Cheyenne's Birth
To prepare for this birth I read Childbirth Without Fear, Natural Childbirth -The Bradley Way, The Homebirth Book and The Birth Book. I knew that I wanted a VBAC for this birth and thought that to ensure it I should change my OBGYN. I wanted a homebirth but wasn't ready. I still had lingering doubts as to whether I could do it because of my first birth. The OBGYN that I choose was very positive :) she was sure that there was no reason that I couldn't have a VBAC. That helped a lot! She was fine with my continuing to breastfeed my 17 month old son so I figured she was okay :) We started to take Bradley Childbirth Classes and I got so much information on how to prevent what happened the first time. I now knew that there were ways to help get the baby in position for an easier birth and that I could birth naturally. I talked to my doctor about everything I learned. Then at 34 weeks she checked me and said that the baby was breech. I asked her about turning the baby and about delivery. She suggested I do some exercises to get the baby to turn and we'd talk at my next check up but that if the baby didn't turn I would have to have a c-sec again. I started doing pelvic tilts and was ready to stand on my head if that was what was needed. My mom was very supportive and helpful with suggestions. About one week before my next checkup I was lying in bed on my side and I felt a tidal wave in my belly! I thought to myself it had to be the baby turning :) Sure enough at my next appointment the doctor said she had turned and was now in a good position to be born. The next couple of weeks were exciting. I got out all of the baby clothes and washed them and I was convinced that the birth was eminent. The due date of July 1st came and went. I decided to try not to think about it and enjoyed the last few days of my pregnancy. On Monday, July 8th the doctor said that if I didn't get moving she was going to have to think about induction. She gave me until Wednesday. I was so upset! I called my friend Mia that had had a homebirth and asked her if she could call her midwife and she if she had any suggestions. She gave me a list of things to do that included: sex, pineapple, blue and black cohosh, borage oil, and nipple stimulation. I followed all of her suggestions except for the sex (I had no energy!) and I went to bed with the usual contractions cause by nursing my 2 year old to sleep. I awoke later with the same contractions and thought he was nursing again. I opened my eyes and saw that he wasn't and realized that I might be in labor. I got up and went to the bathroom. It was 2:30am. I walked around and they kept coming! I was so happy :) I thought I'd labor on my own for a while but decided to wake Glenn for that Bradley back rub after just an hour. We snuggled on the couch and watched TV until 6am when I called my mom. I told her to come over to help out with Kyle at 7am. I also called my sister-in-law Tina who was going to video tape but she was at work. My next choice was my sister and she was at work too. At about 8am I decided to get in the shower. It felt great! I progressed quietly and decided to call the doctor at 10am. She said that she wanted to have me come to the office for a progress check before lunch. I said fine and got back in the shower for a little bit longer. Glenn and I left at 11am and told my mom to call my in-laws and let them know we were going. When we got to the doctors office I was really into serious labor. I spent a good part of it in the bathroom and then they wanted to hook me up to the monitor. My doctors partner came in to check me because my doctor was delivering a baby at another hospital. She said I was "just 5cm" but I said I was ready to go across the street to the hospital. Glenn was doubtful :) It was noon. When we got to the hospital there was a man going in that asked if I needed a wheelchair. Glenn answered no but I shouted YES! I think I must have had been playing it pretty cool until then because he really didn't think I was that far along. We went up to the room and the nurse checked me. I was now at 9cm! I now had some of my family present. My mom, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law Bridget (she had the video camera), and my husbands grandmother. Cheyenne was pushed out into this world quickly and easily at 1:44pm. (The doctor had just made it and we were one of only two births at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital that day.) She slipped out into my arms and I held her tight. She seemed so big and fat! I was in heaven :) She was out and I had done it!
~ Lisa (APmom)