2011 Homebirth VBAC Transfer Birth Story- Photos in the OR {St. Petersburg Birth Photography}

One thing about going back to revisit old photos is seeing the areas that you have grown as a photographer, but also taking time sit back and remember the moments, the memories, the emotions.  This blog will have sections written from the mama's blog which you can read here-http://missyolivepants.blogspot.com/2011/10/weve-been-waiting-for-you.html

From Me:

This family is very special to me.  Not only have they allowed me to be part of the births of both of their children, they were one of my very first doula clients. Giving this eager new doula a chance. It's a joy to call this mama a friend, and watch her family grow together over the years.

I was thrilled to learn it was "time". This mama had been planning her 2nd birth. A HBAC (Home birth after cesarean). Her first birth was long, hard, and she was a warrior! But at the end, she knew baby had to come via Cesarean section.  So this birth, we were all gathering around her, in her home, believing in her body, and her baby, and this birth!  When I arrived, labor seemed to be pretty good an active. Mama was laboring using different positions, using her birth tub and moving around. The midwife came, determined it would be a little while yet, so mama headed to the pool, where she felt her water break.

From the mama:
My midwife arrived around 5:30am.  She checked me right away and (if I remember correctly), I was only 2cm and 80% effaced and the baby was at station -2.  This was a bit of a letdown for me, considering I am pretty sure he had been MUCH, MUCH lower (I had been walking around for the past few weeks feeling like he could have fallen out!).  I then had my doula come over and when she arrived we went for a long walk. When we got back I decided would like to get into the backyard pool.  While it was a bit chilly, it was nice, and B & N joined me in the pool.  My rushes had not gotten closer together since my midwife arrived so she was going to go pick up breakfast, but just as she was pulling out of the driveway, my water broke and my rushes suddenly picked up in timing and strength.

From Me:

I remember watching the family in the pool laboring, the midwife and her assistant just watching on, thinking...... THIS is how birth can be! It was just beautiful.  Mama was making quick progress once her water broke.  Once back inside mom was hard at work, sometimes dad was her full support, sometimes his job was entertaining and taking care of their older daughter and one of us would step in for the support.

From the mama:

We decided to come in out of the rain and B had filled the birth tub in the living room while I was walking earlier, so I hopped in there for some warmth and labored for a while in there.  The rushes were definitely increasing, and then I got out because I was too warm.  I tried different positions, and then I think it was around 9 or 9:30am when my midwife decided to check me again (I was getting to that real complaining stage) - and sure enough, I was complete with just a slight "lip" but he was still at station -2.  But I couldn't believe it!  Here I was at home - and had labored with no issues and was about to have my baby at home like I had dreamed all this pregnancy, and if all went well, I couldn't believe that I'd probably have him by 10am - which would be WAY shorter of a labor than I had with N.

From Me:  Laboring down...... then giving pushing a try. I couldn't believe it went so fast. This mama was so close now, I was so excited for her I almost couldn't stand myself!  She pushed..........and and pushed...... and changed positions..... and pushed....... and things seemed to get harder..... but not any closer.......  We held our belief in this mama, knowing that trial of labor is really the only way to know if a baby will come out naturally, but based on what we knew about her body, and baby, we all were starting to wonder if this was going to happen for her. She was so close......My heart was beginning to break for her. Then the time came, where she knew it wasn't going to happen, at least not at home.......

From the Mama:

Well, since baby was still up so high, my midwife suggested that I try to "labor down" for a bit and see if we could speed things along.  I tried many different positions to get him down - pushing, pushing, and pushing for hours.  And then my back seriously felt like it was going to break in half - so I'm pretty sure that's when he flipped to posterior.  Anyways.... I like I mentioned, I pushed, pushed and pushed some more. I think it was around 3 hours of pushing when my motherly instinct told me this wasn't happening and he was stuck (a bit like his big sister).  My midwife encouraged me to continue pushing and change up positions to see if that would open me up a bit more, but when she checked me again (another hour later), there had been no change, my pelvis wasn't opening up any more.  And then after remembering that baby boys head had measured over 40wks in size at a 36wk ultrasound (but yes, taking into account that heads are squishy and can usually fit through a normal pelvis), it was pretty obvious that this was not going to happen the way we planned, and I asked to go to the hospital (ok, at this point, I think I was begging to go).   And once it was decided, I pretty much gave up on pushing and my Hypnobabies (the method I was using to work through labor).

Ugh.  Definitely not what we wanted.  Definitely not what we had hoped or planned for (not even a bag packed or anything).  But definitely necessary if we wanted to see our baby. 

B & I got into our doula's car and she drove us downtown to the hospital, and I admit, I was a horrible patient upon arrival!  (Umm....hello...I'm 10cm and having the worst back labor ever!!)  Anyways - it seemed to take them FOREVER (I am seriously impatient as it is), but I had to have an exam, ultrasound, bloodwork, etc. all before they could send me to the OR (which I was constantly asking for!)

From Me:

So off we headed to Bay Front Baby place.  While I wouldn't not normally drive, this time, it was needed, God help me get there fast and safely! I dropped them off at the door, then headed to find parking for myself. The walk from car to the hospital felt like it took forever, worried about my sweet client, and what she might be going through. Are they being kind? Are they giving her a hard time for attempting a VBAC at home? Maybe she is pushing her baby out, is she on her way to the OR. I all but ran.  I got there, and while I do not approve of some of the attitudes and things being said in the room as this mom was still contracting, still in pain...... I will say..... they let me in the OR.... and with my camera. For that, I am eternally grateful!

From the Mama:

---- Back up to the exam - the OB checked me (confirming that I was "complete") and noted that there was no way I could ever give birth vaginally because my pelvis was not able to open any further and would not be able to ever push even a tiny baby out.  Normally, something like that would have sent me for a loop and may not have even believed him, but being that here I am trying to give birth to my 2nd (and last) baby, and pretty much begging for a c/s, it just confirmed my mama instincts from earlier that he was stuck up in there. 

Once the bloodwork finally came back they wheeled me to the OR and got me all hooked up and the spinal in.  B & our doula were both able to join me (so thankful!) and about 15 minutes later, at 4:20pm on 9/10/11, our little boy was born.  All 8pounds, 7 ounces and 20-1/2 inches long! 

Can you see the distinct line where baby's head was trying to get into the pelvis?

I couldn't have been happier to be allowed in the OR with this family, to let them just experience those first moments, vs stress over getting pictures to remember it! Also to be able to stay with mom during the rest of the surgery so she wouldn't have to be alone while dad and baby left the OR. As a doula, its very hard to be separated from our clients, not knowing whats happening, just wishing we could be there to support them.

I'm glad I was able to get photos of mama meeting her son for the firs time.... and mom and dad sharing this moment together.

Waiting in recovery to be reunited with her son.......

Before long, it was time for this family to have the moment they had been waiting for. To be united, as a family of 4. 

While the birth outcome wasn't what they were hoping for. This mama knows she did all she could to give it her the best. And as I recently heard someone say at a workshop, this mama gave her baby the "Gift of Labor" because we know it plays a big role in preparing baby for life outside of the womb.  This mama has continued to share her story, believing in VBAC, and I'm still blessed to call her friend!