Didn't Think it Was Labor - VBAC
Beautiful VBAC!
A big shoutout to Tracy Donegan and her "gentlebirth app". I used the cds for my first baby and found the app so much easier this time around.
I had been having surges on off for six days and when active labor began I actually had no idea because it wasn't so different to what I had been feeling anyway.
I managed most of my labour listening to the app and just relaxing. Added in a hot water bottle as things became a bit more intense. In the latter part I had a TENS machine for around two hours before baby arrived. Legitimately didn't know I was in labour until the midwife arrived (my other half called).
Story...
I got my Home Birth
STM - First Home Birth
Baby Girl
VBAC
41+4
7.98lb
Planned Water Birth
Actual water birth for two minutes
Hypnobirthing, Hot water bottle and TENS machine
Yaaaaaay we did it.
I had been experiencing period style pains for over two weeks. Then from Saturday through to Thursday I was up most nights with proper surges lasting an average of 10 mins apart.
On Sunday, we called the midwife because they were coming every 3-5 mins and lasting longer than 45 seconds each. It never came to anything and had pretty much disappeared by the Monday morning. Things continued like that for the week. I went for a reflexology appointment on the Wednesday night and was awake in bed completely uncomfortable for the entire night...
Anyway, I pulled myself together on Thursday morning and attended my midwife appointment. I consented to a vagina check just to see if anything was actually happening from all the surges. I was 3cm. As my 42 week was approaching I was also booked in for a scan the following Monday. I went home, stopping at the shop on the way to buy in lots of stuff for a bbq. I had many grand plans.
Anyway, as soon as I got home I dumped the shopping bags and told my other half I needed some space so he spent the afternoon playing with our little one out the back. I stuck on some hypnobirthing and chilled in the living room.
After a few hours I asked for a wee hot water bottle because I was feeling a bit uncomfortable. Again, pulled myself together for a low key family dinner then got my little one to sleep for 7pm. As soon as he was asleep I asked my other half to whack on the TENS machine.
I felt I needed something stronger as the water bottle wasn't cutting it for me anymore. OH started talking about the need to time surges and I kept telling him not to bother as the sensations were pretty consistent with how they had been all week. OH timed them on the sly and started telling me we really had to call in. I didn't approve and kept saying no because the last thing I wanted was for a midwife to come out again for me to be told nothing was happening. Anyway... Mark called anyway Midwife arrived at 22:15 and I consented to another check around 2245 to which we were told if you want a water birth you better get the pool filled, I was 9cm
OH started frantically trying to get things sorted. I sat on the edge of my couch just focusing on my breathing. All my plans of lovely snacks, lighting, music etc was out the window, I wanted for nothing.
At around 2300 I felt the urge to get on all fours, this is when I experienced FER. Hypnobirthing went out the window and this point and a feral shouting/groaning came over me. I'd say I was finally in the half filled pool by 2310 where I held onto the side. Asked my other half for a wet flannel which he rubbed on my head and neck and I still remember how sensational that felt.
I felt baby moving up and down the birth canal, felt down below and could feel a small bubble like thing... Went on to feel the "ring of fire" not as scary as I had read about. It was a stretching feeling and automatically a hypnobirthing affirmation came to me "the only way out is through" with another one of my silent words of encouragement "you can do this you've no bloody choice". I felt baby's head pop out automatically followed with her body in one involuntary push. Picked her up and my hearts been full ever since.
Waited for cord to stop pulsating before clamping. Then delivered the placenta with two pushes. Very straightforward. One internal second degree tear. Injection felt a bit nippy but totally manageable. Have loved using a Peri bottle over the last week, it's been a total luxury. I’ve used nothing else and feel incredible.
I didn't feel like myself for over a year after a section and I feel ready to conquer the world after a week from our natural birth. Everything went better than I could have ever imagined. The Glasgow homebirth team are top class. I would actively seek them out for any future births, they are wonderful, professional and incredibly caring. I would do it all again today and I'm only one week from birth.