A VBAC Success!

The story of Grant's birth is one that will always stay near and dear to my heart. It started when his beautiful mother Ali had an overwhelming hope for a better more peaceful birth than the one she experienced before.
 Alis first birth had been a scheduled c-section because her baby was in the breach position. At the time her doctor did discuss turning the baby but Ali felt as if the doctor showed no confidence in the success of attempting this and he also told Ali it would be incredibly painful. So of corse Ali assumed this was true, took his advise and declined to try and turn the baby. She also new nothing of the many wonderfully effective natural techniques to help the baby turn such as Spinning Babies. 
Other common miss diagnosis causing a huge number of unnecessary c-sections is Failure to Progress  and  CPD , where a womans pelvis is thought to be to small to give birth vaginally. In Alis case of the baby being breech, she then went on to have her sweet baby girl via scheduled c-section. She's such a beautiful little girl and has grown healthy and strong. However Ali was left with a very hard recovery physically and emotionally and a strong inkling that things maybe could have been different. She felt that not only was the birth hard on her but that it might have been able to be gentler for her baby. Ali began to feel that this c-section may not have been truly medically necessary. As the months rolled by in her next pregnancy she fallowed her intuition and began to look into what complications really warent intervention or a truly medically indicated c-section and what it would take to have a vaginal birth after a c-section. Ali wanted more then anything to prove to herself against many peoples doubts that she could in fact have a safe vaginal birth after a c-section. She wanted it not only for herself but also she longed to give this baby the peaceful entrence into this world he deserved. 

When Ali first contacted me I was shocked and completely ecstatic! I had no idea that she had been doing so much sole searching. After all I didn't know her very well at this point. Ali would soon become my very first Hospital birth client. On top of it she was my first client in hopes of having a v-bac. I dedicated every waking moment of my life for the next few months, reasserting for her and I. I wanted to give her the best care and support possible. My heart and sole was all in! One of the greatest sights we would often refer to for current evidence-based information, support and  and resources regarding v-bacs is ICAN 

As with most things worth doing, many obstacles seemed to try and stumble her efforts. But amongst every bump in the road Ali grew stronger and more determined! Her commitment to do whatever it took left me speechless time and again as we would work out the kinks together. Ali spent hours in fabulous childbirth education corses learning everything from the general physiology of birth to the emotional aspect, hospital protocols, informed consent, empowerment, positioning, intervention and so much more. She truly loved her original doctor but through what she had learned she was able to see that he was not completely in support of her wishes. One of the hardest most emotional bumps in the road but the best choice Ali made was to change her care provider. After days of research and reading Ali took an extensive list of questions with her to her doctors appointment.  They discussed her new plans for a natural birth and it was easy for Ali to see that her doctors idea for her birth was far from what she wanted. Even though he was a very nice person and said he would support her his deep rooted belifes of birth left Alis options for birth limited very medicalized.  The questions were of all sorts but the main purpose of them was to help Ali ask the right questions  dig deeper and make her own choice weather she felt her doctor really  had the same vision for her as she had for herself. Ali had the knowledge and strength now to know what she wanted and how to get it. In no time we were on the phone talking to providers that took her insurance.  Soon enough we found the midwives at the University of Utah hospital.  I was so proud of her when she finally felt so much peace after talking to her new midwives. They were obviously experienced medically but they were also emotionally equipped to help Ali achieve her goal. Birth to them didn't look the same as it did to her doctor. Ali's doctor wanted her to start right off with many common interventions that she was actually trying to avoid, where the midwives were more comfortable with Ali staying as natural as possible. This was very encouraging and reliving for Ali to here. 

The day soon came that she had started having some early labor signs. I went to her house and we found ourselves pacing the dimly lit neighborhood in the middle of the night to help pick things up. When we finally observed that though we had great conversation and got to know each other so much more, labor was slowing and the best idea was for everyone to hit the sack. The next day came with Alis appointment and blood pressure still giving her some problems like it had the week before. The hospital wanted to indues Ali that night. Discouraged, She and her husband made the decision to go ahead with the induction. This meant for less mobility in labor due to being hooked up to the IV but I assured Ali that this was not going to stop her and that she was still in control of her birth. 

When I showed up to the hospital Ali was up and walking, ready to get this show on the road. I hugged  her and quickly set up shop. Wonderfully powerful essential oils defusing into the air for deeper relaxation and even aiding in her dilation. Every time a nurse came in they would comment on how good this room smelt event from the hall. There was a noticeable reverence and calmness that came over nurses when they would enter this environment. We also had calming music playing softly.

As the pitocin was continually turned up, her contraction became more and more intense.  I felt so in tune with her as both her sweet husband Nick and I traded off giving her counter pressure and relaxation through contractions. Her midwife was fabulous as well in helping to give Ali reassuring affirmations. Ali stuck to the techniques she had learned and stayed relaxed and calm through each one. When she was up and moving,  during contractions nick held Ali close and supported her with his body while she swayed through it. This is appropriately called the "hug hold."

