tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post4871495318124236729..comments2023-10-30T09:03:39.358-07:00Comments on Che and Fidel: Q & A - preparing for a VBACJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-9792136317537250372012-06-19T20:16:23.468-07:002012-06-19T20:16:23.468-07:00I am obviously still affected by the cesearean del...I am obviously still affected by the cesearean delivery of my baby girl as I cried whilst reading this. Despite having a healthy, beautiful daughter I still feel guilt and sadness that her birth was such a traumatic experience and that the days and weeks following it were a blur of tears and regret.<br>However, I am now able to accept that this is what was meant to be for us and that we had no choice but to go to surgery after she was in the wrong position, in distress and had pooed meconium. I have had people question why we had to have it and have doubt myself but I am so thankful that she is well and so am I (at least physically).<br>Thanks for sharing and good luck to all those ladies who are going for a VBAC. I hope that one day I am able to do the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-245684658302070522012-06-18T20:39:13.650-07:002012-06-18T20:39:13.650-07:00Yes, the massaging is part of it, but they also dr...Yes, the massaging is part of it, but they also drop the sheet so you can watch the baby be "born"... from the second they lift the baby out, it's placed on your chest, skin to skin, just as in a vaginal birth...not wiped down, cleaned or bathed. I'll do whatever it takes to help women get a better birth experience--feel free to share my story to help other women! :-)The Bee Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09561494119510857060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-67315573585187285702012-06-17T19:45:55.156-07:002012-06-17T19:45:55.156-07:00Thank you for writing this Jodi. I have bookmarked...Thank you for writing this Jodi. I have bookmarked it to refer back to when I am pregnant next time. I loved everything you wrote in your dot-point list of advice. I am only, now, 12 months after Everly's birth, starting to replace the guilt and blame with acceptance. It is a hard road. I especially liked the comments where others shared their stories - it's nice to know I'm not alone. I look forward to reading your post about sound! xlittle wild moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05472602907560952294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-42881943299885890722012-06-13T16:58:49.472-07:002012-06-13T16:58:49.472-07:00Thankyou so much for writting this! I did not have...Thankyou so much for writting this! I did not have a Cesaerean birth but I have been left severly trumatised by an induced 42hour posterier birth that ended up with two episitomies and forceps. I had massive tearing and blood loss. It has affected me so much that i fear that i will not beable to birth vaginally without going into shock and I'm afraid i will just opt for an elective cesaerean. Part of me feels like i can do it but the other part is just afraid. I will look into the counselling and yoga, i never thought of doing these, I wish my doctor had suggested them. Regards Chloe xxcoco13http://www.blogger.com/profile/11265486358361762025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-30675958049610800632012-06-13T03:38:15.223-07:002012-06-13T03:38:15.223-07:00First-time mums fear the unknown and second-time m...First-time mums fear the unknown and second-time mums fear the known. But there really are so many fabulous ways to assist you during labour. Keep an eye out for my post on sound techniques...I swear by them xJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-20252837150027920422012-06-13T03:35:13.724-07:002012-06-13T03:35:13.724-07:00Good luck Marybeth xGood luck Marybeth xJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-76340835403327677342012-06-13T03:34:44.597-07:002012-06-13T03:34:44.597-07:00Jodi, thank you SO much for sharing your stories h...Jodi, thank you SO much for sharing your stories here. I'm in awe. Yes, I have had a few students who have experienced a "natural cesarean" but I actually had no idea they were called that. It really depends what obstetrician you have and what hospital you are in. There is a hospital about an hour away from me that has a really great maternity unit. They will deliver VBAC2, breech and twins without epidural. They are also trying a new technique where the OB massages the baby out when delivering via cesaerean...is this part of the natural cesarean you experienced? xJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-9407968305606215972012-06-12T12:39:14.530-07:002012-06-12T12:39:14.530-07:00I love the hear people trying for VBACs! I found ...I love the hear people trying for VBACs! I found that reading tons and tons of successful VBAC stories were a source of confidence and inspiration. Also, a lot of Ina May books and birth stories. I trusted my body, talked to my baby, and did a lot of visualizing. <br><br>My VBAC that was meant to be done at a hospital ended on my bathroom floor because I simply did not know I was in labor! I was told VBAC labors are incredibly long because of the mind/body connection...my labor was less than 6 hrs. It was the most amazing experience. <br><br>I also have birthed twins since then, due to several medical reasons, we chose to do a "natural cesarean"... it was so redemptive compared to the other two c-sections I had experienced...I wish every woman had the ability to hold her baby skin to skin and breastfeed while surgery is still taking place...