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Shayla's VBAC

9/26/2013

1 Comment

 
Let me start by saying that I had no idea how much of a minority in a minority I was until Melek shared the statistics. I guess I owe that lack of knowledge to my wonderful midwife who never discouraged me even though all bets were against me. 

My journey to natural childbirth started in 2004. I was pregnant with my first son and happened upon an article regarding the potential dangers of epidurals. I made a decision that I wanted to avoid that at all costs and that I wanted a natural childbirth. Then I made the mistake of not communicating that wish to my doctor or my husband. I did nothing to prepare for natural childbirth. I didn’t watch any videos, read any books, I didn’t do any parenting or childbirth classes. I thought I was just too busy for all that. I was the active step-mother to three kids, a full time student and I worked part-time, I’d just figure it out (so I thought). When it came time to give birth, I was not at all prepared.  I panicked and after eight hours of labor and I don’t know how much pitocin, I asked for an epidural.  A few hours later, they told me that I was not progressing as fast as they liked and asked if I wanted a c-section.  I didn’t want surgery but by that time I had been laying on my back for hours and I just wanted to move.  I told them to wait.  They waited and said there wasn’t change and so up to surgery I went.  My recovery was good, my baby was healthy.  I knew something was missing but I didn’t give it much thought at first. 

Fast forward to 2011, and I was pregnant again. This time I knew I wanted to do things differently but hadn’t fully committed to anything outside of the ordinary OBGYN and hospital birth. My first commitment was that I did not want surgery again. I had no idea what a VBAC was or that it was controversial in the medical field. I scheduled an appointment with an OBGYN, a doctor I still love and respect today, but had to cancel.  I started reading about VBACs and alternative birthing locations.  That’s when I decided that I didn’t want to give birth on a hospital bed.  I wanted no part of another c-section, drugs or all the stress hospitals bring for me personally.  I remembered from my first pregnancy I had mentioned water birth. I was curious about it, but my doctor told me the hospital did not do that.  So I was determined to have my water birth now. I researched and researched and had trouble finding a doctor or a hospital that would fit my (growing but few) demands.  I found none.  No one would take me as a VBAC natural birth candidate.  That was until I found Bella Births and Kathleen Mayorga.  She encouraged me and told me I could do it.  

I had a pretty standard pregnancy sick in the beginning, and fatigue and a lot of water retention in the end. I was driving 30 miles one way to work and by about October 11 (my “due” date), Kathleen thought it was too much and placed me on restriction. I wasn’t happy but I complied.  

On Friday October 14, 2013, I straightened my desk and got all my work in order and headed home to wait on my little man. I walked two malls that evening.  I had been faithfully taking evening primrose pills and a tincture called Labor Prep for weeks.  At about midnight, I started feeling contractions.  I didn’t want to alarm anyone so I started timing them and eventually feel back to sleep. At 2 AM, the pain had intensified and I couldn’t ignore them.  I timed them to be about 10 minutes apart.  I woke my husband up at this point because if I didn’t try to get him up when it wasn’t an emergency, I wasn’t going to get him up in time. The contractions started coming faster and harder and I relied heavily on the techniques I was taught.  My exercise ball was my best friend that night. 

I called my midwife at about 5 in the morning letting her know I was getting ready.  She told me I could stay home for a while and to call her if I had any changes. My mucus plug came loose about two hours later and I knew it was time to go to the birthing center.  I called my parents who were taking care of my six year old.  My mom told me later that she didn’t think I was in labor because I was so calm.  I grabbed my bag of goodies--Gatorade, protein bars, water, clothes and my trusty Depends, and headed off.   

When I arrived I was scared. I had never dilated past 5 centimeters with my first son. When she checked me and I discovered I was an eight I was thrilled.  I thought this is going to be easy.  I stepped into the tub and prepared myself for a relaxing time.  It was ok but one hour turned to four and my patience was strong but I started to doubt just a little.  Just about then, I felt pressure but decided to take a break from the water.  I transitioned to the bed and pushed for what seemed like an eternity. They had to manually break my water and that is when the challenges began. There was meconium in the water.  I labored for about another thirty minutes before my midwife and her assistant left the room. I whispered to my husband “something is wrong.”  They told me Jude’s heart rate was slow.  A slow heart beat plus meconium, plus a VBAC plus about an hour and a half of pushing meant I had to go to the hospital.  I was devastated but didn’t want to hurt my baby.  I continued to push (even though I was supposed to stop) all the way to the hospital. When I arrived it was a flurry of activity and panic.  I was scared but strangely calm.  I wanted relief because I didn’t know what they were going to do. They gave me a tiny bit of local and then the doctor did something I never wanted--he gave me an episiotomy.  Less than fifteen minutes later I had a screaming healthy baby boy.  Jude Amir Smith was born on Saturday October 15 at 4:45 pm weighing 8 lbs 13 oz and was 21.5 inches long.

