With the coming birthday of my second son, Ezekiel, I thought I would share his birth story and all that we went through to achieve our VBAC. Below is a short video of Gabe’s and my journey to a VBAC followed by a written version in more depth. If you chose to read, be aware that it is long. I couldn’t help it. This part of our lives tested our faith and proved to us how much God is in control.
Direct link to my video on youtube.
Our Journey to a VBAC
It’s been a year since I’ve had my VBAC and looking back everything is such a blur. My only hope in writing this birth story is that other women would be encouraged and excited to birth their baby naturally in order to achieve a successful VBAC. The joy and excitement of birthing a baby vaginally is beyond words but know that the road is a tough one that our bodies were made to endure. In other words, anyone can do it through faith, education, and an excellent support team.
Cesarean Section
My first son was born on June 17, 2006, after 41 hours of labor. Much of that was pre-labor; however, my contractions were consistently 5-10 minutes apart for the entire length of my labor. I had no idea what was going on and found myself at the hospital two times before my OBGYN promised me that my son would be born that day. My intentions for my firstborn was to have a natural childbirth without the use of interventions. After 35 hours without sleep and my nurses praising the use of the epidural, I finally conceded and took the injection into my spine. As soon as I was bed bound, my doctor broke my water and quickly started me on Pitocin to speed up my contractions. I quickly dilated from 4cm to 8cm; however, I started to feel tremendous back pain. I later found out that my son was in a posterior position. When my doctor saw me in a lot of pain he quickly explained to my husband and I that if we did consent to a c-section soon, I would most likely end up needing an emergency c-section. At that point in time, my husband and I were tired and frightened, so we agreed. I was quickly taken into the operating room and at 5:16 pm, my son was born. I was able to see him briefly but with all the pain killers running through my body, I was unable to really be there. The next day I felt a deep sense of loss.
I couldn’t figure out why this happened. What went wrong? My doctor was in such a hurry that he told the anesthesiologist that if he couldn’t numb me within ten minutes, he would have to knock me out! (Dr. Patton, Women’s Health Services, Des Moines, Iowa) Why was he in such a hurry on the most important day of my entire life? The only consolation I was given was that I should be thankful that my newborn and I were both safe and healthy. Thank God for technology, right? I ended up with the baby blues that lasted for about 3 weeks. I couldn’t put anything together. I feel that I lost the first three weeks of my firstborn son’s life.
Pregnant Again
In July of 2007, I excitedly found out that I was pregnant with my second child. This time, when my husband and I found out we were expecting again, our first question was not, “I wonder if it’s a boy or a girl?” or “what should we get for the nursery?” More importantly, our first question was, “how is this baby going to be born and who is going to deliver him/her.” I knew I didn’t want to undergo another c-section. I wanted to be able to look down and see my baby be born and then swoop him/her into my arms. I wanted my husband to be there to witness the birth of his child and then cut the baby’s cord. From my past experience, I knew I did not want to go to my previous physicians so I started to call around. After a couple of calls, my hopes and dreams of having a natural and vaginal delivery were being crushed. The doctors I had called would not even consider me having a trial of labor. Their response was, “once a c-section always a c-section.” I started to question if maybe I needed to just schedule another cesarean and be done with it when my husband reminded me of my desires. We prayed together and I then remembered a friend from church having used a midwife to deliver her child. A midwife sounded kind of scary to me at first. Would she be knowledgeable and well experienced to deliver a baby? Aren’t doctors with all of their technology and medicine safer? I started to research and found the website of Dana Ericson, Midwife and Doula Services. As I started reading through her site, I immediately saw the difference between the midwifery model of care and the medical model of care. I was learning that my body was capable and meant to birth naturally. I was reminded that being pregnant is not a sickness that needed fixing; rather, I needed to be responsible for my own health through nutrition and exercise to encourage a healthy pregnancy and birth. I immediately called Dana Ericson and scheduled an appointment with her. After hearing my story and reviewing my medical files, she was very much in favor of my having a VBAC and started to question the reasoning of my first cesarean. She explained that the risks of uterine rupture are not any more significant than the risk of a subsequent cesarean. Furthermore, she told me that if I was planning on having more than two children, subsequent cesareans are riskier. However, In the Des Moines area, she explained that she couldn’t actually deliver my baby since I would be attempting a trial of labor. In order for her to do this, the hospital would have to have an Obstetrician on staff 24 hours a day in order to perform a necessary cesarean if needed. Hospitals in Des Moines do not provide this. So she explained that she could perform all of my prenatal care up until 38 weeks and would then transfer me to a group of physicians she works with. She would then transfer roles from midwife to doula in order to be by my side during the labor. After having had a terrible experience with my previous provider, the last place I wanted to be, was in the hands of another OBGYN. With this setup, I would at least be under the care of my midwife for the first 38 weeks and she would then continue to be with me all the way to delivery. I agreed. She let me know right away that if she was going to be my health provider, I would have to follow her instructions on how to care for myself, optimally. We were going for OPTIMAL health not adequate is what she always said. She then went into nutrition. Nutrition? For my first pregnancy, I was never explained that what I put into my body could actually help or hinder, not only my baby but the actual act of giving birth. I was never told that I needed to eat 80-100 grams of protein a day and that by the third trimester I needed to be consuming 4 quarts of water a day. Wow, the blinds over my eyes were starting to let in some light. After leaving her office, I was very excited and at peace; however, I started to ponder about her questioning the reasoning for my first cesarean. Why would anyone question a cesarean?
