December 2009

My Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Many friends and family have followed and supported me through this blog. I have been with and have known all the way that we as a family what happen for Leonardo came into this world in a respected and desired delivery.

For those not familiar with the history and purposes to take this opportunity to write my letter from Gaby (my doula, midwife or midwife) will tell the story of how Leonardo came to this world in reduced form (Understand me, as low as I can).

all started almost 5 years, trying to conceive our second child. I was in treatment in order to have a baby, went through many trials and failed attempts at pregnancy. Treatments, medications, alternative therapies. Finally, in 2008 my husband diagnosed with varicocele and he decided to have surgery. It was our last hope of having a baby. In early 2009 he did to other studies and the latter hoping to be parents again was almost zero. The only option left was IVF. The hubby and I had no desire to go there.

mid April I had a delay, I took the test and to my disbelief gave a doubtful positive pregnancy. I could not believe she was pregnant until I saw on an ultrasound the gestational sac. From there we start with a full pregnancy care excessive shocks and bumps. At 8 weeks of pregnancy had a strong colic accompanied by a brown discharge which was a small detachment placenta, together with the fact that the doctor did not hear the baby's heart rate. The doctor and I was anticipating a curettage should not find it. I went to the emergency room and found my baby well and with a pounding, my eyes filled with tears.

From that fact, my pregnancy was filled with study, rest, excessive care. With a positive attitude, friends, relatives and others not fall into an attitude of alarm, thinking that if this pregnancy had been achieved was thanks to God and that he would accompany me throughout the process. I was right.

The doctor I had been seeing was a pro-cesarean doctor. Although I had had a previous cesarean section with my first child, I did not go through it unless absolutely necessary. From the beginning I indicated that if he would give me the option of giving birth, I was going to see another view. Always gave me news and alarm indications, then surprised that my blood pressure is normal. Still, he was already on record to justify a cesarean section, because I was a patient at risk for preeclampsia. I stopped going to the doctor in the sixth month of pregnancy, because a study showed that I have gallstones and the physician's recommendation was to operate at that time. Obviously I said no, because no symptoms or discomfort had.

then went for a doctor who had recommended me. Actually gave me confidence, told me that he would respect my desire to birth, I was going to do an ultrasound and pelvimetry to see if I was a candidate for a vaginal delivery, etc. The trust ended when an ultrasound showed that my baby wore a nuchal cord. The doctor said that if the baby is not resolved, would end in cesarean section. A friend who is a nurse in a public hospital, told me that the nuchal cord is a common case in childbirth, it was not for cesarean section.

participated in many forums and groups of pregnancies and in particular one for births after cesarean section. Also, Gaby Zebadúa (by now it was my doula) felt the same and in a query on a forum, I told him my situation and that doctor also said I would do a cesarean section, since the only way to know if a baby passes through the birth canal, is the delivery. This study was not conclusive. With this indication and other friend's comment that one of his famous barely had a birth in water, we decided to see the opinion of another doctor.

For a moment I was devastated. With many friends and acquaintances, I realized that gynecologists in private practice tend to perform cesarean indiscriminately. I also felt I was not going to find a doctor for my confidence for a delivery. Gaby Zebadua and a couple of forums that I participate I referenced to Dr. Christian Mera and the team of my birth in water. When I got it I felt great relief, expressed in tears even. So with the indication of Gaby and once the doctor gave me the green light to try a waterbirth, and decided to explore that option. Dr. Mera

saw no impediment to delivery, even with my background: overweight, previous caesarean section, nuchal cord, newly diagnosed gestational diabetes, preeclampsia alleged nor my anemia. None of these conditions would prevent me from having given birth, now with the plus, my delivery would be in water. My gestational diabetes and anemia was treated with a strict diet, even before coming to Dr. Mera, fortunately there was no need to use insulin. The only thing that was used as an aid homeopathy.

From there I felt more relaxed, despite having new account relative rest at 34 weeks of pregnancy, an event of frequent contractions. I started the preparation for childbirth Gaby was a really intensive course and I felt very comfortable and quiet in class. Yes, I went with my "team" of support: My daughter, sister and husband. Now that I see in retrospect, was essential to my due to have taken the course, at all times because I felt calm and prepared.

I did an ultrasound at 38 weeks, we decided to make an invitation to my baby, to see if he decided to meet that day with a sauna, because Gaby was going on vacation and we wanted to give birth to her. The baby would not accept the invitation. We also saw in the ultrasound that Leonardo had not resolved the nuchal cord in the neck. On the one hand we were not surprised, but we are not alarmed. If we had been to the doctor, surely Leo was born by Caesarean section in that week.

Finally came the day of delivery. Gaby had been to review on Monday 7 to see how it went. Last night I could not sleep very well because I was a little upset, I thought it was dinner, now I realize that some had already begun the process of delivery. Expel the mucus plug this morning.

I went to the review and Gaby was going ahead. He told me that my baby probably would be born at dawn the next day. I asked if I wanted a sauna again, I accepted.

