1st VBAC: In the Comfort of My Home

Definitely after my first c-section I knew that, if possible, that was an experience I wouldn’t want to repeat ever again. Most definitely my past 2 previous hospital births left me traumatized. Because of my desires, I stumbled upon the possibility of birthing outside of the hospital setting and finally ended up with a planned VBAC in the comfort of my bed.

1st Homebirth Story: Carlos Daniel VBAC Story

As you can read in my previous post– This birth was a beautiful one filled with many surprises. I’m going to try and take you back to the beginning of it all. Following my hospital births, and most importantly the c-section, it left me bitter. Most definitely hearing horror stories of never being able to have another vaginal birth, didn’t help either. This was told to me by professionals and society alike. Supposedly, the story I was told goes that once you have a c-section the risks are just too high to try to go any other route. So having a VBAC was not something that was encouraged.

But your homegirl is a determined being, and when given a NO- she finds a way! Or at least try to educate myself instead of just going by what I’ve been told. I remember saying, “welp if there is no way my body can handle any other route”, than being placed on the butcher board was not a choice for me.

A BUTCHER board. It was how I felt when I got placed into the surgery for that unplanned/unnecessary c-section. Secondly, YES, I have documentation to back up that the c-section was unnecessary and more of a convenience to the attending doctor. Even during the vaginal hospital birth- I felt the same way. By the same token, I was tied down into a bed, with tons of monitors, and hospital personnel treating me less than a human.

Why & How I decided on a Home birth-VBAC Inspired

My OBGYN provider (a hidden gem/an amazing human being) did explained to me the details behind the horror myth. For some women (like in my case) is not that our bodies can’t undergo go a different route other than a c-section, is more of an insurance liability for the hospitals and providers. As a result, the best route for the hospital is to ensure that once a c-section always another one will follow.

For me at least, during my pregnancies is when I’m most in tune with my body. I feel this huge responsibility to be connected to my body. Different from my other 2 pregnancies, for this one (my 3rd), I had extensive prenatal care. Furthermore, I wanted to ensure that my body was in the best shape to handle the trauma of another pregnancy.

I think because my biggest concern was to not repeat my previous experiences, I totally forgot about the pain associated with labor. All I cared about was to have options available for me outside the hospital setting. As a matter of fact, I was confident that I could handle an unmedicated VBAC, with the right professionals by my side.

Finding and Hiring a midwife

I went to my first midwife interview, with eagerness to learn more about the homebirth process. As a result of that meeting, I embarked on my journey. Unfortunately, that midwife was unable to be part of this pregnancy. Nevertheless, she did recommend an exceptional/superb human! At last, we found our midwife.

I unintentionally created a bad ass team! Compared to my previous experiences, I had the professionals behind it all. For once I had all the tools and knowledge to advocate for myself! As a result, I was confident that I could handle the VBAC.

Lynne is very welcoming, but beyond it all is her years of experience in the field and her vast knowledge of VBACs and high risks homebirths that did it for me. During our care, she always kept us informed and listened carefully to my needs.

Best of all, we had options, either at the comfort of my home, hers or the birthing center. I ended up choosing the comfort of my home to be the place of birth. It was the best decision ever! The 40 weeks were more than enough time to gather up all the information and preparation.

The moment was getting closer!

Because our extensive birthing preparations and thanks to Lynne expertise, I was able to set myself both mentally and physically. although this may be true, when it comes to birth no matter how much you plan it things can still go unexpectedly. Lynne was equipped with knowledge and tools for any unforeseen emergency.

I’m not going to lie, by the time I reached them 40 weeks, I was exhausted and anxious. additionally, everyone around me were adding to the stress (asking every day constantly, if the baby had made its debut). Concurrently, I didn’t want to answer anyone questions. Instead, I shifted with the help of Lynne to the most important aspect of it, THE BABY!

Funny and to show how professional Lynne is- I recall going to one of our last visits. As a matter of fact, it was a visit that I scheduled to fulfill my in-law’s anxiety and anticipation. As they were in town ready to join us for the birth. Above all, Lynne was already made aware of how annoyed I was with my mother-in-law. LOL the visit went unexpectedly, and Lynne pulled my mother-in-law to the side and told her off (in a very polite way). Talk about ADVOCATING!!!

I Left that visit with confidence that my choice in midwife was the right one! Ultimately, she checked my cervix and was able to calm down my nerves. Also, reassuring me that she was right there on my side for when the moment arrived. Thanks to that visit, I was able to go back home and refocus my energy.

March 26,2015

I was 41.5 weeks into the pregnancy, bedroom was prepped and everything from the birthing kit was in its place. As soon as I felt slightly different, I knew it was time for the party. It was 7pm and I told my mom, heads up “I have a feeling that the baby is FINALLY going to make its entrance”. She said OKAY, go rest and keep me posted.

By 10pm I started getting hot and uncomfortable. Previously, I had prepped my bed, since it was my primary choice of where I wanted to birth. Besides it was a very basic prep, nothing fancy, just layered bedsheets and mattress protectors. At last, I was starting to feel the waves of birthing contractions.

I twisted and turned for about 1hr and that’s when I woke up my partner and shifted from me trying to get a night sleep, to the tub. Thanks GOD, my master bedroom was equipped with a jacuzzi tub! It became my refuge during those insane contractions, and moments of desperation.

By 11:30pm, everyone had made their way into my bedroom. During which I made my way back up to the bed. Both the midwife and her team were hands on with me and the baby. She was very calmed and just in tune with my body as I was guiding her throughout the contractions.

During those last 15mins when I would look towards her and looking for words and actions of encouragement, she never missed a beat. Altogether, when I needed it, she would give me the space that I needed.

The MOMENT!

At last, @ 12:15am right when I said, “oh Gosh this is taking a lifetime!” and with laughter in the room. Finally, the most intense birthing wave took a hold of my existence. At that time, Inhaled and powerfully turned into a WONDER human and gave out 3 PUSHES!

He was FINALLY OUT!!!! all 9lbs of solid baby! To everyone surprise in the room, he was not the gender that we were expecting. At the same time, the gender was non important, all it mattered was for a healthy and save delivery. GLORY to the ALMIGHTY! He did just that. By the same token, the room was filled with JOY!!! I DID ITTTTTT pushed out in the comfort of my bed, my baby!!! OUTSIDE from a hospital bed, with no attachments and better yet no surgery!!