I can't believe that just 6 days after my last post, I delivered my sweet little boy, and I was blessed to have the VBAC I had hoped for. At about 11:00 on July 12th, I felt a small gush as I was cuddled up to Jason in bed. I rolled over, getting ready to make yet another trip to the bathroom. As I rolled over, there was a much bigger gush, and I knew my water had broken. I told Jason my water broke, and he said "are you sure it wasn't just pee?" then he looked over at the bed, and said "oh... yeah... your water definitely broke."
I took a shower, called my coworker to inform her she'd need to cover me the next day, and let my mom know we were headed to the hospital. Jason woke Karleah up to let her know what was happening and that she'd need to watch the kids for a while.
We got to the hospital after midnight, and the nurses seemed to doubt that my water had broken. They had to "make sure". Of course, they confirmed it and admitted me. I was blessed to go in when I did. The nurses questioned if I wanted a VBAC once they saw that I have 2 previous cesareans. I had the perfect nurse for my situation. She questioned why I had the 2nd cesarean, and rolled her eyes because she agreed there was no reason I couldn't have had a VBAC then. She was realistic, but very optimistic as well. She supported the VBAC option, and said that if I had to have a C-section, she would make sure the staff knew that I wanted to hold my baby immediately and have skin-to-skin contact and be able to nurse the baby right away. She had done personal studies on the importance of this contact, and even though it wasn't exactly hospital "policy" she would do her best to make sure I had that opportunity. I was so relieved!
There was meconium in the amniotic fluid, so I knew the hospital would be putting me on a timeline, and if I didn't progress quickly enough, I would have to have cesarean. I was afraid to get an epidural too soon (or at all) because it had slowed my labor before. I was pacing my room, trying to "move things along", but when the nurse (Jenni) checked me a couple hours later, I wasn't progressing. I know that I looked frightened, because she turned and put her hand on my leg, then calmly said "it's OK. Things could change. You've done this before, and can do it again. Either way, it will be the best outcome for you and baby." I couldn't have asked for a better nurse! So wonderfully supportive of my choices and hopes!
Around 4am, when Jenni returned, she was just as surprised as I was to find just how quickly things were moving. I got the epidural. I was struggling with the decision, because I wanted another un-medicated birth. Part of me is still disappointed I didn't wait it out. But I had very high hopes that at least I would have a VBAC. At about 5:30, I knew it was time to have my baby. My doctor showed up just in time! TJ was born at 5:59am, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces and 20 inches long. I got to hold him immediately, though only for a couple minutes since he was struggling to breath with all that meconium in his lungs.
I lay there in the hospital, thrilled that I had successfully delivered my baby, feeling very empowered. Jenni had just missed it. But I DID it! My doctor said "way to go! you beat the odds!". I just smiled, and looked at Jason.
TJ is now 2 1/2 months old, and I still feel so happy that I was blessed to have the experience I had hoped for.
