Image via gabi_menashe
Last week, I shared with you the birth story of my first daughter who arrived by c-section. My c-section made me determined to have a natural, unmedicated vaginal birth the second time around. I know in my heart I needed my first experience with labor to achieve my second. I won’t recount here word for word the birth story of my second daughter who arrived via a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after caeserean…get it plan v?). I’ve told the story of my journey and the story of the big day many times. Go on over and see for yourself. It’s filled with lots of zen calm and expletives. Who could ask for more?
What I will share with you is what helped me tremendously to prepare for my VBAC. For my first labor I didn’t adhere to any kind of birthing method. Instead I read lots of books, saw a ton of videos and chatted with moms. For my attempted VBAC I figured I should be a bit more prepared and found my way to Hypnobabies. It is a birthing method which uses the power of hypnosis to empower mothers through the birthing process.
I admit to feeling a bit silly about the whole hypnosis thing but in the end it put me in the perfect state of mind to let my body do its job. I opted for the home study course and really enjoyed focusing on my labor with my husband at home. There are exercises to do, CDs and lots of reading but I say it’s well worth the time and the price. It helps you tune out any negative thoughts about the birthing process and keeps you focused on how important the labor is to the arrival of your baby. I loved this so much I (half) joked to my husband that I was going to save the home study course for when (if) our own daughters have children!
In addition to Hypnobabies, I also took Kelly’s class, Naturally Prepared Childbirth. I didn’t have any expectations for this class. I figured anything was an improvement from my failed planning efforts the first time around. The two session class was an eye opener. Kelly didn’t share anything I didn’t already know; there was a lot of information I remembered from my extensive reading for my first labor. But it was helpful to have her remind me and to have a professional share their knowledge with my husband. Love him to pieces but he is more likely to actually hear something when a professional says it than when I say it! The best part of this class for me was realizing I needed to have a plan for labor. Not a plan for the hospital but a plan for laboring at home until it was time to go to the hospital.
These two things were monumental for me in achieving my VBAC. I share these with you not because I think they’re what everyone should do but so you’ll realize there isn’t just one way to prepare. There are a lot of different birthing methods out there, you have to find the one that fits your needs and personality. Feel free to share in the comments what worked for you to achieve your ideal birth. From a birthing method to a mantra you repeated to yourself to your favorite doula to the perfect pushing position – what made it possible?
Birth Story Tuesday is a weekly feature sharing the birth story of a parent from the Bellani community. If you’d like to share your own experience, please email carla@bellanimaternity.com.