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I had my VBAC!

McMookieMcMookie
in VBAC

I am a long time lurker, but I loved reading success stories so I wanted to share mine. Almost 4 years ago, I had my daughter via c-section due to pre-e, which lead to induction at 36.5 weeks. I progressed to 10 cm, but she didn't descend, and I had a c-section.

Throughout this pregnancy, I was scared to death of developing pre-e, but it didn't happen. At 36 weeks, I was 2 cm. When the midwife told me, I cried. I had no idea how deep my feelings of "failure" were until I learned my body was actually doing what it was supposed to do this time. At 39 + weeks, I was 3 cm and the midwife told me she thought baby's head was cocked to one side and not putting adequate pressure on my cervix, hence the reason for the start and stop contractions I had been experiencing for weeks. I immeidately went to the chiropractor (who I began seeing at 30 weeks for optimal baby positioning). Contractions started that night and I thought this was going to be it, but as usual they stopped. 

I was threatened with a c-section at 41.5 weeks. Two days before my due date, I began to panic. Monday, I went to the chiropractor and had my membranes stripped. Tuesday, I had accupuncture for the first time. Wednesday night I had a massage.

I woke at 11 pm on Wednesday (my due date) and my first thought was "get up, get up, get up, don't just lie there." I recognized the feeling as a contraction, but this was nothing like the other contractions I had experienced. Labor had started- real labor. My contractions came 2 minutes apart and lasted one minute. During each contraction, I tried to concentrate on breathing and welcoming the contraction. By 1 am, I was at the hospital (I planned on laboring at home for as long as possible, but things seemed to be moving fast and I felt it was time to go).

At 1:30 am, I was being checked and I was 7 cm. I heard a nurse ask me what I wanted for pain control and the midwife interupted her and said, "nothing- she's doing it." It was exactly the answer I would have given. I had no control over my daughter's birth, but I promised myself this birth was going to be as intervention free as possible. My water broke shortly after the examination and there was meconium. The midwife had me sign a consent for VBAC and explained both the risks of a VBAC and a repeat c-section. I signed the consent and was taken to a labor and delivery room. Within 30-45 minutes, I was 9 cm. I was told I could start giving little pushes when I felt like it.

My blood pressure was a little high when I arrived at the hospital and it rose as I was laboring. There was a slight amount of protein in my urine and the midwife explained to me she spoke with the attending physican and he thought I should begin receiving magnesuium sulfate. I heard my mom's voice in my ear, she said "no." I repeated her word and said, "no." The midwife nodded in agreement, "you can refuse it." I told her I was refusing it, and the issue was dropped. I shudder to think how that would have completely changed my entire experience if I had consented to that medication (I was on it for days before and after my daughter's birth).

I reached 10 cm and my entire body started pushing. A nurse suggested I lie down. I said no, I wanted to stand or squat. I was given a squat bar, but soon became tired of holding my weight. I stood and leaned on my husband for support. Due to my chiropractic care, I knew how important it was to remain upright and to allow gravity to assist with the birth. Eventually, I sat on the edge of the bed and pushed with all my might. At some point, baby's head rate became a little low and it was clear the midiwfe wanted delivery to happen soon. I leaned back while my husband and mother each held a leg. No one counted, I just pushed when it felt natural. At 3:12 am on 06/16/11, my son was born.

He weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces, a full 2 pounds heavier than my daughter. My VBAC experience has been so incredibly healing and therapeutic. I think the biggest thing I take away from this is- take control of your birth experience as much as possible. Carefully choose your birth team, use available resources like ICAN, chiropractors, accupuncture, etc. Believe in yourself, your body, and your baby. I wish each and every one of you success! 

 

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