[Vol 1 Issue 52, December 24, 1999]
My first child was born in 1996 via cesarean due to breech position. Thankfully my membranes ruptured before the scheduled cesarean date so I was able to experience early labor. I was rushed into the OR when I arrived at the hospital.
I am pregnant again and due within the next two weeks. My doctors are not very supportive with the VBAC but I am determined anyway since I had a low transverse incision. I am concerned because my doc says if I go over my due date they prefer to schedule another cesarean. Please help me; I don't want this birth to become another medical procedure. Is there anything out there I can take that will cause my cervix to efface and dilate?
-Jenn
North Carolina
[Vol 2 Issue 3, January 21, 2000]
Thank you to all E-News readers for supporting Jenn, who first asked for advice about getting a VBAC in Issue 52. Here is her happy news:
Guess what? On Jan 9, just before midnight, my water broke and contractions started immediately at 2 minutes apart. I waited until 3 am Monday, Jan 10, before going to the hospital. I arrived with my husband and his mother;.my precious daughter remained home in a deep peaceful sleep with my father-in-law by her side.
The nurse said I was 2 cm dilated. When contractions became closer at 1 minute apart, I asked the nurse to please check me again. Thirty minutes later I was 4 cm. The doctor on call came in and checked me 10 minutes later; I was 5-6 cm. I rolled over on my side and began meditating, trusting in the Lord and breathing in every pain. I had rejected ALL MEDICATIONS--no IV, no nothing! Immediately I began to yell, "I have got to push!" The nurse said "No way-it's too soon. I will check you in one hour." I screamed, "I have got to push!"--I couldn't control it.
The nurse and doc gave in and she checked me. She looked at me, then the doc and said, "This baby is coming NOW!" Everyone rushed around and could hardly believe how incredibly fast I had dilated, "being a VBAC and all." I pushed, or shall I say my body took over, and it pushed. In a few minutes my second daughter was born. It was amazing--I will never forget the emotions. I did it!!! I accomplished my VBAC without any--ANY!--medications, nothing!
Thank you so much for all your kind words. All your support really helped me and my body focus during my contractions. I arrived at the hospital at 3 am and was holding my baby girl at 5:30 am. WOW!! I love all of you. Thank you so much for ALL your help. I really believe it helped me in every way.
As for the doc on call--who did nothing but sit in amazement and watch me practically birth my own VBAC DAUGHTER WITH NO MEDS--he was stunned. That's the only word I can come up with--the look on his face was worth a million bucks. I left the hospital in 24 HOURS. My second daughter is beautiful: 7 lbs 5 oz.; her name is Gillianne Rose. Wow!!!!
Love, Jenn
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issues 52 & Vol 2:3, Dec 24, 1999 and Jan 21, 2000)
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