For all men who happen to read or anyone else not interested in hearing all the details of birth, here is the short version: Labor was long, I had a v-bac, mom is fine, baby is fine… the end.
For anyone interested… here’s the full story. (You can also read my other birth stories starting here)
My Calm Hospital VBAC
I took the pregnancy test just before I got into the shower, knowing it usually took a few minutes to show the result. I was in the middle of washing my hair, when my husband came into the room to brush his teeth.
He looked at the pregnancy test on the counter and said “What does this mean?”
“What does what mean?” I asked, since I couldn’t see him. I had actually even forgotten I’d taken the test. (Placenta brain is a symptom of pregnancy)
“Two lines on this thing…” he responded.
“Two lines! That means we are pregnant? We are pregnant!” I said.
As I finished showering, I thought about all the decisions we’d have to make and all the research we needed to do. We were in a new state and I hadn’t even thought about finding a doctor or midwife yet. Not to mention that this would be a v-bac and I’d have to find a doctor who was on board with that.
Assisted homebirth was illegal in our state. I could birth at home, but no doctor or midwife could attend, and I certainly wasn’t ok with an unassisted birth as a first time v-bac.
I made a few calls to doctors around town and it became extremely clear that I was not going to be delivering here. I also found out that the hospital had a really high c-section rate (over 40% and over 80% after a previous cesarean) and wasn’t very encouraging of v-bacs.
I knew that even in the next state over, home birth midwives wouldn’t take me until I’d had at least one hospital v-bac and neither would the birth centers.
After considering all my options, I decided on the group of midwives I’d used previously. They were an hour and a half away, but had the highest v-bac rate in the country and could deliver in the hospital in case there were complications.
At my first prenatal appointment, I wasn’t disappointed, and clicked immediately with the new midwife.
All of my other appointments went well, except for the usual “What type of birth control do you want after the baby is born?” conversation, though I’ve gotten used to that one by now.
Midwife: What type of contraception will you be using after the baby is born?
Me: None
Midwife: You realize that breastfeeding does not effectively prevent pregnancy, right? (I always find this question especially funny, since I’ve always gotten pregnant while still nursing, and for me, nursing does indeed space my kids about 18 months apart)
Me: I’m aware of that.
Midwife: Ok
I found out that because I was a v-bac, I’d have to be monitored constantly in the hospital, and since there was no mobile monitoring equipment at this hospital that would mean I’d have a 3 foot leash to the bed… bummer. I’d also be required to have a hep-lock in, even if I didn’t need an IV.
At 36 weeks I found out I tested positive for GBS. This can be a potentially dangerous condition, but if treated correctly, it is usually just fine for mom and baby. (As a side note, I usually use natural remedies to make sure I don’t have GBS, but they ended up doing the test earlier than I expected, so I hadn’t used them yet)
I did a ton of research on GBS and its treatments and found out that it is a naturally occurring bacteria that exists in everyone’s body at some point, it can be treated naturally, and even though antibiotics are the common treatment during labor, they don’t actually affect the death rate from GBS.
So many decisions… to take the antibiotics during labor and make the midwives happy or refuse and have baby need extra monitoring. The other thing that was discouraging, is that hospital policy mandates a minimum 2 day hospital stay for GBS positive moms and I was really hoping for a 12-hour hospital stay since our insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy.
I asked if this would change if I tested negative on a re-test and was told that any positive GBS tests mean you are considered GBS positive during labor, regardless of any subsequent tests.
I decided to get re-tested anyway at 38 weeks after doing natural treatments like garlic, vitamin C, probiotics and others. If the test was negative, I’d feel more comfortable refusing the antibiotics and would hopefully have a legitimate reason to refuse any additional treatment for “G” if she wasn’t showing symptoms.
I re-tested on a Thursday, and called Friday afternoon to get my lab results but they had not come in yet. That meant that if I went into labor during the weekend, I wouldn’t know my results and would have to make the decision without knowing if I was still GBS positive or not.
