Phoenix Michael - A VBAC Birth Story

[Lillynix]

Well finally, here I am to tell my birth story. I know a few people were hanging out to read all about it, and unfortunately, it's not quite the birth that I had planned, but everything still went fantastically and i'm still very happy about my birth experience regardless.

For those of you who don't know, I was planning to freebirth (birthing at home with no medically trained professional) this time around after a horrific hospital birth experience with DD that started with an induction and went down hill fast from there (you can read about it HERE (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=128657&highlight=Holly+Jade)).

I guess it all really started on Friday 1st Feb.

I had been having irregular, annoying backaches on and off for a few days, I just put it all down to normal late pregnancy symptoms and I had no signs of impending labour. Come Friday afternoon, after being out an about in the morning with my mother, sister and DD I came home and put DD to bed.

Just after she woke up at 3pm my backache hit with a vengance, but this time it was constant and quite painful and wasn't going away in a hurry. It made looking after DD hard in the afternoon and no matter what I did, the pain wouldn't go away.

I ended up emailing DH at work asking him to come home from work early to look after DD as I just couldn't. I stressed to him, however that I wasn't in labour but I needed him home.

DH, the sweet man that he is, got home ASAP and took over caring for DD while I went upstairs to lay down, get some rest and hopefully my backache would ease. Frustratingly, it didn't. I spent all evening in bed with the hottest of hot water bottles against my back which brought much relief. All the while, DH kept asking me "so, are you in labour" and my reply was always "no, don't be stupid, my back's just playing up again".

Finally I tried to get some sleep around 10:30pm and thankfully I did manage to get some sleep before waking up again around 2am, it was now Saturday 2nd Feb, with my backache even worse than before. I started having to make frequent trips to the toilet, where nothing would escape but a dribble despite my bladder feeling as though it was about to burst. I also had the hot water bottle permanently attatched to my back again, but this time it only brought a small amount of relief.

I tried to lay down to get some more sleep as I was just so exhausted, but everytime I laid down, regardless of position, it made my backache ten times worse. So there I was, early hours of the morning, sitting up in bed, with my eyes hanging out of my head with tiredness, watching horrid infomercials, followed by NBC Today.

Around 7am I gave up and went downstairs to the lounge, I couldn't sleep, that was a fact. I was now pacing the loungeroom trying to ease the never ending pain in my back. I had had a few intense pains earlier in the morning, but nothing regular and nothing consistent. I was still denying that I was in labour.

8am came and DH and DD finally got up for the day. DH tended to DD getting her breakfast ready while I tried to ease my pain. Sitting on the couch didn't work, laying down made things worse, up I got again and started walking around the (very small) loungeroom.

Thirst took over and my mouth was now constantly dry no matter how much I drank. I was still making frequent trips to the toilet, now I was getting the infamous 'clean out' before labour kicks in. I was still denying I was in labour, I had decided that I must just be really badly constipated as I felt I had to goto the toilet so bad but nothing really happened at all, and that all this must be contributing to my backache and my general feeling of horribleness. I decided it was time to have a shower.

OMG the hot water felt incredible on my back and made the pain disappear completely, it was absolute bliss. I was in heaven. But sadly, I knew I couldn't stay in the shower forever. So out I hopped. It was in that moment, the split second that I turned off that hot water that all the horrible pain came flooding back, I was again in agony.

It was now 9am and I said to DH "I think it's time to fill the pool". I had purchased a decent sized kiddie pool that I had planned to labour and birth in, it was all blown up and ready to go, it just needed to be filled up with lovely warm water.

DH promptly brought the pool down from upstairs, got the hose all ready and started filling the pool from the outside tap. Once there was enough cold water he started adding hot water via a bucket while I swapped between sitting on the edge of the couch and pacing what little room was left in the loungeroom. DD was fascinated by the pool and just wanted to keep throwing her toys in, so I was also trying to fish everything back out of it.

Just after 9:30am and I was immersed in lovely warm water, it was bliss. It was enough to ease the pain and give me some slight relief, I was still denying that I was in labour.

Just after 10am I had my first contraction, it was painful, but not so much so that I couldn't just breathe through it, being in the water helped a lot. I was on my hands and knees with my belly in the water, it felt wonderful. About 10mins later I had another contraction, then another, then another.

