Here we have Maddy’s VBAC birth experience in hospital with private midwife and doula support. Thank you so much, Maddy, for sharing your beautiful birth story with us! ?
My first birth experience – the induction
My first pregnancy I went in overly trusting of the medical system and not questioning enough. Late in my pregnancy scans were saying the baby was 99th percentile. I was told (not asked) that I would have to be induced. They couldn’t get me in at 39 weeks, so they scheduled it for 40 weeks on the dot. In the lead up to the induction I told the obstetrician how important it was for me to be moving and in the shower and not stuck in a bed. Very little of the actual induction procedure was explained to me.
When I got there I was hooked up to CTG. Initially I was confused, thinking that the CTG was just to get an initial reading. The midwife broke my waters and then any time I wanted to get out of bed to go to the toilet she would comment at how I would have to hold a pad under me so that I didn’t get anything on the floor. It made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere because it was an inconvenience.
As the contractions ramped up I told them that I needed to go into the shower. They told me that they would go and look into a waterproof monitor, but kept coming back without one, saying they’d forgotten to ask. Eventually I couldn’t cope with the pain any more in the position that I was in; I got an epidural. I didn’t react well to it and couldn’t lie down without vomiting.
The decision for a caesarean
After five or six hours of labour they told me that I hadn’t progressed past 5 cm. Apparently my cervix was swelling and I would need a c-section. I was told I could keep labouring but there wasn’t any chance of me dilating further. They said baby and I were slightly tachycardic.
I remember my obstetrician saying that she had to cut the incision a centimetre larger than she normally did because Baby was so big. She said I was a good candidate for a VBAC if my next baby wasn’t as large. Baby came out at only 3.8kg. I walked away feeling like my body just never had a chance of being able to birth my baby. It felt like that meant C-sections from now on.
Preparing for my vaginal birth after caesarean with a private midwife and doula
About six months after my son was born I started to do a deep dive into birth related stuff. It all started when listening to Hannah Dahlen talk about the cascade of interventions around suspected big baby. I was just like, “This is my story, this is exactly how it went!”
I think I must’ve lived and breathed birth and birth forums for the next two years. For me, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t have to fight. I’d heard that so many women had to fight for their birth or their VBAC. I knew I wanted a Private Midwife and Doula and didn’t want CTG monitoring. I’d hoped to labour in the pool and I didn’t want routine vaginal exams. I engaged the amazing Ashlee Anslow as my private midwife, who had delivery rights at Westmead public, and Aimee Sing as my doula. After this point, my pregnancy was largely uneventful. I didn’t have to push or fight for what I wanted at any point and had nothing but support. In the lead up to the birth I even had a birth pool ready in case I ended up birthing at home.
My VBAC hospital birth with private midwife and doula support
At about 4pm, at 39 weeks and 5 days, I lost what I thought was some mucous plug. Instantly, I had a vibe that this was it! I spent the afternoon dancing around my kitchen to happy music while watching my 3 year old son playing outside with his grandma. After putting my son to bed that night I had very minor cramping and water leaking, so went to lie down.
At around 9pm things seemed to ramp up and my waters seemed to be leaking more. About 9pm my son woke up inconsolable and wasn’t able to go back to sleep. He started watching tv with his grandma on the couch.
I started to spend my time in the shower. By 11pm I couldn’t talk through the contractions anymore. I remember sending my Doula messages using the voice talk feature because I couldn’t type any more between contractions. By 11:40 I decided that I needed my Doula and she was on her way. Then the unthinkable happened, my hot water ran out!
I started labouring leaning over the couch. The house felt like it was full of fuss and the hot water was gone; it was time for hospital. We could use their shower and birth pool. My doula also messaged my midwife and her student to start the long drive.
My Doula arrived around 12:50. She was there for one or two contractions before loading me in the car. I think the drive to the hospital was the hardest bit and I spent most of it biting the seatbelt.
Getting to the hospital
Once we got to the hospital my husband pulled the car out the front and I got in a wheelchair. Aimee parked the car for us. My midwife had called ahead to ensure that we were getting a room with a bath. We got to the hospital at 1:40 and I was so relieved to see the shower. I threw off my dress and dived under the shower as soon as I was in our room.
At around 2:30am I started to feel very tired. I couldn’t feel baby’s head yet. While the contractions were manageable (so much easier than the induced ones) I just wanted to sleep! I started asking for an epidural so I could have a nap. My Doula and husband knew I didn’t really want one. They made the suggestion that I try the bath and gas first; thank goodness they did. The bath was heaven!
The next 2 1/2 hours I laboured in the water with gas in between contractions. I remember feeling like it wasn’t having any effect! At least it had me doing good breath work in between the contractions. The room was dark and filled with flameless candles.
My VBAC birth
I remember looking around and having a line from the Great birth rebellion podcast go through my head. They were talking about female elephants surrounding a birthing elephant to keep them safe. That’s what it was. Calm, peaceful and surrounded by my support people all there to keep me safe. I even felt in good enough spirits to have a whinge between contractions about why we should just lay eggs. I’d been having small involuntary pushing the entire labour. I just tried to relax my body as much as possible and let it do its thing. I’m not sure what time my midwife, Ashlee, arrived. She played a vital role of not just looking after me but protecting my space since we were in hospital.
As the time progressed I could reach down and feel baby’s head getting closer and closer. As soon as this happened I felt so confident about each contraction, knowing it was bringing her closer each time.
It got to the point with each contraction where her head would go slightly forward and then retreat back once the contraction was over. With the next contraction I didn’t push, I gently bore down slightly to hold her head in place to stop it slipping backwards. The next contraction came and out came her head. I took some more deep breaths of gas and prepared for the next contraction and out she came (no tearing!). We caught her (a bit clumsily and with some assistance) and brought her to my chest. I was suddenly so overwhelmed with the fact that I had just done it and I burst into tears. It was the most amazing feeling.
Processing my VBAC birth
Even 7 months later I think about the birth and watch my birthing video often. I even find myself wanting to go back and re live that night over again and absorb every moment. It was night and day from my first experience! Once my new baby was weighed and measured I found out she was the same head circumference as my son!
Planning your own VBAC birth
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Maddy’s experience of a VBAC in hospital with private midwife and doula support. If you have any questions about planning and preparation for a VBAC, or want to know how you can access private midwifery or doula support, please don’t hesitate to reach out – I’d love to talk to you! ?
Aimee xx