Today I'm going to be talking about something that's a bit personal, but also (in my mind) important...and it's also something that is on my mind a lot these days being 8 weeks out from the approximate arrival of Baby # 2!!
3 years ago, When I was pregnant with Molly, one aspect that I always worried about a bit (like many other pregnant women) was the uncertainty of labour and delivery. It bothered me that I would have no idea how it could go, or how long it could take. There was never any guarantee that everything was going to be OK, even though I knew I had excellent care and a wonderful hospital. Even if I had made a detailed birth plan (which we really didn't), it could have still gone the way it did. I hated not knowing exactly when I'd go into labour, and how I would react to the pain, and how everything would progress. For someone who likes to plan ahead a bit, this aspect of childbirth was a bit intimidating and almost frustrating (but also exciting! So many mixed emotions!)
As I mentioned in Molly's birth story, I had an unexpected emergency C-section in order for her to enter the world (after 44 hours of intense labour and being completely sick to my stomach). There was really no way around it, and I don't dwell on it or feel (very much) like I missed out on anything by not having a normal delivery. It just is what it is, and I am grateful each and every day that she and I both have our health.
However, this time around, I had to make a choice. Would I try to go into labour on my own, and try my best for a "normal delivery", or pre-book an elective c-section? I knew even before we got pregnant that I wanted to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Here are my reasons:
1) Although I had a relatively quick recovery after Molly's birth, it was still not easy. If possible, I would like to avoid having major abdominal surgery again. This is primarily because, if I do have a repeat c-section, I will be unable to drive for 6 weeks, or do any heavy lifting or anything strenuous (like lift my 2 year old). When Molly was born, Brian was unexpectedly off for 4 months so I don' think I noticed these aspects of recovery as much as I would this time around.
2) I would like to spend less time in the hospital after the baby's birth. With Molly, we were there for a week, and I would like to be settled in at home with my toddler and new baby a bit sooner this time.
3) I would like for Brian to experience the baby's birth in a way that wasn't entirely possible with Molly, and I would like to experience it myself. I would like to be able to hold the baby immediately after s/he is born (truth be told, I was able to hold Molly pretty shortly after, but I was struggling with recovery and being assessed around the clock for my own health).
4) I want to be able to get back into regular exercise soon after the baby's birth. It will be summer time, and I'd like to take advantage of the nice weather and work out in the backyard, etc. etc.
I am going into this knowing that there is a definite chance of a repeat c-section, and I am okay with that if it is the only option at the time. There's no point in stressing over it, but that doesn't mean that I am not going to try my best to be strong during labour and hope for a different outcome. Overall, the most important thing in all of this is having a healthy baby, and I know that if I have another c-section, I will still recover fine and be back on my feet soon afterwards. If I end up having a c-section with this birth, and we decide to have a third child someday, there will be no choice (you usually cannot try for a VBAC after 2 c-sections).
So far, I have had a very healthy pregnancy and the baby is in the right position for birth (although that could change). I have tried my best to remain active (and it helps to have an active toddler to chase around!) and maintain my own health. My doctor says that there is no reason why I cannot try for a normal delivery, and she herself has experienced many VBACs with women who have a similar background to mine. Knowing all of this gives me hope that it can happen.
I want to mention that I'm not writing this in judgment of anyone who might decide to go the route of an elective c-section, because, as I said, the baby's health is the most important thing, and it is a very personal choice. I also know that many women experience a successful VBAC after consulting with a midwife and having a completely natural birth, but this isn't part of my own plan for various reasons.
In case anyone else is in a similar situation, here are some resources I have turned to in order to best prepare myself for this labour and delivery (believe me, there is TONS of information out there!):
Have you ever been in this situation? Any labour advice for me? :)
Tomorrow I'm linking up with Haley at Truth be Told for her first link-up and it's a good one! It's called "I love him, but...." and it will be about something that your significant other does that makes you a little bit crazy. Haha. I love it! Check it out if you can think of anything that yours does that drives you crazy (and I'm sure you can think of at least one thing, all in good fun!)
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| 36/37 weeks pregnant with Molly in 2011 |
As I mentioned in Molly's birth story, I had an unexpected emergency C-section in order for her to enter the world (after 44 hours of intense labour and being completely sick to my stomach). There was really no way around it, and I don't dwell on it or feel (very much) like I missed out on anything by not having a normal delivery. It just is what it is, and I am grateful each and every day that she and I both have our health.