They were consistent and regular coming in waves in my abdoment, but the pain in my back was constant, it would increase as the contractions hit, and then ease off, but it was still always there, giving me no relief at all inbetween...just like my labour with DD.

DH was busy playing with DD and keeping her occupied so she wasn't too interested in me, it was hard to talk as I was busy trying to cope with the pain that wouldn't leave me alone. He did a wonderful job and DD was being an angel. She rather liked pressing her face up against the side of the pool and making the 'blow fish' face, so inbetween contractions, I would do it back to her. It was great to hear her laughing and made me feel just the tinest bit better.

DH was still asking me if I was in labour, and by this stage I was answering with "I don't know, I think so..." I think I had pretty much come to the conclusion that this was it, I was in labour, and it wasn't looking to be much different from my first labour, never ending back pain that gave me no relief...exactly what I didn't want.

Abour 11am the contractions ramped up and were now hitting every 2-3mins and lasting around 1min each. This is when it really hit me that yep, I was in labour. This was it, it was finally happening. All the preperation, reading and researching I had done in the months leading up to this were finally going to be put to use. I was having a baby.

I kept right on labouring in my pool, getting DH to top it up with more hot water when needed. In between contractions I would sit up, but just when another contraction would hit I would get back on all fours and have my belly in the water. This started to put a lot of strain on my hips as I had my legs splayed out sideways like a frog, but it was the only position in which I felt the most comfortable with during the contractions.

DH was still doing a wonderful job of entertaining DD as there wasn't really anything he could do for me apart from top up the hot water in the pool and bring me water to drink upon request. I was doing my thing, and labouring the way I wanted to, in water.

DD finally went down for her afternoon nap just after midday so this was a nice little break for DH and he just sat and watched me labour for a little while, all the time making sure I was okay and had everything that I needed.

It was around 1pm that the pain factor ramped up a bit. Contractions were still around 2-3mins apart but they were now far more intense than before, and lasting longer than a minute, by guess anyway. The water was no longer acting like much of a pain relief tool but it still felt wonderful to be able to feel somewhat weightless and free in the water.

Suddenly I kept feeling the urge to push, something I never felt before. I thought it was far too soon to have this urge already, not having any idea how far dialated I was. I was able to breathe through the pushing sensation but it was hard and it sort of took over and I found myself pushing involuntarily towards the end of the contraction.

I also started to suddenly feel very dizzy and lightheaded. I had no idea what could be causing this but it started to worry me a little as I suffered high blood pressure during my late pregnancy and labour with DD. My bloody pressure had been fine all the way through this pregnancy, but I had no idea what else might cause me to feel so light headed and dizzy and it was a feeling I didn't like and not one I felt comfortable with.

I weighed up my options. I could stay at home, see how I felt in an hours time and reasses things, dismiss it all and freebirth the way I intended to originally, or I could make my way to the hospital. I had a big decision ahead of me. My fear of going to the hospital was all because I was attempting a VBAC. Something the hospital likes to put a lot of restrictions on and I knew that by going to the hospital my chances of having a repeat c-section sky rocketed.

[Lillynix]

After pondering over this for around half an hour, going through things in my head, inbetween the contractions, I decided that I was going to head to the hospital. Even if I was to only turn around and come back home again. I just wanted reassurance of why I was feeling so dizzy and light headed.

So DH rang his mother to see if she could watch DD for us, quickly got her bagged pack, although we forgot pretty much everything, I struggled to get dressed inbetween very strong, very close contractions, I grabbed what I needed, but again, forgot pretty much everything and off we headed.

We arrived at the hospital around 2:30pm and I went straight to the Pregnancy Assesment Centre (PAC) where I was seen to by a midwife. I was asked all the usual questions, how far apart my contractions were, how I was feeling and then I was asked to lay down so they could do a quick CTG just to see what my contractions and bub were up to. I knew this wasn't necessary, but I had no problem with them doing it at this point in time. So I laid down, the belts went on and they took my blood pressure as I had told them about the dizziness and light headedness, thankfully my blood pressure was fine and was told it was most likely just a sign of labour. I was relieved and annoyed at the same time. Relieved that all was okay, annoyed that I had doubted myself, but also glad I had it checked for peace of mind.

