I had previously had a c-section with my first daughter Lyla. Around February 2011, I found out I was pregnant again with my second child. We were pretty excited to find out that we were expecting again! I have always wanted my children to be close in age and they were going to be pretty close to about two and half years apart! Knowing I had options this time, I researched information on vaginal births after c-sections (vbac). The risks were much higher than a repeat c-section. I informed my doctor of my decision and she said we would discuss it later down the road. Kind of made me nervous to hear that. I really was completely against having another c-section.
During the second trimester around 22 weeks I had fallen down the stairs. I was rh-negative and was given rhogam. Rh-negative means I have negative blood and the baby possibly could have positive blood. In case there is a tear in the uterus they have to give a shot. This shot was the rhogam. The rhogam prevents my body making antibodies which attacks the blood from the tear. Meaning when there is a tear and blood is mixed (mine being negative and baby’s being positive). My body will try to make antibodies to protect the foreign object aka the baby. Not a good situation. The effects of the mixed blood can cause anemia (swelling of the brain and spinal cord). After I was hospitalized I had shown signs of slight mixture. The rest of my pregnancy was a constant check up to make sure no signs of anemia were present in baby. I was eventually put on bed rest the end of my pregnancy from on and off bleeding.
At this time we had discussed the chance of still being able to have a vbac. She didn’t recommend the vbac because my risk was too high. I already had a tear and she didn’t want to risk it.
We had a scheduled c-section for the tenth of October. I was originally due the 17th. Repeatedly I had gone to the hospital either for bleeding or having false contractions. I was miserable the last few weeks of my pregnancy and was constantly being stabbed with ivs each time I went to the hospital. Each time I went in with contractions they lessened and they sent me home. Soo disappointing.
On October 5th, 2011 I had woken up at about 6 am with contractions pretty close together. Estimating about 7 minutes apart. Mind you my hospital is still 40 minutes away. I called Tony who was already at work.(by the way about 2 hours from the hospital and he said for me to wait it out, it was probably another false alarm and reminded me of all the times I got sent home. I was very uncomfortable and decided to take a shower thinking things would settle down. Well, actually they got worse! They were now about 3-4 minutes apart. I made it downstairs and called Tony’s mother who lives here in town to see if she could drive me to the hospital. I didn’t want to end up going to the local hospital, and also I didn’t want to drive with Lyla. She was sleeping upstairs. I was nervous and worried! Tony’s mother was worried about me waiting to long and having the baby in her car. She rushed over and she put Lyla in the car as I packed last-minute items that I thought I would need. We ended up getting to the hospital around 9 am. I had called the hospital to see if my doctor was in and of course she was off that day. I had talked to the on call midwife who told me to go to the clinic that was attached to the hospital. When I got there my mother and father were at the hospital entrance waiting for me with a wheelchair. She didn’t know I had talked to the midwife and was not supposed to go straight to the hospital, but she called the hospital and they set up a room for me. My mom is always prepared! I wanted to walk which helped me concentrate on the contractions. When I got upstairs to the ob offices they had checked me saying I was only 2 ½ centimeters dilated. Which by the way I was like are you f’n kidding me! I was that two weeks ago!! They decided to hook me up to a NST which is a non stress test, it monitors the contractions I am having and how strong and the length that they are. About every 4 minutes and pretty strong. The nurse who was with the midwife, who I could have about punched. She kept telling me over and over that I was not going to have my baby and they were not contractions at all, it was just the baby moving. Well, lady sorry to break it to ya I have been carrying this baby for 8 months and this sure as hell wasn’t just movement!! She was just ruder than rude! When I got back to the room I was checked again and only was a little over 3 centimeters dilated. The midwife decided to send me to the hospital to be checked in because I had progressed very slowly but did progress. The woman took forever to get to my room with a wheelchair and then told my mom she could push me to the hospital. At that point, I didn’t care who took me I just wanted to go!! My mom and sister were just going nuts about the nurse!
Finally, I had made it to the hospital room! I was now about a 7 and Tony finally got to the hospital! Thank the Lord! The doctor came in and said “are we having a repeat c-section or a vbac?” I was completely stunned!! I was like my doctor said I couldn’t. Well, she said because I was progressing so perfect she was willing to give me the option but I had to choose quickly. If I would have had a c-section they would have to get me in quickly to get prepped. I looked at Tony and was soo unsure! I knew it’s what I have always wanted but really was it!? He knew I was nervous and said to me that he knew I could do it. He knew I was strong and that I have always wanted to do! He knew if I didn’t try I would have been disappointed forever! He was my hero that day!! He truly was! I decided to go through with it and try a vbac!
Last picture with my belly!! I will cherish this picture since I do not have one with Lyla.
They gave me the walking epidural and we had walked about once around the labor and delivery area and I felt a lot of pressure. I then went back to my room and had the final medicine for my epidural. Being a vbac patient I was then restricted to the bed after that because of risks involved. It was only taking to my left side and eventually after laying on my right side it took. That I think was the most horrible pain ever. I only felt all the pain in my right side. I felt it was much harder to control and calm myself being on one side. After about an hour, I had felt soo much pressure and the nurse said since you were a 7 an hour ago I will wait until the doctor gets here. It was a little bit and I really was begging for her to check me, saying I think its time. She then gave in because the doctor had not come. She lifted my gown and I was completely crowned and at a 10. Tony got to see her hair and I just completely cried! The nurse had me start to push and about the 3rd push the doctor came and in and on the 5th push she was out! I got to hear her first cry, touch her and hold her immediately when she came out, just it was amazing!
Tenley Rose Hernandez was born. Seven pounds seven ounces.
The photos are something I cannot believe I look at the them all the time!! Right after I was stitched and cleaned up I was able to get up and walk.. Pee on my own!!! And change and shower!! I felt like a new woman!! I could hold and carry my baby! So amazing. I felt soooo powerful that I could carry the world on my shoulders!!! I felt so incomplete with my first delivery until then!! I would never go back! I healed sooo quickly and lost all the weight I gained soo quickly!! I could take care of her like I never had surgery!! I truly think if you do your research and have faith and confidence you can do it!! I knew if I didn’t try I would have regretted my choice!! I know now you know your body better than anyone.. If you think you can you probably can and you will do it better than you thought!!
This is daddy!
That’s Me!
Mo Big sister Lyla with her new sister at home!
The vbac was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I know from now on to be your own advocate! it’s the only way. Intervention I swear is what most doctors know. I am a woman, I was meant to birth children. My body was made for it. All in all, I have experienced both kind of labors and got two beautiful girls as an outcome!! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
WiscoMom 