<br><br>Jodi, do you have any clients that end up doing this? I believe it started in Australia?<br><br>For those looking for more successful VBAC/Natural Cesarean stories (I just want to be an advocate/help anyone going this route!):<br>VBAC: http://www.designmom.com/2010/03/vbac-story-from-jodi-mockabee/<br> http://mockabeenews.blogspot.com/2010/01/arrival-scarlett-hope.html<br>Natural Cesarean: http://mockabeenews.blogspot.com/2012/01/birth-story.htmlThe Bee Hivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09561494119510857060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-81572149824464608582012-06-11T11:08:05.329-07:002012-06-11T11:08:05.329-07:00I have had 3 baby boys in 3 years, all Cesarean bi...I have had 3 baby boys in 3 years, all Cesarean birth. I had them really close together, and didn't know if it was possible to have a VBAC with having my babies 12 months apart. <br><br>But I want to experience natural birth so much! I'm scared, honestly, because my doctor's throw around words like "Uterine rupture" and it terrifies me! <br><br>I appreciated this post very much! We are waiting a while to have our 4th, but I am going to give my entirety when it comes to having a natural birth!Marybeth Thielkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11985056532834032701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-10124936640005964872012-06-10T22:48:02.882-07:002012-06-10T22:48:02.882-07:00Thank you for posting this Jodi. I birthed my dau...Thank you for posting this Jodi. I birthed my daughter by CS after a long posterior labour that was not progressing. I found the whole experience quite traumatic.<br><br>I am currently pregnant and due in 3 months and have my first VBAC support session at the hospital next week which I'm looking forward to. I think my biggest hurdle is the mental preparation of going through labour again.Kimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-66073735450997636862012-06-10T22:06:36.866-07:002012-06-10T22:06:36.866-07:00Thanks for writing this post. I have had two "...Thanks for writing this post. I have had two "caesarean births" but to now have called them c-sections and doubted, despite having progressed naturally through two labours to full dilation and with the first having pushed and pushed until a code blue was called, if I had given birth at all. Stopping myself from using the term doubting myself and considering myself a fraud if I referred to myself having "given birth" - from this point on I will no longer do that. I have given birth three times ;)<br>Two VBACs. The last of which was a successful vaginal birth.<br>...and may I say the vaginal birth was by far the easiest. Easier to experience and live through, easiest to remember, and most importantly the easiest to recover from. Those caesarean births really knock a woman around, stripping her of all her core strength at a time when core strength to lift and care for a new baby is needed most. Caesarean births left me feeling like I'd been run over by a train - physically and emotionally - something that I could only truly appreciate after my vaginal birth. The difference was astounding.Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05131518522010494497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-23276620294876637362012-06-10T20:50:05.548-07:002012-06-10T20:50:05.548-07:00I really needed to read this today :) I had no ide...I really needed to read this today :) <br><br>I had no idea there was such a thing as ante natal counselling, even working within the field of mental health myself?! <br><br>It's something I want to explore. I haven't made peace with my first birth (mostly, I feel angry). I feel let down by the hospital system. Especially after being told 10 months after my birth by a midwife present on the day that I was likely put on syntocin because my OB had a flight to Paris that evening. <br><br>I almost wish she had not told me.<br><br>My husband & I will be meeting Felicity from Melbourne calm birth soon. And we are considering a home birth for baby number 2. I will not be telling many friends, as being a nurse, a large majority of my friends are colleagues & have very clinical minds, & don't think a lot about home birth. <br><br>I don't want their opinions to instill fear in me :) Much as I do appreciate their friendship :) <br><br>Also, pregnancy yoga is by far the most beautiful thing.<br><br>And I only wish I discovered it with Max. <br><br>Thankyou, as always, for sharing xxCherienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-71462553218834988262012-06-10T03:39:45.652-07:002012-06-10T03:39:45.652-07:00My story is similar to Sarah's with one big ex...My story is similar to Sarah's with one big exception.<br><br>I birthed my first child via CS after a 42 hour posterior labour. I was not devastated in the slighted. I know that I gave that birth experience absolutely everything I had and then a whole lot more and that a birth is a birth, regardless. We were overjoyed to meet each other after such a big ordeal.<br><br>I met my daughter after VBAC. I wasn't afraid, I knew that if I could get through 42 hours with my first baby, I could get through anything. I was determined to try VBAC and I was lucky to be successful.