Next thing I know i'm being asked if I minded having a vaginal exam. This is something that I didn't really want, but did at the same time. I know that they can interfere with and even stall labour aswell as being painful, but as I had been in labour for so long I was curious to know if my body was doing as well as I felt it had. So I agreed. I was very pleased to be told that I was 5cm. I was halfway there and feeling great that I had done so well at home on my own.

I decided that I wanted to stay in the hospital, one reason being by this stage, I couldn't bear the thought of getting back in the car, the car ride to the hospital was awful, contractions were too close together for me to handle being in a car going around corners, it was just awful.

I was taken to a delivery suite just after I had been given the big long speech about how my chances of having this baby vaginally were slim and I should prepare myself for another c-section, and how because DD got stuck and my "supposed" CPD the chance of birthing vaginally fall again. I knew this was all a load of complete codswallop and so it just ran off like water off a ducks back. I had heard it all before, and I knew it was cr*p. I was also told that I would have to be monitored consistently and all that other stuff that goes along with being a VBAC, trial of labour, restrictions, monitoring blah blah blah I didn't care, I was prepared to stick to my guns and even turn around and go back home if that's what it took. I wasn't backing down.

Once I was in the delivery suite, the midwife who had just told me all these 'wonderful' things while I was sitting in PAC suddenly changed her tune. I told her I didn't want continuous monitoring, and she said it was fine, she'd just check on bubs every now and then. I was gobsmacked. I said that I wanted an active labour as that was something I was denied with DD and that I wanted to be able to shower if I wanted to and just do what any other labour woman would be allowed to do. She agreed.

I couldn't believe that a midwife who had just been so negative towards my birth had now turned around and was being so supportive. Methinks she was just trying to cover her own backside and said what she felt she had to say while she was within earshot of others, then once we were alone her true colours were showing through.

I changed into a hospital gown, as it was at this time we realised, we had gone to the hospital with nothing. No clothes for me, nothing at all for bub and no mobile phone to contact anyone either. The only people who knew that I was in labour were my MIL and SIL.

I had my urine tested for gawd only knows what, but was found to be dehydrated, not sure how as I was drinking water like there was no tomorrow, but it was a rather warm day, so I agreed to have some IV fluids, just because I knew that it was important to be well hydrated. So the IV went in, thankfully it was a long line so I could still move around freely, and the midwife said she would take it out if I wanted to use the shower.

I was then told I would be given 4hours to do my thing, then we would see how things were progressing. So at 7:30pm the midwife came back into the room, DH and I were left to our own devices most of the time which was fantastic, again something that never happened during my labour with DD. She did a quick CTG trace again, all of 15mins, everything looked fine. I'd just had a nice hot shower which was bliss, I think I was in the shower for around an hour, with DH in the bathroom sitting on a chair keeping me company.

The midwife asked if she could do another vaginal exam just to see what was happening as my contractions seemed to have lessened in intensity, however they were still regular. I agreed as I too was curious, I had been labouring for a long time and was getting exhausted, I was extremely tired and wanted to know where I stood.

I had progressed to 7cm. Only 3 more cm to go and it would all be on. I was just hoping that those 3cm would happen quickly! I was still having the urge to push during my contractions but was still (just) managing to breathe through them, it was hard and I was still pushing involuntarily sometimes.

The midwife suggested having my membranes ruptured to speed things up a bit. I knew that this could speed things up but I also knew it wasn't necessary. I had another hard decision to make. I really wanted my membranes to rupture spontaneously, but at the same time, I wanted things to hurry up, I wanted to finally get some sleep.

A doctor came in all ready to rupture my membranes, I had agreed, despite knowing what I know about these things, but it wasn't something I decided on lightly. I was told my membranes were bulging and that it would be quick and easy. I laid back down on that bed and OMG the instant pain was inredible. I could no longer lay on my back without screaming in absolute agony. I couldn't even lay on my side, the pain was just far too intense I was almost in tears. So I sat up again, waited for the contraction to end, laid down quickly and then GUSH amniotic fluid went everwhere, I couldn't believe how much there was, it literally gushed out of me and drenched everything, it was a horrible feeling, nothing like with DD, when I only had the slightest of trickles.

