I am also mostly a lurker too, but have gained so much from reading others' stories, that I wanted to share. I've been waiting to write until I "had time" to write the whole thing, but that may never happen. So here are the highlights -
My daughter Riley was born naturally on 3/1/10 @ 0843, 41.4 weeks, 11lbs 15oz
There are several things that came into play that I think allowed my VBAC to happen. I had to switch providers at 36 weeks - a huge blessing in disguise. I was supposed to have a BPP & EFW @ 41 weeks - there was a snowstorm, so I never had the u/s before I went into labor. My doula was amazing!!!
I woke up to ctx every 2-3 min @ 1213. Got to the hospital around 0300. VE was 9cm w/ bulging membranes. I was in shock. I had stalled @ 7cm in my older daughter's birth which ended in c/s. I had wondered how I would deal with getting past 7 - it was never an issue. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours, with a "break" in the middle while my doc went to deliver another mom.
When she was placed on my chest, I knew she was big, but I couldn't fathom almost 12 lb. When they told me how much she weighed, I immediately gave myself a break for not pushing well enough (what I was thinking at the time).DD1 was 9lb 13 oz & "macrosomic." DD2 was born with an almost perfectly round head. Don't let them tell you that your baby is too big!! Your body knows what it's doing!! Position is everything!! How empowering to have faith in your body, and have it come through!! I have no words to express it.
Good luck to all you beautiful mamas pursuing your VBACs. Be fearless!!
Bonnie
