I won’t lie that when I first met with this client I was both immediately ready to take her on as a client despite my schedule being full, but also completely aware of the fact that she was unlikely to get the VBAC she so desired if she stuck to her current plan. She was already 36 weeks along with a doctor who was very unsupportive of VBAC in general and birthing at a hospital that isn’t terribly VBAC friendly. But she was determined and a referral from a current client and we hit it off so contracts were signed and we were off to the races!
With her first baby, she had done no research, no reading, and wasn’t prepared at all for birth. She went with a doctor her friend had recommended. She went to the hospital when her contractions started. They admitted her, she got an epidural because she didn’t know when she should get one. She laid on her back, got pitocin when her labor slowed down. Had her waters broken. Baby showed signs of distress and she got a fever after 12 hours of being on epidural and she went for a c-section. This time she swore would be different! She was educated and she had a plan.
She changed care providers at 38 weeks to Michelle Davis CNM with Maricopa OB Gyn Associates Midwives whom she immediately loved and chose to birth at Banner University Medical Center, so now I knew she had a chance! Her plan was to forgo an epidural as long as possible to try to avoid the risks associated with it and to limit vaginal exams to prevent infection. Oh, and an experienced doula by her side!
A week later, she was having contractions… prodromal labor. In the morning they stopped… She had maybe 1 an hour after sunrise, but come afternoon they seemed to start up again. We were thinking it might just be another night of prodromal labor but then at about 8pm, her water broke and we knew it was the real deal. Her contractions were coming fast and strong so we decided to meet at the hospital…
Here’s the rest of her story …
I’ve had the joy of seeing this beautiful family since their birth and from the mom’s own mouth, this birth and recovery has been lightyears different. She feels amazing. She was drugged up for days after her c-section. She had massive issues nursing and for months struggled to get breastfeeding going. She was in pain, her baby was fussy. Nothing about her post partum period was good. This time her baby was gaining right away. Her baby sleeps well. She nurses beautifully and efficiently. She had no tearing. No complications. I could not be happier for her! She was truly a warrior who fought for her VBAC and trusted her team and her body and her baby to help her get there. I’m so proud and feel so blessed to have been able to share this amazing story with you all!