Category:

Tiffany's VBAC

4/24/2014

Storee's Birth Story:

On April 19th, we celebrated our 7 yr old's birthday party. The day before, I was put on bedrest because of low iron and fatigue. We decided to have a swim day and a movie night to celebrate, and my husband Ramar did all the work as I was bed bound for the day. That night, I joined my family in the living room for movies, pizza and popcorn. After watching the movie, I began to cramp. All of the kids were asleep, so I went to bed around 2:30 A.M. Around 5:30, I felt as though I had to pee but before I could get out of bed, it began to flow...all the while I am thinking to myself, "I know I am not peeing on myself." I jumped up and tried to run, but I felt a gush and I screamed Ramar's name to wake him up. I am screaming "My water broke!!!!" and he looks at me and asks me "How do I know?" lol Before I knew it, he was out of the bed, throwing clothes everywhere (I think our back seat was full of clothes by the time he was done) and all I could do was laugh at him.

Finally we were in the car and didn't even think of stopping for gas and halfway down the street, the car shut off!!! I can hear him now, "Tiffany are you freaking serious?" lol God was with us because I remember telling him to calm down and try it again. It cranked right up and we made it to get gas.

Finally we made it to the hospital and I get out the car and water is gushing everywhere and the panic began. Ramar was running all over the place looking for a wheelchair (again, this is all funny to me because I have never seen him this nervous). Finally he came back with the chair and I went up and checked in at 7:30 A.M. Finally, everything was calm and on its way. I was fine until around 11 A.M. and then the contractions started and I was ok. Ramar helped me breathe through them and I knew I could do it until my doctor walked in and checked and found me to still be 2 centimeters....just broke my heart. Now we needed to start a small amount of pitocin, which I was so upset about, but anything to achieve my VBAC goal. Within minutes, the contractions started to come back to back and with rage. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, I didn't know what to do. Ramar was great and tried to calm me down and get me through each one of them by telling me the numbers were going down (even though half of the time he was lying just to make me feel better) but by the next check I was at 4 centimeters, then 6, and that is when all hell broke loose. I remember profanity, screaming and demanding, but Ramar didn't mind. He went in, found the anesthesiologist and within 30 minutes I had my epidural. Afterwards I was checked and I went from 6/7 to 10 and fully effaced and it was time to push.

It was sort of hard to push because I couldn't feel anything accept in one little area where the epidural didn't numb for some reason and that is what I focused on. An hour from the time I got the epidural, I heard my doctor say "She is out!" and I felt like God let all his angels out to bring her down to me. It was the best feeling of my life and all I remember saying is "Cry, baby, cry" and when she did, she took my breath away.

2:11 P.M. 4/20/2014, Easter Sunday, I was given another angel but this time she was mine to keep on Earth.*
Storee weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and measured 20 1/2 inches.

*Tiffany's first cesarean was performed at 33 weeks due to placental abruption. Her baby, Ramar-Dishawn, was born 6/25/12, weighing 7 lbs and measuring 22 inches. Sadly, he passed away at 4 days old due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) caused by the abruption. Tiffany also suffered disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which almost took her life.

Tiffany writes, "We finally got pregnant in August of 2013 after TTC 13 months. I was scared through the whole pregnancy. I went to the ER twice and was told I had suffered yet another loss, but at 12 weeks, I felt movement. I went to a free pregnancy clinic and there was my rainbow kicking away. I was terrified to VBAC because of my last pregnancy, but I knew a RCS was not what I wanted and I am so glad I did. I am now a wife, a mommy of 8 living kids and 1 angel and a VBAC success."

Tiffany and baby Storee.

Baby Ramar-Dishawn. Tiffany says, " I know God does everything for a reason and this little man, with the short time he was on this Earth, completely changed my life."

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Alysia's VBAC

3/7/2014

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*Editor's Note: I have tagged this story as a special scar VBAC due to the tearing down the LUS during the cesarean.

