My son Malachi was born in January of 2010 via emergency c-section. I am an
African American woman and at that time, a single mom. I felt that several
factors led to my "emergency c-section." I was alone, it was my first child, the
nurse who checked me said my water had not broken when in fact it had, and
I had an UNINFORMED labor experience. I didn't know my rights, as well as the
fact that it can be normal for the baby's heart rate to drop during contractions. I was
literally scared into signing the paper work and whisked away to prep for surgery and
my son was pulled from my stomach as soon as the epidural kicked in. I felt devastated
that, in my book, I did not have a true birth experience. My contractions never got closer
than 4-5 minutes apart, my water had broken even though I was unaware, and I only
dilated to 4 centimeters when I was told I needed an emergency c-section. My scar still itches to this day and it was tender and hurt if pressure was put on it for the first year after the surgery.
My incisions were both bikini cuts which I guess made me a good candidate for a VBAC with my daughter.
Aubrielle was born Aug. 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM, weighing 9lbs 4oz and was 22 in long. I had a
2nd degree tear.
Labor started at 1 AM with mild contractions ranging from 2-7 minutes apart. We packed up
and started our 1.5 hour drive to Springfield, MO and checked in at Mercy Hospital. The doctor was the hospitalist on call because the doctor that I saw my entire pregnancy worked at a
non-VBAC hospital in my town.
They hooked me up to an IV and penicillin for my GBS and after 9 hours
of contractions, I requested an epidural and pitocin to help speed things along.
It waas 11: 30 AM and I was 5 centimeters dilated.
I had to use a peanut ball for an hour to get the baby to face the right way. The nurses had me start pushing by 4:45 pm since I was totally effaced and 10 cm. They could see the
baby's head down and facing the right way. They called the doctor in and she
came out at 5:47 PM with a final loud, long, raspy, grunt and huge push! My husband
cut her cord, they wiped her down and we had our "golden hour" together and she
nursed. Then she was whisked away to the NICU for four days.
Because of the strep-B and both of us having a fever during and after delivery
and her placenta testing positive for corio she had to get antibiotics for 72
hours through an IV. GOOD NEWS she is fine and was released Friday! We all got to go
home happy and healthy. I thank God, my husband, family, friends, doctor, and the
wonderful staff at Mercy hospital for the best birthing experience and successful VBAC!
African American woman and at that time, a single mom. I felt that several
factors led to my "emergency c-section." I was alone, it was my first child, the
nurse who checked me said my water had not broken when in fact it had, and
I had an UNINFORMED labor experience. I didn't know my rights, as well as the
fact that it can be normal for the baby's heart rate to drop during contractions. I was
literally scared into signing the paper work and whisked away to prep for surgery and
my son was pulled from my stomach as soon as the epidural kicked in. I felt devastated
that, in my book, I did not have a true birth experience. My contractions never got closer
than 4-5 minutes apart, my water had broken even though I was unaware, and I only
dilated to 4 centimeters when I was told I needed an emergency c-section. My scar still itches to this day and it was tender and hurt if pressure was put on it for the first year after the surgery.
My incisions were both bikini cuts which I guess made me a good candidate for a VBAC with my daughter.
Aubrielle was born Aug. 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM, weighing 9lbs 4oz and was 22 in long. I had a
2nd degree tear.
Labor started at 1 AM with mild contractions ranging from 2-7 minutes apart. We packed up
and started our 1.5 hour drive to Springfield, MO and checked in at Mercy Hospital. The doctor was the hospitalist on call because the doctor that I saw my entire pregnancy worked at a
non-VBAC hospital in my town.
They hooked me up to an IV and penicillin for my GBS and after 9 hours
of contractions, I requested an epidural and pitocin to help speed things along.
It waas 11: 30 AM and I was 5 centimeters dilated.
I had to use a peanut ball for an hour to get the baby to face the right way. The nurses had me start pushing by 4:45 pm since I was totally effaced and 10 cm. They could see the
baby's head down and facing the right way. They called the doctor in and she
came out at 5:47 PM with a final loud, long, raspy, grunt and huge push! My husband
cut her cord, they wiped her down and we had our "golden hour" together and she
nursed. Then she was whisked away to the NICU for four days.
Because of the strep-B and both of us having a fever during and after delivery
and her placenta testing positive for corio she had to get antibiotics for 72
hours through an IV. GOOD NEWS she is fine and was released Friday! We all got to go
home happy and healthy. I thank God, my husband, family, friends, doctor, and the
wonderful staff at Mercy hospital for the best birthing experience and successful VBAC!
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