My sister and I left the sauna and started back home. I asked him to take me to a store to do some holiday shopping. We arrived home at about 2 pm. I already felt some contractions, but not as strong or as frequent.

my girl came from school and soon after a few minutes before 3pm I was broke. I kept having contractions, and every time I had, I did my exercises. A half hour after my water broke I went to bathe me. I enjoyed the bathroom, I talked with my baby, I asked to go down well, to prepare to meet, I was excited that it would soon be with me. I went to bathe, I continued with my "Elephants" (exercises) and in 2 of them feel clearly how my hip snapped and dropped the baby. After these 2 cracks started well with labor contractions every 2 or 3 minutes and 40 seconds duration. I spoke to Gaby and I told him how I was going. Then she called me at 5 pm for review and check the baby.

I could hardly eat, I waited until my husband arrived. At about six o'clock in the afternoon, my daughter, husband, sister and I started our way to see Gaby. We arrived with her around 7pm. Along the way I had contractions very intense and frequent, seldom contraction lasted me a minute and had them close together. I felt a little nervous about the traffic and because he perceived that everything was going very fast. Since I started to feel the intensity of contractions, breathing and resisted me no pain, let me go, flow with him. I think that helped me a lot. Gaby

When I reviewed, predicted that the baby was now midnight, maybe at 11 if I relaxed well. I have no idea how long it took and dilation and effacement of neck. Thanks to yoga I could focus at the moment. Recommended that we take another bath and went to the hotel in front of the hospital to take it. I went into the shower, when contractions had made my exercises and had a surprise exit. My husband asked me Do you want to bid? I answered no, was a contraction, I bent down to help the baby to settle down and I felt like it. We called again and the third occasion Gaby the desire of effort, it was further revised. Were before 8pm and had already told us that we were going to the hospital tub.

On the way I concentrated with my exercises not to bid, the tub was already full, half the team ready. As I got into the tub, the feeling was incredible. I felt no pain, no contractions, just wanted to push. I waited until my husband came into the tub, as it was parking the car. In some attempts at pushing the obstetrician arrived, videographer. The pediatrician and never reached more than to check later to drink. I felt embarrassed because even that was not my baby was crowned, even when I saw a mirror in the tub. Definitely the hot water had little effect painkiller to me.

had started to push when the contraction, but felt he had a strong pushing, because the baby was returned and were several times, and for the past pushing and did not feel like contractions, I asked both my husband as Christian I found out when I put the belly hard. My sister and my daughter, well, everyone told me that Pujara, encouraged me. Finally I decided to push with everything, including his face, finally appeared the drink, with a double nuchal cord, the Dr. My sister decided to cut cord. I got more than happy to see Leo get this world surrounded by so many people who want it. All equipment was the earring and my drink, I had a small tear, also by the effort of pushing, I left stains on the face. Blood was something shocking and emerged from the tub, also have to check it to Leo.

I had to put some points but in general I can say that the experience was wonderful, I feel happy after so much work, having been successful live birth, which ultimately was in water and highly recommend it .

The road was long and difficult, but really satisfying. Leo was fine and perfect and there was no need to bring the nursery. He was born on December 7 at 8:45, weighing 3480 kg and a height of 51 cm. Gestational diabetes had ravaged him. This to me since that time, again, thank God.

is wonderful how the body works when everything flows naturally, without medication. Yet even at 4 in the morning after the birth I felt really elated, more than happy. Even with the points. The euphoria still lingers. Not this time I had postpartum depression.

I believe God also knows the why of things and hopefully as a family I think we ended up with the team My waterbirth. Thanks for all Gaby!

Here one picture that I share, I will not put so much use of it.

For Leonardo

Hi everyone!

Leo was born and the day on December 7 at 8:47 pm. Everything went well, I show a message that he wrote before his arrival. When I more time, told them about the experience.

My child:

Today is a very special day, we've got all happy and excited to see you. Finally after many years of imagining, we're proud to meet you. Your dad, Samantha and I ask you for a long time, we thought would never come into our lives and just when we gave up the idea and left hanging on the rack's efforts in them. Although your father is declared atheist, I just think that this miracle had divine inspiration. Thank you Lord!

Road definitely has been neither short nor much less easy. Want to tell you all that effort that we as parents and family to stay with us, represents a tiny all we're willing to do for you, by Samy, for us.

I must confess that I was incredulous when the pregnancy test was positive, do not be imagined. Only until I saw your silhouette in an ultrasound so I began to see. I was going to be blessed to have you in my body 9 months to be your mom!

Like I said, the road was not easy and many obstacles are brought, not only for concebirte, but in your pregnancy. Sleep, study, care, diet. With you I set a goal to bring into this world naturally, something that never happened with your sister. In fact with her I felt I stole a special moment. With you I was not ready to happen again. It makes me so happy to know that your family will be waiting!

So against all odds fought and convinced others to reach the world through childbirth. Not only delivery but one respect they showed all the love with which you desire. We love that surrounds your life from the moment you're on this planet and always with you. Disadvantages by doctors not required to prevent delivery: cesarean section, risk of preeclampsia, nuchal cord, gestational diabetes. There were also well-intentioned comments from friends and family to accept medical recommendations. More than once I thought I would not do this or that was definitely going against the current.

Luckily, there was always someone who supported me: friends, my sister, my mom, dad and Sam. For my part I affirm that not only they, but there are many people supporting you and supporting me in that special moment our lives. Also say that I will not give up trying, so I ask only that you have the same courage and determination than we have had, your family, to come into this world and live your life with happiness.

you know very soon, of course we love you!