Hurdles

The hyperlink is a documentary regarding the birthing process in America. Lengthy at 1 ½ hours long, but extremely interesting. Warning, it IS graphic… http://bestdocumentaries.blogspot.com/2008/04/business-of-being-born.html

I am proud to say that my doctors are “VBAC-friendly” (Vaginal Birth After C-section), and that I see a group of doctors which includes two midwives.

I will be 37 weeks along tomorrow. I am PRAYING for a VBAC, if possible, as it seems they would be much easier from which to recover. I’ve been listening to a five-week course on cd, called Hypnobirthing. I pray that it will help with the success of a natural (in-hospital) childbirth. VBAC will mean a shorter hospital stay (hopefully) and more quick recovery of my abdominal muscles after birth. (I’m already envisioning how I will pick Ava up after this kiddo is born).

The cards have been stacked against me, as far as birthing naturally, due to my previous c-section. These are a list of the hurdles along the way, and the outcome of each, so far…

Hurdle #1 – SUCCESS!
Baby is head-down! The doctors advised if the baby was breech, they wouldn’t be able to perform a “version”, where they manually attempt to manipulate the baby by using their hands on the outside of my belly. If the baby was breech, it would basically mean an “automatic c-section”, although there are things I could do at home to help the baby switch positions and move head-down (www.spinningbabies.com).

Hurdle #2 – SUCCESS!
Baby is a normal size, so far. There isn’t a magic # as far as what point a baby is “too big” for a vaginal / natural delivery, per my doctors. The doctors all seem to concur that this baby will probably be around 7 – 7 ½ lbs, which is right on-par for attempting a natural delivery.

Hurdle #3 – SUCCESS!
I found out today that I am Group Beta Strep negative, which means that I won’t require an IV antibiotic during labor. Great news! If a mother is Group B Strep positive, the mother requires an IV during labor, so the baby doesn’t come into contact with this “virus”. Mothers who have Group B Strep would never know it, unless tested. The virus is harmless to adults, but very volatile to newborn infants (and could potentially cause death in an infant, if exposed). Requiring an IV be hooked-up to my arm would definitely limit my mobility during the birthing process. I feel like this would hinder my ability to birth naturally. The docs advised that I can have a Heploc placed in my arm and “capped-off”, which would allow them access to my veins if absolutely necessary, to give me necessary drugs. I'm not against an epidural, but do want things to progress as naturally (and quickly) as possible, increasing the chance of the VBAC. My epidural with Ava did make me a happy girl, but I do wonder how much it inhibited my ability to give birth naturally to Ava...(see video)

Hurdle #4 - Still in waiting
A woman’s cervix should thin out and dilate on it’s own, if possible. I am taking Evening Primrose Oil and drinking red raspberry leaf tea to help this along. They will check me for the first time this Wednesday, to see if I’ve made any progress yet.

Hurdle #5 – Still in waiting
If a woman’s cervix is dilated enough, doctors can “strip the membrane”. This basically means the bag of waters is separated from the wall of the uterus. Doctors can do this repeatedly over the last few weeks, to stimulate the release of prostaglandin, which encourages labor. I am REALLY hoping the doctors can do this for the first time at my 38 week appointment (not this week, but next). Not to be too graphic, but think of removing the membrane from the back of ribs, before you cook them. Nice visual, huh? :-0

Hurdle #6 – Still in waiting
It would also help if the “bag of waters” broke on its own, rather than doctors breaking it manually. Anything occurring naturally is better than something requiring intervention.

Hurdle #7 - Still in waiting
Baby’s tolerance for labor. Ava’s heart rate dropped during labor as the cord was wrapped around her neck. The cord is wrapped around 25% of all baby’s necks when born. Unfortunately Ava didn’t tolerate the labor well, so we ended-up with an emergency c-section. I pray this baby has different plans!

Hurdle #8 – Still in waiting
Doctor’s patience for letting me labor naturally, as long as the baby needs… It looks good for now, from what the doctors relay to me. That being said, I think our odds are only as good as the doctor’s level of optimism regarding the likeliness of a successful VBAC. Doing some research, my doctor’s group is around 70% for the rate of success for women who want a VBAC. I will remind them repeatedly during labor that I can HELP THEIR #’S, if they let me. :-)

Please keep us in your prayers, that things continue to go well and work toward our favor in attempting a VBAC delivery! Above all, we want a healthy baby and safe delivery, of course. Pray for this, as well!

We'll see what happens!

Peace, love and babies :-),
Shelly, Doug and Ava