Beth's Dream VBAC

My first birth with daughter Mabel was a planned home birth that ended in emergency C-section, no contact with baby for over 8 hours and 4 days of neonatal before self discharging. She didn't breast feed for 10 days. Since her birth I've been even more interested in physiological birth. I was determinted to make sure I'd done everything in my power this time to eliminate interventions and come out the other end, whatever the outcome knowing I tried everything to have the physiological birth I wanted.

I saw an osteopath from 16 ish weeks to check alignment and that physically I could do this. Then continued to have 6-8 weekly appointments to keep a check on things throughout my pregnancy. I had regular massages to keep me feeling good physically and keep the oxytocin flowing. I continued to walk, spin, do weighted workouts and yoga and Pilates. With the addition of spinning baby inversions from 16 weeks.

I also rebooked the pregnancy at an alternative hospital after my first constultant appointment at my original hospital as I had no confidence in them supporting what I wanted for birth. The plan was always for MLU, no VEs and no continuous monitoring and general a hands off birth to give us the best chance of no interventions. I considered home birth again but felt like the what if would weigh heavy and impact how I progressed at home, my worst nightmare was to transfer in to hospital under similar circumstances as with Mabel.

I expected to be feeling confident and excited for birth however I went to my 28 week midwife appointment and despite her being fine I just felt like she was going to be very by the book and I just wanted someone to be able to share my thoughts with and support me to feel confident going into birth outside of guidance.

My previous midwife was a continuity midwife who was old school in every way and I asked her if she knew of anyone who would support us. We got put in touch with a lady who'd previously been a doula and midwife and who was happy to be our doula on a more adhoc basis, for a smaller fee. She also did a few sessions from 30 weeks with us around biomechanics of birth and showed us exercises like shaking the apples, side lying release and lots more. I started a daily routine of exercises to help baby be in a good position for birth. I also ate dates, colostrum harvested and did premium massage when recommended.

Labour and birth:

8th/9th December - much the same as my first daughter, I lost my plug over two days in the morning. More cramps, more shooting type pain but no drastic change. I continued to be busy at home, and took Mabel swimming and to gymnastics. I also tried to rest where possible and eat/drink knowing things were getting closer.

Evening of 9th we put Mabel to bed at 7.30 and I went straight to bed myself, waters broke at 8.20, I felt two reasonable amounts pass, like small tumbler size. Went to the loo, clear fluid, told Emily (doula), Charlie (husband) and my mum and sister. I planned to try and get some sleep.

Within minutes I'd had a contraction which caused more waters to be passed, across the next 20 minutes I had a few and then decided to start timing them at 8.50 straight into contractions lasting 45-90 seconds and every 3-4 minutes quickly increasing in intensity and needing my full attention so I stopped timing them and used the comb (which I didn't love) and then tens machine which I'd previously loved with my first labour too. Charlie called the hospital and they said to come in. My mum came to the house at 9.15 to look after Mabel and we left. I kissed Mabel and cried a little knowing it was the last time of just us.

In the car I had my dusk eye mask, head phones, Poppy's (Pop That Mumma) oxytocin bubble track on and was completely in my bubble for the journey in. I breathed through contractions and made lots deep/primal noice and focused on surrendering to it all. The car journey took 22 minutes.

Emily (doula) met us at hospital around 10pm and helped wheel me in. I initially refused the wheel chair however was encouraged to just get inside given that I was already pushing. I kept my face etc covered, head phones on until we were inside MLU.

On MLU I took off my clothes, the tens ripped off with them, got the gas and air and was very grateful for it. Midwives started the pool. I wasn't sure I wanted to use a pool again as during my last labour I worried it contributed to my labour going off, Charlie (husband) encouraged me to get the water birth I wanted. When the pool was ready we moved rooms and got settled.

I continued to use the gas and air, lean over the pool, and make lots of noise. I remember asking Emily if there was anything I needed to do at one point, she said I was doing great and to keep following my instincts. I was more upright for the next contractions and then moved my leg out to a lunge type position and then quickly onto my back to finish pushing her out. I could feel her coming down, her head came out, she had her hand by her face. With the next contraction I pushed her body out, I needed to do an extra push to get her fully out. She was out by 11.36pm. The midwife untangled her and passed her to me. I remember so clearly saying to my baby 'we did it' and crying. Charlie also cried. We checked her gender after a few minutes.

I have an amazing birth video that my 3 year old has already seen.

The placenta was delivered within 20 minutes of birth with no intervention.

The midwife was amazing, very supportive of my choices. Winnie had no hat, no rubbing down, just skin to skin with me, her placenta was attached for over an hour, she breast fed successfully. We only cut her cord because it needed boxing up for my placenta capsules to be made. She had a quick cuddle with Charlie while we moved across for me to be stitched up. I had a second degree tear which I was advised I could have repaired or leave, I decided to have the stitches. Winnie breast fed during, I enjoyed some more gas and air too. We then settled into a new room on MLU and waited for 5am to come around so she could have her NIPE assessment and we could be discharged home.

We left the hospital around 6am, I walked out holding her (with her sister I'd been wheeled out post section with her). I cried and felt for the first time a bit overwhelmed that we'd just got everything we wanted. That our daughter had just had the best start in life compared to her sister and that all the work I'd put in in this pregnancy and since Mabel's birth was worth it.

We were home by 7am before Mabel woke up. My Mum and dad were there to watch Mabel meet her baby sister and it was perfect.

My experience postnatally has been worlds apart from my first delivery. I've felt so stable emotionally and 10 days on I feel mostly good physically, I'm hoping within 2 weeks we'll be feeling pretty much normal.