My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

Just wanted to finally post about DS2's birth since for me, reading about other people VBAC's really helped.

My DS2 was born August 26th, 3 days PAST his due date via VBAC. He was 8lbs, 10oz (after pooping twice before being weighed) and was 22.75 inches long. I cannot believe I had such a big baby. DH and I are not tall, lol!

DS1 was born via c-section after a failed induction in 2009 at 36 weeks, 6 days. I had severe pre-eclampsia (actually on just found out how bad it was). I had a horrible delivery and didn't see DS1 for 16 hours after his birth. I felt it was all very traumatic and really impacted my bonding with him and so I knew right away that if I ever had another, I'd want to try for a VBAC.

While I had a great pregnancy, I did start to have high BP issues early on, by 12 weeks. was put on medication then. My BP remained controlled until about 35 weeks when it started creeping up. My meds were increased but I began to worry that my BP would derail my VBAC attempt. I monitored my BP at home since it was always high at my apptmts bc I was so anxious. I scheduled my c-section for 40 weeks, 5 days. My OB originally wanted it at 39 weeks but I asked for 40 and everntually she said I could go to 41. I think that it was really important to advocate for myself and I made sure at my 30+ week apptmts to gently remind them that I wanted a VBAC. They must have been tired of hearing me say it. I think that at times my OB's wavered on letting me VBAC and so I think that it's important for anyone who wants it to be sure they want it otherwise it's easy to become discouraged and give up.

So, I started going to the OB every week for apptmts, sonos and NST at 33 weeks. At 38 weeks there was still no progress. At 39, fingertip dilated. At 40, still fingertip. Went in on my due date, sad as can be bc I never thought DS2 would be late and still nothing. At this point I was worried that I'd have a c--section bc I'd never go into labor. Sunday night my BP was not great and I became concerned and honestly started getting scared bc I wasn't willing to jeapordize my health for a VBAC and so I told DH that I was pretty sure that I'd be having a c-section that Monday (i had an ob apptmt scheduled). DH decided to stay home. I woke up on Monday morning at 6:45 with what felt like cramps but I started timing them on an app and realized they were contractions. They were 2-3 minutes apart. I got up, took a shower and we dropped DS1 off at my parents house. The contractions started getting stronger and once at the OB they were bad. I was 2-3 cm at this point (I remember thinking it was a lot of pain for just 2-3 cm)and was told to head straight for the hospital. It was maybe 10AM after the monitoring had been done. So, DH and I headed to Winthrop but I insisted that we stop for breakfast near the hospital bc I was hungry and knew they wouldn't give me anything, lol! As I was eating my egg sandwich doubled over in pain 1 block from the hospital, my water broke. I felt like a bulge and then it popped and it gushed out (def not a trickle) right in the front seat. DH opened the car door to go get a towel and I yelled at him to DRIVE to the hospital. He then went to get a napkin at which point I yelled that a napkin wouldn't help the gush (it was funny in retrospect). We pulled into the hospital and DH asked for a wheelchair. Thank goodness he did bc the contractions were so close and so intense I would not walk at all. I checked into the hospital at like 11:05. They wheeled me quickly to L&D and I couldn't help but yell out in pain as we zoomed through the hallways but I was trying to hold it bc I saw so many people around. L&D was expecting me so we went right in. I was checked and I was 4 cm. I was offered an epi and I hesitated bc I was afraid it would stall labor before 5 cm but the nurses assured me that I was progressing so fast that nothing would stop me. Waiting for the IV fluids before the epi felt like forever. The nurses said that I was having trouble managing the pain bc my labor had progressed so fast. I was yelling at DH who really was trying his very best to comfort and support me. I remember them being concerned about my BP and at one point they were going to order magnesium which I wanted to avoid. Told later my BP went up to 190/100. BP returned to normal once I had the epi. Felt much better at that point. My OB got to the hospital (they were worried she wouldn't get there in time) and I was 6 cm. Checked again and I was 9.5cm. I couldn't believe it. I was feeling lots of pressure and called the nurses to ber checked and that was it, I was told to start pushing. I pushed for 30-40 minutes. It was bad but not horrible. DS2 was born at 2:45. I was in shock and so happy. Even at 9.5cm I still thought something could stop my VBAC. It was an incredible experience and DS2 was BIG!!! My OB and the nurses at L&D were incredible. I had some complications later and major blood loss (almost needed a transfusion) bc my uterus didn't contract enough but still, recovery was great. I was discharged Wed at 10AM, less than 48 hours later.

I am so glad that I had a VBAC and wouldn't change a thing. I cannot imagine having to care for DS1 while dealing with c-section pain. With the vaginal delivery I was sore but no pain. To anyone who wants to do it, I say do your research and be sure of why you want to do it and then do it. It was amazing

Editted to clarify that by saying to be sure why you want to do it what I mean is that you need to be really clear on what is motivating you bc you will find plenty of people who will want to dissuade and discourage you from having a VBAC. At one point even my DH was not fully on board and I believe that if I hadn't been so sure of what was motivating me and so sure of my decision, I probably would have just had a repeat c-section.

Message edited 11/1/2013 4:44:16 PM.

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

great job, mama!!!

so happy it all went well.

gives me hope!

congrats!!!!

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

Congrats! Thanks for sharing your story!

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

Amazing! I'm so happy for you. Who is your OB?

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

Great vbac story!!

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

Congrats and great job mama!! What a great story! So glad everything went the way you wanted it to

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

YAY! Congratulations on your VBAC!!

Re: My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

thank you so much for writing this i needed it. i really want a vbac but am so scared

My Overdue Birth Story - Had August Baby via VBAC

wow great story! Happy the VBAC worked for you!! CONGRATS!