It's the Weekend at BSOD ♥
Friday, August 17, 2012 at 12:58AM
Today's beautiful belly picture comes from bff Judith♥
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Today's featured friend of the show is the game developed by my bff Carrie:
http://www.girlfriendsintuition.com/index.html
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Today's featured birth story is an amazing vbac story! (vaginal birth after cesarean)
This story is featured in the book:
Birth Stories on Demand presents:
From Woman to Mother Stories of Labor and Childbirth
http://www.birthstoriesondemand.com/our-store/
Rachelle's birth of Tessa ♥
My first two children were born by emergency cesarean section for fetal distress due to cephalopelvic disproportion. At least that was what the doctor thought went wrong. I labored to 10cm with my first son and 5cm with my second one. In 1996,I was pregnant again and became determine to learn whatever I could about vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). With the two previous labors I was not allowed to walk around at all and was hooked up to the various monitoring devices. I felt trapped and was not confident in my ability to listen to my body. I read every book the local library had on VBAC. Most mentioned working with a doula during the pregnancy and labor. My husband Tom and I met with a nurse who also worked as a doula and came highly recommended. Becky worked exclusively with moms that were trying for a VBAC. Tom was a little skeptical about using Becky. He felt we could just do this on our own. I, however, stood firm on this issue and insisted on having her help.
My pregnancy went along smoothly and my due date was set for June 26. Three weeks before the due date, I was already getting impatient for this birth to happen and was walking all the time to speed things along. However, my due date came and went. There I was on the Fourth of July, 8 days overdue and feeling like one of the floats we were watching in the parade. Later that day, I was having some regular contractions but nothing developed. The next morning I rushed around to get ready for an early doctor’s appointment and left as soon as my mother-in-law arrived to take care of the boys. Sitting in the waiting room I started having contractions that felt like the "real" thing. They remained regular throughout my non-stress test and doctor's visit. The doctor said I could have this baby tonight or next week. I didn't tell him I thought it would be much sooner, just in case I was wrong. This doctor was the one who delivered the boys by cesarean and I did associate him with that outcome. He wasn't too confident in my ability to have a VBAC. The doctor I had hoped to deliver this baby was on vacation until 5:00 p.m. that day and I was determined to wait. Before heading home I stopped for a few groceries and shopped in between contractions. The long drive home was difficult and I was thanking God for cruise control. Once I arrived home, I wasn't sure I should call Becky or my husband yet, but the look on my mother-in-law's face told me it was time. I just couldn't believe I was finally in labor. It was now 1:30 p.m. Tom rushed home and Becky arrived to check me. I was at 5cm and the contractions were quite intense, but I was trying to relax and breathe. They both had to convince me that it was time to leave for the hospital; I couldn't believe it was happening so fast.
At the hospital, my water broke as I was getting onto the bed to be examined. By 3:30 p.m. I was in the labor room. Becky was keeping me relaxed and focused by letting me know what was going on and reminding me that my body was doing what it was supposed to do. She made all the difference and took the pressure off of Tom so he could focus on the experience with me. Tom, who had been skeptical, was now thankful for all of her help. At about 8cm dilated, I asked if it was too late for drugs and was told there was no time for that now. I labored on my knees with my arms over the back of the bed as that seemed to be the most comfortable position. Until that is, they asked me to turn around and start pushing. By now it was 5:00 p.m. and my doctor was coming in from vacation, still wearing her shorts and sunglasses. She quickly got ready while I continued pushing like there was no tomorrow. At first I was pushing because everyone was telling me to, but then the overwhelming urge to push came from within me and my body just took over. It was an awesome experience and at 5:28 p.m., Tessa Jane was born weighing 8lbs, 7oz, and larger than both of the boys.
It was fulfilling to know that I did it and having Becky there made the birth experience that much more wonderful. In fact, two years later I went on and had another successful VBAC.
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