However, this time around, I had to make a choice. Would I try to go into labour on my own, and try my best for a "normal delivery", or pre-book an elective c-section? I knew even before we got pregnant that I wanted to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).
Here are my reasons:
1) Although I had a relatively quick recovery after Molly's birth, it was still not easy. If possible, I would like to avoid having major abdominal surgery again. This is primarily because, if I do have a repeat c-section, I will be unable to drive for 6 weeks, or do any heavy lifting or anything strenuous (like lift my 2 year old). When Molly was born, Brian was unexpectedly off for 4 months so I don' think I noticed these aspects of recovery as much as I would this time around.
2) I would like to spend less time in the hospital after the baby's birth. With Molly, we were there for a week, and I would like to be settled in at home with my toddler and new baby a bit sooner this time.
3) I would like for Brian to experience the baby's birth in a way that wasn't entirely possible with Molly, and I would like to experience it myself. I would like to be able to hold the baby immediately after s/he is born (truth be told, I was able to hold Molly pretty shortly after, but I was struggling with recovery and being assessed around the clock for my own health).
4) I want to be able to get back into regular exercise soon after the baby's birth. It will be summer time, and I'd like to take advantage of the nice weather and work out in the backyard, etc. etc.
I am going into this knowing that there is a definite chance of a repeat c-section, and I am okay with that if it is the only option at the time. There's no point in stressing over it, but that doesn't mean that I am not going to try my best to be strong during labour and hope for a different outcome. Overall, the most important thing in all of this is having a healthy baby, and I know that if I have another c-section, I will still recover fine and be back on my feet soon afterwards. If I end up having a c-section with this birth, and we decide to have a third child someday, there will be no choice (you usually cannot try for a VBAC after 2 c-sections).
So far, I have had a very healthy pregnancy and the baby is in the right position for birth (although that could change). I have tried my best to remain active (and it helps to have an active toddler to chase around!) and maintain my own health. My doctor says that there is no reason why I cannot try for a normal delivery, and she herself has experienced many VBACs with women who have a similar background to mine. Knowing all of this gives me hope that it can happen.
I want to mention that I'm not writing this in judgment of anyone who might decide to go the route of an elective c-section, because, as I said, the baby's health is the most important thing, and it is a very personal choice. I also know that many women experience a successful VBAC after consulting with a midwife and having a completely natural birth, but this isn't part of my own plan for various reasons.
In case anyone else is in a similar situation, here are some resources I have turned to in order to best prepare myself for this labour and delivery (believe me, there is TONS of information out there!):
- The Facts on VBACs (I understand the worry of added risks to the mother i.e. uterine rupture, and this explained it well)
- Childbirth Connection
- Ontario Midwives Association
Have you ever been in this situation? Any labour advice for me? :)
Tomorrow I'm linking up with Haley at Truth be Told for her first link-up and it's a good one! It's called "I love him, but...." and it will be about something that your significant other does that makes you a little bit crazy. Haha. I love it! Check it out if you can think of anything that yours does that drives you crazy (and I'm sure you can think of at least one thing, all in good fun!)
Obviously, I have no idea what happens during pregnancy but I can imagine the fears around it. A woman once told me that I'm going to *have* to have a C-section when I have a baby because my hips are too small. Honestly, it's all kind of scary to me. But that's probably because I have an intense fear of blood being taken from me and any and all types of surgery.
ReplyDeleteI wish the best for you when you go into labour again! The good news, I've heard, is that the labour time gets shorter after you have your first baby! Again, what do I know? But if it's true, hopefully you wont be in labour for as long as you were last time! 44 hours seems extremely intense!
You can SO do it! I totally agree with and respect your decision to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteChildbirth really is an incredible thing. I can't believe what our bodies go through .. but in the end, what a freakin' miracle!!! There was a moment when I was pushing where Alina's heart rate sky rocketed.. and everybody got really serious and the doctor flat out told me that she knew I was pushing, but that I was going to have to push the hardest I could.. She didn't say it, but I knew that if I didn't push her out within a few minutes, I was going in for an emergency c-section. It would have scared me at the moment, and changed our experience. But like you said; you get your baby in the end and that's all that matters.
I think because you know what you're doing this time around, things should be smooth sailing. Worst case scenario; you have to do a c-section again, and then you will be an old pro at it. No surprises..! If you get to push that lil' baby out- even better!! You get the experience you didn't have with Molly.
Thank you sooo much for the shout out! I didn't post today, so there's no way besides Twitter for me to remind my blogging friends! :)