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Jandel's VBAC

4/27/2014

5 Comments

 
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I had a c-section with my first born son for failure to progress. My water broke early in labor and My OB told me to come to the hospital. I was only 3 cm dilated but they admitted me. I believe my OB just wanted to monitor his time clock and didn't give me the time to progress before inducing me. I only got to 5 cm even with the pitocin. 

Fast forward two years later with a new and supportive OB and I had the perfect VBAC experience for the birth of my daughter. Here it is:

(An important background note: I am the biggest April Fool's prankster you know. I've been pranking my husband since we met 10 years ago. So it is EXTREMELY fitting that my daughter was born on April 1st)

Midnight April 1st: As I'm laying in bed with my 2 year old, I feel contractions that center in my lower left abdomen, so I do the whole routine of drinking water and laying back down to see if they are Braxton Hicks. THEY'RE NOT. So around 4am, my son wakes up (I think he knew the baby was coming) and I just decide to get up and casually let my hubby know that today could be the day. He says "it's a shame you're using the baby to play an April Fool's joke this year" He didn't believe me lol  Of course I know I deserved this for all the times I've "cried wolf"

8:00am Still having contractions, not very strong, and mainly in the front abdomen but becoming more like 10-12 minutes apart. So I let my mom and sister know and go figure, they say they don't believe me!!! I thought "thank goodness I'm seeing the OB today to confirm that something's happening."

10:00am OB appointment, all the nurses are excited that I'm having contractions. My mom comes with me and still doesn't believe me until the OB checks my cervix and says baby's head is lower and I'm 1 cm dilated. He says, it's such early labor that he could see me in labor later today at the hospital or not for another few weeks. (We were hoping today!)

11:00am I keep my hair appointment and drop off some paperwork at my job for maternity leave

1:00pm Hair is finished I head home and make sure my hospital bag is packed. I text my hubby that the contractions are still light, but regular so he can probably stay at work (IN LAFAYETTE) late as he had planned.

3:45pm My water breaks!!!! and the contractions get swift and hard REALLY REALLY quickly. I call the nurse at the OB's office and the OB gives me 6 hours to try to labor at home even with my water broken. I didn't have a birth plan because I didn't think I needed one. My plan was strictly to labor at home and go to the hospital at the latest moment possible, when no one could harass me with silly interventions, etc. We wanted an unmedicated VBAC!

4:05pm. I tell my hubby who's all the way in Lafayette he better hit the road b/c the contractions have sped up and are like 5 minutes apart and getting stronger.

4:05-6:30pm My labor progresses extremely fast. I'm managing contractions by changing positions and listening to motivational music. We had planned to leave home at 7 or 7:15pm to be able to say that my contractions had been strong and hard for 3 hours, but at 6:30pm I got this weird feeling of the baby wiggling down and I shouted "LET'S GO NOW!!" My husband had only been home 15 minutes!

6:45pm By the time we pack the car and I'm able to get to the car (had to wait until in between contractions) It's 6:45pm and I'm in major pain and contractions are 2 minutes apart.

7:00pm We arrive at Woman's assessment and I am triaged (all during very hard contractions where I'm shaking and shivering). I get back to assessment and can't even lay on my back for them to check my cervix, so they check while I'm on hands and knees and the nurse says 6cm dilated fully effaced. I thought "SIX CENTIMETERS?????!!!!" I was about to lose it, thinking if it was THIS painful to get to 6cm how am I going to get to 10 without medication????

7:10pm I get the urge to push and push, while the nurse who said I was 6cm dilated says DON'T PUSH! I'm like "Really lady?" Everyone's in a rush and saying I need to get upstairs NOW! My OB sends in his partner Dr. Mullens to deliver the baby and he says I should be able to have the baby vaginally! WOOO HOOO. But then there's this pain!! While he's saying this I'm being rolled quickly up to a labor and delivery room.

7:15pm We're in the labor and delivery room and Dr. Mullens is able to check my cervix and he says SHE'S FULLY DILATED SHE CAN PUSH WHEN SHE WANTS TO!! I was like "HALLELUJAH"!!!!! But my mom wasn't even in the room yet. My hubby jumps on the phone and says "Hurry you have to get here now!" My mom had been trying to get in the room, but the front desk folks were giving her a hard time. So my hubby had to get a nurse to forcefully make them let my mom in. She ran and was able to make it as I started pushing!

7:15-7:30pm I'm pushing (I had no idea pushing could be that intense or difficult. No wonder people say to rest during early contractions. I was so worn out I didn't think i could do it! but everyone, MD, nurses, hubby, and mom were SOOOOOO supportive!!!!) 