Our Maternity System
Wow, was I ever astounded at our maternity system once I started to dig deeper! Dana Ericson referred me to our local ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) group. This group of ladies are knowledgeable about our failing maternity system. Almost every board member has had a cesarean followed by a successful VBAC. These ladies were able to explain a bit about our system and how hospitals and OBGYN’s are in the business to make money. If any hint of liability arises, you are quickly rushed into a cesarean. Also, the horrific use of interventions followed by more interventions is what has raised our cesarean rate to 31%. 1 out of 3 women has a c-section! Why? The use of epidurals, Pitocin, and inducing labor is a risk factor that can lead to an unnecessary cesarean. At my first meeting, I cried when I started to tell the story of my first son’s birth. Every woman in the room was understanding and empathetic to the loss. I wasn’t looked at like, “hey, It’s just a cesarean.” They understood what I was feeling and they were there to offer suggestions on what I could do to have this next baby vaginally. First of all, they suggested the book, Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth, and to watch the documentary movie, The Business of Being Born. After reading Ina May’s book I was pumped and ready in mind and spirit to have a natural childbirth. After watching the documentary, I finally began to understand our system and why it’s so important to understand the implications of interventions.
By this time I was nearly 5 months and couldn’t stop reading about our broken system. I was also digging into the internet to find women that have had successful VBAC’s. Every time I saw a video on YouTube about a successful VBAC I would cry and be encouraged that I could it too; that my body could deliver a baby the way God had intended. At times, I would run into the whole uterine rupture argument and start to question having a VBAC but my husband would quickly tell me that he had faith and we would turn it all over to God. By the time I was 8 months into my pregnancy I finally realized that I had done all that I possibly could to have this baby vaginally. I kept up with a great diet, exercised, researched, read books about having a baby naturally and how to endure the pain and took a natural childbirth class locally (Before and After Birth with Amy Brooks Murphy). At this point, my husband and I gave it to God. We prayed and I knew that from here on out it was all in His hands. I started to keep verses near and dear to my heart.
Phillippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Joshua 1:9, I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reality Hits Hard
At 38 weeks, I had my last appointment with my midwife and was sent to the Iowa Methodist Group for my 38-week prenatal appointment with Dr. Shaw. From speaking with the ladies at ICAN they reminded me to be strong and ask a lot of questions at my next appointment. I had to remember that some doctors were probably going to still try to talk me into another cesarean. I kind of went into the appointment ignorantly thinking I was going to go in and out without any hassles. Well, the first thing Dr. Shaw wanted to do was do a routine check of my cervix. I declined as I knew that by allowing a routine check it could open doors for them to give me an excuse that my cervix wasn’t dilating enough and that I would need to schedule another cesarean. She was a bit annoyed and asked if she could then just check my stomach to feel the baby. I allowed her to do this. When she felt my stomach she told me my baby seemed small and she wanted me to go in for an ultrasound. I declined this also knowing that in the last weeks an ultrasound is very unreliable. She was even more annoyed and told me she needed to do an internal pelvic exam to make sure my hips were adequate enough to birth a baby. Okay, by this time, I was pretty annoyed. I felt that she was searching for something to get me in for another cesarean. After declining the pelvic exam, she started asking me questions and soon found out that I had a single suture from my first cesarean and that my children would only be 22 months apart. The ACOG recommends 24 months. When she found this out, she went into panic mode and quickly pulled out her ACOG guidelines book and told me that my stats for a uterine rupture were very high and that I was a high-risk case and for that reason, she and her group would not allow me a trial of labor. If I were to deliver with her group it would have to be by cesarean section. I was crushed! I had worked too hard to have my OBGYN at the last minute tell me I wouldn’t be allowed a trial of labor. I honestly couldn’t believe it since arrangements for my attempt were already made between them and my midwife. My husband and I left the appointment in heartache and I immediately started to cry as we walked to our car. I was two weeks away from having my baby without a doctor to deliver him. My husband and I bowed our heads and prayed for strength and that the doors would be opened that someone would allow us a trial of labor. After praying I immediately called my midwife and she was in complete unbelief that this could have happened. She told me to go ahead and call the group of OBGYN’s in town that delivered my first son via c-section. I was horrified at the thought of going back to them but knew I had to try something. I called them and they told me that I was a great candidate for a VBAC; however, since I was already 38 weeks along in my pregnancy they could not take me in as a patient. I was too far along. Again, I started to cry. I did not know what to do. These are the only two groups in town that allow trial of labors. I went home with my husband and after talking things through we decided to visit the group and see if we could at least talk to them to see if they might reconsider. When we arrived at their office, only a nurse would speak to us. She told us that the best thing for us to do is go back to the first group that had promised us a trial of labor. I asked her, “Are you telling me that I should go back and schedule another cesarean after your group says I’m a great candidate for a VBAC?” She said yes. I started to cry then and there and pleaded with her to let me speak to a doctor. She told me they were too busy to see me. My husband grabbed my hand and we walked out.
I could not believe this was happening. Why did these doctors not care about our situation? Why were they forcing me into surgery when all I was asking for was a trial of labor? Why were they looking at surgery as no big deal! My husband and I were dumbfounded and just kept asking God for mercy.
At this point in time, my husband told me to get online and get some counsel from our ICAN group. The ladies were awesome! They were very supportive and couldn’t believe this was happening to me two weeks before giving birth. By 5 pm that night, I still didn’t have a doctor. I went to my sister’s house that evening for family support and time of prayer. My father was absolutely furious at these doctors and told me to not worry but instead to give it all to God.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and thanksgiving in your hearts let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I was stressed. My father told me that I had to settle down. He reminded me that I was carrying a baby inside that could be affected by all of this. He didn’t want my baby boy to be harmed in any way. So we prayed again and I tried to set my mind on the beautiful baby boy inside of me.
When we got home, there was a message for me from the local ICAN web forum. I was told to try and contact the University of Iowa Midwives, explain my situation, and see if they would allow me a trial of labor. The University of Iowa is in Iowa City, which is two hours away from Des Moines. Gabe and I bowed down before the Lord and asked him if this was the direction he wanted us to go. Then and there we put away all of our fear and put our complete faith in Christ that he would find the perfect place for this baby to be born.
The next morning, I couldn’t wait to call. I felt that all of this was happening for a reason and that God wanted us to go to Iowa City. When I called I spoke to the nurse midwife, Laura. I explained to her my situation. When I told her everything that was happening, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She couldn’t find a reason why someone wouldn’t allow me a trial of labor. She told me I was an excellent candidate for a VBAC and she personally knew Dana Ericson and the quality of care she provides her patients. She told me she would have to speak to her midwife and obstetrician colleagues and would get back to me as soon as possible. I spoke to her at 8 am and by noon she had returned my call. She told me I was going to be under their care and they would allow me a VBAC! She told me since she knew Dana Ericson, that I could continue my care in Des Moines for the next week under her but would have to come in the following day to fill out some paperwork. I started to cry on the phone and as I hung up I praised my God for his constant watch over me. I felt at peace.