Time seemed to creep by for Ali in the beginning. She was doing great with her mobility, changing positions and using the birth ball. Her nurse again up'ed her pitocin and as soon as each contraction was considerably harder I suggested Ali get in the tub full of hot water to help her relax. Once she entered the water she became completely focused through each contraction. The only sound was of her steady breathing and my voice periodically assuring her she was doing wonderfully. Nick and I kept her head cool with cold wet cloths as she continued to allow her body to do exactly what it needed. I couldn't help but snap a pic of how beautiful she looked as she surrendered deeper into each contraction. 

Now time flew by. She was in the tub for quite some time, a few hours, yet it felt like minutes. I asked her if she would like to change position now. She was definitely ready to switch it up and get out. Boy was there a shift in the mood once she exited the tub. It seemed the water helped do its job as far as helping her relax enough for such a good length of time and her contractions were coming on full force now. The nurse checked her and Ali was disheartened to here that her progression was slow and she hadn't dilated much since her arrival. She was now at three centimeters. I wanted Ali to know that regardless of her dilation that she was doing fantastic and that it didn't matter at this point. She could easily and quickly dilate at any given point and that this was not an indication of how much longer she had to go.  After some up and down position changes on the bed, trying to find out where she felt most comfortable Alis breathing had suddenly become more rapid and accompanied by a higher pitch sound. This familier sound was so exciting for me to here! I knew this could mean the transition stage, the hardest stage of labor was very near and that soon after she could have the baby! I quickly assured Ali that the noise she made during these hard contractions were great but that I would like her to fallow my voice with her's into some deep low noises.  We know that lower noises helps the pelvis to relax, cervix open and baby move down. As well, what ever your moth and jaw are doing the cervix tends to fallow. So we were striving for low sounds with an open loose jaw. Ali was wonderful at following this guidance.  It must have sounded like two woman were in labor as we aaawed the low noises together through each contraction. I felt so connected to Ali at this critical part of labor where she could either loose it or find the strength to carry on. As her noises became deeper and more intense with mine I literally had a moment where I fought to hold back tears from my eyes as I marveled at the inner power Ali was summoning to her aid. We moved Ali back to the bed in the all fours position. This is when we knew it was go time! Ali became totally enveloped in her own world as her body seemed to take over. Her water burst and she was thrust into the pushing stage. 

In a short time from getting out of the water she completely finished dialating! Ali beard down with her face in the bed as she surrendered her body to the uncontrollable urges to push. I began softly letting her know that she was doing perfectly, to let go, that her body knows what to do and that her baby was almost here. Again it was so moving to see this amazing woman on the cusp of what she was working to hard to achieve.  Nick held her hand tightly and whispered in her ear that she was strong and that she was doing this for baby Grant. I suggested that Ali try using the squatting bar to help gravity work for her. As soon as she was in that upright position everything seemed to be working flawlessly in her favor. Grants head was very close and she was almost there!

Unfortunately the midwife suggested that Ali now lay on her side to finish pushing. Ali complied and in doing so she latter said she lost sense of control over the birth at this point. Being a new Doula I assumed Ali wanted to lay down but if I could go back in time I would have asked Ali myself is she wanted to move or stay. I would have advocated more for her in that moment that she was doing great right where she was at. I've spent hours upon hours reflecting about this and I've had to accept that I'm human and that she was my very first client. Since then Ive learned to run every suggestion anyone makes past the mother first, to make sure she is comfortable and that she's doesn't end up doing something she wasn't ready for because she didn't have the opportunity to speak up or give me any indication otherwise. Im thankful to learn new and valuable things continually as I go forward with this work.

The side laying position seemed to have less helpful impact on Ali's pushing. She didn't have full control and the help of gravity on her side. However she was still progressing and was getting very, very close. Alis photographer had not yet showed up and I knew it was really important to Ali to have photos of grants birth. Nick was at Alis head being a wonderful support and Ali was definitely focused, so I grabbed her camera to catch many of the first moments. 

I was positioned at Alis feet next to the midwife and I was encouraging Ali to do what ever felt natural to her as she focussed and pushed. She didn't need anyone counting or couching her, just gentle reassurance that she was doing perfectly listening to her bodys prompting. Soon the room filled with excitement as the midwife announced that the head was emerging. Ali was strong and able be pressent and unmedicated as she let her instincts guid her. She took in long deep breaths and roared out each contraction with a low rumbling groan of power and determination. The miracle of birth was unfolding. Grants head soon easily and gracefully emerged. As Ali pushed a little more the monitor showed very large heart decels in Grant. It was clear that he was not budging at this point and that he had Shoulder Dystocia.This happens sometimes when a babies shoulder gets stuck behing the pelvic bone. In a quick seemingly panic the midwife was able to dislodge the shoulder.  In a mater of seconds beautiful baby Grant fully emerged into his new world letting out a loud, vibrant cry, letting us know he was alert and breathing effortlessly! His little arms stretched out, eyes wide open and searching for the familier voice of his momma. The room was overflowing with joy. Because of the very quick entrance of Grant, Ali didn't have time or the option to slow her pushing and she ended up having a pretty significant tear. Because of the rush of the delivery the midwife made the choice to immediately send Grant off the to the warmer with the nurses.

