A planned but unexpected VBAC
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: This is the birth story of Rose and her baby boy, born in April 2026.
This story had some unexpected twists and turns, which show how birth choices are about plan A, B and C and being ready to make decisions and changes as birth unfolds…
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I connected with Sara from doulas of NI a few years ago... that pregnancy ultimately ended in a loss. It was very lovely to connect with Sara again, and to journey along a full term pregnancy and birth. This was my 5th pregnancy, with 3 losses and 1 child. The pregnancy of my first was pretty much out of the system, as it felt natural to me to access care if/when I needed it, and outreach certain things privately or do myself. That birth was quite traumatic for a number of reasons, I intended to free birth but found myself struggling with a long labor and no support from a doula so chose to go to hospital. I learnt so much despite the trauma, and when pregnant again used those learnings to try to achieve a more healthful, empowered and supported experience. I did feel called to not book in at all with a trust this time, but equipped myself with quite a large support network. I worked with Sara, an incredible massage therapist (Nicole), an independent midwife online, and a couple of different therapeutic professionals to work through any residual trauma from the previous birth. I did not plan any tests, but just met my needs as they intuitively arose along the way. These were taking my own blood pressure, deficiency blood tests 3 times and a scan at 14 weeks and a scan at 36 weeks.
Both Sara and my midwife helped connect me to and communicate with health services without booking in. I made a plan with a consultant midwife how to access support should I need it, my preferences and birth plan were discussed with others so they were prepped in case that situation should happen. My intention was to free birth, but having security of a back up plan felt very reassuring and grounding.
My pregnancy was very relaxed and quiet, I was mainly at home enjoying my time with my first child. My babe felt well engaged from 34 weeks, and at around 39/40 weeks (although I never had an accurate 'due date') I started to experience tightening sensations. This was both exciting and slightly frustrating, thinking 'this was it' all the time, however mainly I felt reassured and curious that my body was getting ready for the main event!
A few weeks after these tightening's the real thing started in the middle of the night. Like everyone says-I did know for sure this time it was the true start. I had been practicing breathing for weeks, so just went with them and sure enough they formed a regularity and started to feel a progression. I managed to sleep through them for a while, then spent a number of hours pacing around with each sensation. I watched comedy in between the sensations and spent time with my family. I truly thought I would want to be on my own and had fiercely told everyone to stay out of my way, but actually being with people felt very helpful indeed! The sensations started to get more intense and I tried a variety of movements and techniques to 'be with' them. My partner filled the pool, and getting in there was instant relief! I called Sara and had started squeezing my partners hands through each surge. Sara soon took over this, and supported pretty much in this way through every single surge until the birth at 2am the next morning. It felt easy and natural to fall into a rhythm and surrender to her energetic and physical support. I presume I would have caved without it!!! Even though it felt hard, it didn't feel traumatic like last time and Sara's help assisted in helping me finding the strength within myself. My fear had been others being around would take me out of empowerment, but really everyone really helped me in feeling empowered! I really leant that having a trusting support team can be incredibly helpful, and it didn't hinder my instinct at all.
The birth had gone past the amount of hours I thought it might take, and everything showed healthy signs of progression. However I was unwilling to continue to try at home due to tiredness and some tenderness on my C section scar. After some discussion I decided to go into hospital and roll with plan B. The car journey was intense, but I managed to get through. On arrival to the Royal we handed over my birth plans and got into triage quite quick. I got the gas and air and started to feel a different sensation which was SO intense - it was the push completely taking over my body. I went in the bathroom and felt inside, I could feel the bag of waters so pinched them myself. Then things went really quickly, I got wheeled up to the delivery room and within 5 or so minutes the baby was born squatting over the side of the bed. What a powerful moment!!! Not long before I was requesting every medication they had got, then before I knew it he shot out! I was over the moon he was here and it was over and it hadn't required any extra assistance. I needed stitches and lost a fair amount of blood, my instinct told me to get to hospital and I think it was right. From there on out the experience in hospital was pretty good, I had some really amazing midwives that supported me on the postnatal ward. Post partum has been smooth and easeful with lots of love and support. Overall the perfect pregnancy and birth, despite the twist at the end, it was still empowering and beautiful. Sara was instrumental in achieving this and I cannot thank her enough for her time, support and energy. Worth her weight in gold, cannot recommend a doula enough.
