Fast, sudden VBAC!

• A bit of background
• I kept feeling really uncomfortable
• I told Jon to relax
• The contractions were bearable
• There's no feeling like it
• Where to next?

My first son, Jamie, was born in 1991. My labour was induced because my waters had started leaking and he was due anyway. The drip made my contractions very painful right from the word go. After a few hours, his heart rate started to drop and they tested him to see if he was getting enough oxygen. He wasn't, so I had a C-Section. It was a relief not to have any more contractions! I was on a high afterwards and didn't need any pain relief which the nurses couldn't believe!

In July 2002 I was pregnant with Charlie. My waters started leaking again, this time at 34 weeks. I was admitted to hospital as they thought I would go into labour. I didn't so, after a couple of days, I was allowed home. I had to be checked twice a week (luckily at home as the hospital is 30 miles away), I had to take my temperature twice a day and monitor the fluid I was losing (colour, smell etc). I also had two weeks of antibiotics to take.

Throughout my pregnancy I was worried about having a trial of labour because of what happened when I had Jamie. He was only 6lb 12oz and there was some concern whether my pelvis was big enough. So the prospect of a C-Section was a relief to me although I'd had lots of chats with my midwife about what would happen with a vaginal delivery. She assured me that they would monitor me more closely and not let things drag on, so I was 'happy' to give it a go.

At my 36-week check, my consultant (who couldn't believe I still hadn't given birth) said that, at 38 weeks, he would examine my cervix and if it was ready for labour I would be induced. If not I would have a C-Section.

We'd arranged a BBQ at my sister's as we live away from all our families. This was the last time we'd see everyone before the baby arrived. We had a lovely day but on the way home I felt really uncomfortable but just put it down to the journey. That night I kept waking up with pains but nothing that I'd not had before.

The next day (Sunday 30 June) I was getting irregular 'tightenings'. I timed them but they were between 4-9 minutes apart. I didn't know whether to phone the hospital, as we'd had various trips down there when I'd been concerned about something and ended up staying for hours, but we were all fed up with the long journey, waiting around etc.

I did ring and they said to come in to be checked. Off we went. I was put on a monitor which didn't pick up any contractions I was having so I didn't think anything was going on. They suggested I stay in and then see my consultant on the Monday (instead of Wednesday) and also in case I did go into labour.

Jon and Jamie went home and I spent a boring Sunday evening reading and watching TV. I phoned Jon about 9.00pm and told him to relax and get some sleep as the tightenings had spaced out and I didn't think anything was going to happen. Ha ha!

After Big Brother, I went to bed. All of a sudden I had a really painful contraction - I couldn't move! After it passed I told Penny (midwife) and she said if I had anymore she'd put me on the monitor. I did have some more - when she came in I was wiping tears from my eyes! The monitor still didn't pick any up so she put her hand on my bump. As we sat talking she could feel them - every three minutes.

Because my waters had been leaking I never had an exam (risk of infection) but Penny suggested I had one. She did warn me that if I wasn't at least 3cm the labour ward wouldn't take me so I'd have to have some paracetamol and walk around. Anyway, she peered up between my legs and announced I'd be going to labour ward as I was 7-8 cm! I couldn't believe it! Part of me was really scared as this was finally it!

I told her to ring Jon as I know I'd burst into tears. This was at 12.30am. As it was, after my exam things got going even more. I was wheeled down on my bed as I was incapable of moving. A strange thing started to happen to me. My body started to push and I couldn't help but grunt. I kept saying 'I can't help it - my body's doing it itself!'. I was wheeled into a labour room and I HAD to move. I just about made it over and asked for 'something' I was given Entonox - which I thought was crap! It had no effect except to give me something to concentrate on and to bite on!

I did say to Penny (who'd arranged to see me through delivery) that Jon didn't have to be with me as I was OK. He was really worried about the birth as he's really squeamish. I can honestly say that the contractions were bearable and nothing like the ones I had with Jamie.

Charlie arrived at 1.27am and it was amazing to see and feel him come out of me. I just sobbed until they told me to see what sex he was. We actually knew as I'd given in and asked at a scan they did at 34 weeks! None of my family knew - they were convinced it was a girl and even had given me pink things!

Jon arrived about five minutes and was amazed to see me holding our son. Jamie came in a few minutes later and thought Jon was holding a doll! Charlie weighed in at a whopping 8lb 8.5oz - not bad at just under 3 weeks early! I didn't get a chance to use my labour bag - I gave birth in my new PJs.

We're all smitten with Charlie; he's a very contented baby. Jamie is a very proud big brother. He's going to be one of Charlie's Godfathers. I still can't believe how easy I had it this time. My labour was timed at two hours, 3 minutes. I had a small tear which didn't need stitching and I went home that afternoon! Can't wait to do it again! There really is no feeling like it.

Where to next?

• Read the full birth story
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