What to expect during a VBAC labour
ÒI could feel and see my baby moving down through
my birth canal, and soon I felt his head crowning.
What an amazing thing to feel! It was soft and hairy and squishy.
I guided his head out, by massaging my perineum over and around
it, and after about half an hour of pushing,
James was born into his Daddy's hands.Ó
A VBAC labour will progress the same way as any other
womanÕs labour Ð the previous caesarean/s will not directly affect
your bodyÕs ability to perform this natural function. If youÕve
experienced labour previously, even if it ended in a caesarean,
you may find that your VBAC labour progresses more quickly than
your previous one.
Some women experience a ÒstallÓ in their VBAC labour,
at the point they had reached during an earlier labour; usually
at the stage where the decision to perform a caesarean was decided
(eg, at 5 cmÕs). It is not known if this has a physical cause, but
it is more likely to be a response to the emotions surrounding the
memories of the previous experience, triggered by reaching the same
stage in this labour. Fear is a powerful emotion. If this does happen,
it doesnÕt mean you will not birth vaginally. Nearly all women are
able to work past this point, especially with the right support,
and have a wonderfully empowering birth experience.
Working through memories, and informing yourself of
your bodyÕs ability to birth naturally, during the interval between
your caesarean and your VBAC will decrease the likelihood of your
body ÒstallingÓ in this way.
So, read, discuss, research and inform yourself if
aiming for a natural birth.
To find out how to obtain a free copy, or how you
can organise to distribute the booklets, please click
here.
