well i planned for a VBAC but it didn't quite happen as expected.
Had been in early slow labour since Monday 1st Oct, contractions got stronger and slightly more regular Thursday evening, after an examination that morning showed me to be 4cm.
Stayed at home as long as possible, but pain was getting worse around 9pm, so we made our way up to the maternity ward. When i was examined it showed that i was still 4cm i was not impressed. It also caused part of my waters to break.
The pain gradually increased with contractions coming every 5 mins. We were then moved to a private room and set up with some gas and air for when i needed it.
I tried it but it made me feel really panicy, a bit out of control, especially as i had been practising my normal breating, it felt odd using the mouthpiece.
As soon as i came off the monitor I paced around the room and bit and then stood in the shower as most of my pain was in my lower back, that really helped take my mind away from the pain.
I tried bouncing on the birthing ball too and this helped a little.
I was knackered after 3 nights of no sleep from early labour contractions i just wanted to close my eyes, but i couldn't lie on the bed, it hurt too much to be lying down. I discussed pethidine with the midwife. Knowing that it could cause the baby to be drowsy had put me off, but i also knew it would make me drowsy, so i checked whether she thought having it at that early stage would be best, to help me sleep and be far away enough from labour to not effect the baby too much when it mattered. She agreed, so i had a shot of that.
It worked, after making me throw up, it sent me to sleep. I slept for an hour, waking up at 6am. I got up to the toilet, lay back down on the bed, and had the biggest shock of my life. my waters suddenley broke, water everywhere.
Then it really started, contractions every 3 mins. I was put back on the monitor and left bouncing on my ball. i managed to breath, chant and moan through the pain, while the midwives handed over.
When my new midwife arrived she checked the monitor and it wasn't picking up babies heartate clearly, they thought maybe the strap had slipped and it was picking up mine instead.
So i had to go back on the bed, which i was very annoyed with as it killed my back to labour on there. I grabbed the gas and air and was told by the midwife that, its no wonder ithadn't worked before i wasn't breathing into it correctly. so once i had a little lesson i used it successfully and effectively. The monitor still wasn't picking up the heartrate well though. With every contraction the baby's heart rate would drop and take a while to recover.
I was examined and had got to 7cm not bad for a couple of hours.
After consulting with 4 doctors, they decided that the baby's rate was not recovering quickly enough and that they needed to get him out. So i was whisked off for an emergency section
i was gutted, but far too worried about the baby to care too much. They agreed i could stay awake and wouldn't need a general anesthetic.
When they got to our baby he had got the cord wrapped round his chest and neck, he needed a little oxygen to bring him round and has been fine ever since.
He was born Friday morning at 9.16am
I am very proud of myself that i got to 7cm and experienced labour at some degree. The main thing is that our son is ok.
Good luck to all you VBacers our there, i hope you get what you want. but if it ends early then don't be dissapointed.