successful VBAC?

Oh, hon...

There is absolutely NO reason you should be making "progress" at...what...37-38 weeks? That's not even normal! And it's not like it would mean anything even if you *were* slightly effaced now, etc. Please don't put that kind of pressure on yourself! You have lots of time. And if you don't want to, you don't have to have a c-section at 41 weeks. The words "no, thanks" are perfectly appropriate if you don't feel like it would be best for you or baby. Feel free just to call after hours and cancel or reschedule for another day (leave a voicemail!). If you don't want to be more direct, you can always invent a cold...surely DS or DD can conveniently get a "terrible cold!" the day before the scheduled surgery! I mean, they wouldn't want you going into surgery already sick, right? Or expose the new baby to a case of the sniffles? Suddenly, that "oh my goodness you HAVE to have the baby out by 41 weeks exactly" becomes a lot more flexible and just not the hard and fast rule they're been telling you it is.

And please forgive me for being a Debbie Downer, but to me it doesn't sound like your doctor is at all supportive, or that he's just trying to "let you down easy". Frankly, he's inventing a reason for you to expect that it won't work out, and he's set a limit on when you'll be "allowed" to deliver vaginally--without talking to you about why he's suggesting a c-section at 41 weeks and asking you what YOU decide.

Because it does, in fact, boil down to what you want. If you are not convinced by his answers to your questions, by his reasons, by what he tells you you "have" to do--just smile at him and say, "well, I'm going to need some time to talk this over with my husband. I'll let you know what I've (or what we've) decided. Thank you!" Repeat, repeat...and leave. Make your decision when you're not right there getting "leaned" on. Check with others, think it through...decide what you think is best, given the circumstances. Hopefully, if your doc IS supportive, he'll want to talk to you and give you the best info he has, and then leave room for you to decide.

Keep us posted, hmmm?

Don't know if you've been memorizing stats on VBACS for years or whether it's all new to you, but just in case, check out http://vbacfacts.com/2008/06/03/hospital-vbac-turned-cs-due-to-constant-scare-tactics/ and the rest of her website.

Good luck, hon. I'm sorry you're feeling under so much pressure. You've done a great job of growing this baby so far, and I don't think your body is going to suddenly bail on you now!

I completely agree with Lucy, you are in charge of your pregnancy and birth, not the Dr. Trust your instincts, and don't be worried about his response to saying no to him. You're at 37 weeks, he can't drop you since you're so close to your due date And you could always just "forget" that you had the section scheduled and not show up if he insists And you can always try to switch providers too this late if you feel he isn't supporting you.

Don't worry about progress either, you can dilate from a 1 to a 4 in a matter of minutes really if your body is ready to go. Dilation/effacement isn't a true sign of progress because there is no set rule on how fast/when your body does it. Do you have a doula to help you stand firm in your decision? It might be a good time to look into one. If money is an issue for one, you can call DONA International directly and ask for any doulas in training that might be able to help you, and if not, most doulas are willing to negotiate in order for you to have their services.

If I were you I would be asking for an evidence based medical reason he thinks you should have a section at 41 weeks. If he can't back up what he says, he may not be right for your birth. I know it's late in the game, but you need someone who supports you 100% at your birth. You could also bring along Henci Goer's book "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" and show him all of the backed up stats supporting VBAC

I had a successful VBAC(after 2 sections even!) at 42wks 2days! I have no idea if I was dilated 2 weeks before my due date as there is no point in checking that early. Like Sarah said it does not really tell you anything. I know women who were not dilated at all at an appt who had their babies hours later. Or women like me who walk around 4-5 cms dilated for weeks with no baby.

Sorry so late checking in here! I hope I'm not too late to chime in... You can refuse the c/s - no reason to have one if you and baby are doing well. Please update us so we know how you are doing!!

Hugs!