The next day my father drove with me to Iowa City and we met 2 of the midwives. I had never felt such warmth and compassion as I did with these ladies. They explained to me that all but one OBGYN in the building were female and that if we were to run into any problems, there is always an OBGYN on hospital grounds that could deliver via cesarean. The difference between speaking to Laura and Dr. Shaw was night and day. Dr. Shaw was busy, cold and ready to be done with her day. Laura was calm, excited and truly enjoyed the miracle of birth. I left that day feeling that someone cared about my situation and was going to do their best in helping me achieve a natural birth. This was God!
My Second Birth
A week and a half later, I started pre-labor; I knew right away as I started having tiny contractions every half hour or so. Being that we had to drive 2 hours away, we took no time in letting the family know that we were heading to Iowa City. Within an hour my entire family took off work, were packed and at my door ready to have a baby! It was great. I felt loved and was so pumped to get to my hotel and start laboring. Yeah, I was excited! Bring the pain! I wanted to see my baby’s face. I called my midwife Dana, and she told me she would meet me in Iowa City when contractions were getting stronger. My family and I spent the entire day in Iowa City. I started to worry that maybe the baby wasn’t coming and that all I was having were Braxton hick contraction. At any rate, I kept moving. My husband and I found a wonderful path in some woods and we hiked 2 miles. We prayed and laughed and had a great time thinking about our new baby. I was excited as my contractions started to get stronger on the hike. After our walk, my family went out to dinner and on Dana’s advice, she told me to load up on calories. I had a long road ahead of me and my body was going to need all the nutrients it could get. We went to HuHot, a Mongolian restaurant, and I ate a huge dish of noodles with beef, peanuts, and veggies. YUMMM!! My contractions were getting stronger but I was still worried that maybe it would be another day or so. We all went to the hotel and played in the pool. The kids loved it!
The Birth
By 8 pm, my contractions were getting stronger. At around 2 am, I knew that it was time to go to the hospital. We left my oldest son with Papa and Abuela while Gabe and I headed off to meet our midwife and nurse. When we got there, everyone on staff was amazing! My midwife and nurse kept me moving and changing positions. They allowed me to labor in the tub since they had a portable baby monitor that was attached to my belly. My nurse took me from the toilet to the tub, to standing, to sitting on a ball, each time explaining to me that I had to keep my pelvis open to allow this baby to drop. She kept telling me how amazed she was at how quiet and peaceful I was. I kept looking up at her in disbelief. I was in A LOT of pain! Thank God to my support team of Amy Brooks Murphy, Dana Ericson, and the many books I’ve read, I understood that I needed to be relaxed; to open my bottom in order to allow this baby to move down. My husband kept giving me sips of water, juice, and bits to eat to keep calories coming in as my body was doing some major work. For about five hours, I labored at the hospital. At around 8 am, I knew it was time to push! It was amazing to me how my body took over and I had an uncontrollable urge to push! Something that is clearly missed by the thousands of woman under the epidural. It was almost a convulsion of, LETS GO NOW!!!! By this time Dana Ericson was with me, along with my sister Susie and my husband. Dana held my hand, looked me in the eye and told me, “This is your time; push like you’ve never pushed before!” With tears in his eyes, my husband kept reassuring me that I was doing it! My delivering Midwife, Paula, looked at me and said, “here he comes – PUSH!” I PUSHED!! I pushed to see my baby, I pushed so that my husband could walk over and cut the cord, I pushed so that I could snuggle my baby boy on my chest and feed him!
YOU DID IT!
My baby boy, Ezekiel Louis Bauman, was born VBAC on May 1st 2008. It’s such a blur at the chaos of events that happened shortly after, but I remember my sister crying in joy, my husband crying as he cut the cord, and I cried as I was the first person to hold my baby boy! The pain? I don’t even remember what it felt like. All I know is that this was the most remarkable day of my entire life.
Thank you to all the people that supported Gabe and I, in our decision to VBAC.
To my midwife Dana Ericson, I couldn’t have done this without you! Our community is so blessed to have someone like you defending what birth should be like and working so hard to fight the good fight! You are my inspiration!! Thank you for believing!
To Amy Brooks Murphy, thank you for taking us into your home and teaching us the value of a natural birth. You taught us so much and we will forever be grateful.
To the ladies at ICAN, your support and encouragement is beyond words. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for fighting. Thank you for being there!
To the University of Iowa Midwives, thank you for being compassionate, loving, and taking me in when no one else would!
To my family, I love you! Thanks for being so supportive!
