So finally after 3 c-sections my dream of a normal delivery became a reality on 17.2.09 at 4.03am when I delivered a beautiful baby boy.
My pregnancy was pretty stressful from start to finish, there were a lot of tears and battles but I persevered with my plans and boy was it worth it. Thanks to all the ladies on the 'Support for imminent VBACers' thread for their support and advice, it was invaluable.
So the birth story....
Starting having mild contractions on Saturday evening (40+2) this continued until early Monday morning when contractions became stronger, phoned hospital was advised to go in. Was examined on arrival and told I was 3cm dilated so not in established labour, contractions had more or less stopped and I was kicking myself for going in so early (had only just read Klaw's 'early labour mistakes' post a few hours earlier ), I wanted to go home but registrar reluctant to let me go home with history of 3 cs so was taken to post natal ward.
Nothing changed contractions still mild and infrequent throughout the day but was losing a lot of bloody mucus. I wasn't seen by a doctor or monitored and by 3pm had had enough and wanted to go home but all doctors refused to discharge me so if I wanted to go home would have to self discharge, luckily my saintly consultant midwife came to my rescue and told me if I wanted to go home that she would o.k it, doctors were not happy with this but eventually let me out at 5pm.
Got home had a long soak in the bath and the contractions started again and by 9.30pm could not cope with pain so back to hospital we went, was examined on arrival and was 6 cm dilated and my waters broke, taken to a delivery room and given gas for pain relief. I had agreed to CFM as long as it didn't restrict me, the midwife was fab and allowed me to be as active as possible which was great. Was fully dilated by 1.45am and had urge to push but told to blow through urges as registrar needed to be present during 2nd stage, registrar was delayed due to 2 emergencies and after nearly an hour couldn't hold off any longer and began to push without registrar present. I tried every conceivable position to birth baby, on all fours, hanging off the back of the bed, squatting, lying on my left hand side, etc this lasted nearly 1.5 hours after which I was exhausted and they suggested a ventouse delivery to which I agreed to, 2 pushes later baby was born at 4.03am.
Due to antibodies they took baby to Neo Natal for Phototherapy for 24 hrs as a precaution but was discharged next day. Baby is doing really well BF on demand and is utterly gorgeous. Even though I had an episiotomy my recovery is a world apart from my previous c sections.
For anyone reading this considering a vbac my advice would be read, read and read on everything vbac related and find a supportive health professional ie consultant midwife and talk through all your concerns, if you still want to attempt a VBAC and feel at peace with your decision go for it. For me it was important to allow my body to do what nature intended and if it wasn't meant to be I knew I had given it my best shot.
Im off to cuddle my bundle of joy who, more than a week later, remains nameless due to my very indecisive DH.