Caitlin’s Story: A mother’s unwavering commitment that lead her to have two successful unmedicated VBACs.
Hey Caitlin, tell us your birth story!
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of giving birth. I am sure that probably sounds strange to most people but I have always wanted to be a mother and have the experience of natural childbirth. Unfortunately with my first child, I had an unexpected c-section when we found he was breech at my 40 week appointment. While I know c-sections are incredibly important, I was still devastated to not get the experience I had always hoped for.
So when I got pregnant with my second child, my first daughter, I knew I wanted things to go differently. I was determined to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and started researching immediately. The first task was to find an OBGYN who was VBAC supportive and this was actually fairly difficult. A lot of doctors act supportive of VBACs, only to then encourage a c-section later on. Eventually I found a doctor who had the lowest c-section rate in the county and was 100% on board with my plan to VBAC. His name is Ira Frye and he still practices at Owosso Memorial. I also decided to hire a doula after research told me they greatly improve your chances of avoiding a c-section. I felt prepared and ready to advocate for the birth I wanted, but I never expected how everything would actually turn out. The week of my due date, Dr. Frye ended up leaving the practice. I did not know who would end up delivering my girl and I was scared.
On the night of my daughter’s due date, I went into labor - or so I thought. My contractions were incredibly painful and I headed to the hospital thinking it was time! As it turns out, what I was experiencing was something called prodromal labor. Basically this means you get all the painful real contractions but do not actually progress - how fun! This lasted for 5 days and I was all but losing my mind on that fifth day. I was completely exhausted from the pain and not being able to sleep, as well as felt frustrated that it seemed my body wasn’t doing what it needed to. I later learned that my prodromal labor occurred because my daughter was not in the right position.
On the fifth night of prodromal labor, I had a powerful contraction and felt like maybe I had wet myself. So I went to the bathroom and saw a large chunk of my mucus plug and blood in the toilet. I have never been so happy to look into a toilet before. I knew that it was finally show time and I headed to the hospital. Sure enough, when I arrived I was dilated to a 4 and they decided to admit me based on the timing and severity of my contractions. The OB who was on call that night ended up being the reason Dr. Frye had left the practice and he was vehemently against VBACs. The first thing he asked me when he walked into my room was, “Do you want to do a c-section right now?” I looked at him like he had lobsters crawling out of his ears. My doula had set up a picture on the front of my hospital room door that clearly stated my birthing preferences, to which he laughed at and mocked calling it “quite the road map.”
After I told him I wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth, he immediately asked, “So do you want me to break your water? Or would you like some Pitocin to get things moving?” Things were moving just fine, but I knew he just wanted to do this on his time. I had read a lot of information about how every intervention increases your risk of a c-section (epidural, Pitocin, membrane rupturing, etc.) and I was determined to avoid them. I even asked the medical staff to at no time offer me an epidural, which they fully respected. When I told my doctor no to the water breaking, he said I should think about it more because I could have my baby a lot faster if he did.
Then he told me I had 5 minutes to decide if I wanted my water broken because he needed sleep since his son had a lacrosse tournament in the morning, as if the birth of my child was less important. But I didn’t care if it took longer, I was not going to intervene in the natural process of birth if I didn’t absolutely have to. I had already gone through so much pain to get to this point, I wasn’t going to risk ruining my ideal experience. At that time, I was also unsure if my daughter was truly in the right position for birth. If he broke my water and she wasn’t, I feared it could lead to a complication for her or a c-section.
About an hour after my OB left, my water broke naturally. This is when all hell broke loose as well! I went from a 5 to a 9 in about 30 minutes. When I was at only a 9, I HAD to push. I later learned that this is a maternal reflex that sometimes happens where your body literally ejects the baby for you without you having to push. The nurses were begging me to try to stop pushing but I wasn’t even trying in the first place, my body was doing all the work. It was the most incredibly powerful and forceful feeling I have ever experienced. It all happened so quickly yet felt like a small lifetime in those moments between pushing and hearing her sweet cry. My daughter, Zalea Grace, came into the world quickly at 3am sharp. The nurses immediately placed her on my chest and I felt the most fulfilled I had ever felt in that moment.
I was on such an adrenaline rush I felt like I could have sprinted a mile post-birth. I felt a high of true strength and empowerment, knowing that I had successfully accomplished my goal and brought my baby girl into this world safely. This high lasted for weeks! I was so amazed at what my body had done. Little did I know, I would go on to have another successful unmedicated VBAC with my second daughter 2 years later at Owosso Memorial Hospital with Dr. Frye. Both of my vaginal births empowered me and gave me a confidence and strength I had not previously known. My births also healed me from the trauma of my first delivery with my son and made me excited to birth again.