To Gabe, You are my Rock!! I couldn’t have done this without you!
To My God!! Praise be to you!! I LOVE YOU!
Congrats again, Diana! What a great video! I posted a link on our ICAN of Central Iowa message boards too. And Happy Birthday to Ezekiel. Lisa H.
I’m so glad you posted the story! I knew it had all come together in the end — Dana told me — but I didn’t know all the details!
Lisa
Diana and family,
Still so amazingly proud of you! You are a warrior! It was a pleasure to help you find your inner strength and peace! Stories like yours make it all worth while! Happy Birthday, Ezekiel!
Kelly
Beautiful story! We delivered our first in our tub at home and got so emotional watching your story. It is such a beautiful experience and so validating as a woman to realize how strong you are! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Gals!! I just hope others can be encouraged:)
I love a happy ending! I went through the same journey of discovery about the realities of a hospital birth when I first became pregnant. I ended up having both my girls at home with a midwife – and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Congrats and Happy Birthday to Ezekiel!
Amy Case
BEAUTIFUL! Dana was my Midwife with my son Wyatt (18mo). I did end up in a necessary c-section, but she was awesome! Your story almost makes me wish for another child so I could have the chance to do it naturally again.
Diana, As a mother who had two c-sections, I read your post with dismay and disbelief. If you had given an Ob/Gyn a chance to work with you in the beginning of your 2nd pregnancy, you would have understood your 2nd c-section would have been a planned one, and you would have been fully awake and able to hold your child immediately after birth, just as I did 28 years ago. When the Ob/Gyn’s in Des Moines refused to serve you on your own selfish terms, you went to pieces. Did it ever occur to you that they had not only YOUR best interests in mind, but also your BABY’s? After all, you expected them to deliver you after not being allowed to follow your pregnancy for 38 weeks –and guess what? If you had a problem with the delivery, baby or your c-section, you probably would have been the first to sue them for malpractice! Why would you have risked your baby’s life by not doing everything in your power to insure the health and welfare of it, with the tools available in obstetrics today? Do you know how expensive it is to pay for malpractice insurance – the average premium ranges from $40,000 – $70,000 a year in the U.S. Think how many months an Ob/Gyn has to work just to pay for insurance, not even thinking about the staff, overhead, and their own salary! Do you realize that the doctors who treat you and your baby are on the hook for 18 years, if you decide to go back and sue them? I think it was entirely appropriate that the OB/Gyn’s did not give in to your ridiculous and childish demands! The university is a governmental body, so their malpractice risk is different than a private practitioner’s, and that is why you were likely accepted as a patient. Also, your lack of manners and feelings of self-importance are unbelievable! Why would you have the gall to simply ‘expect’ a group of OB/Gyn’s to abruptly change their schedules for your convenience with only a 2-week notice, when you did not even have the courtesy to visit them prior to that? To ask them to deliver a baby after not knowing what problems it or the mother may have had is putting yourself and the baby at risk. You are selfish and thought only of yourself in this matter. You should be ashamed of bad-mouthing OB/Gyn’s who did not snap and serve you at your beck and call. You are the one who is uncaring and thoughtless, not them. Trust me, when the kids are 29 and 28 like mine are and have fought through and won some health and mental health crises, you will put all this in perspective. The birth itself is not the important part of the whole family experience. My Ob/Gyn saved my life with my first c-section and the 2nd c-section was fabulous. My children are alive and happy due to their care. That is what matters, not your thoughtless selfishness. I just bet most of your family rolled their eyes at your stupidity and went along with you to the birth to keep you from throwing another tantrum and out of love, not because they agreed with you.
Bahaha, this is the silliest comment. Patients are consumers of the healthcare system, so doctors SHOULD bend to the patient’s wishes. And even surgeons (excluding OB/GYNs) will admit that any surgery carries risks, so forcing surgery on a patient is not only medically unwise, but immoral.
wow that was rude^
diana was just sharing her story with everyone and letting everyone know that a VBAC can be done safely. I don’t know for a fact but i’m sure if her baby was in any danger at all she wouldn’t have just been like “who cares i need to have a VBAC” i’m personally a fan of obgyns and epidurals but you don’t see me slinging around all kinds of insults just because our opinions differ.
Wow!! What a comment! Definitely not expected and unfortunately your remarks are both rude and inappropriate.