I felt instantly more comfortable, my belly was so huge and hard that the release of the amniotic fluid was amazing. I'm still amazed at how much there was, truely incredible, I can't believe all of that managed to fit in my belly as well as a baby.

Things progressed wonderfully from there, within 2hours I had the full urge to push, I couldn't stop it, I couldn't breathe through it any longer, the urge to push was just far too overwhelming to even contemplate not pushing. I told this to the midwife and she said I was good to go and just to do what felt right. She had been doing a CTG trace for the past 15mins and everything was still looking good. She said she wanted to keep monitoring while I was pushing and I said that was fine as I no longer felt like moving around anyway, I was far too tired and sore.

I sat on the edge of the bed, as I had been doing for quite sometime as it was the most comfortable place to be, and just went with the flow, pushed when my body started pushing and breathing through the pain as best I could. My gawd it was painful.

I eventually had to lay down as I was no longer comfortable being upright, I managed to lay down on my side without too much trouble, but the first few contractions while I was laying down were unbearable, but thankfully I either got used to it, or they eased up a bit.

I will never forget the feeling of when I was pushing, I mostly let my body to the work and just followed along, I could feel my baby moving down the birth canal, I could feel him, it was amazing, when the contractions ended and the pushing ended, I could feel him slide back up as I lowered my leg, that was a horrible feeling, but amazing at the same time.

I was told it was time for my midwife to head home, she had already stayed past her shift in hopes of seeing bub born, it was a quiet night in maternity, but she said he had to go and pick up her daughter. The shift change midwife was also very lovely, I met her breifly when I first arrived at the hospital before having DD. She was lovely, encouraging, softly spoken and had faith in my body.

I kept on pushing and listening to my body and letting it do alot of the work. I felt the need to lay on my back all of a sudden, despite being in agony the last time I had to lay on my back, so I quickly rolled over during a break from contractions, there was now my midwife, another midwife who was helping out and a doctor in the room (see, told you it was a quiet night in maternity), at this time, to be honest, I didn't care, the second midwife and doctor were standing over in a corner like they weren't even there and it was just my midwife at the business end.

All of a sudden I heard the midwife say to the doctor "what do you think? should we do an epis?" that was it, the next thing out of my mouth in the middle of a contraction, while trying to push was "NO! I'd rather tear!" then the midwife went to say something to me, something about bubs head coming out easier when I pushed out a head at the same time I tore. I got what I wanted, there was no need for an episiotomy at all. I had felt this sudden burning/stinging sensation, something wriggling inside of me then out popped a head!

[Lillynix]

I waited for the next contraction, which was a biggie, felt the need to push, then WHOOSH out came my beautiful baby boy followed by a whole lot more amniotic fluid, blood and all the rest. Bubs was places straight onto my chest where I quickly ripped my gown off and had wonderful skin to skin contact with him. He was beautiful, perfect in every way and just looked at me. It was amazing. Simply amazing.

I then birthed the placenta around 15mins later and was told all was well. I had told the midwife that I didn't want the cord cut straight away but forgot to mention anything else of plans. I had intended to leave bubs attatched to his placenta for 24hours before seperating them, but in the moment I forgot to explain all this and while my wishes were respected in delayed cord cutting, the cord was indeed cut in the end. I was okay with though as at least the cord wasn't cut straight away.

Bub had his first breastfeed, an hour in total, 30mins each side the little piggie. Then he was weighed etc and back to me within 5mins.

I did it. I gave birth. I finally got to give birth. I did it all on my own and I finally got the birth experience that I was robbed from the first time around.

I may have ended up in the hospital, but that was my choice and one I don't regret at all. I'm just happy that I was able to do what my body was made to do, despite being told otherwise, I did it, I pushed a baby out of my vagina and i'm damn proud to have done so.

After being told I had a possible case of CPD or in other words "smell pelvis syndrome" which was apparently the reason for my need to have a c-section with DD, I went on to give birth to a baby that was bigger than my first.

So I now announce that Phoenix Michael entered this world via my vagina on Saturday 2nd February at 11:14pm weighing in at 4.16kg or 9lb3oz, 52cm long with a head circumfrence of 35cm and looking absolutely perfect. I got away with just a 1st degree tear which I requested not to be stitched and a small graze.

