short intro... coming out of lurking

CherryStarburst

Hi ladies, I had made an intro when the board started but then never posted and it was under a different SN. I just wanted to said hi and that I want to start posting more. You ladies all have awesome advice and are so knowledgeable I'm not sure what I could contribute but I'd like to try

My DS was born via csection after 48 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing (failed induction ) then 2 years later I had a VBAC with my DD after a fast labor and 2 hours pushing ( she was posterior ), it was one of the most rewarding/empowering things I've ever done. I just had my second VBAC with DD2 at a birth center after only 3 hours of labor and 10 minutes of pushing! ... anyway, just wanted to come out of lurking and say hi and I have bump crushes in all of you :P

sweetgirl82

Wow, that is so encouaging to here from someone who has had not one but two VBACs!  What did you do during your second and third pregnancies that you think helped you reach your goal of a VBAC?

CherryStarburst

With my second pregnancy I worked really hard at trying to stay fit and not gain as much weight (I gained 50 with my first and half that with my second! ) I also did a ton of research and had switched care providers to a CNMW who was very supportive of my birth choices... I don't think I could have done it without her and my H's support and encouragement, especially with the posterior baby. There were so many times during pregnancy and labor that I doubted myself and my bodies ability to birth naturally but they kept encouraging me throughout the whole thing. Also I didn't have an epi (yikes!) The second time so I was able to feel when to push change positions, move around, etc.

iris427

Welcome to the board (again)!

I also had a c/s after pushing for a while so it's really encouraging to hear that you have gone on to have two VBACs.  Is there anything you think made a difference in the pushing phase during your VBACs? 

CherryStarburst

iris427:

Welcome to the board (again)!

I also had a c/s after pushing for a while so it's really encouraging to hear that you have gone on to have two VBACs.  Is there anything you think made a difference in the pushing phase during your VBACs? 

Yes! I was up and moving around a lot with my DD1. With my DS I had an epidural because of the 48 hours of labor and wasn't able to get up to push, I didn't really even feel the urge to push but did because I was being told to. My MW let me go with how I was feeling at the time and didn't dictate how I should or shouldn't do something. Both of my first two were posterior. With DD1 I pushed on all fours, standing up, reclining, sidelying, other side, squatting, etc! She never did get turned but I think all the moving around helped bring her down... DD2 was turned "correctly " and I couldn't believe how quickly she came out, LOL. I really loved how my MW didn't tell me what to do though, it almost felt more empowering that way. Probably because of doubting myself for so long that I "couldn't " or "wasn't able" to Birth a baby. She didn't even tell me when to start pushing this last time! I felt the urge and just went with it.

iris427

CherryStarburst:

iris427:

Welcome to the board (again)!

I also had a c/s after pushing for a while so it's really encouraging to hear that you have gone on to have two VBACs.  Is there anything you think made a difference in the pushing phase during your VBACs? 

Yes! I was up and moving around a lot with my DD1. With my DS I had an epidural because of the 48 hours of labor and wasn't able to get up to push, I didn't really even feel the urge to push but did because I was being told to. My MW let me go with how I was feeling at the time and didn't dictate how I should or shouldn't do something. Both of my first two were posterior. With DD1 I pushed on all fours, standing up, reclining, sidelying, other side, squatting, etc! She never did get turned but I think all the moving around helped bring her down... DD2 was turned "correctly " and I couldn't believe how quickly she came out, LOL. I really loved how my MW didn't tell me what to do though, it almost felt more empowering that way. Probably because of doubting myself for so long that I "couldn't " or "wasn't able" to Birth a baby. She didn't even tell me when to start pushing this last time! I felt the urge and just went with it.

Interesting.  I also had a very strong epidural while I was pushing and I never felt an urge to push.  I'm really hoping that avoiding an epi so that I can feel what's going on in my body and be able to move freely will make a difference this time.  It's really encouraging to read that it made a difference for you.

Thanks!