Successful VBAC of Nicholas John

My first son was born via csection after a failed induction at 41 weeks. He was 8 lb 12 oz with a large head :)

I knew when I got pregnant with ds2 that I would like to try for a VBAC if possible. My Drs at Women for Women were all ok with trying and set my repeat section for 6 days after my due date. As my pregnancy went by I started to get nervous because I felt HUGE and felt that this baby was bigger than my last so there would be no way a VBAC would work. I discussed with the Drs and they all basically said that if I go earlier this time the baby will be smaller which will make it easier and that is exactly what happened!

I went to Sesame Place with my ds1 on Sunday and then on Monday I started to lose my mucous plug and felt very crampy all day. Some of them felt like braxton hicks but maybe they were the real thing I had no idea. I went and got a gel manicure because I just had this feeling that something would be happening sooner than later. Throughout the night I woke up 2 or 3 times with discomfort - not pain but enough discomfort to make me shift or think should I call out sick for tomorrow. I woke up and went to work. I am a nurse so I am on my feet all day. The whole pregnancy I never used the pregnancy card but while giving report to the night RN coming on I asked if we could just sit because my back was killing me. I just thought I had normal aches and pains not possibly in early labor.

I go to my mom's house to pick up ds1. I sit down to eat dinner she made and I felt some fluid. I was losing my mucous plug and having increased discharge throughout the day so I thought that was it. I went to the bathroom and my scrub bottoms were actually wet. I walked out announced that my water just broke. My mom, sister, sister's boyfriend, and brother were all around the table and the look of fear came from all of them like I was about to deliver right then and there. This was about 9pm.

My husband was at work so I called him to come home and I went home to shower. I honestly felt no pain but relief after my water broke. I felt so huge this pregnancy and with some of the water being released the pressure subsided. My husband and I threw some stuff into a bag and off we went. I got to LIJ Katz Center around 1:00am. I still felt good just uncomfortable from leaking fluid and being wet. I was brought into triage and was told I was 2cm and contracting about every 5 minutes. I was going to be admitted because my water broke and that I needed to wait for a room.

During our time in triage labor really kick started. I remember feeling a pop and my back instantly hurt. I went from having literally almost no pain to dry heaving in a bag. We got a room and the pain was so intense already that I did not even think I could stand to get into the wheel chair. Obviously, I did and was brought into the labor and delivery room. I told the nurse that I had a lot of pressure and she had the resident come check me. I was 4cm. I honestly couldn't even sit still. I knew I wanted an epidural and told the nurse the sooner the better. She inserted my IV in between contractions which I felt was only like 30 seconds long. I again had a terrible urge to push and the nurse noticed that I had increased bleeding so the resident checked me and I was 8cm. They called my doctor in, Dr. Bell, who checked me and now I was 9cm. I just kept saying that I didn't get my epidural yet or my antibiotics because I was Group B Strep +. The Dr. came in to give me the epi and asked if I wanted it. I was in so much pain and so afraid of how much more I would be in if I had to push the baby out without anything I said of course. Sitting on the end of the bed completely still with a baby that is basically ready to come out was so difficult! I got the epidural around 3:30am. Dr. Bell came in and checked me and said I was completely ready to push. I pushed maybe 6 times and out came Nicholas John at 3:41am! He was born at 37 weeks 5 days. Weighing 7lb 7oz and was 20 inches long.

The entire thing was so fast and everyone in labor and delivery were so happy for me that I was able to VBAC. The triage NP even called Dr. Bell to say she couldn't believe that I delivered so fast and in her exact words "Rock On!" It was the most intense experience I have ever had but it truly was amazing. I am so glad that I decided to try for a VBAC and did not just go with a repeat csection.

Successful VBAC of Nicholas John

Congratulations! I LOVE Dr. Bell ... I too had to have a c/s with my first and at my post op visit the first thing I asked was if I could try a VBAC for my 2nd since I have heard many dr's don't support it. So happy that yours was successful. Enjoy him!

Successful VBAC of Nicholas John

That's amazing! How much time is between your two ds?