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VBAC
If you VBAC'ed and plan to do it again, what will you do differently
Or if you don't plan to VBAC again, what would you do differently in retrospect?
We've got our timeline set for number three and I'm already starting to think of the things I want to do differently. I want to make unmedicated birth a reality because, while I enjoyed not feeling pain, It was my plan to go unmedicated but there were several factors that came into play that caused me to choose to go ahead and get the epidural. I hated the nausea, headache, and chest cramps that being in the positions the epidural required caused. I also absolutely hated pushing with an epi. It felt to me like the equivalent of someone who isn't pregnant trying to push out a baby. I feel like I focused so hard on just VBACing, that I figured I had to go without the epi to make in happen, and didn't focus enough on pain coping methods and comfort measures for labor.
On a more self indulgent note, I also want to avoid the epidural to experience the actual delivery and rush of emotions/hormones. Maybe it'll be earth moving, maybe it won't but I sort of felt disconnected after my son came out because it felt like it didn't really happen (and the fact that there was no delayed cord clamping or baby on my chest due to meconium - he had to be taken over to the side of he room to have the respiratory therapist clear his lungs). We bonded fine, but I don't feel like there was that "moment" (I didn't have this for my c/s either - maybe it's just not something I'll experience, but I can sure try).
Another thing I will absolutely positively have is a doula. Probably a Montrice. This is important on so many levels, that I can't believe I didn't go ahead and hire one last time. My hospital is moving further away to a brand new facility (not too far unless there's traffic....then it'll be a LONG trip) and I want to ENSURE that I labor at home as long as possible. I think the doula can help facilitate this. I also think that no childbirth class in the world could make my husband the support that I'd need to labor unmedicated successfully and I don't think it would prepare me enough either. He's a wonderful husband, but he's just not a Doula type! I need that gentle guidance from a third party.
Those two sort of sum up my list currently, but I have a good bit of time to add to it! I'd love to hear
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Re: If you VBAC'ed and plan to do it again, what will you do differently
A Monitrice is a midwife acting as your Doula. She can do medical tasks such as fetal doppler, blood pressure readings, and cervical checks.
for example:
https://www.navelgazingmidwife.com/Monitrice.htmlhttps://birthingyourway.com/monitrice-services/
I did everything the way I had originally planned, so I can honestly say there's nothing I want to do different next time around. I labored at home for almost 16 hours with my monitrice doula, had a hospital waterbirth, my dream birth team, and pulling DS out of the water.
HOWEVER, I will absolutely rest as much as possible during early labor next time!! I ended up pulling a lower back muscle during early labor, and the pain in my lower back was unrelenting and excruciating to say the least. Contractions were nothing when compared to the constant spasms of my back! I had to have two rounds of Nubain just so I could get some rest before starting a tad of Pitocin. But I never had any other pain relief, and I'm OK with that.
Next time I am hoping to have the same birth team in CO. Even though we've moved back to TX, I'm still planning on traveling back up there for the next birth... seeing as there's no way I could have a hospital waterbirth in TX.
~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
I'm not "allowed" to waterbirth per hospital rules but I can labor in the tub (which was part of my original plan but that's a long story....they kept me waiting in assessment too long and i was dying for some kind of relief). my doctor has said without saying that he would let me deliver in the water if it felt like the right thing to do for me at the time. So, i guess that goes on my list of things to change: laboring in the tub for sure!
Oddly, I managed to sleep through most of my early labor (and the 7 days of prodromal labor leading up to it). I pretty much forced myself to sleep between contractions, that started at 5 minutes apart. Now that I think back to that morning though I guess I should say that I will definitely eat more during early labor too. By the time I was nearing complete, I was freaking starving!
Also babyike, I wanted to ask how fully you utilized the Monitrice services? Did she perform medical tasks or just doula tasks? Can you describe how much of an integral part it was to your labor process?
well, I just had my second VBAC 3 weeks ago and I did a few things differently.
The biggest difference was that we had our 3rd baby at home instead of the hospital, but I am still glad I was in the hospital with my first VBAC. I just didn't like the way I was treated at the hospital and I didn't really feel safe there.
With our first VBAC, we had a doula and with our second we did not. I think if we were to do it again, I would want a doula (not that one would have helped with our second VBAC since my labor was super short and H and the midwives were amazing, but I just like the idea that someone is there).
I would also like to have a waterbirth, and we talked about it for our 3rd baby, but I just don't like to be in water when I am in labor. I think if I had a longer labor I would try the tub though.
Other things we did differently with our 2nd VBAC is that I didn't get checked at all. Ever. I really liked that. I didn't have any idea about how far along I was so I didn't feel any pressure or dissapointment. I really liked the not knowing
Well, I'm a bit different I guess, because if I did it again, I'd get the epi sooner. I have nothing bad to say about my epidural experience. I've labored very, very slowly twice now, I tried hypnosis training, birth balls, the shower, acupuncture, different positions, etc. etc. and I "get" that to an extent, but what can I say? The epi was great for me.
I had my VBAC at UC Hospital as well. I was with the Center for Midwifery, and I'm so glad I chose them! GL to 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
I had planned on having our Monitrice perform internal checks prior to going to the hospital, but honestly I just sort of forgot to ask her to in all the distractions of labor haha! She was mostly supportive in doula services, but I liked having the peace of mind knowing that she was trained and qualified to do more medical tasks if needed/desired. I know I personally wouldn't have stayed home as long had I just had a doula without monitrice training. JMHO. She was absolutely essential to me having the birth experience I wanted! She came HIGHLY recommended by all sorts of practitioners in the birthing community specifically for her experience with VBAC mommas (she had also had 2 VBACs herself). HTH!
~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