<br><br>My third bubba was born via planned CS. She was breech and large and it was the recommended course of action and I was absolutely comfortable with taking medical advice. I just wanted what was safest for my baby. I was sad that the decision for when she would come into the world was taken away from both of us, but that was my only, fleeting concern.<br><br>Three babies. Three very different experience. Three exactly the same outcomes - a healthy, safe baby.<br><br>We all go okay.<br><br>xMaxabellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15761220164069379437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-8640451529126138742012-06-09T22:01:45.549-07:002012-06-09T22:01:45.549-07:00PS.When I'm teaching couples workshops I'm...PS.<br><br>When I'm teaching couples workshops I'm really realistic with the Dads-to-be.<br><br>I tell them that endurance is far more important than fancy technique<br>That for as long as she labours, you support<br>You can't save her from labour, you just have to be with her<br>Listen to her and when she says she can't do it, tell her, with utmost confidence and sometimes force: 'You CAN and you ARE doing it.'<br>Above all, remind her that she is SAFEJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-81383181388996994542012-06-09T21:44:09.307-07:002012-06-09T21:44:09.307-07:00Thanks for sharing your story Rhi.Yes, I wrote a b...Thanks for sharing your story Rhi.<br>Yes, I wrote a birth plan for Che's birth. But it went completely out the window when I realised that the 'calm birth' I had prepared for was not going to come to fruition. I was really shocked by the intensity of labour and found myself 'lifting' out of each contraction, attempting to crawl out of the experience. I ordered an epidural after 31hours (I had been at 3cm for 8 hours). It was 12.30am and I remember Daniel saying to me: "This wasn't what we planned." Too bad. Luckily, the epidural wasn't needed. I lay in the foetal position, stopped trying to be the yoga teacher 'doing' labour, and fully dilated within 40 minutes. Che was born soon after. I found myself quite angry in my labour with Che - because the 'pressure' I had been told about was actually 'excruciating pain' and in a way I felt that the course I did was a big fat lie. In retrospect, it was a necessary experience - because born from it was my beautiful boy, an enormous sense of pride and the inspiration to teach the absolute truth to my students!<br>For Poet's birth I did not write one word. My intention was clear: practice gratitude for the opportunity to labour and accept the journey, whatever it may be. Daniel said to me: "just let your body do it because it's going to do it anyway." I knew I had to 'fall into' each contraction and just 'be' in the experience. Daniel grew up with a mum who supported women in labour - he's never been shocked by anything to do with birth and babies. The only thing I said to him before I went into labour was:<br>"If I complain about the pain and get all anxious, get cross with me and tell me to snap out of it."<br>I showed him how to place pressure on my back and reminded him to remind me to 'go with it.' <br>He caught both our children. Such an honour.<br><br>From my experience as a teacher I have never, ever known a birth 'plan' to be realised. I believe a simple, intention, mentally repeated over and over and over again, is a much stronger and more tangible 'plan' xJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09754100790023579994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-37794199033230644102012-06-09T21:17:45.241-07:002012-06-09T21:17:45.241-07:00I have loved reading this Jodi, thank you so much....I have loved reading this Jodi, thank you so much. I have written down your advice, for me it feels like a better birth 'plan' than when I had Cooper.<br><br>For others reading here, I am now 33weeks with my second little babe. I too had a caesarian birth with my first, due to pre-eclampsia. My placenta wasn't working well enough to sustain my son during any labour, so the safest thing was to head down the surgical path. I never got to labour. Emotionally I was fine with this, although my first intentions were for a completely natural birth, the safety of my son and I always came first. He was born at only 2.2kg, but beautiful and healthy.<br>This time around, if all continues on well, I am hoping for a vbac. I am feeling as prepared as I can be, thanks to beautiful people such as Jodi offering me their advice and wisdom. If things change along the way, I will be okay with that. My main outcome is a healthy baby, and while I do hope this baby will be born without the need for surgical intervention, as long as he or she is well, this is all that will matter.<br><br>Jodi, I would love to know, did you have a written birth plan for Che or Poet? <br>There is so much advice, books, notes, classes for women, I am wondering how Daniel prepared (if at all)to be your support during the birth?