Crazy to try to labor at home?

Question

I’m expecting my third baby and live in a rural area. First baby I had to be induced but had her vaginally. Second I went into labor on my own and was 5cm by the time I went to the hospital. Ended up with a cesarean quickly due to fetal distress including meconium in my water etc (babe ended up fine). Because my hospital is small without a NICU and I had a cesarean last time, I’m supposed to have another cesarean and it is scheduled for 12/6. But my OB says I’m low risk for uterine rupture and baby is doing great, so if I show up at the hospital in labor and 8 cm she will let me do a VBAC. My vaginal delivery recovery was so much easier than my cesarean so I’m tempted to try for a VBAC. But lord, I don’t know if I can make it to 8cm at home. I live in a small townhome with two kids and a dog and no family around so I can’t send the kids to grandmas. If I go into labor before my section date we are having a sitter come to our house. How would I even know I’m close to 8cm? It would suck to suffer through all that pain and get to the hospital at 6cm. Remembering contractions with my previous two babies I am such a wuss and can’t imagine giving birth without some pain relief. Anyone experience something similar?

Answer

Honestly, if you labor at home as long as you can and you show up at the hospital and your doctor says “tough luck you’re only dilated to a. 6 time to cut that baby out” I’d tell them to shut it. Why would they put an arbitrary number on you like that? Obviously if you show up and there’s a legitimate medical reason to do a cesarean then it is what it is but if you’re at a 6-7 already and clearly progressing then I would personally refuse the cesarean until there was a medical need for it. It’s so stupid to put you in that position honestly because then you’re possibly more likely to stay home when you SHOULD be (in the hospital) being monitored during your VBAC for anything going wrong during the labor process so they can quickly address it, especially if you live far away. 
Bottom line, they can’t MAKE you consent to a cesarean and you have the option to decide if they’ll cut you open for being “only at 6” instead of 8. But I don’t think you’re crazy to labor at home as long as you can handle it, that’s a good rule for everyone.

Answer

I plan to labor at home. Have you looked into hiring a doula? They would be able to help with pain management at home but they aren’t medical doctors so I’m not sure if they can check your dilation for you.