I have written so few birth stories in the last few months, passing through the 50 births attended mark and on to my 60th without writing about any of them! I've had some really wonderful births in the last months and I need to catch up with some story telling.
Two recent VBACs really stick in my mind because of the overwhelming joy of both of the laboring moms, but also because of the triumph expressed by the people who love them, and were so proud of them for having the birth they wanted. For example, at one of these births, the mom labored slowly throughout the day, calling me to join them in the middle of the night. After several hours in the hospital, she was able to push her baby out, crying "I did it!" as he entered the world. Minutes later her mother appeared outside the door and we waved her in to join us. She came through the door with an enormous smile on her face, tears on her cheeks and scooped her daughter up into a big hug, exclaiming, "You did it! You did exactly what you wanted!" Her mother had been nervous about her daughter trying for a VBAC but was overcome with joy and filled with pride when she accomplished it. I almost never cry at births, but these two women embracing and marveling at the accomplishment of having her baby the way she wanted brough tears to my eyes.
Two months later I attended another VBAC with a similar sense of triump, this time from the proud father. This mother began laboring and called me in the morning to let me know. A few hours later the contractions picked up in intensity and she asked me to join her. We labored in her home for several hours and then transferred to the hospital to meet with her midwife. She continued to labor in the hospital until her baby was down low and ready to be born. She was strong and focused, pushing her baby down with each contraction. When her husand first heard the mdwife report being able to see the baby, her husband traded places with me so that he could get his camera and have a better view of the the birth. A few pushes later, the baby made a turn during a contraction and made a dramatic amount of progress. The father, with tears in his eyes was cheering for his wife, telling her how amazing she was as she pushed their baby out. It was wonderful to see how proud he was and what a transformative and triumphant experience it was not only for the mom, but also for her partner.
