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VBAC
Week by Week

BRAYDEN ALEXANDER BLACKWELL

After much worrying, reading, exercising and anticipating, Brayden Alexander was finally born on December 21, 1995, a very successful VBAC.

I can't pretend that, despite my greatest hopes of delivering naturally the second time around, I did not have some doubts as to whether or not my body could actually pull it off. I prepared myself throughout my entire pregnancy for the possibility of a repeat section. And when my due date came and went, I really thought my chances were fading fast. After 2.5 weeks with impending labor still a no show, my doctor stripped my membranes in hopes of speeding the process along. When that didn't work, we decided on starting an induction by using prostaglandin to ripen my cervix, and then start an IV of pitocin in the morning. Shortly after the gel treatment at 9pm, contractions started - at least the fetal monitor said so, I was still feeling very little tightening at all. This continued for about 8 hours. I was kept in the hospital just in case since they were occurring every 2 minutes with great consistency. I was so thrilled that my first 8 hours of labour passed with little notice. Of course that was not to last!

At 6am, I felt a tremendous pain square in my back. It came suddenly and was extremely painful in comparison to the last 8 hours. The pains continued to come every 2 minutes and I knew I was indeed in real labour. I was so exhilarated at experiencing labour for the first time (my first was an elective C-Section) that I didn't feel tired even though the contractions were coming fast and strong. My nurses tried to help me find different positions to help ease the pain of back labour, but I found I was most content to lay on my side and hug the side of the mattress while someone massaged my back with each contraction. By 10am, I had virtually no break between the contractions, but the doctor told me I was not fully effaced, and probably only 0.5cm dilated.

My courage and determination were shattered. I wanted to cry but couldn't even manage a whimper because of the pain. The doctor suggested an epidural to help with the back pain since he was sure I would not deliver for another 12 hours. I heard whispers of preparation for a C-Section. The anesthesiologist arrived 10 minutes later and had extreme difficulty administering the epidural since my contractions were so continuous and I couldn't maintain a stable position curled up in a ball for very long. She finally got it in, and I was so shocked by the immediate "freezing" effect that I felt as if my lungs had been frozen and started gasping for air. I was given an oxygen mask to help me get my breathing back on track. It was a godsend. I started to feel a little more in control now that the contractions were not as painful, and I prepared myself for the long haul.

At 10:26am, just 26 minutes after the doctor had informed me of my 0.5cm dilation, my water broke and Brayden literally rode the wave out. No one was right by me since they were all discussing with my husband what action they should take from there. My doctor turned around just in time to catch him. What no one knew is that while unattended, I felt my sac rupture and my body involuntarily started pushing for me. I was so tired and pushing so hard at this point that I couldn't tell anyone what was happening. I remember vainly trying to attract someone's attention with my one little finger that was NOT gripping the mattress. It all seems pretty funny now in light of the fact that they all thought I had hours to go. I thank my lucky stars that Brayden decided to help me.

But boy when he was ready to come, he was going to make an entrance! He was born with both of his hands above his head like Superman! He was nicknamed "Super Baby" by all the nurses. Unfortunately for mom, his dramatic entrance caused a third degree tear with "countless" numbers of stitches. Although I am thankful that he spared me the hemorrhoids!

It was as wonderful and liberating as I had hoped it would be. Despite the intensity of my labour, I was surprised at how energetic I was right after his birth. I felt giddy, and completely joyous. I couldn't sleep with so much excitement. I was so proud of my new baby boy and my wonderfully persistent body! I had never felt disappointed with my first son's C-Section, but I was wildly amazed at how wonderful the VBAC turned out to be. I feel blessed to have experienced birth in two different ways - which just seemed to be indicative of how different my 2 boys would turn out to be.

Brandi Blackwell