I’d been having fairly regular Braxton Hicks contractions since 36 weeks (to the point that I wondered if I’d ever make it to “term” at 37 weeks). They continued all weekend, but never intensified. I was 39 weeks now, but I figured at this point that I had at least a week left, since my labors had always started or Sundays in the past.
On Monday of that week, I had that strange urge to clean… a lot. (I wish I could bottle that nesting instinct) I also had my characteristic denial that it is a nesting instinct…
As I was rearranging one of the kids rooms, moving furniture and hanging decorations on the walls, my husband came in and accused me of nesting.
Him: You’re going to go into labor today… you are nesting. Stop cleaning and get some rest!
Me: I am NOT nesting… there was just some dust under the bed, so I moved it out to mop, and then realized that I should hang this stuff while I could move a chair back here, and then I saw more dust under the changing table…
The rest of the day passed uneventfully… and by that I mean that I cleaned, dusted, scrubbed, and polished every inch of the house and then reorganized everyone’s clothes.
Labor Begins…
That night, after a long day of cleaning, we were just going to bed around 11 when a huge rainstorm hit. It was one of those the-power-is-going-to-go-out-and-trees-may-fall type rainstorms, and I was laying there, very glad we wouldn’t be driving an hour and a half in it… contractions started.
They started about 5 minutes apart and I was starting to feel them in the tops of my legs and in my cervix (those are my two signs that they are “real” and not just Braxton Hicks).
“Great,” I thought “I’ve been trying to get real contractions to start for weeks, and now they decide to pick up.”
I decided not to wake my husband, since my labors are usually as exhausting for him as they are for me. I focused on trying to relax, hoping that would slow the contractions, but by 4 am, they were still coming strong every 3-4 minutes and it was still raining… a lot.
Contractions stayed about 3 minutes apart for about 3 hours and about 7:30 am, I felt a small gush and was pretty sure that my water had broken. I laid there because it wasn’t a huge gush and I didn’t want to stand up and let gravity speed things up.
Once my husband woke up, I told him I might be in labor and got up to go to the bathroom. Thankfully, there was no more of a gush, though contractions were staying steady. Luckily, the rain was slowing down.
As soon as their office opened, I called the midwives and asked them what they wanted me to do. I figured being a GBS positive v-bac they’d want me to come in and at least get checked. They did, so hubby and I slowly got ready to make the drive.
We didn’t have any babysitters available for a few hours, so I made breakfast for the kids, finished packing my bag and spent some time reading to the kids, who were very excited to finally meet their little sister and patiently got quiet during contractions so I could breathe.
Finally, my father in law was able to come by and watch the kids, so we headed to the midwives at around 11 am. When we got there, they did three different tests to see if my water had broken (I didn’t even know there were three!).
The midwife came in and confirmed that my water “was definitely broken” and told us to head to the hospital ASAP.
My contractions were still 3-4 minutes apart at this point, and I didn’t want to be stuck in a bed in early labor, so like any good patient, I killed some time before heading to the hospital.
Hubby and I got lunch at a Greek restaurant, though it is hard to eat in labor. Then, since he knows my labor history, we headed to a park to walk. We walked a couple of miles, pausing every 2-3 minutes for a contraction and then decided to head to the hospital.
On the drive there, I chugged a couple of coconut waters for the hydration, and hid snacks and drinks in my pillowcase (eating during labor is frowned upon in hospitals).
Once we got to the hospital and finally found a parking spot, hubby decided that we should take the stairs to make sure labor was progressing… at the end of 4 flights of stairs, it definitely was.
We checked in and called our families to update on progress while waiting for our nurse. It was about 3 pm at this point, and contractions were staying every 2-3 minutes.
I got an IV and was annoyed to be tethered to the bed, but the nurses were great and labor wasn’t too bad yet, so we just hung out and talked. My IV went in at about 4:30 with the antibiotics, and since I had allergies to several antibiotics, they had to use a stronger one that is usually used.
I had been told that the best situation for the baby that wouldn’t require extra monitoring was to receive two full doses of antibiotics about 4 hours apart. I didn’t want her to have any extra intervention, so this was my goal.
