VBAC Birth

My OB asked me at 31 weeks “so do we have a date yet?” After replying that I was hoping for a VBAC, he gave me some lame response about it being high risk, let’s wait and see, the told me I must go into spontaneous labour before 39 weeks or I would have to have a CS. That afternoon I started looking for a new OB. Through a friend I found in a round about way another Dr, whom I made an appointment with right away. As custom you see the midwife first, while chatting I had obviously taken too long, in walked Maneesh. Pretty much the first thing he said was ‘you tell me what you want and I will do my best to make it happen’…I could have kissed him. Breathe out ☺. It was music to my ears, his manner and everything he said put my mind at ease. In no time I had a new OB.

At 37 weeks Maneesh told me baby was engaged and he expected him to come any day, even joked about not going into labour that weekend as it was his birthday.

Still nothing. Surely all those braxton hicks were doing something? I had to have a poke around. From about 38 weeks I was trying to feel my cervix, it wasn’t until about 39 weeks that I could actually just barely touch the edge of it. Mostly all I could feel was bub’s head in the way.

40 weeks – Irregular, mild contractions mostly at night, despite nipple tweeking, sex, EPO, bouncing on fit ball, acupuncture, walking and anything else I could think of. OB did an internal with the hope of a stretch and sweep but could hardly reach my cervix it was so far posterior and very little dilation.

40+4 - Second attempt at stretch and sweep and little change to position of cervix. Scan also showed possibly slightly low amino fluid. By this time I was getting worried, as I was attempting a VBAC I knew there was only so far I could push it before I would get some pressure from both DH and OB, and wanted to do everything I could to avoid another CS. And DH while supportive was also concerned with perceived risks of VBAC, and I knew I could only go so far over before he would get uncomfortable. I think the limit for DH would have been about 10 days past dates.

After discussions with OB we decided to make last ditch attempt to rupture membranes on Friday morning (40+8), if this was unsuccessful I would go in for a CS that same day.

40+6 – Purchased castor oil. 7:00 pm thought about drinking it. Chickened out. 9:00 pm got my courage up and drank 60ml of castor oil in OJ. Didn’t taste too bad. I told DH to sleep in the other room in case I had some action and didn’t want to disturb him. 11:00 pm was on the toilet a few times and seemed to be cleaned out pretty quickly. Midnight mild contractions started, I pottered around the house, had a shower, blow dried my hair, put on my make up, breathed through regular contractions about 7 minutes apart, but mild and lasting only about 30 seconds. By about 4:00 am decided not much was happening so dosed off. Woke an hour later with the same contractions, rang the birth centre to update them and called my mum to tell her to come and pick up my girls to take them to day care. I had a feeling as soon as I got up the contractions would pick up pace. DH came in about 5:30 am looking sad and sorry for me thinking nothing was happening. I told him it was on, I think. At 6:30 am got up to get the girls ready, and they started, 3 minutes apart, 45 seconds long and what I thought were ouchy. Bad enough to have to stop and bend over the bench, lounge, sink and breathe through them. Mum and dad arrived and we talked for a while, she left taking the girls at 8:00 am.
Contractions stopped! WT? I laid down on the lounge for a sleep for an hour, just after 9:00 am woke up feeling sorry for my self and embarrassed and felt bad for DH as he had taken the day off work. DH suggested we do some shopping and go see a movie, so off we went to Robina Town Centre. Just in case we took my bags. While we were jeans shopping for DH contractions started again about 8 mins apart, but bad enough I couldn’t really talk through them. The hospital called and suggested that, given I has considered high risk and VBAC, I come in for a CTG just to check all was ok. Got to the hospital about 12 and on the CTG for 30mins or so, all was fine. Contractions about 5-6 mins apart. OB came in to see me about 1:00 pm and suggested an internal. To my surprise announced I was 3 cm, told me to go for a walk for a few hours, and that he would see me after 4 this afternoon. He predicted 9:00 pm tonight. OMG! Yeeha! I was so relieved I had avoided the induction.

DH and I went to the coffee shop, while he did some work I paced. I recalled my acupuncturist suggesting some pressure points to massage on the hand for pain relief. It wasn’t working much. After a lap around the hospital and some grins from passers by we got my bags and went to the birth suite.

By 4:00 pm contractions we about 4-5 mins apart lasting a minute or so and I was in pain. Each contraction took my breath away, I was barely able to stand and the best I could do was hold on to DH shoulders while standing and gasp through each. I half heartedly tried the gas. I was initially so adamant not to ask for pain relief, and determined to stay active, standing and walking, but this was bad. Waiting for OB... Made midwife call to see where he was. Watching the clock until he would come.

