born August 29, 2009 at home, told by Melanie:
I
told myself early on in my pregnancy that I would
not be able to forgive myself if I didn't at least
attempt to have a VBAC and am so glad that I did!!!!!
I continued to see the OB's at the
USF Physicians Group since they are one of the only
groups in the area that will allow for a VBAC but
from the first appointment they discouraged me and
constantly reminded me of the risks of uterine rupture.
I began educating myself and eventually found myself
asking them questions that they couldn't answer.
It felt great. But in the back of my mind I was
still second guessing myself and terrified that
maybe they were right. The big factors that they
reminded me of were that my previous c-section was
not more than 18 months ago and that I only had
a single layer stitch on my uterus. I did lots of
internet research and began attending ICAN meetings.
I then was fortunate enough to get into a Bradley
Method Childbirth Class. My husband and I were also
obsessed with natural birth videos and I think we
have seen just about every one out there. My confidence
grew.
We finally decided to speak with a
home birth midwife to satisfy our interests. We
interviewed Jill Adams. We loved her and trusted
her and never went back to the USF Physicians Group.
She gave us amazing support and answered all of
our questions. We couldn't have been more satisfied.
The weeks continued to pass and I again had a completely
healthy pregnancy with no complications.
At 40 weeks and 4 days I awoke to
contractions that were 15 minutes apart. I went
back to sleep after each one. I was so excited but
was not completely convinced that it was the real
thing so my husband went to work in the morning
as if everything was usual. He called each hour
to check on me and the contractions continued. He
got home at 3 pm and the contractions then began
coming every 10 to 12 minutes. He told me that I
should call the midwife and Melissa Taylor who was
acting as our doula as well as my best friend who
was going to film it all and take pictures. I was
embarrassed that I would call everyone and that
it wouldn't really be labor. I called everyone anyways
and they all arrived around 7 pm on Friday night.
Our midwife checked me and I was only 3 cm dilated.....disappointment.
I thought that everyone would leave but each of
them stayed. I continued to have contractions about
8 minutes apart at that point. It was great to be
surrounded by a birth team that I put together and
invited because I trusted them and not by people
who just happened to be there because it was their
turn to be on shift. It was so personal and wonderful
to be in the comfort of my own home.
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My husband never
left my side and helped me through each contraction.
I found myself to enjoy laboring on the toilet
and in the birthing tub the most. It became
later and later and I was only dilated to about
5 cm by midnight. Progress was being made but
it was slow. I was okay with it because it was
all on my terms and happening naturally and
everyone was patient. I finally dilated fully
by about 9 am on Saturday morning. My water
still hadn't broken but I wanted it to happen
naturally so with the direction of my midwife
I pushed a few times and it happened. It sounds
funny but I feel like I needed to have the control
over every aspect of the birth since I had no
control with my first birth experience. At 9:30
am I got into the tub to begin pushing. It seemed
to last forever and I was exhausted but knew
I had no choice but to go on. |
My
husband encouraged and supported me, our midwife
and her assistant assured me that my baby
and I were safe and everything was going well,
our doula made sure I always had a drink,
cool wash cloths and massaged my legs when
they cramped and my best friend was there
to document it all. It was one of the most
positive experiences that I have ever had.
Caroline finally arrived at 11:37 am with
one big push. She was posterior which accounted
for the extended time pushing and the tearing
that I had was very minor with only 4 stitches.
I remember thinking, "only 4 stitches.....much
better than the c-section!!!" It was
a perfect birth in my eyes and has helped
me heal and recover mentally from the cesarean.
Of course the cesarean will always be there
but at least now I know that my body is not
broken and the doctors don't always know best.
I would have another home birth in a minute!
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(Note: see also Abigail &
Annabelle for this mother's cesarean story)
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