caesarean awareness month vbac vaginal birth
Believe it or not, with heights of ignorance and blessings in the form of miracles, I got to know I was pregnant only after my first trimester, despite my contraceptive device. I had done almost everything I was not supposed to during those initial three months. I had also just started living my life and doing things that I loved. My daughter was old enough and did not need me for every little thing. Of course, I had to entertain her, as she had no sibling to bug, and we were more like sticky friends who communicated well.
My second and third trimesters crawled. I was getting impatient but simultaneously did not want to think of the delivery day. It is believed that if you have had a baby through a caesarean the first time, it will always be a caesarean thereafter. I remembered the pain and embarrassment of my first caesarean section and dreaded it. As it had been four years since, my gynaecologist gave me the opportunity to make a choice to opt for either kind of delivery. So, I hesitantly chose to go for the normal delivery as I was ready to try anything that I could to avoid the excruciating pain associated with the caesarean section.
Once a caesarean always a caesarean?
Early one morning, when the skies were still navy blue, my water broke. Initially, I was confused because this was the first time this happened, so I called my doctor about it. She explained well and asked me to meet her at the hospital in two hours. A couple of hours later, after a relaxing warm bath and my mom stuffing a couple of bananas down my throat, my husband and I strolled into the birthing center and got myself admitted. I was sent to the labour room where I was subjected to bouts of pain with needles, suppositories and internal examinations.
There were no contraction pains until a little after noon, so they induced it. As soon as the labour pain began, I was given an epidural as it was already nine hours since my water bag had broken. I endured pain for half an hour until I was given another dose of the epidural anesthesia which numbed me completely below the waist.
Finally, when my cervix had dilated to eight centimetres, it was time. Doctors, nurses and my husband were all ready for me to push though I wasn’t sure if I was. I was asked to yank my thighs towards my body and push with all my might. I could not feel my legs. Due to the epidural, I could not feel anything inside my body but I tried to follow my doctor’s instructions. I pushed and pushed with all the strength I could muster from my anesthetized lower body. But, several tries later, still nothing happened.
With the pressure of the pushing, I began to feel exhausted and uneasy. The last solid foods given to me were bananas, by my mother, more than ten hours ago. Suddenly, I asked for a bowl and began throwing up continuously. When I was done, I saw everyone laughing in the labour room, including my husband. Annoyed and confused, I gave them a frowning look. Just then I saw my baby in my doctor’s hand. It was a boy who, while I puked, automatically popped out with the pressure of my unsettled stomach. I smiled. I was relieved it was over and I could relax.
After my doctor stitched me up like a tailor doing some heavy embroidery, I was glad I didn’t have to walk around holding the lower part of my stomach like I did after my caesarean delivery. I could sit comfortably and walk easily. I did, of course, endure the slight aches and pains which are normal after your body has gone through an ordeal. But this was way better and tolerable.
Busting all myths around me
My delivery was called a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC). This was something that was unheard of as I was told by everyone that I was surely having a caesarean. The fact is that after a caesarean, within two years, there is a high risk of uterine rupture in case the operated portion and stitches have not healed completely. In other words, there are chances that the previous stitches and uterus could tear open with the pressure of pushing the baby out. After twenty-four months, the risk lowers, yet the doctor in charge of the delivery still needs to be ready to perform an emergency caesarean in case of sudden ruptures or complications during the delivery. The doctor has to be a good and experienced one.
Personally, I felt that as compared to a caesarean, vaginal delivery was a cake-walk. It involved no surgery, less time in the hospital, almost no pain and faster return to my daily activities. Despite my experiences with both deliveries, I would any day choose a normal delivery though it is scary to think of pushing something out of my vagina again.
Having given my views and experiences here, I humbly request each of you to first research on suitable options and discuss with your gynaecologist before you take a decision.
Compare or conquer!
Can you identify which of the above photos is after a caesarean and which was after a normal? The left is after my first delivery. However you deliver, you will still love your child no matter what and you will still be a loving mother, irrespective of what people say. So, all the best, be smart and feel confident!
#LetsBlogwithPri is a Blog Train hosted by Prisha Lalwani, Author at Mummasaurus. I wholeheartedly thank Romila Rawat Negi, Author at Mama R Feels, for introducing me in her blog about a father’s thoughts on pregnancy and babies. Also, I would like to introduce Sneha Jubin, Author at It’s a Twinning Story. Do read her blog on sleep benefits and tips.
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50 Comments
[…] Have you heard of Vaginal Birth AFTER C-Section? Read here… […]
That is a very informative post. Each pregnancy, each delivery and each child is different. I had a c sec and trust me, i did not have any pain and i was moving around comfortably the next day. I think my doc was very good and she managed it very well. I always wanted a normal delivery and was scared of the stitches and the pain. But now i am scared to push out a child. 😉 But its nice docs are open about VBAC else as you said, it is said you will need to have a c sec again. Very well written post 🙂
Any day normal delivery is better than caesarian but things are not always in our hand. But if a woman can endure labour pain she should go for normal delivery it’s helpful both for mother and child. Mine was a high-risk twin pregnancy with my husband 2000km away from me. So no other option but to go for c-sec.
Hi Cindy…..really glad u had a VBAC…and yes many of my friends had it. I had my first caesarean 35 years ago and believe me it was excruciatingly painful. I dreaded having a second baby as I knew it would be a C-section as well. But my new gynaec was so good. The second caesarean was a dream just five years later. Wonder which gynaec u went to as urs must have been many years later and now they r painless.