After 2 fairly unremarkable vaginal deliveries at 39+ weeks, one spontaneous labor and one induced for logistical reasons, my 3rd labor went awry. After being 9-10 cm, my cervix swelled and tightened. I had an emergency c-section, laceration to a uterine artery, tearing in to the lower uterine segment, required blood transfusions, and had a long and rocky recovery. Even after this trying experience, I felt I was not done having children, and strongly desired VBAC. My delivering obstetrician at the time advised against it due to the complications with my cesarean and the fact I did not have a double layer closure since my uterus was so thin at the time of surgery. However, despite varying advice for route of future delivery, I planned to wait the suggested interval to conceive and then plan to VBAC. Most importantly, I prayed to God for full healing and restoration of my uterus.

I became pregnant with my 4th child when my 3rd baby was 19 months old. I was a patient of an obstetrician an hour away from my previous delivering hospital. It was not that the original hospital did not support VBACs, it was that I was looking to change the setting for my birth.
At 39 1/7 weeks my membranes were swept. I usually had my babies about 2 days before the due date and had had my membranes swept in my 3rd pregnancy without immediate results, so I did not anticipate what would happen next.

I was restless and finally lay down at midnight that night. I felt so uncomfortable; these BH contractions were so strong! I was also used to my labors lasting quite a while. I usually would be prodromal or latent 8-12 hours and then take another 10 hours or so until delivering.

At 4 AM, I realized the contractions were every 15 minutes. My husband was working several hours away so I called him to come home so we could make the hour drive for my delivery. Two hours later, before he could get home, I realized they were every 5-7 minutes and I was going to be delivering at the same hospital as prior birth, as it was only 5 minutes away. Beside myself with pain, I called one friend to watch my kids and another for a ride to the hospital. She called my husband to meet us there as he was still over an hour away. I was no longer coherent as my pain was 10/10 at that point!

We arrived at the hospital at 7 AM. My records were transferred without incident. There was some difficulty getting an IV, but once it was in, I labored briefly in the jacuzzi. I was checked and found to be at 6 cm. I decided to go with an epidural as the contractions intensified. I was 7-8 cm when the anesthesiologist arrived.

Once the epidural was placed, my contractions weakened and I was given pitocin. Labor went well then and I was 10 cm in an hour. My 7 lb baby boy arrived at 11:30 AM on October 24th. That was a record for me, even though labor slowed for awhile! I felt thrilled and elated to finally meet my baby and I felt healed of all the fear and trauma of my previous birth. Thanks and praise to God! It was also a blessing because the nurses and doctors remembered the difficulty I'd had delivering my third child and were joyful along with me.

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Stacey's VBAC & Home VBAC

2/28/2014

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Stacey's VBAC

"He's never coming." I had convinced myself of this. You see, I KNEW Madison was coming early...and she was 5 days past the EDD, so I was SURE Kyle was coming mid or late September. He was due September 10, so I was expecting him around the 20th.

When I woke up with slightly painful contractions, I was in denial. I rolled over and looked at the clock, 3AM. "This isn't it." I rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep, but there was another contraction, 3:05. "This is so annoying! I just want to sleep. I know this isn't it, so please stop practicing!"  3:10, a third contraction. "Ok, I'll go get some water...and my ball just in case." As I came back upstairs I thought, "Well, this could be it, but I don't want to get my hopes up. He isn't due until Saturday." After about 30 minutes (~6 contractions), I decided to wake DH. He had been sleeping in the guestroom because his snoring was keeping me awake.

"Honey, wake up. I think it is time." "Huh? Ok," rolls over and back to sleep. "Wake up! It is time." "Ok. I'll get it," clearly still sleeping. "HELLO! I'M IN LABOR! GET UP!!!" "What? Ok, let's go to the hospital!" He was finally awake. We looked at our sheet to see when to call Dr. T..."It says to call when contractions are 6-8 minutes apart." We called and Tia informed us that Dr. T was already at the hospital. "How far apart are the contractions?" "5 minutes. Been that way for almost an hour." "Go to the hospital." We called Annette (doula) and asked her to meet us at the hospital. Then we called our neighbor to come stay at our house with our daughter. "She can have cereal for breakfast. And here is her cup, milk first then juice or water. She can eat a lunchable and some fruit for lunch. Her clothes are on my bed. She..." "Relax, momma. You get to the hospital and have that baby. I'll take care of everything here." We packed up the car and were on our way.