7:30pm My beautiful baby girl, Malaika Sarah, is born! 

So that's my story of a successful unmedicated VBAC that nearly happened in the car lol! I was at the hospital for THIRTY MINUTES before the baby was born! The nurses didn't even get to put in an IV or ask the general assessment questions before the baby was born. If there was an accident or bad traffic on I-10 coming from Lafayette, it's possible my hubby could have MISSED the birth. Literally less than 4 hours after my water breaking the baby was here!! If we had waited to leave for the hospital until 7 like we planned, things would have been even more chaotic lol 

I am just so thankful that this time around I am able to honestly and happily say, I had the EXACT experience I wanted and wouldn't have changed a thing!! My advice is to stay home as long as you can and feel comfortable with and with a supportive OB and family you'll be just fine!!
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5 Comments

Stacey's VBAC & Home VBAC

2/28/2014

1 Comment

 
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.


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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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1 Comment

Tasha's VBA4C

2/26/2014

7 Comments

 
Before you read my story: My doula is a montrice, we hired her for labor support. My first daughter was born vaginally after a pitocin induced, epidural filled labor. I felt nothing and knew I wanted better. My second daughter was born prematurely at 31 weeks via emergency c-section. I started researching the vbac option with my third daughter but the idea was shot down when she too was delivered by c-section at 31 weeks due to PROM. Fourth daughter I searched high and low for a vbac friendly doctor. He did a bait and switch and I was bullied into a c-section at 34 weeks due to IUGR suspicions. My fifth daughter was my CBAC baby, I tried so hard with her but the epidural doomed me. 

On June 12th 2013, I woke up with what I thought were “true contractions”. I had just barely made it to 37 weeks which was a huge thing for me. My previous babies were delivered between 31-35 weeks gestation. We called our doula and asked that she meet us at the hotel. My OB had advised us to “come in pushing” but we lived roughly 35 minutes from our hospital. So we booked a hotel room that evening and waited in anticipation for labor to pick up. After walking, and patiently waiting it was obvious that baby wasn’t ready to come out so we settled down for the night and headed home in the morning. 

June 13th came and I was pretty restless with the whole labor thing. I just “knew” that I was in labor but my contractions were not consistent. My husband had suggested we walk some more so we ran some errands. Nothing too wild came about and we were certain again that today was not the day. I had this odd defeated feeling that wouldn’t go away. I felt as though my son wanted to come but something was holding him back. I told my husband I was done and just wanted to go home and sleep. After getting settled into bed, a dear friend sent me a wonderful quote from Ina May Gaskin. In short, it read that “my body wasn’t a lemon”. I cried myself to sleep and informed everyone to give me some space. My nap only lasted for a half an hour when my girls awakened me, I jumped in the shower to clear my head and noticed a few contractions. By the time I had gotten out of the shower it seemed they had started coming every 10 minutes. Not wanting to jinx myself, I continued to do my hair. Things definitely seemed like it was “baby time” but I was so worried that they would go away. I called my doula and explained how I just wasn’t sure and asked that she come to our house to give me her opinion. 

It’s 6:00pm now and my doula has arrived. Contractions are still about every 10-12 minutes apart but they are now a pattern and I’m convinced they are the real thing. We laugh, joke around, and work through these waves like a piece of cake. I’m so excited, so hopeful, but a little on the wary side. My last baby was a CBAC after hours of labor. I reached 6 centimeters with her and my body shut down after receiving an epidural. In my mind, I had to get past that stage. 


My doula suggests a walk to see if we can get things moving more. It helps, we arrive home and I am begging to get in the shower. The waves are getting pretty rough now and I’m doing my best to breathe my baby down and focus on my Hypnobabies. We move to the shower to have the warm water beat down my back but it feels terrible. I’m a ball of emotions, and for some reason, highly irritated at my husband for getting my hair wet haha! Somehow I manage to hoist my body out of the tub and crawl into my room. I’m still naked and demanding that I get an epidural. I ask my doula to check me and she announces afterwards that I am 5-6 centimeters. I cry, whimper that I want a c-section, and grunt through the pain, she suggests we head to the hospital and my husband runs downstairs to pack the car up. As we are waiting I am half sitting half trying not to put pressure on my butt. The waves are intense and I am grunting loudly. Then it happens, my body takes over and I turn to lay on my hands and knees. I have one leg off the bed and I feel my baby rotate inside of me. The urge to push is automatic and my doula shouts for my husband. By the time he comes back upstairs the baby’s head is visible and my doula runs to grab some gloves. She only gets one on before I push his head out. Two more pushes and Harrison enters the world. 

The baby is passed through my legs to me and I hold him close as my husband dials 911. He latched immediately and was perfect, a little bruised due to coming so fast though. The next few hours were pure bliss, I did it. My husband, my amazing husband supported me and gave me so much encouragement. My amazing doula acted fast when needed and delivered my son like a pro. 

Harrison weighed 6lbs 14oz and was delivered sometime after midnight on June 14th.

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7 Comments

TéMyra's Home VBAC

12/17/2013

2 Comments

 
Last year I was so excited to find out my fiancé (now hubby) and I were pregnant. I love birth and aspire to be a midwife. I got my hands all on the "hippie" Ina May stuff I could get a hold of.  I just knew I was going to birth this amazing little girl all naturally and it would be just perfect--until at 24 weeks I woke up to a stabbing pain in my left side and just knew everything wasn't good.  My mom took me to hospital and baby looked fine but my cervix was only 11mm and was close to letting my membranes bulge.  Of course everyone freaked, I was ordered to bedrest and to go to a MFM over an hour away from me to ensure this baby stayed put.  They put me on progesterone suppositories and I was terrified.  Birth wasn't supposed to be like this.  All those wonderful stories lied.  Well lo and behold my daughter didn't come early but actually came late.  41 weeks I let my doctors start to freak me out saying I was post term, this was no good and we'll just induce.  So I agreed and at 41 weeks 3 days I went in.  After 16 hours of labor I stopped at 7cm was exhausted and worried.  So the one person I put all my trust and faith in--my midwife--said the "c" word. This warm beautiful birth angel knew my desire for all natural.  I had made it this far without any pain meds and just caved.  When my angel said c-section I just said ok. I had a beautiful 9lb 5oz daughter May 14th.  We were doing great until she was whisked away and I was told I wasn't to see for an hour until I recovered.  My world shattered--my bunny wasn't mine to hold. I had a rough recovery, I was stitched up double layer, because through my haze I remember Ina May Gaskin's words to make sure I got doubled, but recovery was horrible.  I had incontinence for three days due to being catheterized. I was beyond exhausted and drained.  I did breastfeed but was so hurt I didn't enjoy it, until much later. I just knew I could never do this again...this wasn't me, this wasn't birth and this wasn't what I wanted.

Well, when I found out I was pregnant when my daughter was 8 months old, I was excited yet hestitant. I just turned twenty and was going to be a mom twice over and knew my uterus would just be on cusp of VBAC "ok" rules.  But I learned my lesson, no more just blindly trusting doctors without real research and proof. No more being compliant. And to put my faith in Jehovah God instead of man.  I'm my baby's sole guardian and protector, I must be woman and stand up.  I was excited for first prenatal and was armed with info and so excited to bring another gift in the world.  Well I was devasted to hear flat out "This hospital doesn 't do VBACs, you want one go somewhere else."  End of discussion.  I was hurt and disappointed.  I found out just how sad my little state was when it came to birth.  Nobody touched them and our c-section rate is 35%.  But I still studied, looked for support online and through mutual friends, and most importantly prayed to Jehovah God about what I should do. I insisted VBAC is what we want and VBAC is what we're gonna get.  I stuck with my local midwives and doctor practice.  When they saw how determined I was I got support, was clearly told the hospital's policy of no VBACs but was also encouraged for being smart. 

I planned on a UC and had tried to hire a doula, but birth is so misunderstood in my state and women are literally fighting for homebirth and normal birth everyone was too scared to actually take part, for fear of being arrested and accused of practicing medicine without a license.  But I did talk to some wonderful ladies and one doula was amazing for answering all my questions and really preparing me if I did decide to have a unattended birth.  I was on the fence of UC or laboring at home as long possible then transfer. 

Well at 38 weeks outward pressure and my nerves built and I didn't know if I could really do it.  I saw a very rough OB who was irritated that I waited so long to schedule and demanded I schedule a cesarean.  I broke down, scheduled it and cried to the woman how I was disappointed and hurt.  They scheduled it for the following week due to my request (which they found shocking a woman would wait so long).  But then I had a miraculous midwife who told me to basically believe in myself, that I have power to cancel my section, they can't force me in to one.  And if I did show up pushing and ready to go they couldn't force me.  That gave me the extra courage and strength I needed to cancel my RCS for the next day.  That weekend I lost my mucus plug, had bloody show and was hopeful my baby would be in my arms very soon. Nonetheless, I found myself disappointed and frustrated.  My cousin and aunt who were due a few days apart had their babies already and everyone was worried what was wrong with me.  I was 40 weeks and avoided the office, I knew we were healthy and ok.  Family & well meaning friends became so overly zealous I shut the world out and tuned in to support VBAC and natural birth communities, then most importantly my self. 

I found myself bitting my nails watching weeks tick by, reassuring myself & others 40, then 41 and finally 42 weeks was still ok.  I had prodromal labor whole time and felt flustered.  On Monday (going on Tuesday) night, I had contractions that felt real and became excited and went to hospital--I was so ready for this to be it!!  Midwife on duty was very snappy and pissed I was 42 weeks, had no Rh shot and no c-section.  I said if I'm 10cm and ready to go let me push.  But i was only 2-3 and 80% effaced (I had been there since 37 weeks).  They wanted me to have c-section or leave AMA.  My husband talked me through it and we agreed AMA.  So we left, made arrangements for oldest & traveled 1hr and 1/2 to a teaching hospital to have VBAC hope.  When we arrived I was only 4cm and 90% with contractions 10minute apart but not doing anything.  The OB said she wouldn't allow me to VBAC and my chances were only 20%.  I could have had c-section that day and finally have my bun.  I refused it and said I only would agree if a biophysical profile showed baby was in danger. Well he scored 8 out of 8 and we still kept didn't know what sex our baby was. We once again agreed to AMA and go home after resting at his parents nearby. 

Finally that friday at 8am, my water broke in a huge gush while we were in bed. I leaked for a day and had no real contractions.  But I spent that night at my mom's because I knew my toddler was bringing me out of labor land and it helped.  Saturday afternoon I felt rushes occasionally and my hubby brought over our daughter so he could really clean house before baby arrived.  My sweet daughter rubbed my thighs while I labored a bit on the toilet.  Finally around 10pm that night rushes seemed to pick up and get serious.  At 10:40, I must have hit second stage--I labored in shower/tub and moooed to keep my bottom open.  Hubby kept asking if it was time to go to hospital but I knew we past that point I was finally feeling primal like everyone told me I would.  It was horribly painful, I couldn't get comfortable and just wanted it to end.  I mentally was cussing out those ladies on orgasmic birth for lying, this stuff was far from orgasmic.  But then right when I thought I couldn't handle it, I said I want an epidural and only way I can get one is to let my hormones flow.  And at that instance my birth switched. 

I put heating pad on my back, turned on kingdom melodies, prayed and leaned over my bed while pulling on sheets during rushes.  And it was so intense and beautiful, I finally hit my sweet spot.  I then got on the bed and laid on my left side, and felt my body start pushing.  I naturally just curled inward around a pillow and held on to pack n play beside my bed.  It was so intense, and was so much pressure but it felt amazing.  It was like making love and you get so caught up in moment...it can be rough but it still feels just so amazing you don't care.  It was like that but so much better, I could feel hormones rolling through my blood and bringing me this incredible pleasure.  I just automatically held my right leg in the air and my body went to work and guided my baby out.  I felt warm and hazy and I just felt an inner voice not really tell me, but let me know, it's time to squat.  So I got off the bed, hovered over my chux pads and felt below.  I could feel how warm, buttery and slippery I was.  I asked hubby to grab mirror and said he's coming.  He was so drunk with sleep he thought I was just saying it until he saw head and then rushed into action.  I giggled to myself and just couldn't believe how good this felt and that it was happening.  My well meaning hubby tried to get under me and catch baby but he just threw me off, and we retracted then with two pushes shoulder and body slide out on the floor.  I felt the tear but it was absent minded and didn't hurt I just felt the fast skin stretch.  I was so impatient and didn't care.  I then moved baby forward and swung my leg over its body and leaned back.  I brought it to my chest, smiled, kissed and just rambled on welcomes, high sweeet baby, hello Jax and what not.  My awesome husband sat beside me and said I love you Jax.  And I slipped back into the real world.  I said "oh check and make sure he's a boy, were calling him Jax and don't even know his sex."  Well I saw a penis and my mind confirmed what my heart already knew.  I quickly asked for a towel to warm and rub his back.  He only cried once then settled on my chest and sucked his hand.  I then asked to get pictures. Then finally realized I didn't know what time he was born. My father in law shouted out 1:11 when he heard first cry.  I thanked him and just soaked in our gift.  Then I started shaking and saw huge blood clot thing.  I took placenta ease then told hubby call ambulance to check us out.  Ambulance came and I realized I was shaking from hormones and pure excitement.  We woke up my mom to give me a robe from her house so I can be dressed when they transported us.  She was shocked I had him home alone and was a little dazed and confused.  Daddy then cut the cord and we wrapped up and transported. I was fine and found out my buddy was 9lb 10oz and 21in long with 13cm head.  And the rest is history.

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