Successful VBAC with augmentation and 9lb baby!
I gave birth to my second daughter earlier this morning (41w1) at 12:36am. She was 8 days late! I had my first daughter in September 2024 via scheduled c-section due to her being breech at 39 weeks, so I never experienced labor. We had been planning an out of hospital birth, so obviously devastated that that did not happen.
I found out I was expecting at 10 months PP and knew I’d have to deliver at a hospital if I wanted to attempt a VBAC. I was a good candidate throughout pregnancy. At around 32 weeks, baby girl started measuring large and was estimated to be overall 80% tile and was 8lb 3oz already at 39 weeks. My MFM was suggesting a 39-40 week induction which I didn’t want because I wanted to wait for spontaneous labor.
Well, my girl had other plans. She decided to stay cooking at 41 weeks when I had an NST and decided to try augmentation the next day because I was already 2cm dilated, 80% effaced and -2 station. This wasn’t what I wanted at all, but I figured it was better than a c-section.
We showed up at 8am Tuesday May 19th and by 9am got a portable IV with 2 units of pitocin. I was able to avoid the folley balloon. They increased the amount by 2 units up until 8 units every 30 minutes. Contractions were painful but manageable until the 8 units. I had multiple bloody shows and things were progressing. Eventually my contractions were 1-2 minutes long occurring every 2-3 minutes. I had no break. I was so nauseous and in so much pain. I ended up getting an epidural placed at 6pm. At 5pm the pitocin was turned off because the anesthesiologist was in the OR and wouldn’t get to me until later.
Once I got the epidural things were manageable but still a ton of pressure and painful, my midwife also broke my water prior to this. I was able to eventually rest my eyes from 8pm-9:30pm. Once I reached transition it became unbearable again. Even with the epidural I was still able to feel painful pressure. I also was getting so nauseous from laying down and needed to sit up. I got to the point at around 11pm where I told my nurse I might have to tap out and just gave a c-section. I was shaking and shivering at this point too. I also felt a weird sensation on the left side of my pelvis that my midwife later told me was a “window”. I didn’t want another cervical check because I didn’t want to lay flat but my midwife calmed me down and said I was ready to push at 11pm!
The pushing stage was so much easier. Contractions weren’t painful at all. I did push for 1.5 hours but it was worth it because I got to watch the entire thing on the mirror. Once baby girl’s head was out her shoulders easily came out along with the rest of her body. Despite her weighing in at 8lb 15oz, I only suffered 2nd degree tears.
She is absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to get home and introduce big sister to her. I’m glad I didn’t give up and got to experience vaginal birth! I had the most textbook delivery possible. She’s also been a champ at nursing!
We still don’t have a name for this little girl yet so working on that now.