Upon arrival, the hospital doors were...locked! Luckily, a guard was walking by and let us in. DH went to park the car and the guard wheeled me upstairs. Check in was smooth. DH arrived shortly after I checked in and they took me to my room where the questions began. Just as the nurse was finishing, Annette arrived. Thank goodness she was there! I had forgotten my birth plan at home  but Annette saved the day!

Dr. T came around 5AM to check me. "She's still smiling...She's 6 cm. Looks like you're staying." Thank goodness! I would have died if I got sent home! I needed to stand, that felt better. I hugged my husband's neck and we swayed. Ok, that doesn't feel good anymore. All fours? I need ice. It's hot. I need to stand up. Ugh, nothing will dull this pain! "Relax your shoulders." Thanks for the reminder, Annette. Breathe, Stace. You can do this. I squatted and OMG! That hurts! "It will help open things up." I know, Annette, but...breathe, Stace. You can do this. I had to, so on the next contraction, I squatted. "That a girl!" I've never been more encouraged! Thanks again, Annette! "I need to be checked."

Dr. Tate returned to check me again, 8:15 and I was 8.5cm. At this point, contractions were rough, but still bearable. No request for pain relief. I was ready to have this baby. "Do you want me to break your water?" "But that means more pain...ok, go ahead. If there is ANY chance that will speed things up." He broke my water. The next time he came back, they got the "tools".

Around 10AM, Dr. T checked me and said I was 9cm, almost 10 and that we would push through to 10. I had an anterior lip that he had to get around the baby's head. It was time to push.   "Every time you have a contraction, I want you to take a deep breath and hold it. Push for 10 counts. We want to get 3 pushes for every contraction." I got the instructions, but it didn't sink in at first. As a contraction came, he instructed my husband to hold up my right leg and Annette to hold my left. Deep breath. "1, 2, 3..." Wooooo. "No, I said hold it for 10 counts. You're letting it out." Deep breath. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." Wooooo. "You gotta hold it. You aren't holding it." Deep breath. "1, 2, 3...." I got breathing down. Now to push properly.    Who knew it required so much thinking?

"When you push, I want you to bear down like you are having a bowel movement. Get those legs up." "This hurts." PUSH! "Nope, you aren't pushing right." "I don't know how." "You can do this." "I'm tired." "Why do you think they call this labor? I see. She doesn't believe she can do this." Great job, Dr. Tate. "I can, just not right now." PUSH! I was so tired. "Alright, here we go, she's having another contraction." My ever so concerned DH says, "Babe, are you having a contraction?" "No." As Dr. T. feels my stomach, "She's lying." Wooooo. "I'm tired, I just need to take a break during that one." "Every one you do that through is a wasted contraction." I love Dr. Tate's straightforwardness (if that is word). This had to be the longest 30 minutes of my life! PUSH! "I made a mistake, I need drugs." "Too late for that. You gotta push this baby out." "No I don't, I have options. What if I was unconscious. DH, hit me!" Ok, I need help. "Get the forceps and pull him out." "I won't pull him out, I will guide him." "Whatever, get this kid out of me!" Once they were on, it took one good contraction and 4 pushes.

I felt everything! What a different experience it was? I felt his head come out and the tear . I thought that would hurt the most and I felt it, but it wasn't painful at all. I felt his head come out on the 3rd push of a contraction and everyone was ready to wait for another one. I couldn't wait, I took a breath and pushed...Kyle was here! They picked him up and put him on my stomach. "Roll him over so his stomach is facing this way and DH can cut the cord." I did it! I did it! I couldn't believe it, I did it! DH was crying and just kept saying, "You are amazing!" Kyle was officially born and 10:31AM on September 8, 2011.

While they weighed him, I got worked on.   They were stitching up my tear. "Are the almost finished?" "Not quite, honey." Annette was familiar with this process and she knew it would take awhile. "I just want to close my legs." I totally understood the skit I had recently seen in "Be Bold". It felt like it was taking years and all I wanted to do was close my legs. Finally, they were finished and handed him back and I began nursing. He was a pro and latched right on, no issues. Words cannot express the way I felt/feel...I'm still in disbelief and he is 6 weeks old.

