WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for November, 1999: Re: VBAC with vertical incision?

Re: VBAC with vertical incision?

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 14 Nov 1999 17:22:41 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: VBAC with vertical incision?"
Previous message: Ronna: "Breast pain w/cycles"
In reply to: Jackie: "VBAC with vertical incision?"
Next in thread: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: VBAC with vertical incision?"

At Sun, 14 Nov 1999, Jackie wrote: >
>My doctor performed an emergency C-Section for the birth of my daughter
>because I was only 2cm dialated and her heartbeat was decreasing during
>my contractions. They were worried the cord was being constricted in
>some way so they performed the C-Section. I hadn't had any problems
>during the pregnancy that indicated I would need a C-Section delivery,
>so I hadn't discussed this with my doctor. After I left the recovery
>room I was horrified to discover that he cut me vertically, from my
>belly button down to my pubic bone. I had assumed that, like everyone I
>ever knew that had a C-Section, he would have used a bikini cut incision
>horizontally along the hair line. I knew that this was not normal, even
>in the case of an emergency, because a few women I know had emergency
>C-Sections and they had the bikini cut. I asked the nurse at my
>follow-up, when I had my staples removed if there was any reason why he
>cut me that way. They said. "Oh, that's just his preference, it heals
>faster this way." I found that strange since it's a much larger
>incision. I have called numerous times to speak to the doctor about
>this and he never returns my calls. I read that I will now have to have
>a C-Section for every delivery after this because of the type of
>incision he made. What reason could there possibly be for having cut me
>like that? And is it true that now I will have a C-Section every time I
>have a baby after this? Thank You.
>
>--
>Jackie
>

The first thing that you need to know is that the incision on the skin of your abdomen, and the incision on your uterus are not the same thing, are not even related. Your uterine incision, which you cannot see, is the important one for whether you are eligible for a VBAC next time. Get a copy of your op report, and that will tell you about the uterine incision.

Vertical skin incisions are significantly faster to perform than transverse incisions, and in those rare occasions when seconds count, it can make a huge difference in the outcome for the baby. Vertical incisions are much less common than the transverse variety, because the transverse type heal better, and they are more cosmetically appealing, but they are slower. Usually the time saved is not all that important, even in an "emergency" C/S, as it is only a minute or so, but sometimes the minute is critical.

The important thing is that you almost certainly DO NOT have a vertical uterine incision. Find the report to find out.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.

Next message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: VBAC with vertical incision?"
Previous message: Ronna: "Breast pain w/cycles"
In reply to: Jackie: "VBAC with vertical incision?"
Next in thread: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: VBAC with vertical incision?"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: