My first child was born by c-section and I'm determined to have a VBAC this time!! I was in labor for 33 hours, pushed for 8 hours and my son just wasn't coming out! I really believe that my midwife had me pushing too soon (I attempted a homebirth with a licensed-midwife). I reached 9 1/2 CM with a lip and an hour later, she had me start pushing, even though I didn't have an urge. I ended up pushing for 8 hours and I managed to get my son down pretty far (I stuck my finger inside and could feel him only 2-3 inches inside me), but I just couldn't get him down any farther. I think I did pretty good, considering that I did it all by myself, without any help from the contractions (I never had any pushing contractions or felt any urges to push, except towards the end). I have two VBAC consultations set up (one with a CNM and one with an OB). I am hoping I like the CNM because I would REALLY rather have a CNM than an OB (I've heard that VBAC success rates are better with CNMs due to them being low-intervention). I'm also hiring a doula because I know that I'm really gonna need lots of support and encouragement.

Anyone else here attempting a VBAC?

I'm most likely doing a repeat c-section. I really wanted to go VBAC, but I just don't think it will happen for me. I hope that it goes well for you. I think you are doing things right by meeting with both the OB and the CNM. We also had a doula and I think you can never go wrong with hiring one! Ours was soooo awesome!

Hi Brandi! Why don't you think a VBAC would work out for you? (just curious).

I am glad to hear that you had a doula and that she was awesome! I am totally looking forward to working with a doula! I really feel that if I'd had a doula with my first labor, I could have avoided the problems that lead to a c-section! My DH and I were so confused when I didn't feel any urges to push and maybe a doula would have had the answers! My midwife sure didn't! She looked and acted just as confused as we did, which wasn't very reassuring!!

I had a VBAC with my son in Feb 2003. It was an awesome experience (and it was with a midwife).

I also had a VBAC this past October (with a midwife as well) and it was the most gratifying experience I have ever had.

Jennie ~ I remember when you were pregnant with Charlie (or maybe it was before you got pregnant with him) you told me that you were going for a VBAC and I am so glad that you were able to accomplish that! When you first told me that you were considering it, it was actually the first time I'd heard of a VBAC and I thought it was awesome that women could do that! And now, here I am, going for one! :D

Jennie and Christina, do you have your birth stories posted anywhere? I'd love to read them!!

When you have VBACd, did you have to be hooked up to monitors the whole time? I'm not pregnant (planning to TTC in the near future), but we want to VBAC and are considering Bradley. BUT, won't ever consider going without drugs if I have to be hooked up to monitors the whole time.

Our hospital's policy was monitor at all times.....................although, I was allowed to shower for about 20 minutes early on...............to try to get things going. Also, to use the rest room, they unhooked me. It put my mind at ease though, so I was glad to have them.

The Birth of NATHANIEL LIAM CONNORS

I had been losing my mucous plug all weekend. Monday and Tuesday I stayed home from work to take care of Kaylin who had a 104 degree temperature. I lost more mucous plug. I didn’t feel very well Tuesday, October 28th and took a long nap in the afternoon. I woke up to a gushy feeling. I checked and wasn’t sure if my water broke or not.

I started making dinner and noticed some more gushing. Okay, whats up with that I thought. SO I put a big pad on. Soaked in literally in 2 seconds. Okay, new pad. Again, soaked it. This had to be it. I ditched the pads and my pants were soaked by the end of cooking dinner. Finally, I accepted that my water obviously had broken. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/yippee.gif



I called my midwife and she said to wait until contractions picked up. I called Bill and told him. He was excited and was on his way home. I called Bill’s parents and told them they needed to come, it was time. I felt bad because they were on their way to a retirement party for Bill’s Aunt.


I had some contractions but they were very mild. I tried to eat but couldn’t because I was so nervous/excited. When Bill’s parents arrived, we went to my work to get my birth ball. They we hit Taco Bell. YUM. I am so glad I ate that food. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/lick.gif

We get back home and contractions are there but not bad by any means. I call back my midwife and she says to go to sleep and see what happens. Yeah right! So by 11:30 PM, they were coming stronger and keeping me awake so we headed for the hospital. It hurt really bad when Bill drove over the bumps during contractions.

When we arrived we were shown our room. Sheila, my midwife, confirmed my water had broken by testing one of the pads I was wearing. She didn’t want to do an internal because of risk of infection with ruptured membranes. She told me to try to sleep and see what happens.

Well contractions kept me up all night. They were mild-moderate but enough of a nuisance I couldn’t sleep.

At 7AM, Beth took over for Sheila. She checked me

2 cm dialated, 50% effaced 7 AM 10/29/03 still contracting mild-moderate every 2-4 minutes.

She told me to take a shower and then we will talk. Well after my shower, my contractions completely STOPPED! GRRRRRR. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/banghead.gif

So she said we could wait it out and that 80 out of 100 women whose water breaks will spontaneously go into labor within 24 hours, OR, we could start the Pitocin very very very low and see what that does. Being that I had already been up for 24 hours, I opted to do the pitocin. So we started at 2 cc’s per hour (very low dose).


WELL THIS DID THE TRICK! YAHOO, LABOR STARTED GETTING INTENSE. My doula arrived just in time at 8:30 AM on 10/29/03. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/yippee.gif

So here is what I was like during my first few hours of contractions:



http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/early%20labor%20happy%20smaller.jpg



They upped my Pitocin to 3, 4, then 5 cc’s per hour, which was still a very very low dose and this was doing the trick. They never had to go past 5 cc’s per hour.



I stayed out of bed as much as I could. In the beginning the rocking chair worked the best for me. Here is a picture of when contractions were getting a bit harder and I felt the need to internalize everything.



http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/rocking%20chair%20contractions%20smaller.jpg







I used the rest room a lot but had a hard time peeing. I think the pressure from the baby was making it hard but it was a good way for me to be off the monitors for a bit and walk to the bathroom. THOSE CONTRACTIONS HURT. I squatted in the bathroom and hung onto my IV pole while I was in there.



I vocalized a lot. At the peak of my contractions………..I was moaning OWEEEEEEEE! But it really helped. My doula told me to keep the moans low and that would help keep the baby low and the contractions work to their best.



I had to be on monitors because of the VBAC. I stayed out of bed though. They said I could go as far as the leads would let me and I did. I drank a lot so I could pee a lot and thus get unhooked to go in there. The nurses were real nice about readjusting when I got back.


I was progressing real slow. My next check I was 3 CM and 80% effaced.



We tried some new positions.



I sat on the birth ball and leaned over pillows on the bed and pulled on pats hands. During the contractions, I would rock and this would help. I really liked this position.

http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/counter%20pressure%20smaller.jpg

I leaned over the ball while standing and during the contraction I would squat down some. This felt good too.


http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/hard%20labor%20birth%20ball%20smaller.jpg





My next check I was only 4 CM. Finally I was at 5 CM and 100% effaced at the following check but things were really intense. I was starting to get back labor and they discovered that Nathan was Posterior (Sunnyside up). I was scared because so was Kaylin. So my back was killing me.





At 11:00 PM on 10/29/03 6 CM, I felt as if I was going to die. It felt like someone was taking a chainsaw and nawing at my back. I had been in labor 30 hours WITHOUT ANY PAIN MEDS…………………I went through 30 hours of Natural labor. I was wiped. I needed something. I got a shot of Nubaine. That stuff was great………..for the hour and a half that it worked.



Here is me on Nubaine:

http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/hard%20labor%20resting%20on%20bill%20smaller.jpg



My midwife was getting concerned because the slow progress and the baby was starting to have decelerations. They brought the OB in whose last name ironically was Surgeon. There was a lot of talk of C-section and that we weren’t there yet, but it could happen.



Once the nubaine wore off, I was a mad woman. I was biting Bill’s shirt. I felt like there was a huge machetti being driven into my back. I told them to “kill me now!” My midwife replied, “there are other ways we can deal with this.” I wanted to die right then and there.



