My Natural VBAC: Hello Baby Ezekiel
My little boy Ezekiel was born one month ago. I am thankful to have had another natural VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) in the hospital – and just like his sister, he came at 37 weeks.
It’s been exactly a year since my last blog post. You’d think with the pandemic, life would be slow and boring but 2020 was an insanely hectic year with big highs and big lows and nonstop “excitement” if you will.
2021 has been off to a good start and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome baby Zeke this March. He was born at 37+2 days, weighing a wee 6.0lb (my biggest baby yet!) I’m thankful to say that this is definitely my least dramatic birth experience yet. My labor and delivery were as smooth as could be so I apologize if it’s not a terribly exciting read. It just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t document this one.
Unexpected Bleeding
My pregnancy was uneventful until week 30. I had an unexpected bleeding episode that led to us frantically rushing to the hospital. I’m not talking about a little spotting – this was a large gush of blood, clots and all in the toilet. This is the type of bleeding that makes the nurses think I’m due for an emergency C-section any minute. After every bleeding episode, the tests concluded that my placenta and baby were fine so I was sent home. The OBs could not figure out where the bleeding was coming from. The verdict was that I had a very sensitive cervix and I should “take it easy.”
At 36 weeks, I had my third bleeding episode. Again, I was assured that everything was fine at the hospital. I was also excited to hear that I was 3cm dilated. However, with no progress and no more bleeding in the next few hours, I was sent home.
My Quick and Natural VBAC Experience
Two days later, I woke up around midnight to a contraction. I got up to pee and then I had a “second pee”. Wait what? It was a huge volume of liquid and I knew my pregnancy bladder could not hold that much pee. Could it be my water breaking?
I wasn’t sure but it made me nervous. My contractions were picking up, although still manageable. We decided we might as well head to the hospital to be safe.
The contractions got stronger and more rhythmic quickly. By the time I was in triage, they were intense to the point where I was no longer able to carry a conversation. My water did in fact break and I was 6cm dilated. We were excited to know that baby was coming soon.
I endured through the pain by finding a comfortable position on my hands and knees. Before I knew it, I felt the need to bear down. Baby was crowning so it was time to move to the delivery room. I refused to turn over onto my back so I was wheeled to the room with my butt in the air. It must’ve been quite a scene.
By then, I was in my zone and well aware that it was not in fact a need to poop but baby getting ready to come out. With my last baby, I kept on freaking out that I was going to poop and didn’t really understand that I needed to push. This time, I learned and listened to my body.
Push, pray, breathe, and repeat. Push, pray, breathe, and repeat.
It felt like a matter of minutes before the OB told me to stop pushing because baby’s head was coming out. What an amazing relief (emotionally AND physically) when his head came out. The rest of him slid out easily. I don’t think there is anything more mind-blowing and rewarding than that moment where I saw little Zeke come out, cord still attached.
George filled me in later and teased at how the OB and delivery team just loitered around while I did my own thing. It wasn’t until baby’s head appeared that they stepped in to guide me. This birthing journey was a personal victory for me. I loved everything about it, even the pain because it meant my body was doing something beautiful. I loved being completely aware of the process and being in control. It was unbelievably special to be able to actively participate in what God designed me to be able to do as a woman.
I am thankful that this third birth journey has been smooth. It “leaves a good taste in my mouth,” if you will. My first was an emergency C-section and my second, although a VBAC, was long and confusing. They leave me with a sense of anxiety. Nonetheless, praise the Lord because through it all, I have three beautiful children to cherish and love.