<br><br>Love Rhi xxRhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09308986578608100696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-18095861503472050802012-06-09T20:46:44.506-07:002012-06-09T20:46:44.506-07:00Thank you for this post Jodi. Like many others, I ...Thank you for this post Jodi. Like many others, I am planning and thinking about a VBAC well in advance. Hell, I'm not even pregnant yet. But from the moment I birthed my baby girl via emergency c-section I have been thinking about how different things will be next time. After surfacing from quite debilitating post-traumatic stress and battling constant feelings of regret and guilt about decisions I made that led me and my baby down that path, I am finally trying to forgive myself and to heal. I am very interested to hear other's stories so thank you for bringing up this topic and for Sarah's contribution. In an ideal world I would be able to deliver my next child in the water in a birth centre. The "high risk" tag means that is not an option. I would be interested to know other women's reasons for choosing to attempt a vbac in a hospital vs home. I'm not completely sold on either at this point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-48674103968778973712012-06-09T06:00:26.807-07:002012-06-09T06:00:26.807-07:00Thank you for this article, the whole thing had me...Thank you for this article, the whole thing had me welling up... I'm currently only 6 weeks pregnant but have been thinking about my VBAC since my first baby was born by cesarian for 'failure to progress' 14 months ago. (The doctor told me that baby would've been to big to fit out of my pelvis anyway... but I don't know what to believe!) I want to have faith in my body, and I hear people say that your body won't produce a baby that you can't birth, but then I hear of birth stories where babies get stuck, and so how can I believe that this won't happen to me?<br>As you can probably tell, I'm full of fear, and I think it's because I haven't done enough research yet. I really want a home birth VBAC (HBAC) as I think my journey to the birth centre set my body into 'high alert' mode, as every pot hole we bumped over brought on a contraction & tension!<br><br>Thanks for all the birth stories on here too :) xx Bella xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-65983511192385047652012-06-08T19:10:31.596-07:002012-06-08T19:10:31.596-07:00Thank you Jodi for posting about a topic very clos...Thank you Jodi for posting about a topic very close to my heart. Three weeks ago I gave birth to my beautiful rainbow baby naturally. It is an experience I feel so blessed to have gone through.<br><br>My first child, Aiden, was born via cesarean birth due to a congenital kidney abnormality. He was taken to NICU almost immediately after birth and after fighting for 25 hours, he passed away in our arms.<br><br>As soon as I found out we were pregnant with our rainbow baby, I knew that having a vaginal birth was a high priority. I wanted to be able to hold my baby as soon as she was born, I didn't want to loose sight of her at any point. All the things we were unable to have when Aiden was born.<br><br>The preparation for a VBAC I feel is 90% mental. For me, I had experienced labour with Aiden, so I knew what I was in for. I had to trust that my baby was going to be born happy and healthy. The doctor overseeing our pregnancy was very supportive of our decision and never doubted my ability to birth vaginally. We did write up birth options, we had some specific requests with regards to not wanting pain relief and cutting the cord. Again, things we felt we missed out on with our son. Of course our priority was to have a healthy baby and if circumstances arose, we would have done what was needed to ensure her safety.<br><br>I did prenatal yoga from 15 weeks which helped me tune into my body and tune out of my mind, I practiced 'letting go'. I also visited my osteopath and massage therapist regularly to make sure my body was in the best condition for birth.<br><br>Our labour with Nyah was amazing. My body knew what it was doing and I just went with it. Don't get me wrong, I asked myself through a couple of contractions why I wanted this VBAC so bad (transition of course!). Though the moment my little girl was passed through my legs and into my arms reaffirmed why. <br><br>My suggestions to anyone looking at having a VBAC:<br>* Research - I felt comfort in the fact that VBAC is the safer option after a cesarean birth. <br>* Surround yourself with medical professionals that you trust and are supportive of you decision. <br>* Prepare your body physically and arm yourself with techniques to help your labour along. This will also benefit you mentally as it will build the confidence you have in your body.<br>* Know that if things do not go as you wanted them to, that it is ok. The priority is that you and your baby are safe.<br><br>Thanks again Jodi for a great post xxErinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-58930881848010005982012-06-08T15:10:05.823-07:002012-06-08T15:10:05.823-07:00i have been looking forward to this post! i met wi...i have been looking forward to this post! i met with a doctor and midwife two weeks ago who reviewed my surgical report and were able to give me the good news that i can attempt a vbac instead of just scheduling a repeat surgery. i am 14 weeks pregnant and am so happy to have the next six months to prepare for labor! <br>with my daughter i had an amazing group of midwives and attempted to have her at a birth center, not a hospital. after 80 hours of back labor, including 8 hours of hardcore pushing, we determined that she was stuck. her head was two inches away from crowning, but wouldn't come any farther, no matter how hard i pushed. i transferred to a hospital and had surgery. i was really devastated and exhausted for the following few months. i have since made my peace with it.<br>despite not having the birth i wanted (vaginal, intervention-free, and out of hospital), i'm really thankful for the experience. i am so much stronger than i ever imagined i was. i remained focused and calm the whole time (thanks to the hypnobirthing affirmations that ran through my head). i have no fear of labor. our bodies are so strong and amazing!