No my birth story didn’t quite go as I had planned, but it did have a happy ending.  I found out later that I have a condition that causes me to stop progressing in labor.  My midwife said I would not have had a VBAC with anyone else.  Another midwife or doctor would have transferred me soon and that would have been the end.  I was so thankful that I got my VBAC and my healthy baby.  I know my story wasn’t the simplest made- for- t.v.- homebirth- movie but its still mine and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  I’m not planning to have any more children but if I did I would definitely still try to have my homebirth again.

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1 Comment

Lois's Home VBAC

9/24/2013

3 Comments

 
My first pregnancy was perfect. I received my prenatal care at a birthing center, loved the midwives and was 100% sure I would have an unmedicated vaginal birth..... I went into labour three days past my EDD (estimated due date). To make a long story short, I was in a ton of pain and felt like labor was not progressing. So after many hours of labour, and at the suggestion of my midwives, I transferred to the hospital.  I got an epidural and then I was fully dilated and ready to push; however, a doctor happened to walk in to the room and did not like the baby's heart rate so he, not my midwives, decided I needed an emergency c-section and that was it. 
I hated everything about having a c-section and when I asked for answers at the birthing center,  my midwife said "Oh, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck."

I was pregnant with my second a little over a year later.  I knew I wanted a VBAC and returned to the birthing center, but was plagued by doubts and annoyed by the midwives' defensiveness when I tried to talk more about why my first pregnancy ended in a c-section. I got tired of this and switched to a homebirth midwife at 24 weeks!

This pregnancy was way different (harder) than my first. I had acute SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction, a painful pelvis disorder) and I was caring for a very active 2 year old toddler. I felt heavy and uncomfortable but excited to meet the new baby. I did everything possible to get myself in the best birthing shape: walking at least a mile everyday with my little one, 5 visits tho the chiropractor and taking Borage oil, Arnica, prenatal supplements and pregnancy tea as advised by my midwife--raspberry leaf, stinging nettle, chamomile, elderberry and anise (added the anise only for the last 4 weeks).

I went into labour 5 days past my EDD at 11:20 PM and felt bad because I kept waking up my husband, so I stayed on the couch until he woke up in the morning at 6 AM. Contractions were about 8 minutes apart. My husband called the midwife and let her know what was going on. Labored for the whole day before I called my midwife again to tell her the contractions were getting closer together, at about 5 minutes apart. By the time she got to my house, I was in a ton of pain and begging for relief. Not to mention every time I tried to eat anything, I threw  it up 5 minutes later.  When I was examined, I was 5 cm and completely thinned out. I was not happy--I had been in labor for almost two days!  I still couldn't keep anything down, so I felt weak. I started thinking about going to the hospital, but my midwife, doula and husband all reminded me why I was having a home birth and I decided to keep laboring at home at least until the next day even though I was begging for it to be over. My midwife checked me in the morning and I was fully dilated!  That really encoraged me mentally even though the baby was still high up. 
 
 One of my biggest fears was that the baby would never descend, and it felt like he wasn't because after an hour of pushing, I could still feel him way up in my ribs. My midwife checked his heartbeat and  it was right below my c-section scar.  He was getting lower!  I was amazed and motivated.  Soon after, I felt my body pushing.  It was so raw and guttural!!!

I felt the same "baby not descending"  during my first labor about the baby not descending and my midwives said  " Well we can always go to the hospital  to check."  I can't believe they could've checked with their fingers or a Doppler ! 

After about an hour and a half of pushing, my water broke--more like exploded--all over my husband.

Baby O was born about two hours later ! 

It was so amazing to put him on my chest cord still attached and I just stared  in awe.  We stayed like that for over an hour and then my midwife cleaned and weighed him.  10 lbs 8 ounces!! We were shocked, we thought he would be big but not that big!  