At this point I knew Ali would want me to  fallow the baby and advocate for him and what Ali wanted. Grant had great Apgar scores and was thriving wonderfully. He was crying in need of comfort so nicely but promptly I asked the nurses to stop the vigorous rubbing of the baby because Ali had stated she did not want that to go on. The nurses told me they were just doing their job. I understood that they are just doing what the typical hospital protocol is no matter how unnecessary or upsetting it is to the baby. I asked "the baby is doing fine, is he not?" They said yes. I asked them to stop again while picking up the camera to film them. They immediately slowed the rubbing and just stared at me. I went to baby Grants side, held his little hand and began whispering to him, "its ok sweet boy, your momma wants to hold you now."  I was deeply moved at the calmness that came over him as his awareness and attention seemed to completely focus on my voice. He seemed calmer and ready to receive anyone validating his needs. It reaffirmed my belief that babies are aware right at birth, they need human love immediately, compassion and gentle touch. They are not animals to be routinely run down a conveyor belt of protocol and cold, quick, movement and handling. These babies are our closest people to God on earth. They deserve reverence and the up most compassion and respect the moment they enter this world.  Fortunately Grant was not separated from his mom for long! I soon asked Ali if she was ready to hold her baby boy. The midwife had just delivered Alis placenta which was pretty uncomfortable but Ali didn't care, she was absolutely ready, eager to touch him, hold him tight and comfort his sweet cries. Again the nurses gave me resistance on this request. I had to then have the midwife tell them it was fine for Ali to hold the baby. I again got resistance from the nurses on letting Ali do Skin to Skin like she requested. They were determined that Ali would hold the baby swaddled for warmth. I dont blame the nurses at all, they are just doing the best they can with what they are trained to do. As soon as they were walking the swaddled baby to Ali I cut in and unwrapped the baby myself right as he was reaching her, laid his radient naked body right on his mothers naked chest with a blanket then placed over the two of them. They were ready to receive the many benefits of mother and baby skin to skin contact at birth. It was as if Grant knew exactly who was holding him now! He became calm and peaceful the moment he heard his mothers loving voice. This is exactly what Ali had envisioned. In this moment all of her blood, sweat and tears for the past 9 months had finally payed off. She had safely delivered her baby all on her own, the way she knew she could. He was finally here, healthy, happy and basking in his mothers warmth and love. She not only gave him life, but the gift of a peaceful entrence into it. 

Ali was in perfect connection with her perfect baby. I was so proud to see her instantly go into mommy mode as she held baby Grant. Her words were soft, comforting and so uplifting to his spirit. One of the sweet things Ali told him was that he had a big sister just waiting to see him! Mother and baby connected deeply as they had moments of gazing into each others eyes. Alis natural oxytocin was able to release and allow for easy, immediate breastfeeding. Ali and Grant communicated perfectly without any words as Grant followed her guidens to her breast latched right on.

As I was gently helping Ali get in a more comfortable position as the midwives were checking Alis tear. They began to stitch her up as she was holding Grant and it became painful for her. Suddenly Ali asked Nick to come over and hold the baby for her until they were done stitching her up and like an informed, empowered mom would do, she demanded Nick to take off his shirt and do skin to skin with Grant!

Right away, like an informed, supportive husband would do, Nick polled his shirt right off with little hesitation! It was beautiful to see a dad have the opportunity to bond so closely with his son at birth and offer some of the same amazing benefits the mother was! Nick was confidant and calm as he held Grant close. His body warmth regulating his baby boys body temperature, dad's steady heart beat regulating his sons heart beat, a fathers sent serving as a comfort that will always be there for years to come. 

What wonderful moments of a loving father and new son.

When Ali was ready to hold baby Grant again I slipped out of the room for a bit to allow them the peaceful alone time they needed to bond. I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to get to know Ali and Nick on such an intimate level. I'm especially grateful to have had the chance to see first hand what a woman has the power to do when she puts her mind to it. Ali overcame so much negative criticism that she couldn't do it, bumps in the road, a few set backs and yet she found the divine feminine power within herself to create and carry out the peaceful birth she wanted! Ali is an inspiration to all women and especially those who also dream of having a vaginal birth after a c-section. Thank you Ali and Nick for allowing me to be a apart of your beautiful story and letting me share your journey for others to see.