<br>while i really miss my midwives, i feel like being in a hospital is the best choice for me this time. i have midwives in the hospital too, but they're not like my home birth midwives. sigh...<br>lastly, i want to second the recommendation to do a lot of yoga during pregnancy. i did a lot of yoga last time and i think it really helped me get through such a long difficult labor. there's no way i could have pushed for 8 hours otherwise. <br>i'm looking forward to your post on sound. i had a wonderful playlist of chanting last time. it was great, but i can't listen to it now without going back to that situation. so i need something new for this next labor.cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16983371922183014811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-66442459856853170182012-06-08T06:44:17.856-07:002012-06-08T06:44:17.856-07:00Hi Jodi, thanks for writing this post! I'm exp...Hi Jodi, thanks for writing this post! I'm expecting my second child in October and have been mentally preparing for a VBAC. My daughter was born by caesarean at 34 weeks, I'd developed pre eclampsia so my consultants decided to induce me. I was monitored for about 18 hours before the team decided my little one wasn't coping well with the contractions so it was decided to go to theatre. Weighing 3lbs 3oz (1.46 kg) She was whisked straight away to the neo natal unit where she stayed for almost a month to gain weight. We didn't hold her for about 36 hours after birth and not much at all the first week of her life. As I sat looking through the glass at her for those first few weeks all sorts of emotions were in my mind, joy, relief, shock, disappointment that this so wasn't how I'd imagined it to be, and maybe even guilt that my body had somehow let her down. Its taken time to realise that there is no shame in a birth not going to plan and really the most important thing is that you are both ok at the end. A caesarean is a life saving procedure and one which women should be thankful exists, its never something anyone should feel guilt about. My daughter had an unconventional start in life but we have bonded beautifully regardless. <br><br>Having said all that I am thrilled to hopefully have the opportunity to labour naturally and birth the way I was designed to! It would be a privilige to have that experience and hold my baby first, I can't imagine how exciting and special that must be!<br><br>Anna xanna nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589296475676836517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-24715245298491696802012-06-08T04:35:51.021-07:002012-06-08T04:35:51.021-07:00For anyone attempting a VBAC, uterine rupture is o...For anyone attempting a VBAC, uterine rupture is our worst fear. Up until reading this comment I was feeling so hopeful about the possibility of a VBAC. I'm glad things ended up well for you, but please be cautious in sharing your story with VBAC hopefuls that are only wanting to surround themselves with positive stories. The chance of uterine rupture with a VBAC is so small, but when I hear of times that it's happened it's difficult to move forward with the idea of a VBAC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-7115889878035871502012-06-08T03:10:49.810-07:002012-06-08T03:10:49.810-07:00Lovely post, I look forward to your thoughts on so...Lovely post, I look forward to your thoughts on sound during birth. Kirtan played a really really important role in the birth of my daughter. Gosh just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps. So divine. I don't think the north shore private hospital where I had her had ever had the sound of mangrove mountain in their birth suite before! <br><br>Becks xxmamatribehttp://mamatribe.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-31534641272861207852012-06-07T23:38:42.043-07:002012-06-07T23:38:42.043-07:00Thankyou for your very timely post Jodi,I will be ...Thankyou for your very timely post Jodi,<br>I will be hearing your voice during those mOments when I'm sure I'll need it most, I already do hear you at three in the mornIng when I can't sleep and you remind me to breathe! Faith, courage, love, determination and gratitude for the opportunity, that's my birth 'plan' xHannahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7422372995850609269.post-54125105771108345442012-06-07T22:23:18.703-07:002012-06-07T22:23:18.703-07:00What a wonderfully written post! I had an emergenc...What a wonderfully written post! I had an emergency caesarian birth with my first bubby and tried for a VBAC with my second. I can't agree more that it a great possibility but not the ultimate goal. I think my attempted VBAC helped me to make peace (or almost) with my first birth...questions were answered...reasons were confirmed for me. Thank you so much for your inspiring words on birth (here and previous posts). You have provided a beautiful salve to my sometimes still raw wounds and have helped me to "forgive myself, forgive, forgive" and beleive that I birthed my babies in the way safest for all of us. It is time for me to feel proud of what unfolded and that I listened to my body...and my babies...and brought them into this world safely. For others considering a VBAC I wish you only the very best. It is an amazing adventure however it evolves. :) xxStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077790096029386818noreply@blogger.com