This next blog comes from the lovely Shona – after a c-section in 2013, find out how she got on in 2017 when a new little man entered their world…….

In 2013 my partner and I were expecting our first child. Nearing the end of the pregnancy we went to our local birth Unit for the tour. After looking around, I immediately wanted the birth to take place there. I remember walking around thinking “this is like a posh hotel” the rooms if I remember didn’t even have beds in! It was like an adult size soft play centre! And I loved the mood lighting and the whole place felt so relaxed and calm. Even a little guest book on a table in the corridor!

We went in for a routine 36 appointment and a midwife had a feel round on the bump. Then she got the Doppler on it with a slight concern look. They did a scan and told me Baby was in fact breech! So we sat down for a chat where I was told I would need a Caesarean. They said I could have an ECV where they could try and manipulate the baby into turning and they said there was a 50% chance of baby turning and if it worked there was also a chance of baby going back to breech position.

At this point I was quite overwhelmed by everything, as soon as I stepped out the hospital I cried A LOT! The thought of having an operation, the not being able to have a natural labour. I finally accepted that I was having a caesarian and I started to feel excited.

I had a pre op appointment and when I was 39 weeks exactly on 28 May 2013 we went to hospital and I had a scan which confirmed baby was still breech. So we waited in a room with two other couples and we were last to have the section. Our little girl Ruby arrived safely and the recovery went really well. I didn’t have any other kids to look after so it was easy to be able to rest and take it easy.

Then in November 2016 we found out we were expecting baby No.2 – so exciting! After the 12 week scan I had a consultation appointment and a chat about my options, I said I’d like a VBAC and they were supportive with my decision and explained the risks involved about 1/200 chance of scar rupture. But the option was there to have either. Which was the hardest because I didn’t want an option, I needed someone to tell me what to do!

So I started googling information on vbacs, and reading books. Educating myself on the risks, and in comparison it wasn’t much different to risks with a natural labour. I then went on YouTube videos of people’s vbac stories. Which inspired me and helped me so much in feeling better about it all.

So many thoughts going round my mind like “what if I go into labour and complications happen ending in a section anyway?!” “What if I get to 41 WKS and I’m more swayed to avoiding being induced?!” “What am I going to do if I have an elective section again?!”

Then one evening I was spotting a little. I rang triage for a piece of mind and she said it sounds like my plug coming away. However later when I stood up I did have a small gush feeling, and I was constantly getting this mucus type fluid keep coming. I Rang triage again! I was getting the odd tightenings then with this mucus. She said when I was getting tightenings/pains every 10mins then to ring up and head over.

I was getting pains every 30 mins. So I expected to just be at home all night before anything got really going. My thoughts at this time, because I had never experienced this before, it felt like it wasn’t real and it was all in my head. At 7;50pm I started jotting down the times of these tightenings and at 8:30 I realised they were every 5 minutes. It didn’t feel real! I called triage and another lady spoke to me this time. She asked if I could hold on at home but it was getting uncomfortable now when I was getting a contraction. She said I might be sent home but I wanted to go over and get checked out at least.

I was checked over and my waters had definitely gone. There was meconium in them. Which she thinks was old, where the baby had a trial poop! And at this point I was 1-2cm dilated. This was around 11pm.
I said to my partner I don’t think I could do this, I’m only 1-2cm and it’s hurting so much already, I could see myself asking for an epidural!!

Around midnight I was taken into a delivery room. It was so much cooler, nice and dark with a mood lighting.
The contractions got stronger and stronger and I was on the bed just literally wriggling around using the gas and air. The midwife with me was brilliant and we joked about her wanting to deliver the baby before her shift finished in the morning! Then at about 3:15 am and I was given diamorphine which was injected in my thigh. Again WOW! That stuff was even better. I was able to rest inbetween contractions now.

About 3:30am I had a canula put in my hand. Which I knew I would because of having the section previously and just in case there was any problems. At this point I was getting so much pressure with the contractions.

About 3:40am I was checked and I was 7cm now. And around 3:55am they put a clip on baby’s head to monitor him. I remember at this point the midwife telling me how well I was doing although I was quite sleepy between contractions.

It wasn’t so much painful at this point now, it was trying not to push everytime I had a contraction because the pressure was unbelievable. Trying to ride through that was hard, because all I wanted to do was push!

But then at 05:57am our little boy was born!! He was placed straight on me and I couldn’t stop saying “OMG I did it” that feeling was just incredible!! And probably the best feeling of my life. Getting to hold him straight away in my arms. My partner cut the cord and did skin to skin.

I cannot stress enough, to those thinking of having a VBAC then DO IT! If I were to choose, having a vagjnal birth was the best thing ever!

Educate yourself on the pros and cons! As soon as I started watching videos, I wanted to do a Vlog while I was still pregnant and another one after with the result! But it was too late when I was thinking of doing it, so have done a blog instead of my story to hopefully help inspire others!!

I was so happy it worked out and little things like being able to get straight in the shower and go out and about and do stuff. It was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I didn’t talk myself out of it and went for another caesarean “just in case”

Everyone needs a bit of Shona’s positivity in their life!