I actually tensed up on purpose to try to delay labor so I could get the second dose of antibiotics before delivering. A few hours later, I asked when I’d be getting the second dose, and they informed me that with this stronger antibiotic, doses had to be 6-8 hours apart… this did not make me happy!
“Actually,” the midwife said, “you may not actually need a second dose with this one. Let me call and check on that.”
I was a little peeved at the idea that I’d been delaying labor unnecessarily, but was hopeful that I wouldn’t need any more antibiotics.
The midwife confirmed that I didn’t need any more antibiotics, and I finally felt like I could just labor naturally.
So I did… for hours.
Have I mentioned that my labors tend to be long?
By dinnertime, hubby decided to go get some food while his mom stayed with me and rubbed my feet. Contractions were getting stronger, but I wasn’t in the really tough part yet. Of course, no one thought to get the pregnant lady any food, so I had to breathe through contractions while my husband and his mom ate ice cream… ICE CREAM!
At this point, I was drinking a ton of water to have an excuse to unhook the monitor and go to the bathroom where I could walk around a little.
By 8 pm, I was getting the “shut up, these really hurt” type contractions, and my husband was enlisted to put pressure on my back during each contraction… darn posterior labors!
The “shut up these really hurt” contractions lasted for about 3 hours and then turned into the “owww owww owwwwwwwwww” contractions. At about 11:30, I vomited.
Full transition… finally!
I adopted a semi-sitting, semi-squatting position on the bed and announced that these were hurting. I declined to be checked since there is a higher rate of infection with GBS if you are checked a lot, and I wasn’t feeling “pushy” yet.
I guess I was making the nurse nervous though, because just after 12:30 am, she had the midwife come in to check me. I was complete, but even though my water had broken earlier in labor, there was apparently a second bag of waters behind the first that had not broken (I didn’t know this was possible either).
Since she didn’t like being splashed in the face during the pushing phase, she broke my water and I immediately got the urge to push.
At this point, I entered that hazy phase where time isn’t really relevant and I can’t really hear or see anyone besides my husband, who I cling to… very tightly (his poor arms).
She was not coming out as easily as I’d hoped since she was my fourth, and I was so tired at this point that I was literally falling asleep between contractions. I decided that I wanted her out NOW and ignored the instructions to “push now, ok don’t push now” and just pushed with everything I had.
This is the moment that truly is a test of strength for me… when I know that pushing will make it hurt worse, but that the pain won’t go away until I do. The light at the end of the tunnel is there, but there’s that pesky “ring of fire” between you and the exit.
I pushed as hard as I could and felt her head come out but I still had the shoulders to go. (my kids all have big shoulders). With another push that I felt sure was going to cause my rear to explode, I pushed baby G all the way out.
Sweet relief! I can’t put it into words, but those of you who have experienced natural labor know exactly what I am talking about. It is the most instant and complete change from intense pain and exhaustion to complete relief and happiness. Gotta love those hormones!
My husband got to help catch her and he put G on my chest and let me hold her and talk to her until the cord stopped pulsing. After about 10 minutes, they clamped the cord and my husband cut it.
I was able to get up and go to the restroom on my own about 10 minutes later (gotta love not having a catheter!) and we moved to our postpartum room shortly after that (I even felt like walking down the hall on my own!).
Overall, it was a wonderful birth (long, but wonderful). Baby G never left my side the whole time we were in the hospital, she latched on easily, slept like a champ and has been my easiest baby yet. My theory is that my kids have gotten easier and been better sleepers because my diet has improved with each pregnancy.
Speaking of diet, the hospital we delivered at had a wonderful system where they don’t bring you food at meal times but you can order whatever food you want at any time. They had omelets, grilled chicken, salads, fruit, and coffee and they even cooked my eggs in butter instead of oil :-). I doubt the eggs were free range, or the chicken organic, but it beats the heck out of mystery meatloaf or fried chicken!
We got to come home about 36 hours later where baby G was very enthusiastically welcomed by her siblings.
Missed the previous births? Read previous parts of my birth saga here.