I had no tears or anything probably  thanks to the  borage oil and arnica!

I am so grateful for the VBAC online community.  I've gained so much knowledge that led me to this fantastic ending. 

My midwife was amazing, I begged her for drugs,  to take me to the hospital,  to smother me with a pillow,  accidentally kicked her in the head while pushing and kept saying "you don't understand how I'm feeling, have some pity."  She let me be me sometimes and other times just coached me perfectly through a contraction, or during pushing.  I'm so happy I found her. I feel eternally grateful to her.

Things I did during pregnancy:


Saw an amazing midwife
Walked a mile or more almost everyday
Watched and read successful Vbac stories
Took arnica and borage oil 
Had a few webster chiropractic and one acupuncture session
Ate decently 

What helped during labor:
My midwife reminding me to breathe(blow that baby down) during contractions and not scream
Tens machine helped with pain before 5 CM 
Counter pressure on my lower back with a hot rice sock was the only relief after 5CM, even during pushing
My husband probably spent 34 of my 36 hour labour doing counter pressure he was the best birth partner possible 
My doula massaged, talked calmly to me and even helped with my toddler.
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3 Comments

Rhonda's VBAC

9/13/2013

0 Comments

 
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Rhonda is an Ubuntu Birth Worker in Decatur, Georgia.

My first birth ended in a cesarean operation due to a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia at 29 weeks. I was hospitalized for a month and then I was told my baby’s heart rate was in distress which led to the operation. It was not as simple as it sounds. Read the full story here. 


After having my cesarean I felt defeated but not broken. I took that as a sign for me to embrace more of 'ME' and learn more about the human body and whether or not I really had a chance of giving birth the way our bodies are meant to. I DO NOT agree with "Once a cesarean, always a cesarean.”  This is not true for everyone and more women can be successful in a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) if given the chance to a trial of labor. Trial of Labor is allowing the woman's body to naturally go into labor without interventions.

I was enjoying motherhood to my little Nebu and learning every step of the way. I began studying and watching videos on VBACs, reproductive system, health & nutrition, process of labor and birth, cesarean operation, labor process in hospital, birth centers and home, breastfeeding, differences between Midwife and OB/Gyn, labor assistants, differences in nurses, how to take care of your body after birth and infant care, and more. I was ALL in! I also studied different cultural aspects of birth. 

My husband and I were comforted with a reconnection to our African ancestry and had found a family of 'like minds'. We accepted and now practice our original customs and way of life.

With all this new found information and applying my tribal foundations, I was ready to have another baby. We discussed it and felt it was a good time. In 2008, our son was almost 2 years old and we knew we wanted him to have a sibling close in age so they could grow up together, like we did with our siblings.

I also read that the minimum amount of time to wait before attempting a VBAC is 18 months, any time before this there could be complications but it's only a possibility. If you wait the full 18+ months, then your odds of having a successful VBAC are greater.

In about a month, I was pregnant! I am so fertile; it doesn't take long at all...LOL  I was elated and worried what our new OB would say about me attempting a VBAC. I chose this OB because he had previously worked with my family members and they said he was a good doctor and he assisted in VBACs before. I was also considered high risk due to the cesarean, so it was more out of precaution. He was African American too and that put me more at ease because previous doctors I was seen by, of other races, were not so courteous to me or body. However, I didn't know how this doctor's treatment towards me would be either, even though we were of the same race. At our first visit, I was still nervous at what he may say but once we started going over my options, I felt a flood of relief. Of course, at every visit he asked if this is what I wanted and every time it was a YES or really HELL YES!

As my estimated due date drew closer, we began to discuss how my labor would be handled and what we can expect from him and the staff. We told him our birth plans; to come in as soon as we knew labor had begun, skin to skin contact, breastfeeding right away, as little interventions as possible (but can be reasoned), music, minimum lighting if possible, no shots, less traffic in and out of room, etc.

Of course we went to the hospital a few times thinking I was in labor. I was given a shot to slow contractions so that I would make it to my due date. I was around 38 weeks at the time, so I allowed it. I didn't get this far in my first pregnancy so I definitely wasn't rushing 'baby girl' out!

