Birth Story

I love hearing everyone's birth story and I am finally getting around to writing about my successful VBAC. I hope after reading mine you will also take the time to share your birth story with us.

My due date for my baby girl was Oct. 16. I didn't dwell on that too much knowing my first baby was almost 3 weeks late. Although I was definitely hoping not to go that far over this time. My midwives suggested stimulating the cervix in hopes to not go so far past my due date this time. So at each appointment from the end of September she would do that. While at my 38 week appointment I asked her about checking me also and she said I was 50% effaced and about 3 cm. dilated and that the baby's head was very low. That was pretty exciting news even though I knew some people can be that dilated for a long time before giving birth. It just made me feel good to know progress was happening.

Oct. 16 came and went. I was feeling a lot of Braxton-hicks contractions and baby continued to be very active. I was actually pretty sick for about a week before the due date and a week after so it was a good thing I didn't go into labor. I think my body knew I didn't have the strength or energy to get through labor at that point. I was blessed to have grandma come over on Oct. 22 to watch Isaiah while I was able to stay in bed and rest all day, which was a good thing because that night I couldn't sleep well. I had heartburn a lot and then started to feel crampy. I thought maybe things were starting to happen and I might go into labor that next day. Around 3 am I started to feel more contractions and they seemed to be more regular so I started to time them and they were between 4-6 min. apart. I decided to get up and go downstairs and see if they continued. I started cleaning the kitchen (nesting instincts I guess) and the contractions started to come quicker and more intense anywhere between 2-6 min apart and between 45 seconds and 1 minute long. Since they seemed to be picking up we decided to make the phone calls. When I called my midwife she suggested getting in the tub for awhile and see how things were and check back with her in about an hour. When I checked back in and reported the contractions staying regular she told us to head to the birth center.

We left home about 6:30 and drove to Bella Vie and got there about 7:00. It was a beautiful morning with the sun coming out and the mountains in the background with all the farm land around...it was a gorgeous sight.

The wonderful assistant Caroline greeted us and led us to our room and brought us some breakfast, took vitals and brought me a ball to sit on to help open my pelvis. Everything was going well. After a while we decided to go outside and walk along the path outside our room. We would walk a few steps then stop and work through the contraction then walk a little more. The contractions continued to pick up and become more intense.

Around 9:00 they checked me and said I was between an 8-9. That was exciting news! As labor progressed I continued changing positions from sitting on the toilet, to squatting while holding on to the bed post, to sitting on the ball while being in the shower. I really encourage all that movement, it really helps. During it all they kept reminding me to keep my noises low and deep. Everyone from my husband, sister, and midwives were there giving me support, helping me any way they could, taking care of me, rubbing my legs and my back...they were all wonderful.

Just before 12:00 pm they asked if I wanted to get in the tub---I'd been waiting for that! I was really looking forward to having a water birth. Before getting me in the tub they had me lie on my side on the bed and checked me again. They said I was about 9 1/2 cm! Soon after I had the urge to push and began pushing. It came on so suddenly I didn't get the chance to get to the tub and just stayed on my side on the bed. After about an hour of pushing my baby girl was here! It was an amazing and wonderful birth.

My baby girl, Kylah, was born on Oct. 23 at 1:06 pm. She was 20" long and weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. The birth was definitely intense but so beautiful at the same time. It was so empowering to be able to have an all natural vaginal delivery. It was an awesome experience, and a beautiful baby girl. I was truly blessed!