel like it was an obligation or that he was doing something that I wanted to do, that he didn't. I feel like he wasn't really into the last pregnancy because of how I made it begin (all stressed out and begging and such!). He probably was, I just felt like I talked him into it and felt guilty about that. This time, I think I am the one that has the hesitation. I wanted everything to be perfect (haha! that should have been my first clue). He is all gung-ho and I am like "Are you sure?". I do want a baby, badly, I just didn't want to be looking over my shoulder and thinking, "what if I would have done this?". But, I am getting over that too. The more I talk to Matt the better I feel about it. He really is a much different man at this stage. I asked him what made him change his mind and he said, "I have just been thinking about it lately". He said the fun he has with Kaine around has really made him rethink waiting and just wanting two. What a compliment for Kaine! That is one of the things that I have said, "Isn't it such a compliment to your oldest baby to have more kids? It is saying he was good and a blessing, why not have some more!" I truly believe this, I feel bad for those of you who don't have siblings, you really are missing out on a lot.

Anyway, pregnancy plans are in the work. I will keep posting when I find things out. We are planning on having a midwife-assisted, VBAC, home birth. What a mouthful! Not having a baby shower but a Blessingway (possibly a baby shower, just for cloth diapers, I will have to get with my sisters, when the time comes, to see what they think, that is the only things we are going to need this go round). As little intervention as possible through prenatal care (no ultrasounds, I don't want to know the sex--like it SO helped last time! LOL no unnecessary poking and prodding). A lot more bonding time for us. Exercise and nutrition are going to be the biggest and KEY to this pregnancy coming out the way we want. More to come!