How did your labor start?
I was 39+1 and my blood pressure was starting to creep up, so Maura and I decided to induce labor with castor oil. I didn’t expect much from it, after drinking the first serving nothing happened. Then after drinking the second serving everything changed. I was getting my toddler ready for his afternoon nap and contractions slowly started but I was in disbelief at first! Then after I left his room things amped up quickly for me!
How did your labor go? How did you feel during labor?
My labor was amazing and redemptive for me, I had a sacred and empowering VBAC. My labor was fast (5 hours total) and I didnt even keep track of time because of how quickly things went. Labor started at home and my contractions were varying in time and length. I was by myself still and couldn’t keep track on my own especially when they were getting more consistent and powerful! My husband was at work and my sister who was supposed to be there with me as well was taking longer to get to my house than expected! I called my amazing doula and she talked me through things and helped me to stay calm and told me to take a bath. I did, but then I started vocally laboring in the tub and knew things were moving fast! (My toddler somehow napped through my loud noises). Eventually my sister got there and then my husband. I told them I couldn’t do this anymore and I wanted to go to the hospital, but I knew this was me hitting transition and that it was time for us to go! We drove to the Coit house and I labored in the car for the 40 min drive which felt like the longest part of my labor. As soon as I walked up to the front door of the Coit house I had the urge to push. I jumped in the tub and was focused. I held onto my husband, listening to the encouraging words from my doula which helped so much, and mentally focused on God being with me in that moment. I felt my baby boy moving down further and further, it was such an incredible sensation, it didn’t hurt. Then I felt the ring of fire and I knew all I had to do was push and he would soon be there. I felt his head emerge in the water, and could feel him wiggling around in my pelvis, it was crazy to feel! I pushed for 30 min total and gave birth to him in the water, just as I had wanted! With my first born, I pushed for 3 hours and ended up with a c section, so I felt so powerful and redeemed when I was able to birth my baby this way. I daydream about my birth with Charlie, and can’t wait to do it all again.
Who was with you and how did they offer support?
My doula, sister and husband were with me. They all were so supportive and loving, all offering me words of encouragement and let me physically squeeze and hold them when need be.
What was it like to meet your baby?
It was so miraculous, there are not enough words in the world to explain what it’s like to go through pregnancy, then labor and then being able to hold them after all that work! I was so proud of us, and told him “We did it!” When I held him after he was out.
How did your experience of giving birth compare to your expectations?
My experience was only slightly different than what I expected but beautiful all the same! My goal was to breath through contractions better than I did with my first labor with my son, but I think that will be something to keep working on for the next birth haha . Other than that, everything was beautiful and my prayers were answered for having a successful VBAC!
What were the first few weeks with a newborn like for you?
They were so much better than what I expected, so different from my experience with my first born. I feel like with your first it can be hard to enjoy every moment because your stressed because you don’t really know what you’re doing. And I was nervous to see how things would go with going from one child to two. But it was all much smoother than expected. I mainly stayed in our bedroom with Charlie for the first 2ish weeks, which I think really helped with my physical recovery and bonding with him. My husband and other son would come up and visit us through out the day and bring food and drinks etc. And through the first couple weeks I just kept reminding myself that this time flies by so try to enjoy it all while it’s happening. It helped me to remain present and at peace with that sacred time.
Is there anything else you want to share?
I just felt so supported through out my pregnancy and birth. I felt like Maura and the team really made sure to help me get the VBAC I wanted and during labor they let me do my thing. They are such a great team there and understand what you’re going through and it truly is a safe space to labor and birth in. Also we loved that we could leave shortly after birth! I remember driving home and being like… “What did you do today? Today I gave birth and now I’m heading home 2 hours later!” Like it’s no big deal, which is amazing and also feels so powerful!