Congratulations! I related to so much in your story, I had to comment. Baby #1 Csec, then natural (in the hospital, from the one and only doc that was willing to do that) VBACS for #2,3,4, 5….then another Csec for #6….and THEN my first home birth for #7 (docs in the hospital wouldn’t even consider another vbac). Ironically, #7 was my shortest labor, only 5 hours! Maybe it was something about being home; I dunno. I understand the challenges of finding birth attendants, negotiating around crazy hospital rules (that change every other year), lonnnnnng labors, etc. We even ate in a restaurant after my water broke, too; it was like our little secret, “Um, yes, I’d like the spaghetti….” (while sitting on a hand towel and trying not to gush). I loved the comment about enjoying this time; yes our fertility flies fast and it is something to be thankful for. And wow on the birth in the car with her two kids in the backseat!!! As for the lady who laments her Csec, when I had baby #2 (naturally, vbac) it was very healing to me. Thanks for sharing your story! I loved reading it!
Hi Katie,
First of all, congratulations for you wonderful work, I am totally addicted to your app!! ????
Since you mention you got pregnant while breastfeeding with all your children, I would like to know how… I am breastfeeding my 11 month old son at the moment 4 times a day before giving him solids. Just started to wean off lunch time feed BF, and was planning to remove BF in the afternoon as well to leave just the morning and dinner feeds of breast milk. How did you gradually wean your little ones to solids?
Do you think I should keep offering breast with every meal after solids?
I would like to conceive but haven’t recovered my periods yet…
i know this is late, but I remembered you had a VBAC, so had to read your birth story:) I had an “emergency” c-section with my first (birth center birth not going as fast as they wanted, ROM over 24 hr, pit, epidural, csection–hello ricki lake)
Babe is 17 months now, and we defenitely want more children, but emotionally, I still haven’t (and don’t know if I ever will) gotten over the emotional and physical trauma of the c section. And even though uterine ruptures are rare, they do still happen. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I feel I got the short end of the stick when it comes to having a second child. I notice for your VBAC, you seemed very confident and unafraid…and did so great. Do you have any tips for me? Also, did you do any exercises to strengthen your abdominal muscles? (I still feel slight discomfort whenever picking up my almost toddler) Thanks a bunch:)
*Hugs* c-sections are tough and so is recovery! My heart goes out to you. I think what helped me was researching and realizing that statistically, while there is a slightly higher risk of uterine rupture with a VBAC, there was a much higher risk after more c-sections. It might also be really helpful to have a good doula there to boost your confidence and help you stay relaxed. This site has some great info on strengthening the core muscles and it helped me a lot in recovering! She actually has a whole system called “Down there for women” that is supposed to also make delivery easier (I’ll let you know in a couple months!) Best of luck!
Thanks so much! Will head over there right now:)
Do you mind if I ask what antibiotic you were given? I too tested positive for gbs (had a negative culture with my first two) and am allergic to penicillin. The strains tested resistant to both erythromycin and clindomycin (sp?), so the midwife has recommended vancomycin. But some of the side effects are a bit severe. I’m hesitant to get the antibiotics and would love your thoughts.
That is tough, I think I had erythromycin, but would probably refuse it now after knowing what I do about the lifelong importance of gut bacteria now. Would your midwife be willing to re-test and see if you are negative? It is definitely a tough call since GBS has a small chance of being so serious… good luck!
Thanks for your reply! My first test was at 36 weeks, I found out the result at 37 weeks and was retested at 38 weeks. I tried upping my probiotic, vit c and garlic intake before the retest, but it still came back positive (found out today at 39 weeks). That’s also when they found that the strains were resistant to the two antibiotics. While I know transmission rates are extremely low, I also know its exceptionally dangerous if the baby does catch it. At this point, I’m leaning towards the antibiotics and considering bringing acidophilus to give to baby in small announces during her first few breast feedings. I hate that I have to make this decision! Didn’t have to with my others! But I appreciate your response! And if there’s any thing else I can do to encourage good gut flora in baby after she’s born, I’m all ears!
I used vaginal probiotics daily the last few weeks to help make sure that flora was good and also rubbed probiotics on the inside of her mouth before each time nursing for the first few weeks. Good luck for a wonderful delivery!