(the average premium ranges from $40,000 – $70,000 a year in the U.S.) Unfortunately, that is the reality of it and because of that, they do not have the patients best interest in mind, but their own.
You had your cesearans 28 years ago! A time when our cesearean rate was not at the horrific percentile that it is now. 1 out of 3 woman in our day in age has a cesarean section. Many hospitals nearing the 50% mark! Why? Unfortunately, many people don’t stop to ask that question. We take it for granted and put complete trust in our OBGYN’s. Maybe instead of calling me selfish you should research the subject matter. A great book you can read is “Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First”
by Marsden Wagner. A doctor that broke the silent rule to let woman know what is truly running hospitals in this day in age. Unfortunately, money!!!
My midwife had it already planned that this group would take me in the final two weeks. They had agreed previously to allow me a trial of labor, only to meet me and decide otherwise. This was not my wrong doing but theirs.
I feel sorry for you that you will never know what it’s like to birth a child vaginally. Maybe that’s still upsets you to this day. And to further say that my family was rolling their eyes at me, you obviously do not know this Latino family! They were 100% supportive and excited to see my baby be born. My family was there for the entire thing and that memory will live permanently in their hearts. How about yours??
I encourage you to watch the video, The Business of Being Born. I think you’ll start to regret what you’ve written clearly not understanding what our maternity system has turned into. Are your children having babies yet. If not, I would definitely recommend that you start some research. Our maternity system has changed!
Thanks Shannon! Your right to, I was only sharing my VBAC experience and have many friends that opt the OBGYN route and interventions. Do I slaughter them over it, definitely not! What works for some doesn’t always work for others. I only wish as a previous woman that has had a cesarean that we would have the option for a trial of labor. Our rights to VBAC in the United States are being stripped away, hospital by hospital. When research clearly shows that a trial of labor has the same implications as a second cesarean.
The bottom line here is that doctors and healthcare providers have made childbirth totally about money — whether it be what they make or what they are paid — and not about what’s best for the family and/or the new baby. All healthcare providers should be required to practice informed consent AND evidence-based medicine. If that were the case, there would be fewer c/s and fewer repeat c/s…a lot fewer. I suggest Anonymous start with looking up maternal and fetal outcomes these days…Here’s the U.S. w/ one of the highest c/s rates in the world and, along w/ that, one of the poorest rates of both infant and maternal mortaility. If the c/s are so wonderful, why is THAT happening?
I’m not sure which is more disconcerting, “anonymous'” comments or the fact that she didn’t have the courage to put her name to it.
My wife and I had an emergency c-section in Dec. of 2000. There was no avoiding it and our daughter died 5 hours after she was born. The emergency c-section included a classical incision making a VBAC virtually impossible and something we weren’t comfortable with. Our OBs were wonderful, we trust them, and two more cesarians and two DNCs later, we still think we have received wonderful care. My wife would be dead without those interventions. So we are OB/GYN fans. And proud of it. Even our “granola” friends agree that OBs play a vital role when things go wrong or when certain conditions need mitigation.
That being said, I fully support Diana and others like her who have the option of VBAC and decide to fight for their right to do so. Modern medicine, due to a number of reasons, is an arrogant industry balancing a desire to do the right thing for their patience, insurance demands, and conventional wisdom.
Having been born by cesarean myself in 1978, I fully appreciate the technology. I’d be dead without it as it was an emergency situation that couldn’t be avoided. But to say that Diana was selfish and childish for making an informed decision and not allowing others to dictate the direction of her care is asinine. To defend a system blindly because you had an OK experience in it without considering the fact that our infant mortality and morbidity rate is higher than any other developed nation is asinine. To assume that OB/GYN maternity care is somehow superior in normal low-risk birth situations simply because it’s what you know is misguided.
I agree with Diana that a viewing of “The Business of Being Born” would be a good move for skeptics of midwifery, VBACS, and individuals who look to avoid unnecessary medical interventions. There are things about the movie that make me roll my eyes, but the overarching message is a great one.
I’d also encourage people like “anonymous” to avoid anonymous out-dated arguments based solely on personal experience almost 30 years ago. At least Google some research first. A simple look at the facts should prompt an apology on this blog post from anonymous. I’m hopeful to see it.