No matter how you give birth, whether a VBAC or repeat c-section, whether medicated, induced, or unmedicated - EVERY birth is beautiful and honorable.
What surprised you most about your conception, pregnancy, and/or birth journey?
I was most surprised to learn that there are actually more risks associated with repeat c-sections as opposed to VBACs. All birth has risk, but I feel I was often fear mongered both in person and online about how I should get a repeat c-section instead of a VBAC because they're so dangerous. When I actually did my own research, I found that was not true and it made me feel much less scared to attempt a VBAC.
What 3 words best describe birth for you?
Powerful, intimate, invigorating.
How did you prepare for pregnancy and birth?
Mentally I did a lot of research to prepare. Research on just about everything from birth studies to mom blogs. I read a lot of VBAC stories to help encourage me and build my confidence that I could VBAC too. The best books I read were Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, and Natural Childbirth by Grantley Dick-Read. I practiced visualization and breathing techniques and also said daily mantras and affirmations.
What tips or advice would you like to give other Michigan Mamas?
I want to include a few things that helped me have 2 successful VBACs, because unfortunately the climate in the current medical community is one that always pushes a repeat c-section even when the mother is capable of VBACing. While c-sections are honorable and I am grateful I had one to deliver my son, they also come with a lot of risks that the doctors rarely emphasize because they make more money doing them and are also more ideal for them in terms of planning and time.
1. Hire a doula like Brooklynn! Doulas are incredible supporters and advocates. Their guidance and presence have helped significantly reduce a woman’s likelihood to have a c-section.
2. RESEARCH EVERYTHING! I cannot emphasize this enough. Do not simply rely on your doctor, you must educate yourself in order to advocate for yourself. My OB (not Frye, the one who delivered my daughter), lied to my face about my risk of uterine rupture when he was discouraging my VBAC. If I had not done my own extensive research, I may have very easily been talked into the c-section. Also, take your time finding the right OBGYN or midwife to support your goals. Ask what their c-section and VBAC rates are. Ask if they allow induction for a VBAC (they should unless you have a condition that prevents this). If you want to VBAC, your doctor should not be scheduling you a repeat c-section “just in case.” This is a sign that they are not truly VBAC supportive. Research the risks and benefits of both VBACs and repeat c-sections to fully evaluate what you feel is best. Read studies on real births. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel going into your birth.
3. Practice breathing techniques, visualizations, mantras, and affirmations. For me the most helpful visualization during labor was that during every contraction, I pictured a flower opening. I also repeated to myself “every contraction brings me closer to you.” Every day leading up to birth I practiced positive affirmations such as “my body was made to birth,” “I will have the birth I desire,” etc. A lot of women do not realize that birth is not only physically taxing, but mentally exhausting. Keeping a positive mindset can make a huge difference, no matter how you give birth.
4. Read books and other birth stories from real women, but do not let one woman’s experience scare you or intimidate you for your own. Every birth is very different. Do NOT read the horror stories - have faith that your birth will go positively. The three most helpful books I read were: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, and Natural Childbirth by Grantley Dick-Read.
5. Create a birth plan but know that it’s OK if things do not go to plan! Your plan is a guide, not a guarantee. Mentally prepare yourself for the other outcomes that could occur. Birth is wildly unpredictable so while I believe you should have a plan, always expect the unexpected and keep an open mind.
6. Avoid interventions *if you can* as I said above. Do the research to see what induction methods are suitable for VBACs and how interventions impact your possible success. Interventions are sometimes necessary and important and it does not mean you will “fail” if you have one. I know women who successfully VBACed with epidurals, foley bulbs, pitocin, etc. Go in with the mindset that you don’t want them but if you need them - it is okay!
7. Trust yourself, your body, and your intuition. You can do this! Your body is an incredible vessel. Take an active role in your birth, advocate for yourself or find a doula/support person to help you. I was able to advocate for myself which I firmly feel led to my VBAC success. Do not get bullied by your doctor - this is YOUR birth, not theirs. You are in control.
Are there any classes, courses, books, or other resources you'd like to recommend that helped you with your experience?
I also encourage taking lamaze classes! Most hospitals or birthing centers offer these, there are even great online resources like the Hypnobabies course.
Do you have any postpartum advice for mothers?
Reach out to your village. Lean on your people, do not be afraid to ask for help. Postpartum is a time of healing, do not rush your healing journey or push your body too quickly. Soak in all the moments with your baby and even in the difficult times, remember that these moments are fleeting. One day you'll get a full night's sleep but will miss the moments you held your baby close in the darkness and sang them back to sleep.
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