This post is for those mamas who want to have a vaginal birth after having had a cesarean, or VBAC.
I asked a brave friend of mine to share her experience. Here is an excerpt from her account:
My first birth experience ended in an emergency c-section. It was the complete opposite of what I had hoped and planned for, a natural, unmedicated birth. My next pregnancy was considered high risk, especially because I wanted to have a VBAC.
In my research about birth and labor I learned that fear will only cause pain and even hinder progress in labor—I had many fears that I didn’t want to sneak into my second birth experience so I did a lot of mental and emotional work through my pregnancy.
I practiced relaxing through painful situations like a deep tissue massage. I had to let go of the disappointment and resentment I felt about my first birth experience. This required prayer and looking at the experience with a new perspective. I prayed a lot for the fear to be taken from me.
I also made a plan for a peaceful birth. For me this meant I surrounded myself with peaceful music during labor. I labored at home as much as possible so I wouldn’t be limited in my movement by monitors, space or anything else. I had food that I like available to me if I needed it. My birth team was there to assist me in harder contractions and moral support. I visualized my body and my baby doing everything they were supposed to be doing.
By the time we got to the hospital, labor was progressing well and went pretty smoothly and was free of fear. I think that because of my dependence on God and focus on making this birth experience better than the last, there wasn’t even room for the fears to take hold. After a successful VBAC, I realized that I hadn’t even thought about my scar during all of labor.