So while this was a long story, and thankyou if you got this far, I hope it can be an inspiration to others, especially those planning a VBAC or those that have been told their Pelvis is too small.

Always remember that your body is amazing, you can birth any sized bub this world throws at you and that a VBAC should always be your first option where possible, it is not dangerous, birth is as safe as life gets.

[Baldie's Mum]

:smiliedance:

WOW
That was amazing. I read stories like this and i just can not wait to give birth.
(mind you first things first i must fall pregnant! :o :laughing:)

Well done and i hope you are enjoying your new bubba!

:flowerz:

[QTB]

Thank you so much for sharing your birth story, Im sooo glad you got your VBAC!!!

Congratulations on the birth of Phoenix!

Welcome to the world little one!

[~Emmylou~]

Wow. Just wow. :yelclap::yelclap:
You rock!
Congratulations, what a wonderful birth story. I have tears reading that. Bl00dy awesome, well done!
And welcome baby Phoenix :D

[KapowSchazam]

FANTASTIC story!!!! Well worth the read! :D

Well done to your body, your vagina and baby Phoenix :yelclap:

[GraceUnhearing]

Wow

what a great birth story!

i hope to have something like that next time
my first was horrible but i didnt have a c/s, and DS was pretty much the same size as your ds too!

congratulations!


welcome to the world little man!

[borntobemummy]

:(:(:yelclap:Wow!! You did a great job:thumbsup: I'm so clucky right now

[mumx3littlies]

That is a fantastic birth story:DWell done and congrats to you and your family

[OJandMe]

:yelclap:WELL DONE!!!!:yelclap:

Isn't it amazing?!! You did fantastically!!!:yes:

And good on for standing your ground on the monitoring and epis!!!!!:thumbsup:

I'm so proud of you!!


Welcome to the world Little Phoenix!

[sairpaul]

That was a really inspiring birth story fly.

Congratulations to you and your family

[Lil X-men]

Wow awesome story Dragonfly congratulations on a VERY successful VBAC and on little boy Phoenix!!

You must so proud not only acheive a vbac but also adrug free, epis free and 9lbs of bub vbac !! What a woman :yelclap:

[~*clairesmum*~]

omg

that was amazing well done wat a great vbac story

welcome to the world baby Phoenix michael
:smiliedance::smiliedance::smiliedance:

[draught]

That was amazing!!
You truly are a fabulous birthing goddess!

Congratulations on birthing your son, sticking to your guns and having the wonderful birth experience that we all deserve!

Just inspirational!

[mixy]

:yelclap:for dragonfly and baby Phoenix! this is a fantastic story! congrat on your viginal birth:D

[Widget]

Gotta love bath time LOL DD1 does that too - did H try and get in your pool?? A would have!!

Was Phoenix posterior to start with??

Congrats on your very long natural labour and birth!

How are you feeling with healing naturally where you tore??

You touched more people with your VBAC LOL mine didn't get too many looks in... :D You did really well, sounds a lot tougher than what my VBAC was...

[bAaM]

WOW that was awsome :yelclap: congrats to a happy birthing VBAC mum and good on you for sticking with what feels right.

:smiliedance:WELCOME TO THE WORLD BABY PHEONIX:smiliedance:

[reAllytee]

Fantastic DF !!!!!

You are truly a birthing goddess :yelclap:

Well done mummy & welcome little man !

[Freya]

Wow, amazing... I am speechless....

:yelclap:

Well done!

[GeorgiaAnne]

Congratulations to you and your family :smiliedance:

That was an amazing birth and your determination saw you through.
Thanks for inspiring all us wannabe VBAC'ers:yelclap:

[Verdi]

Wow what a great birth!!

Loved it and very happy you got your vbac!

[Shanaynay]

Congrats Dragonfly!! Welcome to the world Phoenix!
You did a great job birthing your VBAC baby :D



Was Phoenix posterior to start with??


I was wondering that too, because of the backpain?

[Lillynix]

Thankyou all for your lovely replies!