So I got the epidural. Oh, I was in heaven!



They rechecked me, 8 CM. Okay, good, some progress. They said they would give me a few more hours. The pitocin had been shut off though so everything was depending on what my body could do on its own. I switched positions every 10 minutes to help keep his heartbeat decent. There were several scary instances where it dropped real low but once I moved it picked back up. I was on oxygen. My midwife was so funny, she kept taking my mask and sucking the oxygen herself.



AT 5 AM, I was 9.5 CM and 100% effaced YES! She said I could start pushing. But that stubborn lip of my cervix was making it hard to progress. Plus the baby didn’t like me pushing. So I pushed through one contraction and then waited through 2 contractions.



At 7:45 AM, Roberta, took over. Again, more talk of c-section. GRRRRRR! That was it. I was going to push this baby out. I had pushed on my right side. They had the squatting bar up and I rested one leg on there and my doula held the other. I pushed like there was no tomorrow. They were all so impressed. I moved the baby down several inches in a short period of time. Bill stepped out to check to call to check on Kaylin and I felt this overwhelming urge to push, I told them to “GET BILL NOW!” They said, I had a few minutes, I said, “NO GET HIM NOW.” So they did. As soon as he walked in the door, one push, the baby crowned. I touched his head, next push, pop, out he came. Then he came out both shoulders at the same time and a big gush of fluid behind. They laid him immediately on my chest. Here he is. 8:25 AM on 10/30/03 after 39.5 hours of labor!

They let the cord pulse a bit before they clamped it. We got to check to see if it was a boy. I lifted him up and sure enough, it was. I pushed the placenta out. Bill cut the cord. I was so elated! I HAD DONE IT! He was so precious with tiny little cries. I rubbed the vernix into his skin. What a little miracle. I fought so hard to become pregnant with this little guy and fought so hard to have a VBAC, and there he was, the most perfect baby.

Here are few pics after birth:

http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/incubator1%20smaller.jpgfile:///H:/public_html/Nathan%20Liam/birth/incubator1%20smaller.



http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/incubator2%20smaller.jpg




He had so much vernix from being early his one eye was gooked up with it and wouldn't open.




http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/incubator3%20smaller%20one%20eye%20open.jpg

Weigh in.........check out that cone head:




http://connors.homeip.net/%7Ecconnors/Nathan%20Liam/birth/weigh%20in%202%20smaller.jpg

Charlie's birth story....
Sat Feb 22 in the a.m. - Sent the boys off to neighbor's 4th birthday party with Bill and my dad so that Mom & I could go walking and get this show on the road!! Got back after 20 min or so (it was tooooo cold to continue) and I decided to go and see how the party was going. It was nice to get out actually and see others. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/smile.gif All the ladies couldn't believe I was 39w6d!

When we got home just after lunch hour, Wendy (my midwife) called to see how things were progressing (she was off duty but I had caught her the night before when I thought things were moving forward). She also wanted to chat about my scheduled c-section since I had gone ahead and booked it for Monday (the 24th) - she didn't think that I was definite in my decision and she was dead on. I wasn't ready to "give up" yet, especially since my body really seemed to finally be moving in the right direction. She called the high risk OB at the Civic to see if we could push back the date to Wed, Thurs or Fri. She got her right away and was told yes. I felt relief at hearing this. So I went about my business - eating lunch with the boys (hot dogs in a blanket - how nutritious?) when Wendy called back. Seems the high risk doc (Dr. Cargill) had checked my blood work from Friday and my liver enzymes were up enough that she wanted me in hospital TODAY. So we set about doing the final bag pack, re-installing the carseat, explaining to the twins where we were going, arranging for help for my dad, etc.!

