"ONCE (TWICE) A CAESAREAN - NOT ALWAYS A CAESAREAN"I have had five pregnances. My 1st and 3rd pregnancies ended in miscarriages and my 2nd and 4th ended in caesarean sections - one with epidural anaesthesia and the other under a general anaesthetic. Yes, I was overjoyed and happy to have my two healthy babies but I mourned the loss ofa vaginal delivery and the joy of being able to hold and bond immediately with my first two babies when they were born. My 5th pregnancy ended withthe arrival of my third beautiful baby boy and a longed for VBAC. I started planning my VBAC after the delivery of my first son, Matt, who was taken from me by an unnecessary c/section in 1991. I was told I had 'possible' IUGR (intra uterine growth retardation) and placental insufficiency. I was induced at 37.5 weeks after an epidural anaesthetic. What resulted was 'suspected' fetal distress and 2805g (6lb 3oz) baby boy who had apgars of 9 and 10. So much for IUGR and the placenta was perfect also. My second son, Jack, was taken by another unnecessary c/section in 1993. This time my OB decided to 'allow a trial of labour' (big of him!). But, at a 38 week pre-natal appointment he gave me an internal examination and stripped my membranes - without my consent or bothering to inform me of his intentions. The pain that followed can only be described as absolute agony - labour didn't even get that bad!. I was told that should I go into labour, it had nothing to do with what he had just done. What resulted was my going into premature labour and a second baby going into fetal distress. This time, the baby's head hadn't engaged and the cord was floating across the birth canal (not to be mistaken for a prolapsed cord). Each contraction compressed the cord and sent the baby into distress. This little boy weighed 3440g (7lb 9oz) at 38 weeks and spent a few days in the special care nursery. This caesarean had been under general anaesthetic as the anaesthetist 'didn't wish to get behind with his appointment schedule for the day!'. As for the severity of the fetal distress - how severe could it have been when the anaesthetist took 2.5 hours to arrive at the hospital. What culminated from these fiascos was a determination to have my next baby born a) when he was ready to be born, and b) vaginally. In the mean time, I had to find an OB who would be willing to allow me to do things my way. I 'shopped' around and eventually found an OB who was non interventive - no mean feat in Sydney I assure you. I asserted myself and would not allow any internal examination (unless baby was at full term), no ultrasounds (I was sure of my dates), no medical induction (unless absolutely necessary and then I wanted to try natural methods of induction first), the list went on and on and on. I had a birth plan with request such as - intermittent fetal monitoring only, vaginal exams only when requested by myself, no amniotomy, eat and drink as desired, no cannual, no episiotomy, no time limit to be placed on labour, choice of positions, homoeopathic remedies to be used. I had my OB, his partner and the nurse unit manager at the hospital sign it the birth plan. I had researched VBAC for four years and I knew there was absolutely no reason as to why I couldn't have a vaginal birth - convincing everyone else what the problem. My OB was no problem, I just had to find a hospital that would allow me to do as I wished. Out of the three hospitals my OB delivered at, I chose the one with the lowest c/section rate (a public hospital and a change for me, as my first two had been born at private hospitals). I had a meeting with the nurse unit manager to discuss my birth plan and asked her to sign it. Eventually, 'labour day' arrrived. The contractions started at 11am the day before my due date (after eating KFC!). What followed, was a relaxing day enjoying my contractions and eagerly looking forward to the birth. I had no doubt that I would deliver vaginally. I was determined not to arrive at the hospital too early as I didn't want any interference. We left home at 8.30pm when the contractions were 5 minutes apart. On arrival at the hospital I had initial monitoring for 20 minutes which showed a lovely strong heartbeat (maybe I had finally found someone who could actually read a fetal monitor). I settled into the labour room (no birth centre for me - too 'risky' they say - even though the BC was closer to the theatre than the labour rooms). I had been fairly active and continued to walk around. I ate and drank freely (only because I had fought so hard for the right to do so). I used homoeopathic remedies and the shower for relief. At 11pm I requested a vaginal exam (the first for my whole pregnancy), and was told I was 7.5cm. My OB's partner arrived at 11.55pm, just as I had started to push. My 3700g (8lb 30z) baby boy was born at 12.12am on his due date. He was drugfree and alert. The head was delivered and my doctor told me to reach down and take my baby as the shoulders came out - which I gladly did! I lifted him up onto my stomach and was absolutely ecstatic - this was the first time I had seen or held one of my newborn. I nursed and fed him for an hour before letting him be weighed and checked next to my bed. Apart from this and when I showered - he wasn't out of my arms. We left the hospital 17 hours later. A total of 12.5 hours easy labour and 20 minutes that was 'a bit hard!' The labour and birth were wonderful and I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single contraction and was disappointed when it was all over. I can't wait to do it again - a homebirth next time. I was lucky and had the full support of my husband, a non interventive and patient OB, and the support of BACUP (Birth After Caesarean Unlimited Possibilites). BACUP supported me with advice, encouragement, newsletters and birth stories and without them, my husband and OB, I might not have been strong enought to 'fight the establishment'. I also attended CEA classes where I met a group of wonderful people. A VBAC is not a privelage - it is a right. Birthing women have the right to feel safe and nutured pregnancy and labour and be supported to give birth in whatever way they please. Read anything and everything on VBAC and c/sections. By becoming more knowledgable and educated on the subject - you become empowered and therefore more readily able to ignore ignorant people who try to persuade you to 'give in' to a another c/section. Get support from groups such as BACUP. Encourage your partner/s to read and become knowledgable, so that they too will be as confident in your ability to birth vaginally as you are. It also helps them be better advocates for you whilst you are in labour. Trust your body - it knows exactly what to do. Kind regards Sharon Gavin Mum to Matt (21-12-91 c/section), Jack (20-09-93 c/section) & Ben (30-09-93 VBAC)
|