My first pregnancy was anything but smooth sailing. After going through IVF treatments, I was thrilled to be expecting twins. However, it was riddled with complications—a blood clot scare in the first trimester and an emergency C-section five weeks early. Fortunately, my babies and I emerged healthy, but it was far from the birthing experience I had envisioned. Despite the challenges, I had my heart set on a natural delivery—no medications, just me and my body working in harmony to welcome my little ones into the world. When the emergency C-section happened, I felt crushed.
Fast forward less than two years, and my husband and I learned we were expecting again. I felt ecstatic and convinced myself that the issues from my first pregnancy were due to the IVF and the fact I was carrying twins—nothing fundamentally wrong with me. With only one baby this time, I was optimistic about achieving a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). I assembled a supportive team of doulas and informed my new OB, who didn’t specialize in multiples, of my plans for a natural delivery. Everyone rallied behind me, and my confidence soared.
However, things took an unexpected turn during my second trimester when I became severely anemic. I lost weight quicker than my baby could gain, and my skin turned pale and thin. I felt drained and could barely find the energy to nourish myself, let alone care for my energetic twin toddlers. My OB started discussing a possible cesarean again, but I refused to entertain that idea. I was determined to have my VBAC, no matter what.
As my due date approached, my doulas and I managed to bring my anemia under control, and I started gaining weight—hoping that my dream delivery was within reach. But my due date came and went without even a hint of labor. The doulas and I agreed that since I had an untested cervix, it was likely I would go past my due date, which didn’t seem alarming. However, my OB didn’t share that sentiment. He insisted that the baby was breech and that we should schedule a C-section.
“Just give me the weekend,” I pleaded. “If I can get the baby to turn, can we wait for labor to start naturally? If she’s still breech on Monday, I’ll schedule the C-section.”
Reluctantly, he agreed. I spent the weekend trying various techniques to encourage the baby to flip, including hanging upside down off the bed and playing music near my abdomen. By Monday, she had turned, but my doctor remained skeptical.
“It’s unusual for your uterus to be this flexible,” he remarked. “I’m not optimistic that you’ll avoid another C-section.”
“Is the baby in immediate danger?” I inquired.
“No,” he replied.
“How about me?”
“Not yet,” he said.
“Then I’ll keep waiting,” I decided, and he concurred.
Every two days, I returned to his office, my cervix unyielding, the baby shifting positions, and still no contractions. My doulas gently suggested that another C-section might not be the worst outcome, urging me to heed my body and the medical advice, but I remained steadfast. I tried everything to induce labor—eating pineapple, spicy foods, and even a day of just fudge, not that I truly believed it would help. I even convinced my husband to try acupressure, which surprisingly triggered some contractions.
However, the contractions felt odd, centered on my previous cesarean scar. The pain escalated, and by midnight, I knew it was time to head to the hospital.
Upon examination, the doctor revealed the shocking truth: I wasn’t having regular contractions; my uterus was rupturing along the old scar, and my baby was forcing her way out, potentially leading to a life-threatening situation. They rushed me in for an emergency C-section.
I was fortunate. Had I waited until morning, I could have succumbed to internal bleeding. After enduring five hours of excruciating pain, even with an epidural, my doctor finally placed my beautiful baby girl in my arms.
The recovery was grueling; I struggled to lift my legs and couldn’t even navigate the stairs to our third-floor home upon discharge. Clinging to my dream of a perfect delivery nearly cost us both our lives.
What truly matters is not the method of delivery but the health and safety of both mother and child. It’s crucial to heed medical advice over personal pride or idealized visions of childbirth. A flawless delivery isn’t worth risking your life for.
For more insights on fertility and pregnancy, check out this informative resource and consider exploring fertility supplements to enhance your journey. If you’re looking to understand more about the insemination process, this post is a great read.
Summary:
Navigating pregnancy can be filled with unexpected challenges. Emma’s experience highlights the importance of listening to medical professionals over personal desires for a perfect delivery. After facing complications during her first pregnancy, she was determined to have a VBAC but disregarded medical advice, leading to a life-threatening situation. Ultimately, the focus should be on the health and safety of both mother and baby, rather than adhering to a specific birth plan.