We arrived at the hospital around 3-3:30 or so. Would you believe it took us 30 min to park the car?? The gate at the parking entrance was frozen/broken and I couldn't walk from the other parkade so they dropped me at admitting and we found a chap to let us in. http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/lol.gif: It's funny now.... Anyhow, they were expecting us and got us settled into an early labour room - it was 100F+ in there. Just gross!!! Felt like a sauna - thankfully we found a fan across the hall! They did the usual blood work (took 3 nurses to get 4 vials) and left us to wait to see Dr. Cargill who had just rushed into a c-section.

She finally got to see us around 5:30pm and insisted I have a hep. lock IV put in just in case it was needed later on before she would start. Of course, that took 2 nurses to do (Can I just say that this hurt more than the birth itself??). We discussed the pros & cons of breaking my water (fear of a prolapsed cord) or going straight to the c-section. I decided that if the cord prolapsed, I'd be having a c-section anyways so why not at least try the labour first. So she checked me again and I was 2cm and 50% effaced but the head was coming down which was a big change from Friday... she broke my water which wasn't bad and then she wanted to attach the monitor directly to Charlie's head to keep a better trace on him... when she did this, my water REALLLY broke (I'm sure glad this didn't happen at home!). So at 6pm we were under way! (It also meant I could have dinner!!)

After the shift change at 7pm, we were shown to our birthing room which was really nice. We were able to open the window for some fresh air (ahhhh...) and the even offered us a tv (would you believe they don't have tv's in the rooms?). I spent most of evening in the rocking chair breathing through my contractions - it's funny... I started rating them and some were "humdingers"! Dr. Cargill came back to check on us at midnight - I was now 3cm and a little more effaced but the head hadn't moved much further yet but we were both tolerating labour really well. We discussed our options again and decided that we would wait another few hours and move towards an epidural and some pitocin at that point. We had pushed back the hands on the c-section clock yet again! Wendy arrived around 12:30pm to help us keep our options straight and help with my labour - it was so special to me that she was there because it was her weekend off!!

At 2am, the anesthesiologist arrived for my epidural. Poor Bill - he was my support but I think he was a little unsure of this - we were both having a hard time getting into position. The doc tried 2x to put in the epidural and then was paged away to a trauma. He kept apologizing and I kept saying go.. you have to go... it's ok... I'll be here when you come back. The only reason I wished that I had had the epi then was that I was exhausted and wanted to sleep but I couldn't with contractions coming every 3-7 minutes (they weren't really yet regular). I tried a birthing ball at this point - funniest thing I've ever tried! I thought I was going to land flat on my http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/moon.gif. The poor thing was tooooooo soft for someone of my generous size and it didn't help at all so back to the rocking chair.

The anesthetist finally made it back around 4:30am and the head nurse came in with him - she shooooooed everyone out and helped me get into position and they nailed the epi on the first try this time. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... Took me a bit to get used to being stuck in bed and on my back to boot but I got to sleep for a almost 2 hrs which helped tremendously. The doc checked me shortly after I got my epi. and I was still progressing - I was now a good 4cm but still not 100% effaced...

Around 10 am or so, I was starting to really feel pressure in my bottom and I guess after complaining about it a few times, the nurse decided that I wasn't just whining and she checked me and I was 7-8cm and fully effaced (finally!!) but baby's head was still not as low as they would like. She upped my epi a bit and I dozed off a bit again... At noon or so, I was feeling similar pressure so she checked me again and I was fully dilated and ready to push!!! What a surreal feeling - I had started to have my doubts that I would ever get to push a baby out into this world and here it was!

At first, they had me pushing with DH and the nurse holding my feet and legs but that was uncomfortable for all involved so they brought up the foot rests on the bed - these worked so much better for me! I've never really felt so internally driven to do something in my life! I tried not to waste any contraction and I pushed with all I could give 3x I had a contraction... The midwife was really impressed with how well I was pushing, esp. with a first delivery. They called the OB (he had to deliver the baby since my care had been officially transferred because of the induction) at 1:30pm for a delivery and when he came in, Charlie was already crowning - the poor OB was expecting to check me to see if I could start pushing!