On the night my labor began, naturally :-), FOR REAL this time, (39 weeks and 1 day) there was a clear sky and the stars and moon shined so bright. It was the clearest I had seen in a while; a perfect night for birthing some would say. My labor began around 11 pm (Tuesday) with sporadic contractions that were manageable, at first. I was creating a hole in our living room floor, trying to ease my labor pains. We decided to leave for the hospital around 2am. We had to drop our son off at my mother's and while we were in the car, I let out a loud moan and I hear my little Nebu say "It will be alright Momma" the words of babes are so sweet, that made my heart skip :-)

The car ride to the hospital was not a fun experience at all!

3 am (Wednesday) We finally arrived and were taken to a room to check in. We set up our radio playing African music and the 'Om' chant and hung our ancestral prayers on the walls. I was able to walk for about 2 hours before being confined to the bed for monitoring. Some hours later, one of the nurses did a cervical exam and I was 6 centimeters. After that, I said to myself, "You know what? Since they got me in this bed, I'm going to get that darn epidural, at least I can get a nap in." So, I got one.

When attempting a VBAC, some doctors hold off as long as possible on giving an epidural because it can mask the pain of a uterine rupture. In my case, I waited long enough so I could get one, if I wanted. The epidural helped a little but I could still feel the contractions. I was able to sleep for a while though. The epidural did slow things down but I needed a nap, and I had labored over 12 hours...

I was really glad they weren't bothering me much at all about attempting the VBAC or that I had been in labor for a while and really just let me be. I think it was the power of our ancestors keeping the negativity OUT.

Well a full day had passed and it was around 8am (Thursday) I began to feel pressure in my bottom. A nurse came in and did another exam and I was fully dilated. YES! She left out to call my OB to let him know my progress. My husband and I took the time to prepare ourselves for the birth listening to the 'Om' chant.

My OB arrived and asked if he could check me himself and I was ready to push. There was a bit of excitement in the room because my goal was very near and the nurses were excited too. There was a Caucasian nurse in the room by my side coaching me but when I looked again wasn't there anymore. Once again I think my ancestors kicked her out after the ordeal of our first birth. My husband noticed that at the time of the birth we had an all Nubian staff present in the room, which was a complete 180 from our first experience. The only Nubians I saw during my first birth were either cleaning my room or bringing my meals...smh 

I began pushing and was having trouble at first because of that darn epidural. I couldn't really feel how to push so I had to listen to the nurses and OB on when to push. At one point I said I couldn't do it but my husband and nurse assured me that I could and she was almost out. Every time I pushed she would come out and slide back in when I stopped. My OB suggested an episiotomy (a cut to widen the vaginal opening) since her head had been in the birth canal a while and maybe she was having trouble coming out, of course I was on my back too. I took a few minutes to really think it over but I really felt I could do it without that, but I agreed. There was a sense of urgency to make that decision too. Once he made the incision, I pushed as hard as I could and she was out and on my chest.

“I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!”, was all I could think. I was in shock, I couldn't really think or do anything else but look at her and say WE DID IT! I was pushing for probably 20 minutes and she was born at 11:10 am. That was soooo easy, is what I thought next (yea with an epidural), LOL, it really was. You think you can't do but you really CAN. YOU CAN!

I bonded with her for a while until the placenta was birthed and they took her to clean and measure, still in the room with us, which didn't take too long but long enough. I began breastfeeding right away and she latched on like a PRO. I was surprised that was so easy too. We didn't allow them to take her anywhere without my husband present and she stayed with me the entire time during our hospital stay.

During this hospital experience everything was different, from the staff, to how I was treated, even how my husband and I were together. No longer feeling lost and bewildered on what would happen next. We enjoyed the company of the nurses too. Everyone wanted to know what we were listening to, what our prayers meant, and just about us.

I thank my husband, MYSELF, and my ancestors for guiding me and for instilling within me the wisdom to seek more, ask questions and help others do the same.

Birth in this country has sadly taken a downward turn from it being a natural, beautiful process to being medically dramatic with unnecessary interventions.

Pregnancy is not a medical condition. It is a NATURAL condition that SOMETIMES needs medical attention.

Let us help each other give birth back to the Mother, so that she can make the decisions on her care and how she wants to give birth; even for those who need medical assistance. We can help them ask questions about their options for the best care to fit their needs. 

