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VBAC
SaraLynn21
member
VBAC Success-Barely! (long)
SaraLynn21
member
in VBAC
I loved reading success stories, so here is Connor Kenneth's birth story--born 1/15/11 at 6:43 pm via successful VBAC. We were team green!
I had an appointment with a reflexologist on the 14th at 5:30 pm. She gives an hour foot rub that can supposedly help send you into labor-I was 39 weeks 3 days and thought it would be worth a shot to try and prep my body to go into labor. If nothing else, I figured I'd get an hour of pampering!
I couldn't really sleep Friday night because I just felt off. I got up around 2 am, went to the bathroom, and at 3 am I started having contractions. At 4 am I had some bloody show so I knew this was the real deal. I labored at home from 3 am until about 11 am. My contractions were never really consistent, but they increased in terms of pain level. I had a couple nasty contractions in a row and figured it was time to head to the hospital.
I arrived at the hospital and I was fully thinned and at 4 cm. Since I was doing a VBAC I had to be continuously monitored and couldn't walk around, which was not ideal. Because of this, my contractions stalled in a 5-6 minute pattern and I was stuck at a 4. The doctor broke my water to see if that would get me into a more regular pattern. There was a small amount of meconium in my water which was a concern. My doctor also hooked me up to a small dose of pitocin. When he checked me, he determined my baby was face-up and sideways, which would make a vaginal delivery more difficult. Because his head wasn't straight down on the cervix he thinks this was why I wasn't progressing past a 4. I was feeling really discouraged at this point because my first son was also malpositioned which resulted in a c-section. But my doctor said I could continue to try and see what happened.
After maybe a half hour on the pitocin I was having excruciating contractions. I asked to get the epidural after laboring on my side in bed since I couldn't walk around. Brutal! They finally got my epi and as soon as it was completed I felt the need to push. The nurse checked me and I was already at a 10 and ready to push. Guess I did most of the labor without pain meds! I started pushing but due to the malposition baby's heartrate kept dropping and the doctor said we had to either get him out in a few pushes or do a c-section.
They rushed me to the OR and had the whole team standing in the room ready for a c-section. I felt defeated, but I just wanted it to be over. Apparently when I moved from my bed to the surgical table it took the pressure off the cord and my doctor was able to turn the baby face down. We were going to keep pushing in the OR to see if we could do this. I pushed for about an hour and a half with everything I had. I needed an episitomy, and we had to use the vacuum for a little tug, but Connor finally made his vaginal entrance into the world, in the OR under threat of a repeat c-section!
I was exhausted and wanted to give up so many times, but I had a doctor that wouldn't give up on me and forced me to keep going for what I wanted. I'm only 1 day past delivery but can say without a doubt the recovery is so much better than my c-section. I can get out of bed and bend over with no trouble, which is much easier with having a toddler too.
Sorry this was so long--I wish you all luck with your VBAC's--it's absolutely worth it!
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Re: VBAC Success-Barely! (long)
4 losses (cp Feb 28 09, mc April 9 09 (5w5d), mc Aug 10 09 (7w1d), d&c Apr 12 10 (grew to 6w3d, mc confirmed at 8w5d). RX: Overies PCOS (hormones normal) & Balanced Translocation of Ch. 7 & 13 (40-50% mc risk)
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I can't decide what I'm most impressed by: your AMAZING VBAC experience, the fact that you're ALREADY on your computer, typing up your birth story, or the fact that you are able to type so eloquently after having just had a BABY!
Haha!
MANY congratulations! I was SO encouraged by your story and greatly, greatly appreciate you taking the time to share it with us. It really helps me remember to NEVER give up hope and to believe in myself through the whole experience!
YAY!
Congrats! You did a great job and it sounds like the Dr did everything he could to make it happen for you!
I love hearing how the recovery is so much easier even though you had an episiotomy and vac.
yay for team green
Thank you for sharing. I'm so happy and proud of you for getting your VBAC. I could only image the defeat you must have felt being put in the OR.
Enjoy Connor, he's beautiful!
Haha, I wanted to type out the story before I forgot the details! It's funny how fast you forget all the pain and agony once that precious little bundle is in your arms :-) Thank you ladies for all the well wishes, and for all your posts and advice on this board. It really helped me to stay strong with my VBAC plans--thank you!
~Sweet Girl *8/18/08* c-section ~ Sweet Boy *12/2/10* VBAC ~ Sweet Boy *8/14/12* VBAC~
VBAC Birth Story 2VBAC Birth Story
Congratulations!! I am glad your goal of a VBAC was successful; your positive attitude gives me a lot of motivation for my own VBAC ::fingers crossed::
Your son is beautiful! Glad everyone is doing well!
IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/qpqv84.jpg[/IMG]
Patiently waiting for little brother!