One more good push and they could see that his cord was tight tight around his neck so they told me one more good push and he would be out and then not to push at all. The immediately clamped and cut the cord, had me push again and he was here! I remember someone saying it was a boy - haven't a clue who at all. Bill cut the cord and Charlie was passed quickly to Wendy where she had to give him O2. I started to freak since I hadn't heard him cry yet - even the twins had cried quicker than this and they were only 29 weeks! Then I heard the most beautiful sound in the world as he screamed and screamed!! My placenta came fairly quickly (within 5 min of Charlie's arrival) and then the joyous stitches... no episiotomy but about 5-6 stitches...

They brought him to me to see and hold and he was sooo beautiful - smaller than I expected (and they all expected!) but he was here!!!!! We tried nursing right away but he was not really up to the task as yet. He tried and Wendy felt he would be fine once we got home and settled. So she took him to weigh him and do his eye drops, etc. So at 1:59pm, Charles Douglas entered this world!!

By 3pm, I was in the shower trying to clean up and feel more human (and it felt wonderful actually!!). Now if I could only pee, we'd be outta there!! And that was another story unto itself gang.... http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/lol.gif: I tried.... and tried.... and tried... I drank 4 x 8oz glasses of water starting at 2pm (I was super dehydrated or at least felt that way because I wasn't even allowed ice chips during my labour in case of the c-section), apple juice, tea, you name it!! Finally, I figured it was the toilet in the delivery room... it was a weird shape and I couldn't get comfy so Wendy & I went down to the public washroom in triage which had a different toilet and that's all she wrote! One good pee and we were discharged!

So Bill headed out to the parking lot to dig out our van and warm it up - I kid you not! Charlie arrived during the biggest snow of the year - we got 1.5 feet from the time I was induced at 6pm Saturday until we were released around 6pm the next night! It was a long ride home - the roads weren't in the best of shape and as you can imagine, the mommy protective bear instincts kicked in and poor DH couldn't drive over 50km all the way home! http://www.ultimatebaby.com/images/smilies/lol.gif:

It was great to be home in time to see the twins before they went to bed. Matt was soooo excited to meet Charlie. He wanted to hug & kiss him and have him come out and play with him! Andrew was a little more reserved but looking back at the video, you can see him sitting on Bill's lap rubbing the top of Charlie's head. It's soooo sweet!

That's what I can remember for now! Should have written this down sooner....

Wow those are great stories! I hope to go for a VBAC as well. I had a c-section with Sadie because she was breech and wouldn't turn. My Dr. says there is no earthly reason other than another breech baby which should prevent me from having a succesful VBAC

Michele

I'm also planning a VBAC for my next (that won't be for 3 or so more years). I had a c-section because my son was breech. He flipped during my 39th week (little stinker!).

I'm so glad to hear stories from others that had a VBAC. They are very inspirational. :)

Thanks so much for posting your birth stories, Christina and Jennie! I loved reading them! :) I'm very happy that you both had the births you wanted!!

Michele and Andrea ~ That is cool how you're planning a VBAC with your next! I hope you both succeed! :)

Well I planned for a VBAC, my first baby was a C-section after 20+ hours in labour and no dilation, he ended up being in a posterior position with the cord too tight to let him down.....as i was getting close to my DD with my 2nd my ob wanted to give me a C-section cause the baby was getting very big and considering my first wouldn't fit through he was worried, but I stuck to my guns and persisted we wait, 2 days before my DD a u/s showed bubs was posterior and big, so they booked me in for a C-section the monday, i went into spontanious labour Sunday night i was thrilled, but after 24+ hours labour I only made it to 3cm's again and bubs was stuck, ended in another C-section, I was so upset, but atleast I tried!!!!

I would always suggest you try, but be open to the fact that it 'might' not work out... I am glad i left that little window open because I was so miserable after my 1st ceasar i had never even contemplated it...so 2nd time round it wasn't as bad cause I atleast had put it into my thought process...

i wish you all the best of luck, I mourn for not being able to delivery naturally, i hope you get your wish!