After an unplanned c-section with a number of complications and an overall birth experience that felt very out of control with my first, I really wanted to ensure that my second birth experience was a more positive one. Given that I would be in a higher-risk category trying to have a VBAC, I knew I needed a team around me that would balance the health of myself and the baby with giving me the opportunity and space to have a successful VBAC. Rather than using an OB again, I found a supportive midwife and also ended up finding a doula at the last minute.

I knew that there was a chance I wouldn’t have a successful VBAC but wanted to make sure that I had taken all the steps I could to get there so that I wouldn’t have any regrets if things didn’t go as planned. I swam every week, went to see a chiropractor, took a hypnobirthing class, signed myself up for induction acupuncture. I had hoped this would all get the baby in the best position for birth and help me feel more in control during labour – both of which were a challenge with my first birth. There were also moments during the pregnancy where my fear of having a VBAC and uterine rupture did temporarily take over and made me question if I was making the right decision but I knew I would always regret it if I didn’t try.

After about 30 weeks, I began to have very regular Braxton Hicks contractions. Some days, I would have them all day long. The midwives checked me out and all was fine so assumed the summer heat was leading to them. At the end of my 36th week, the night I finished my hypnobirthing class, I started to feel like the contractions felt different and stronger. Given I was barely even 37 weeks and that I had been having Braxton Hicks so regularly, I brushed it off and went to sleep. I woke up at 5am with fairly strong and regular contractions but I still could not believe I was in actual labour. Even as I spent the entire morning barely able to talk through contractions, I couldn’t believe it. The midwives suggested meeting straight at the hospital but as I still couldn’t believe I was in labour, I asked them to come to our home to check me first.

When the midwives arrived around 12pm, I was 5cm dilated. I was so happy to hear this as that was already further than I was when I got an epidural with my first. I felt like it was possible to have a natural, unmedicated birth as I’d gotten to 5cm relatively easily and I was hopeful that things would progress quickly. We went to the hospital right away as the midwives wanted to ensure I was constantly monitored given I was a VBAC.
" I started to feel like the contractions felt different and stronger "
After a couple hours at the hospital, I got to 7cm. 7cm was as far as I got in my first birth and where things stalled. Things also began to stall again at this point. After several more hours, I had not progressed further. My contractions started feeling weaker and the midwives wanted to break my water. With my first birth, baby’s heartrate starting decelerating quite shortly after they broke the water so I was extremely hesitant to do so again. I asked for some more time and the midwives agreed. Another couple hours later, I had still made no progress and was still at 7cm. I felt defeated and like I was in the exact same situation I was in during my first birth – stalled at 7cm and needing to artificially break my waters. My midwives assured me that this was for the best and I knew I could not keep going indefinitely with no progression, especially given the riskier nature of VBACs.

At around 10pm, the midwives broke my water. I was still unmedicated and did not have an epidural and although I was breathing through contractions quite well, as soon as the water was broken, things got much more intense. The combination of the pain of the contractions and the pressure from the ejection reflex was overwhelming. This was the point where I felt like I could no longer do it and I knew that meant I was in transition. Within an hour or so, I was fully dilated and ready to push.

I had prepared so much for the earlier stages of labour and how to get through contractions that I never focused much on the second stage of labour and pushing. I found it very challenging trying to work through the contractions and the pressure and the “ring of fire.” At that point, the midwives became concerned about the length of time it was taking and called in the OB. At one point, there must have been 8 or 9 people in the room. The OB was supportive and was happy to let me continue unassisted. At 12:08am, our second baby boy was born. The physical sense of relief from birthing combined with the emotional relief that baby was here and healthy and all the work to prepare for the VBAC had worked was the most incredible feeling.

I am so happy that I was able to work through my fears and have a successful VBAC. It meant a great deal for me to be able to experience an unmedicated birth and being able to have my sweet baby on my chest right away was the best feeling!