My Caesarean was 7.5 years ago. Normal was 3.5 years ago.
Interesting and from the heart observations! Cheers to you for your honest writing. The only thing I couldn’t understand is why you felt embarrassed after a C-section for nothing is in our hands. Be proud, only a woman can produce the miracle of life!
My second child, I was hoping would be a vaginal birth. But my doctor said it was very risky considering my first was a C-Section. Though I’ve heard a few moms have had this happen to them.
I didn’t know that you could go in for normal delivery after cesarean.. I had a normal delivery and I would definitely recommend Normal delivery only 😁
You are so brave Cindy! Your experience will be a motivation for others. I am sure other women would relate to it too.
You are very brave Cindy. Mine was a c section and that was pretty easy for me I guess. Right after the surgery when I was getting back in my senses I felt a pain. But that was okay in the few hours.
The bad part was I couldn’t sleep! My husband who was supposed to be looking after me in the hospital, slept throughout while I sat there like an owl..
Yeah that first pain only was like… Uuuffff
It is very rare to have vaginal birth after c-section birth . one of my friend has the same ..
It’s rare coz it needs professional help to be around just in case your previous stitches erupt.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s definitely unusual to hear about VBAC after a cesarean birth.
Yeah it depends and varies from patients to patients. I’ve come across many patients who have vaginal delivery with previous csection
very informative post. Thanks for such a lucid birthing story. i really could not guess from your photos which was which
That’s an achievement, and yes I can understand that normal delivery has faster recovery.
Wow, dear! Hats off to you. I went thru both the deliveries with cesarian. I am glad dear you are able to do normal after the C section. My doctor didn’t allow me. Except you, I have not heard about vaginal birth after cesarean. And you are so fit I can’t figure out what is before and after pics.
DM me. Perhaps I can help you out!
I can’t say which one is better caesarian or vaginal, my child was born second way and I felt going through hell. But then every delivery is different. I had heard the VBAC earlier, about 26 years earlier my aunt popped 2nd baby that way. I did smile the way your boy made entry to the world, endearing.
None of them are easy. Recovery is normally better with vaginal than with caesarean, in my experience.
I had a cesarean delivery after my first vaginal one and yes, I agree vaginal is way way better than cesarean. I didn’t take epidural in my vaginal do yes, I have experienced the pain. But still it was way more better than cesarean. I was back in action within a week compared to my second delivery.
I was lucky that both my deliveries were vaginal and I was let off with a few stitches. After Caesarean a vaginal delivery is quite rare so definitely a welcome experience!
Lovely post Cindy… your journey of being a mother of two kids and of two different experiences is really worth reading..
That’s very heartfelt Cindy, you had experienced both and thus are the best person to share the difference.
What an interesting story of your life. Happy that you shared it with all of us. It was the first time I learned about it.
I have read about it only in the books. Never heard of anyone’s personal experience. This is great info for any mom expecting for the second time.
Even i have experienced both type of deliveries and yes Vaginal delivery may be difficult at that moment but it’s better post operative as compared to Csec. You have completed busted the myth that i has was once a Csec is always a Csec.
Such a relevant post about Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC). Thanks for letting us know your personal experience.
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Wow hats off to you for going through a VBAC! It requires a lot of mental strength and preparedness. And congratulations on your two angels!
Thank you Noor.
Your posts are of great info for everyone…may be it is irrelevant to some but will be of use at some point definitely…gotta bookmark the post
Thank you. Yes, it is very helpful because many are unaware of it. Do forward to your pregnant friends. Would surely be of help to them.
VBAC is a reality but it’s hardly talked around. I think women need to be aware about the possibility and their own potential to adopt VBAC.
Yes but sadly it depends all on the doctor and how ready he/she is to handle this difficult case.
Cindy this is news to me..i hadn’t heard of this before. I believed every delivery after csec is supposed to be csec only. All my life i believed this. And that horror of puking, i have been thru that. Ugh!
Yes most of the people, I met when I was pregnant for the second time, told me that. But only my gynac gave me the confidence and I had hoped because I couldn’t go thru that c sec pain again 😩
I can relate myself to the above post.. very well narrated and loved your emotional story
i have twins. i got to know in start that i am going to have c section. but i didnt knw it will be so painful.
It’s such an emotional story. Not every mother has the courage to speak out loud about her story and sufferings, you are definitely very strong!
Thanks Nitya! Do forward it to your woman friends so they are aware that such things exist.
Oh my God it’s really an amazing VBAC and I had c sec and whenever I thought of pregnancy always my goes bumps appear. I love my boy now no matter what I faced in my pregnancy and yes kids are blessing for life time
This is so amazing Cindy. I also have heard this and was scared to death about my delivery. Everyone admitted along with me were going for epidural Nd ceasarean. I eventually went in state were i was begging for the same. Bt my husband showed patience and support. I am getting goosebumps thinking about it.
Good that all went well.
I can truly relate as I have been to both aswell. Cheers girl!
[…] and took a break only because my tummy had gotten too heavy to move. Thanks to the dance, after a caesarean, I was able to deliver my second child normally without any issues. Also after delivery, belly […]
[…] I would also like to introduce Cindy D’Silva. You can read her blog on International Cesarean Awareness here […]
I never knew that a VBAC is possible in reality. Ur post is amazing and you look fab
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