A stable family sets a solid foundation for a strong community.

And of course this is NOT the end of my birth journey. I went from there to have 2 successful home births…..

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Taisha's VBAC

9/11/2013

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My Story

My first pregnancy went super well with no issues. I went into labor at home.  My water broke and contractions started very slightly after about 45 minutes to an hour. We got to the hospital and got going. Contractions got stronger, but unfortunately not much was happening.  I was given pitocin to make contractions pick up in strength although I already thought it was more than I could handle.  I wasn’t ashamed at that point of using meds….really I am still not.  If I feel like I need them I will ask for them.  Anyway, as they got the pitocin going, I  was able to start progressing and I got to about 6-7cm dilated before I decided I needed an epidural. BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER for me.  I developed a fever and so they were watching that as well but the baby appeared to be fine.  At that point I was more comfortable but  I started to feel sick.  At this point about 8-10 hours had already passed. When I was checked again, I hadn’t progressed at all since before the  epidural.  The doctor then had me flipping from left to right to see if it would help move the baby down needless to say it did not.  By then, the doctor had allowed the flipping to go on for about 3-4 hours flipping every half hour.   She finally suggested that maybe we would need to look into a c-section.  I had had a fever for quite some time and the concern was that I had stopped progressing.  After about 18 hours of labor at home as well as at the hospital my doctor said it was time to decide for my safety and that of my little guy that we should seriously consider a c-section.  I don’t have any ill feelings toward my doctor about this suggestion.  She knew it was not what I wanted because we had discussed it long before we ever got to the delivery day.  I could tell she was doing what she thought was best and so being that she would be the “expert” in the situation we went forward with a c-section.  After about 40 minutes I had a beautiful 9lb 3oz baby boy to check out. I of course couldn’t hold him..I could hardly keep my eyes open but it was the best feeling ever!  My first boy with a head so big that now I think back and wonder where we would have been had I tried to get that big thing out?  I may have needed a truly emergency C-section at that point.  7 years later he has grown into his head thankfully!

My second pregnancy about 15 months later was short lived as I miscarried 6 weeks along.  I had to have a D&C because it didn’t pass naturally.  That was amazingly hard even though it was so early. I cried for a long time for that baby.  Thankfully though I did get pregnant again and the pregnancy was wonderful.  It was difficult because I did have a toddler running around but good nonetheless.  I discussed in great detail again with my doctor my desire to have a VBAC and while she did go over the risks she was super supportive of my wishes and did everything she could to facilitate my going into labor on my own.  The week I was due she stripped my membranes to push me into labor on my own because she did let me know that if they had to induce they would not do a VBAC.  That was a very uncomfortable procedure but I am grateful for it. So, early in the morning about 2am I started contractions and they were manageable but I knew it was going to get worse.  By 5am they were every 30 to 45 minutes.  By about 7:30, we were on our way to the hospital.  I was pretty sure that the epidural was the reason I didn’t progress in my labor the first time and I really wanted to go as long as I could without any drugs.  I wanted to be able to move around and allow my body to do whatever it needed to get this baby out.  I labored for about 6-7 hours with really strong and fast contractions but apparently I am a slow laborer and it was working but not very fast.   I again got to about 7-8cm dilated this time and I didn’t think I could take it anymore.  I let my head get in the way of my progress and I broke down.  I needed, I thought, an epidural.  Again, not my best idea.  If I would have known then that I had essentially made it to the homestretch I would have stuck with it but hindsight, as they say is 20/20.  Anyway, my labor slowed down significantly after that and it took me until the evening to get to a point where I was able to push.  I was excited….and scared but it was happening.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t feel anything, which I do regret, but I was able to successfully get my beautiful baby girl out after about 20 minutes of pushing.  I got skin to skin contact this time…AMAZING!! I was wide awake I felt so alive.  My daughter was 7lbs 13 oz and I was so happy.  I did tear and so they did have to stitch me up afterwards but I can tell you I would take that over another C-section any day of the week.  

I’m currently pregnant with my third  and due in January.  I plan again on having a VBAC.  I’m a little nervous because it will be with a new doctor this time.  My old doctor is too far from where I live now.  I did find a VBAC friendly practice after searching long and hard.  This pregnancy has not been as easy as the first two but that’s ok…the reward at the end of this journey makes it all worthwhile. 

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