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| Moments after she was born |
I was inspired to write this blog when I was still in the
hospital. I cried when I felt the confirmation to share our story. I hope our
story encourages others.
Let me just give a little background by briefly sharing about
Sophia’s birth: I did not have a great experience with Sophia’s birth. I was in
labor for many hours, pushed for three hours and then ended up with a caesarean
(c-section) because she was sunny side up – also known as posterior – and not
coming out. It was a really rough experience and there were some complications
for me but thank God Sophia was healthy and that was all that mattered.
Needless to say my recovery was hard physically and emotionally.
When I became pregnant with Isabelle my doctors said I could
try to have a vaginal birth after caesarean (v-bac). I was so excited to hear
this. I started to pray for Isabelle’s birth. I accepted that we could have a
regular birth or a c-section but I was determined not to go through both again.
Early in my pregnancy I met some wonderful people that used an amazing doula.
My one friend had a v-bac and she really encouraged and inspired me to pursue
natural childbirth. Thank you, friend!
I got in touch with this amazing doula that two of my friends
used. (If anyone wants to have a doula I can get you in touch with a wonderful
person!) I had heard awesome things about her through multiple people. As my
pregnancy progressed I started doing some of my own research on natural
childbirth. I read a few books:
1.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina
May Gaskin
2.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie
Mongan
Both of these books really
solidified the fact to me that childbirth doesn’t have to be so scary and that
natural childbirth can be achievable.
I also watched numerous
YouTube videos of natural childbirths. I noticed how all of the women in labor
remained calm. I also visited the chiropractor to make sure the baby was in
good alignment to help with the birth. I
took pre-natal yoga with both pregnancies, which I highly recommend. I felt so
great after class and it really helped me with the breathing for childbirth.
It’s also a great way to meet other mommies having a baby around the same time
you are expecting.
I prayed throughout my pregnancy but just days before I went
into labor I surrendered to God. As I prayed I told him that this was His
child, His delivery and that I hoped He could use me to encourage others to try
for a v-bac. I told Him I trusted Him. I felt at peace and I knew if I went
into labor I was going to pursue natural childbirth. If I went past 41 weeks I
knew the doctor’s wanted me to have a c-section and I was prepared for that as
well. In my heart though, my hope for a natural v-bac was very strong and
persistent.
On Thursday, April 10th I had some contractions in
the evening and Friday April 11th I had more contractions but they
went away after a while and I totally dismissed it as Braxton hicks. Then on
Saturday, I had more contractions as the day went on. Finally, at about 5pm in
the evening I thought I should start writing these contractions down to see how
far apart they were. At about 6:30 pm that evening I couldn’t believe that I
might actually be in labor. I was still in total disbelief because I wasn’t due
for another 3 weeks. I was only 37 weeks pregnant! Sophia was a week late and I had to be
induced with her so I never thought this baby would come early.
We contacted my doctor and my doula (Shawna). My doula advised
me to stay home as long as possible and to try and get some rest. I laid in bed
and listened to my hypnobirthing CD to help relax me. At around 12am the
contractions were between 3-5 minutes apart and I knew it was time to go to the
hospital. When I arrived at the hospital I was 4.5-5 cm dilated. Shawna met me at
the hospital and my mom arrived later. The doctor soon came in and tried to
persuade me to have an epidural because I had a c-section before but I insisted
that I did not want one. I basically laid in bed and switched sides and listened
to the hypnobirthing CD. Pat and Shawna remained calm which really encouraged me.
They really helped me through the contractions by massaging me to distract me
from the pain. Pretty soon I was 7 cm dilated and at around 4:30am my water broke
and I felt ready to have the baby, they checked me and sure enough I was 10 cm
dilated!
I think I pushed for about 30 minutes (but it felt longer) and
little Isabelle was born and the funny thing was she was sunny-side up just
like her sister. The doctor said later that if she was a bigger baby she might
not have been able to come out in that position.
They laid her on my chest. I couldn’t believe how warm she
was. I was in utter shock and I had no idea I’d meet her so soon and here she
was on my chest. It was a beautiful, surreal moment.
I had Shawna and my nurse by my side and my husband right behind
me the whole the time. The nurses were amazing and really cheered me on to help
with the birth and my mom even got to see little Isabelle be born.
Things quickly turned from joyful to a little scary for me
because I lost a lot of blood. I could see the look of concern on the doctor
and nurses faces. I held on tight to my doula and nurse and kept asking if I
was going to be alright. Some of my placenta was stuck and the doctor really
had to work at getting it out.
I prayed out loud in the middle of it all asking God to get
the placenta out in the name of Jesus. This was probably the most painful part
of the whole ordeal. Soon, everything was out and I was relieved but still in
shock.
The good news is that everything turned out fine and little
Isabelle was a healthy 5 lb. 14 oz 19 inches long beautiful baby girl.
It was an amazing ride and for days after her birth I just
couldn’t believe little Isabelle was in my arms and no longer in my belly. I
could not have done it without God leading me the whole way and supplying just
the right people to be there throughout her birth. I’m so thankful He supplied
the right nurses and doctor at the hospital.
If you are considering a natural childbirth or a v-bac please
feel free to contact me. I’d love to encourage you. I know when you are
pregnant you need lots of positive encouragement. You can do it, momma!
Through
it all I know God carried me with each step…
This
is a favorite verse of mine:
Phillipians
4:13
I
can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13
I
love how God can put a verse on your heart and then that verse comes up in
conversation or you randomly hear it on the radio. After thinking about the
beginning of the pregnancy through childbirth and even now raising a two year
old and newborn I see God’s hands all over our lives. I know I cannot do
anything without Him. I ask for His help every day. There is nothing too big
for Him. He delights in us asking for help because His loves us. So, why not
ask for his help? He loves you!
Thanks
for reading!
****In
the next post I will share some resources that really helped me throughout my
pregnancy and delivery.
Stay tuned…
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| Mimi holding her for the first time |
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