Ashley's VBAC

I went into spontaneous labor Sunday morning around 10am, early labor light contractions about 20 mins apart super irregular. Labored all day as contractions got close, that night they were about 10 mins apart and enough to prevent me from sleeping. Monday morning they ramped up in intensity and stayed all day. By that evening I was contracting 10-7 mins apart.

My doula was called around 1:40am Tuesday morning once they got strong and about 5 mins apart, I continued to labor at home until 10am when we showed up at the hospital with contractions 1-2 mins apart. I was admitted at 3cm dilated due to my gestation which was 40 weeks 6 days.

I labored in the room until 3:30pm but only made .5cm progress. The doctor wanted to start pitocin which I denied at that time.  Determined, I labored on the peanut ball for 2 hours changing multiple positions and ended up dilating to 6.5-7cm. Unfortunately after laboring that long (over 48hrs at this point) I was completely worn out and unable to bear the contractions anymore. I was experiencing excruciating back pain with all of my contractions, even the ones I was able to tolerate very well previously at home.  After allowing myself to recognize that an epidural would be helpful to allow me to get some much needed rest which in turn would help me achieve my VBAC I received one along with a super low dose pitocin.

After taking a very much needed nap and continuing to side lay with the peanut ball I was checked and had dilated to 8.5-9 and my cervix was thin and I was fully effaced!! The only issue was my epidural hadn’t worked on one side so I was having to deal with insane contractions while unable to move. Anesthesia came back and gave me a bolus to help me get thru transition.

15 mins later I was at 10cm and started to push, baby was at -1 station and after 20 mins of pushing he was delivered!! I had a first degree year which I feel was due to my husband applying warm compress to me premium in between pushes. I had an absolutely amazing team of nurses doctors and doula that allowed myself to manage my expectations and focus on the birth as a whole which allowed me to be successful and avoid disappointment.