Lauren's birth story (a VBAC) - May 2006

I saw my doc on Thursday afternoon (5/4/06) for my 38 week appt. and was disappointed. I was still only 1 cm. dilated and 50% effaced, same as I was the week before. I was getting nervous because my doc said if I make it to 39 - 40 weeks, we might have to start considering a repeat c/s because the baby was getting big and I could not be induced because of the prior c/s.

Friday night we ordered in pizza and just relaxed at home. We had plans for dinner with another couple to have Mexican in honor of Cinquo de Mayo, but they had something come up and we had to postpone our plans. I told Dan it was probably best since I had Mexican food the night before Andrew was born! Little did I know.

After I got Andrew to bed, I watched a little TV and read my magazines... At 11 p.m., I decided to settle into bed, but felt those stupid period cramps again. I had been having them since Wednesday and the doc said it was normal that my body was preparing, but there was no way to use them as a guide to labor starting....

Sometime after midnight I was still awake and had the worst contraction :shock: I tried to go back to sleep. Exactly 10 minutes later, another one, and 10 minutes later, another one. Dan had come to bed at this time, and told me to relax, breathe and get some sleep. When another one came, he massaged my lower back and it felt good, so I figured if some rubbing of the back could ease a contraction, I wasn't really having them!

Well..... At 2 a.m., they were still so strong and every 10 minutes on the dot. I tried to walk around my house, sleep on the couch, nothing. I called my doc at 2:40 a.m. and he just happened to be at the hospital already, so he told me to come in, he didn't want to take it gingerly because of my previous c/s. I called my mom just about 3 a.m. and she arrive to watch Andrew at 3:30 a.m. and we got to Winthrop at 4 a.m.

I couldn't walk, the contractions were now 5 minutes apart and excrutiating! I got to triage and hooked up to the monitor, checked and I was already 7 cm. My first words were "epidural!". I had to wait for a full IV bag to drip and that was the longest wait ever! By 5 a.m. I was in heaven with my epidural and by 6 a.m. I was 10 cm. dilated.

I didn't start to push until after 7 a.m. because my doc wanted me to wait until I felt the pressure to push. I had the epi on the whole time and I could sense the contractions but felt no pain. After 3 hours, the doc said she was right there, but sensing I was exhausted from pushing, he told the nurse to get the forceps, as a scare tactic. Well, it worked because 2 pushes later I gave it my all and she was born at 10:11 a.m., no forceps or other means necessary (they did empty my bladder before that last push and that helped)! I didn't get an episiotomy, but I did tear a bit.

I breastfed her right away after she was cleaned up. She latched on like a champ, and we had her for about 20 minutes before they took her up to the nursery. I got up shortly after and was able to use the bathroom and got taken to my room.

I really lucked out. I had a roommate who was discharged an hour or so after I got to the room. I had lunch and got dressed in my own clothes and she was brought to me shortly after. I did not have a roommate the rest of my stay, which was super nice!! I also had the best nurses, Christina in L&D and Mary in post partum. They were just fantastic and so accomodating!

We did not name her until Sunday night. The names were just coming and going and we couldn't agree. In the end, Dan agreed to Lauren and he picked the middle name (I wanted Elizabeth, but Catherine is fine by me!). I got home Monday afternoon, still a little sore, but feeling great.

Andrew is adjusting well. So far... Knock on wood. He loves baby Lauren and like to rub her head....

So, I am very happy to have been able to VBAC, the recovery is just so different. I won't say better or worse, just different. I keep saying I would do it all over again this way, but we're done for now

Message edited 2/20/2008 5:11:59 PM.

oh congrats Trish!
Thank you for sharing your story! Welcome baby Lauren!

Congratulations. I am so glad to hear everything went smoothly and very fast. Try to get some rest and enjoy every minute with your 2 beautiful children

Thanks for sharing! The fact that you were able to have your VBAC gives me hope that I'll be able to have mine!

Congrats! Great birth story

Congrats!

Bravo bravo Trish! Im so happy for you, it sounds like a WONDERFUL birth story, Im glad you had a great experience with the VBAC. Im jealous but still holding out hope. And Im glad Lauren latched on like a champ and that Andrew is loving big brotherhood so far. I cant wait to meet your girl.

A belated Happy Birthday to Andrew!!! My older brother and I are a few years and a few days apart too.

ETA: I love the name Lauren - my fave of the lot BTW but I didnt want to try to influence Andrews decision (or lack thereof )

Message edited 5/10/2006 8:58:02 PM.

Congrats! Thanks for sharin gyour story

Many Congrats to you!!!!

AWWWW !!! What a great story, Trish !!!!

Im so happy for your wonderful VBAC story !

You chose a beautiful name and she's truly gorgeous! She better have her big brother's gorgeous smile too !

I cant wait to hear your mommy of 2 stories, and you'll see how fun it is (and how easy one was )

Your my inspiration to still try a VBAC, although after 2 C's.... Im just a chicken and let them sway me

God bless your growing family!

Trish - what a great story!! I'm so glad you were able to do the VBAC. We needed a VBAC success story on here!!. Congratulations again!!

BTW, Lauren & I share a birthday. Happy Birthday Little One!

What a wonderful story. Congrats again!!
Oh, and me and my mom had pizza the night before we had our first daughters!

Congrats and welcome baby Lauren!!!!

Congratulations. What a wonderful birth story. So glad your VBAC went well for you.

What a great story! Congratulations again

Congratulations and Welcome baby Lauren!!!!!

Congrats! So glad everything went well!

Thanks for sharing! Great story!

Congratulations!

Congratulations again! Glad your experience was so positive!