5:15 pm OB arrived, the first thing I said to him was “I want an epidural”. He said no worries, suggested to rupture membranes, I asked for the epi first as I know contractions/pain would get worse after that, but as anesthesiologist was in the building and 10 mins away I agreed. Only 4 cm dialated. Immediately after I had a contraction that floored me, or would have if I was not already on the bed. I stood up and again. I could barely stand. By now both sets of parents were in the room, chatting, laughing, I went to the toilet so I could let the fluid drain. Asked DH to ask them to leave. Watching the clock counting how many contractions until the anesthesiologist would come.

6:15 pm Anesthesiologist arrives, between contractions inserts the epi. I lie back. Midwife says epi will work within 10 mins. 10 mins later I ask again as contractions are still full on and pain is bad. She checks levels. I ask for gas again. It helps me breathe through each. Epi is not working! DH sits beside me and watches the CTG to coach me through each contraction. Now in a haze of pain and everything is a bit of a blur. Thinking of Ina May Gaskin stories and waves in the ocean washing over me with each contraction. Not really helping.

After I ask DH how he got me to keep going, they stuffed around with the epi machine, upped the dose, got theatre staff to come and override it to up the dose again (I think I was on 16 by this time), check me with ice which I could feel, I asked for another epi ☺, maybe they called the one of the anesthesiologists to see what could be done, but it certainly wasn’t working. Here I was, after wanting an active birth but changing my mind with an epi, bed ridden, and still feeling it all. Midwife checked me again at 7:30 pm and I was 5cm. I was almost ready to give up. DH urged me on. Contractions were coming fast and hard and off the CTG chart. I was crying between contractions now. Another hour and I asked for another internal as I was at my limit. I knew about internals increasing the risk of infection, but I really needed to know where I was at.

8:30 pm and I had gone from 5cm to 9 and a bit cms in an hour. Hallelujah! Thank God as if I had have been only 6cms I was already thinking I would have called for a CS. Around 9:00 pm I felt like if I pushed my tummy out rather than held it in during a contraction, it felt so good. Ready to push. OB arrives.

I push. After a little while I felt no pain from the contractions anymore so dropped the gas and pushed with all my might. It now feels fabulous. I remember thinking how strange it was that between contractions, all was calm, we all chatted and laughed, then a minute or so later was back in the zone. By this stage I had my mum supporting one knee, my MIL supporting the other, DH with the video camera, OB and midwife sitting on the window sill facing the bed watching and talking with me, and both my dad and FIL over in the corner away from the business end. I did feel a few moments of panic a few times as I felt a little pain where my CS scar was but this stopped after each contraction. Babies heartbeat was consistent throughout the entire time so I didn't have any concerns.

Epi seems to have worked on my lady bits. I felt no pain now, watched with a mirror as he crowned. Didn’t feel the tear (small 2nd degree). Waited a moment or two while he slowly rotated and gently pushed him out. He came out with his left arm up. OB placed him on my chest to cheers and tears, he was so warm and wet and felt amazing.

10:25 pm My baby boy was born. Perfect. On the breast by himself within the hour.


Hindsight
I wish I had known how really painful it would be, for me it was as if someone had a knife twisted in my belly each contraction. I wasn’t at all prepared, despite reading everything I could. I wish I had have had a doula or a well birthed friend to tell me what to do lol. DH was great and encouraging but I needed someone to suggest to me how to breathe through each contraction. I needed someone to tell me how to make the most of the gas and the way it gave me a focus to breathe. I also think I might have coped better if I has consecutively tried differed labour positions for a few contractions to see if I could find one I could cope with. Instead all I could do was stand and lean on DH.


Details
Weight – 3.74kg
HC – 35 cm
Height – 51 cm
First Stage - 8 hours
Second Stage – 1 hour 25 minutes
OB – Dr Maneesh Singh
Hospital – John Flynn Gold Coast

Awesome! Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoyed writing it out too :)

Awesome job Sweetpea.. It still brings tears to my eyes knowing that you got your VBAC..

I loved reading your birth story. It gives me hope, ill be going to see your OB when I'm blessed again. Thank you so much for sharing and CONGRATS on your VBAC!

Awesome story!! You are fabulous, well done on your successful VBAC xxx

Well done Hun! You did just beautifully!! Xx

Well done on your VBAC! You did really well.