Wow Eric, very powerful. (OBs play a vital role when things go wrong or when certain conditions need mitigation.) Right on!! Praise the Lord for doctors and all that technology does bring that allowed for you to have two beautiful children.
I usually try to keep my mouth hushed when controversial topics such as this come up but I really need to speak my mind on this one. I am Diana’s very close sister. I was there when both of my beautiful nephews were born. Reading the post by anonymous makes me want to scream! How can someone by reading such an inspirational story cast such harsh judgment? When you begin with stating that Diana would understand that a 2nd cesarian would be a planned one… Diana was fully aware that per an OB it would be a planned one but who is in control of our plans??? Doctors or God??? I think the point is that this wasn’t only Diana’s plan but a plan that comes from having faith in the lord and understanding that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Our family was supporting Diana 100% of the way and wouldn’t change it in any shape or form. Diana never acted on selfishness nor stupidity but simply faith. I myself have not had a child but plan to do so in the future. I don’t know what route I will take however I only pray that I can be as strong as my sister if I choose a natural child birth. Diana your story is and will always be an inspiration to many people including myself. Love ya girl!
PS Dont let them haters get you down, ha ha!
The last post was by Lisa not Diana 🙂
"Anonymous" clearly has some baggage and is uninformed.
Anonymous – You don't have to support Diana's choice, but you could at least respect that it was her choice to make and she made it after much thought & research. This was the right choice for her family. If you are going to so vehemently disagree with someone else's choices, you should at least get some current information.
Some good places to get accurate information…
– "Pushed" by Jennifer Block
– "Born in the USA" by Marsden Wagner
– "Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer
– http://www.ican-online.org
– http://www.childbirthconnection.org
– http://vbacfacts.com
Amazing video 🙂
May God richly bless you…
zainab 😀
Ah, your birth story brought tears to my eyes. You took me right back to my first birth. I'm thankful I was able to deliver the way I wanted (midwife, all natural) because my second was an emergency c-section, and my 3rd was going to be a VBAC, but ended up being another c-section. I'm just glad I had the option to try for a VBAC.
I'm so glad you were able to do it your way. And your way was very well researched, you were highly informed to make your decision, you planned and prepared accordingly … and best of all you prayed about it. Not everyone would have made the same decision, and that's ok, because the bottom line is IT'S YOUR RIGHT to make your own health care decisions. I sadly fear we live in a society where some day all of our rights will be heavily restricted or taken away all together.
Good for you!
Hi Diana!!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I agree we have a lot in common, and now I see we have VBAC in common as well!!
I have 3 daughters. My first was born 7 weeks early via emergency C-section due to my having PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension…toxemia). I was bloated with an extra 60 lbs of fluid & my daughter was growth restricted, so was born at 33 wks weighing only 3 lbs 10oz. She spent the longest 18 days of my life in the NICU before coming home with us. This was in 1999.
It was VERY unnerving and unnatural to me to have her "out of me" in this fashion and so early, but I do believe it was best for her. She obviously wasn't doing well in utero.
Fast forward to 2002 and I was bound and determined to have a VBAC with my second daughter. Like you, her health would take priority if something were wrong…and would had gone the c-section route if I felt she were in danger. But also like you, the Lord gave me FAITH. and PEACE that she and I would both be fine. I was under the care of an OB/GYN team but had to deliver at a hospital with an OR standing by in case of emergency.
I even have the T-incision where they don't recommend a VBAC, but I felt PEACE. It was an incredible experience!! I was induced, though they say that you shouldn't be now. At the time, they didn't want my baby getting larger. So they wanted to induce with small amounts of pitocin at 39 wks 3 days. Nothing to ripen the cervix as they said that is the dangerous part of inducing. I was 3-4 cm when they induced so they said I was a good candidate. I also had an epidural, and after a successful 9 hrs of labor I had a wonderful VBAC experience. She was born 8 lbs even.
Fast foward to 2008. We thought we had been done having children, but when my youngest was 5 I really felt we should be giving this decision to God. I was getting older (36) and it was now or never kind of thing. Dh and I agreed on one more. My same OB/GYN practice allowed me another VBAC. Somehow not as acceptable as it was in 2002. I had even heard some hospitals not allowing them…I was aghast!