To answer a few questions, nope Phoenix was not posterior at any stage, but I do have a bad back and have now resigned myself to the fact that I will always have back labours :rolleyes:

And my tear is healing fine despite not being stitched, 1.5weeks on and i'm still tender, bruised sort of feeling, but other than that, it's fine!

[emmwill]

I can't wait to give birth now.

What a fantastic story congrats

[Crazy Monkey]

OMG.... Amazing...
Congratulations Lis

[V8]

Wonderful story DF, you are a champion, loved your story and glad you had such a positive outcome, just brilliant!

[Kattus]

:yelclap::yelclap::yelclap:

Congratulations on getting the VB that you wanted! You are amazing!!! Im so glad that after having to go into the hospital the midwives, etc were supportive of your wishes!

Welcome to the world little Phoenix Michael! (love the name!!) :hugs: You must be so pleased

[Kizmet]

That is an amazing story! congratulations and thank you for sharing! simply amazing!

[kristi001]

Gorgeous story darling thabks for sharing! :bee:

[punkbaby]

Such a positive birthing experience well done and congrats on your little mans arrival

[Hokey Pokey]

Wow what an amazing story!!!!!

You did amazing and should be SO proud!!! :yelclap:

Just a quick question, did you birth at the rhh? (I had Ebony there last year - vbac, but found them really supportive of my vbac)

Also, if you don't mind pming me, I'd like to hear more about this delayed cord cutting.

[Eloise&Charlie'sMum]

What an amzingly inspiring birth story thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on birthing your way and what a beautiful little boy you got as a reward !!!

[Student of Life]

That sounds like a really wonderful birth story. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Beany]

That's absolutely wonderful, Dragonfly. You did fantastically well and I am so very happy for you. Congratulations!

[MumtoJordan]

Thank you so so so much for posting your story. I too was told my pelvis was too small to birth my baby and ended up with a c section.

We are planning on TTC at the end of the year and I hope to have a natural vaginal birth too.

What an inspiration.

Also congrats on baby Phoenix :)

[BeautifulBoys]

I waited for the next contraction, which was a biggie, felt the need to push, then WHOOSH out came my beautiful baby boy followed by a whole lot more amniotic fluid, blood and all the rest. Bubs was places straight onto my chest where I quickly ripped my gown off and had wonderful skin to skin contact with him. He was beautiful, perfect in every way and just looked at me. It was amazing. Simply amazing.

I then birthed the placenta around 15mins later and was told all was well. I had told the midwife that I didn't want the cord cut straight away but forgot to mention anything else of plans. I had intended to leave bubs attatched to his placenta for 24hours before seperating them, but in the moment I forgot to explain all this and while my wishes were respected in delayed cord cutting, the cord was indeed cut in the end. I was okay with though as at least the cord wasn't cut straight away.

Bub had his first breastfeed, an hour in total, 30mins each side the little piggie. Then he was weighed etc and back to me within 5mins.

I did it. I gave birth. I finally got to give birth. I did it all on my own and I finally got the birth experience that I was robbed from the first time around.

I may have ended up in the hospital, but that was my choice and one I don't regret at all. I'm just happy that I was able to do what my body was made to do, despite being told otherwise, I did it, I pushed a baby out of my vagina and i'm damn proud to have done so.

After being told I had a possible case of CPD or in other words "smell pelvis syndrome" which was apparently the reason for my need to have a c-section with DD, I went on to give birth to a baby that was bigger than my first.

So I now announce that Phoenix Michael entered this world via my vagina on Saturday 2nd February at 11:14pm weighing in at 4.16kg or 9lb3oz, 52cm long with a head circumfrence of 35cm and looking absolutely perfect. I got away with just a 1st degree tear which I requested not to be stitched and a small graze.

So while this was a long story, and thankyou if you got this far, I hope it can be an inspiration to others, especially those planning a VBAC or those that have been told their Pelvis is too small.

Always remember that your body is amazing, you can birth any sized bub this world throws at you and that a VBAC should always be your first option where possible, it is not dangerous, birth is as safe as life gets.


Thanks so much for sharing your story,how wonderful! :cloud9:
I having a vbac in June I'll labour at home with my Doula/midwife then go to Hospital when we feel the times right,Im going to the Royal Hobart aswell.