Hi 🙂 Just checking in to see how your labor went! I am 38 weeks gbs positive and allergic to penicillin and resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin so the only drug left is vancomycin. I’m terrified of having an allergic reaction during labor and super nervous!
I love love love reading about natural birth stories! I had my daughter naturally as well with a midwife at a hospital. I was concerned about testing positive for group B and so in the weeks leading up to full term I was doing a regimen of washing the area with Hibiclens (antiseptic) several times a day. I was told by my birthing instructor that this helps eliminate group B (or at the very least will allow you to test negative). Of course I may or may not have actually had group B, but I tested negative and so I will definitely do it for my next birth as well!
There is nothing like that feeling of bringing your baby into the world (without pain meds masking your body’s natural response) and the emotions that go with it.
I just got done reading all the stories of your births and could not help but cry a little at the story of your c-section. I had to have one with my first child because of a prolapsed cord. It, too, was emergency because I had already been laboring for several hours and was getting ready to transition. I still think about that moment when my husband and I had to make the decision (or basically no thinking about it for the safety of our firstborn). My husband was not able to be in the room with me during surgery because it was very high risk. It was a very lonely and scary time, but mom and baby (and hubby!) all came through with flying colors. I really enjoyed your stories and can totally relate.
Great Story! You young girls are so lucky to have so much more control over your deliveries than we used to in the bad old days of childbirth. One day I should write up some of my horror stories along with the humorous ones as well. I had one of my sons in the back seat of the car right outside the emergency room, the doctor ran into the hospital with my baby before I had seen him, heard him or touched him. I screamed at my husband, “Stay with the baby!” I was covered in blood up to my waist in my nightgown and had my two older kids (3 yrs and 18 mos) in the car with me. Two orderlies came by with a gurney and asked “Are you the lady that just had a baby?” Yea, Good times, good times!
Please enjoy your fertility as long as it lasts, it is so sad when you cannot get pregnant anymore…My favorite bumper sticker would be “I’d rather be changing diapers”!
You are so sweet! I’d love to hear your birth stories if you ever write them up. I do forget when I’m doing battle against the Hep B shot and episiotomies that others haven’t been so lucky to even get to make those choices. Thanks for the reminder, and that is a hilarious story…. oh, to have short labors 🙂
Hi there. Love your articles by the way. I am expecting my second child and am now 30 weeks. I would like to take some precautions to prevent GBS naturally. Ive read the garlic insertion but what else did you do. Id love to be proactive about it as we are planning a home birth and i cant stand iv’s. thanks so much
I know I’m a liiiittle late on this post but just out of curiosity, what herbal treatment did you use for GBS? I had GBS which made me choose a hospital birth because the only midwife in the area told me that it wasn’t really a concern. And I knew that during labor at home I would constantly be worried about passing on such a thing to my LO so I went to the hospital instead. They also tested me for GBS when I was about 20 weeks which I thought was incredibly early. For my 2nd, I would love to labor at home instead, in a natural environment and not hooked up to antibiotics and a monitor.
From my understanding, GBS can come and go, so just because you had it during one pregnancy, doesn’t mean you’ll have it again, so have them test you. I used things like colloidal silver gel vaginally, as well as probiotic pills vaginally, and congaplex and vitamin C orally. I also rinsed with hibicleanse soap (this is somewhat controversial) before labor and before pushing, and anytime the midwife checked me, she used colloidal silver gel. I’d have them test you at 37 weeks, and even if you are negative, maybe again at 39 weeks, just to be sure. That way, you can be confident in delivering your little one without worrying about GBS.
Hi! Just discovered your blog and loving it! I too was GBS positive with my second son (born in January) and well, we didn’t make it to the hospital on time. They kept us for two and a half days isntead of just a day, and monitored him every four hours, along with a blood test– and well, he didn’t have GBS 🙂 Not sure how much you read up on the issue regarding GBS and antibiotics, but here’s an interesting article: https://www.mothering.com/forum/index.php
Anyways, hope you’re enjoying your new little one!