Stacey's HBAC

Nov. 9, 2013

I woke up at 6:30am on Nov. 9 and I felt refreshed. For the first time in weeks, I had pretty much slept the entire night, only waking two or three times to roll over. I had to use the restroom, but was hesitant. Going to the bathroom would start my morning contractions and I just wanted to continue relaxing. Nevertheless, I went, but no contractions. I laid in bed thinking abt the day. We planned to go to the zoo to encourage the baby to come. At 730, Maddie came in and I put on cartoons for her while I went to the bathroom again.

With this bathroom break, I had some concerning stool. My contractions also started around this time. Slightly more painful than yesterday, but I wasn't sure. I had about 3 from the toilet, to washing hands, and back to my room. These hurt! By 8, I had gone to the restroom again and decided I should be timing the contractions. I sent my midwife and doula a text. "We may have a baby today." Both of them responded with "what is going on?" "contractions abt 5 min apart lasting a min and 15 sec" My cell rings, it is my midwife, but I'm having a contraction. I call her back and she says she is on her way. Then my doula calls. She too thinks she needs to head our way. I try to relax. Nate was feeding the kids breakfast and I was on my ball watching the contractions.

By the time Lisa arrived, I had moved downstairs. Nate called my cousin to come watch the kids and they were finishing breakfast. I was so glad to see Lisa. I didn't have to do it alone anymore! She started my bath for me and said that should help. Nate put the kids in the basement to play and things got going...

At this point, contractions were a 1.5 min apart and a little over a min long. I got in the tub and immediately felt better, but nothing slowed down. Nate was back and forth from the kids and I was feeling pushy. "Lisa, get Nate. And call B(midwife). Where is she? I don't want to have the baby without her." Another contraction, and I'm really scared. I can't stop my body from pushing. I pooped again. I wanted to feel for the baby's head but I was terrified to find out he was crowning so I didn't. Lisa was awesome and emptied the tub and got new water going.

10:00-in walks my midwife. Thank God! Nate gets in the tub and sits on the back ledge. I put my arms over his legs and got in a squat position. B reached down and put pressure on my perineum. I thought she was going to check me, but after so many deliveries, she knew I was complete.

Another contraction and you could see my belly take on a new form, push! My bag of waters poked out still in tact. Another big push and there was his head. "The head is out, baby girl. Come on let's meet the baby. Wait, the cord. OK, I got it off." I push again...nothing. "big push! Bigger!" I push again...nothing. I can feel his head and everything in me wants the rest out but it seems my efforts are in vain.

"Get her up!" Nate lifts me by my arms so that I am in a more upright position. I feel a contraction and some weird and uncomfortable movement. "Don't do that." "It isn't me, it is the baby." I push again and this time B has her hand up to help. The baby is stuck. I'm pushing, she is pulling...one more contraction and he is here! He is also huge! I'm sitting in the tub, holding my baby. He takes a few seconds to cry but he is OK. Then we hear, "I think his arm might be broken." I'm on such a high, I just keep talking to the baby. Nate is worried, but we both relish in what just happened. Nate pulls back his leg, we have a boy! I ask Lisa to go get the kids from the basement.

When they arrive, they both seem in shock. "Is that your blood? Look, its a new baby!" Madison had watched several videos so she was kind of familiar. Kyle points and says "bebe". As I'm sitting in the tub waiting on the placenta, MB(midwife’s assistant) walks in and shortly after that, my cousin Mary walks in. "We have a baby!" "What? Already!?!?" We called my mom to give her the news. Nicholas was born on her birthday.

Once the placenta came and we were out of the tub, we moved to the bed to cut the cord. It, like everything else, was large. We had to wait bc the supplies were still being sterilized. It all just happened so fast! Once they were ready, B got Nate and clamped the cord. He cut it and she gave us a lesson. "Here are the three vessels. Oxygen in, food in, and waste out." She gets out her scale to weigh him. Everyone puts in bids. "9lbs" "8# 12oz" "10# 2oz". B was right on! He was 10lbs, 2 oz. We wrap him up and everyone is cleaning up as we sit and love our new baby. I noticed some blood and called B. The cord was so thick, the initial clamp had cut through. She got another band and put it on and everything was fine. His arm was also moving OK, so we figured it was fine as well.

What an amazing team. B checked out my baby and they all kept commenting on how awesome things had gone. I was in disbelief. We did it! B checked me for a tear. "There is a small one, but I don't think you need stitches." So I sat back and tried to start nursing. He gave me a little trouble nursing, but he got it eventually.

