Morgan's Birth Story, Part III

So, you have by this time probably read parts one and two of Morgan's birth story.  The first part describing why I was so bent about having a VBAC instead of another cesarean and the second the actual story of labor and delivery with Morgan.  Here in part three, my goal is to compare the two births and experiences since so many have asked, "was all the stress and process of the VBAC worth it?"

The simple answer is, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The recovery from the c-section was hard.  It seemed like it took forever for me to be able to do certain things.  It made breastfeeding harder.  The memory of the surgery itself still frightens me.  Did we end up with a healthy baby and mommy?  Yes.  But when you take into consideration all that happened before, during and after that experience, It was by far the hardest of the two deliveries.

That said, let me talk a bit about the VBAC.  The perineum support or stretching provided by the nurse and then my doctor HURT.  At times, it hurt more than the pain I felt during the c-section.  Same when the forceps were inserted and placed in the proper spot around my child's 14 inch head.  It's no wonder I had 3rd degree and bilateral tearing.  Morgan's actual birth, however, was not painful at all.  I never felt that ring of fire.  I suppose that is because of the epidural.  But oh my heavens, did I feel the pressure!  The contractions were very intense and sometimes painful, especially after the doctor broke my water.  But it was not like any other pain I have ever experienced in my life. 

Many women told me contractions were normally very painful in active labor, especially during transition.  But it was not a normal kind of pain and your body registers it different.  I have to agree.  When allowed to move with the contractions, vocalize and try different ways to handle them, they are not so bad.  Pain with a purpose.  And what a wonderful purpose it is. 

So yes, even considering the tearing and normal backache/pain from the epidural, the VBAC was worth it.  Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it to me!  There is just no comparison regarding the recoveries.  Ray and I at this time still hope to add at least one more biological child to the family.  This time though, I don't feel fear when thinking about the labor and delivery.  I am looking forward to it!  I know that sounds odd to many, and that is ok.  I'm used to not being "normal" regarding these subjects.   Hopefully, Nebraska laws will change by the time we are expecting again and we can legally consider a midwife assisted home birth.  I would very VERY much like to try a fully natural birth and honestly, I don't see that as an option in our local hospitals.  Especially considering I am still a VBAC patient. 

Time will tell I suppose.