#vrikshambirthstory

Hi Anupama,
Here is my VBAC story. I am 33 years old and GD with both pregnancies. First delivery in 2017 through c-sec.

This time I was heavier at the start of pregnancy (155lbs), and suffer from hypothyroid as well. But from the start, I was keen on VBAC and asked my gynae if it was possible. She was encouraging & fact full. With a dietitian suggestion changed me to a carb restricted diet from 8th week. This helped a lot with weight issues and in turn managing sugar levels throughout pregnancy. I lost weight this whole pregnancy and was 153 lbs on my due date.

I did all housework, managed a 4 yr old and worked from home full time. Still managed to do 30 min walk every day. Towards the end I did need some medicine to keep my post food sugars at check and that’s it. My Dr. started talking about induction at 37th week, she said 39 would be better if kid’s weight was on higher end by 38th week. Luckily baby’s weight was around 6 lbs n 10 oz and Dr. did not feel the need to induce at 39. She said we can wait till 40th week.

On my due date Oct 12th, I was induced with foley bulb method. By that night I was about 3 cm dilated & contractions about 5 min apart for 30-40 seconds kicked in. They sent us back home for a good night rest as I had a big day ahead. Next morning, I was asked to come back for oxytocin induction through IV at 7 am. My contractions started to get stronger by 3 am that morning and hence clearly, I did not sleep much. But had a good warm shower and few spoons of food before I left for the day. After regular check in process & IV placing I was started on IV fluids, oxytocin and insulin at 8 am.

I requested for wireless baby heart monitor with contractions monitor, so I could be on the ball and keep moving to progress labor further. They kept regular check of my cervix. I was 4 cm by 10 am. At that point they broke my water and that increased the contraction rate n progressed labor further. By 1 pm the pain was horrible and I could no longer take it.

Though initially I had mentally prepped for no epidural, my Dr. was positive it will not create negative impact and suggested it will be best to save energy. At 1.30pm 6 cm dilation I took epidural but was bound to bed after that. Just like previous delivery with epidural baby’s heart rate got fluctuating, my BP started to drop. I was given medication to stabilize.

Husband and I with previous similar experience started to get restless. But my nurse was super positive and kept encouraging I was doing better. She kept tossing me around in the bed with a peanut ball in between legs and helping me get the baby down. By 5 pm she announced I was 8 cm and I was beyond surprised. She suggested not to take more dosage of epidural at that point.
By 6pm I was 9 cm and 6.30pm 9.5 cm. My nurse moved it to 10 and my Dr. with whole crew came in and said it’s push time .. I had no clue as I was not feeling the urge. I followed the breathing techniques and with my husband by my side cheering I was doing it … after good pushes during the next three contraction and my baby girl was out by 7 pm October 13th.

The whole labor crew said I did great without yelling and shouting being so calm. My husband was emotional n cried as he did not believe it was going to be possible. He even got chance to cut cord. My Dr. trusted me & I trusted her.

Beyond everything it was God’s help this miracle happened. I practiced the breathing technique and also kept walking during the foley bulb induction process and ball sitting. This was a great surreal experience for me . Thanks for your guidance post those are motivating.