We ended up calling my chiropractor to come look at him and he got his first adjustment. She also suggested we go get x-rays. It was a Saturday evening, so we scheduled a visit with the family doctor and then for the earliest xray appt we could get. We found out Tuesday that Nicholas does have a broken arm. Not exactly how I would have liked things, but after doing some research, I’m glad my midwife knew what to do and how to act appropriately in an emergency. His arm will heal in a few weeks and he is handling it like a champ. Overall, I’m glad we did it and I am so in love with my new little man!

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Santrice's VBAC

11/21/2013

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Johann's birth story: I would like to start by saying God answers prayer!

I had been 2cm and 70% effaced at -2 station for three weeks as of last Friday. I only had one pelvic check at 36 weeks, 4 days just to see for myself what was happening. I had been losing some of my mucus plug at that point, but it really picked up after the pelvic check.

Flash forward to last Friday, I was 39 weeks 4 days and very anxious to meet my little man. I walked as much as possible, mostly around the mall and Target, did some "cat and cow" back stretches, saw a chiropractor for the last 3 weeks of pregnancy to have the webster technique done, and took in good amounts of red raspberry tea/ pills, dates, and evening primrose oil within the last week or two.

As usual, I had trouble sleeping last Friday night and was up around midnight Saturday with my equally anxious husband. He was playing baseball on the Wii and I was busy stimulating my nipples to see if that would help me start contracting. Boy did I really get things going! By 12:15 am I had contractions that were 6-8 mins apart and then litterally "pop" my water broke! It was light pink/clear in color and I didn't feel anything drop into my vagina, thank God! My baby blocked the majority of the gush with his head I continued nipple stimulation and had my husband call our doula, Teresa, to let her know of the events. She told us to let her know when labor intensifies to the point where I can't talk through the contractions and they become closer. My husband started packing the hospital gear like a mad man as things progressed with my labor. He then tried to get some rest as we knew Johann was coming soon. By 4 am I had contractions 4 mins apart and could not talk through them, so I called Teresa to come over. I woke my husband too as I needed more help managing the contractions. He and Teresa rubbed and applied pressure to my feet and heels as well as my lower back. I labored leaning over my birthing ball while on my knees with pillows supporting my belly and sitting upright in a chair while at home. By 5 am my contractions were 2 mins apart and we decided to go to the hospital. I purposely waited until I was sure he was coming before heading to the hospital to avoid being sent back home and having a need for intervention. Labor in the car was not as bad since my doula described it as 5 contractions between home and the hospital.

Got to the hospital and got checked and was 5 cm 90% effaced and -1 station! They had my birth plan on file and there was no issue following it. Labor continued to progress and I entered a zone where my primary focus was managing my pain and contractions as I opted for a med-free birth. The support of my husband and doula was crucial in helping me get to the second stage, pushing.
I was all over the place! In the shower, on the birthing ball, standing while leaning over the bed, and eventually sqatting on my knees on the hospital bed with the back of the bed straight up. My husband said I started pushing around 11am, but it felt like an eternity. I had the most trouble staying on the bed to maintain my position between my legs getting tired and my knees losing grip. My team encouraged me all the way, I had complete control! Whatever I needed to do, I did it. My legs needed a break and I tried shifting to be on my side, but that was not good enough, so back to my knee squat I went. Later my doula said everyone was amazed at my willpower and strength. I was driven! I'm pushing at will and being encouraged to use deep grunts to help guide him through the birth canal! After what seemed like a while, he was crowning. "We can see his hair!" Everyone kept telling me to push. I felt like giving up after what seemed like forever and his head was still not out, but I hunkered down and after screaming at the top of my lungs through the burning fire I felt as he descended through my body, it was complete! I HAD MY SON VAGINALLY!

The worst of it came after when my placenta, which was quite large, had trouble detaching. I could have done without the pushing on my belly and tugging on the umbilical cord. I lost a lot of blood too and am still recovering from anemia. In the end it was all worth it. Johann (Yo-Hann) Dominic Tinker was born November 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm weighing 8#15oz and 19" long!

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Tiffany's VBAC

Alysia's VBAC

Stacey's VBAC & Home VBAC

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