I think it helped that I already had a successful VBAC under my belt. I think also as an older mom and mom of 2 that when I spoke my wishes, they knew it was not negotiable. I was very pleased wiht my care and even more happy that I would have to be induced. They were also willing to let me go to a full 42 wks before having to do a c-section.
Like last time I used all natural remedies to ripen cervix (evening primrose oil) and help with uterine strengthening (red raspberry leaf tea). This was even more amazing in the sense that I actually got to go into labor on my OWN!! That has never been allowed me! My water actually broke 3 days before my due date. Wow!! I labored at home all morning because I knew once I reported it to the doctor the 24 hr clock is ticking before they want to perform a c-section. so because of that I really FELT a lot of the contractions.
I was 6 centimeters by the time I got hooked up at the hospital and given the epidural. Wow…it was PAINFUL for me! Even tough I've read on the bradley method, was using my ball, etc. I felt like I couldn't get my mind of the pain. My hat is off to natural childbirth. I got the hospital around 4:30, epidural by 6:20 and gave birth at 8:23pm. It was FAST!!
and I was very impressed with my male dr. Even when I was fully dialated (10 cent) he said we'd wait an extra 30 min so she could move down on her own, and she did. So instead of 1 hr and a half of pushing with #2, I only pushed through 3 contractions and Leah was born!!!! This time I was told to grab her and pull her out myself. AMAZING!!!!!!!
So from one successful VBAC mom to another…my hat is off to you. We serve an AWESOME GOD who gives us wisdom if only we will listen. The answer is not the same for everyone, and I do believe if I had been meant to have more c-sections, HE would have made it abundantly clear to me!
Thanks for sharing your story!
Diana, I'm reading this for the first time, and I can't thank you enough for writing this post. It's so personal and so important for all women to know that this experience is nothing short of a miracle, and is what connects us to our mothers, sisters and ancestors.
The C-section rate in NYC is 40%! I'm sure this high rate is attributable to many of the factors you outlined here, such as the use of pitocin…and pressure from physicians. What I didn't know is the aftermath of a C-section. It breaks my heart to hear of your post-birth blues, and feeling that you weren't even there during this important moment. These are considerations that we all should think about before finding ourselves potentially forced into an undesirable situation.
Diana, I just watched your vbac video and it made me tear up! Your story totally reminded me of my experience with VBAC and VBAC2! I totally agree about the after birth "feeling of loss and sadness" of a c-section. I experienced the same thing but in contrast after both VAAC's I felt powerful, nurturing and ready to 'mother'! 🙂 Thanks to the God given natural hormones and chemicals of a natural birth!
In regards to 'anoynomous' she is NOT educated on the issue of birth and a women's rights to have a choice in how they birth and in their health and medical care!
I'm sad that 'anoynomous' had to resort to name calling and personal character attacks. When mature people have a difference of opinion they voice their opinion in a way that doesn't attack the other person's views or call the other person names. I think 'anoynomous' told us more about who she is than who you are! 🙂
I'm so proud of you! You have inspired me to try to make a video of my 3 birth experiences! I was motivated to play an active role in my health care after my 1st was born via c-section. With the birth of my 2nd and 3rd babies (both via VBAC) I used the exact same resources that you used. I do feel a responsiblity to tell the story of my wonderful VBAC experiences.
God bless! ~ Ali
OH, you poor darling! I had a c-section 22 years ago (my first baby) and then went on to successfully VBAC 3 more. . all this turmoil about VBAC has only come about in the last few years and has served to drive mommy's and their families to imagine that giving birth vaginally is some unachieveable dream (or some kind of nightmare), when it's the most natural thing in the world (with the exception of the actual act that got us in this condition, IYKWIM. .) The repeat c-section, IMO, is made for the 2 baby mommy, not someone who celebrates her fertility and will have as many children as God allows.
THANK YOU for posting. I was in tears at your determination to trust God AND do all you could to find mother-friendly maternity care. You are an inspiration. 🙂
BEAUTIFUL story. I was horrified at “Anonymous” comments above! Wow. What’s WRONG with people? Sadly she’s very uneducated about birth! I cried as I watched your video & read your story. I ended up with a vaginal birth, but so much of your story rings true in mine. Congrats on your baby’s birth! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story! It inspired me to stick to my guns and VBAC at University of Iowa despite the constant discouragement by 3 different OB practices in Des Moines! Those midwives are amazing!!!