I Really Wanted a Vaginal Birth (A VBAC Experience)

"VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)"
When someone who has previously given birth via cesarean section attempts a vaginal (natural) birth in their next pregnancy.

The success rate is about 60-80%.

However, there is a risk of "uterine rupture,"
where the scar from the previous cesarean section tears,
so the medical institutions and doctors that can perform it are limited.

---

I had my first child via emergency cesarean section.

Originally, I was scheduled for a vaginal birth.
During pregnancy, I developed threatened premature labor and was hospitalized.
My life of 24-hour IV drips began.

This was truly exhausting.
I had to stay in bed the whole time.
The only time I was allowed to move was to go to the bathroom.

It was boring,
it was exhausting,
and I had an insatiable craving for junk food... haha
Because it was a sudden hospitalization,
I hadn't finished preparing for the birth,
I was anxious,
and the IV drip was causing heart palpitations.

Finally...

though, since my job was to do nothing,
I wasn't actually doing anything. Haha
I finally reached 37 weeks and was discharged!

"First, I'll clean the house!!"

I thought, and that night, after moving around a little,
my water broke.

I rushed back to the hospital. Haha
I'll probably give birth just like this.

Will it hurt?
Will I be okay?
Will the baby be cute?
While thinking about things like that,

I stayed in bed, enduring the pain,
but my cervix wouldn't dilate at all.
Even though it hurt...
But my water had broken.

They tried inserting a rod-like instrument to dilate it,

and used labor-inducing drugs.
Even so, my cervix remained at a maximum of 8cm.
Since I was originally scheduled for a painless delivery,

they decided to administer a spinal anesthetic in this state.
"Please curl up more."

Look!

This big belly.
That's quite impossible for a pregnant woman.
Nurse, that's impossible. Haha
In an atmosphere that was no laughing matter,

preparations for the painless delivery proceeded.
But in the end,

my cervix only opened to 8cm.
Why... Haha
Time had also passed since my water broke.

The baby's heart rate was also starting to weaken a little.
The doctor's decision was,

"We will perform an emergency cesarean section."
At that moment,

whether it was a natural birth
or a cesarean section,
I didn't care about any of that.
I just

wanted to give birth to my baby safely.

That was all.
An unexpected cesarean section.

Even though the labor pains were painful enough,
now the surgery and post-operative pain were waiting.
Phew...

I have to do it.

Or rather, I just have to lie there.
I was taken straight to the operating table.

Before I knew it, the birth was over.
Thanks to the anesthesia I had for the painless delivery,

I think the postpartum pain was relatively light.
I don't know because I have nothing to compare it to. Haha
Of course,

I was very happy
that the baby was born safely.
But somewhere in my heart, I thought,

I wish I could have experienced a vaginal birth...
---

And 5 years later.

When I found out I was pregnant with my second child,

I immediately thought,
"This time, I'll give birth via vaginal delivery!"

When I told my family,

"Isn't it dangerous, so shouldn't you stop?"

"Isn't a cesarean section fine?"

they said.

I also consulted my regular obstetrician.
The doctor carefully explained
the dangers of VBAC.
And then,

"We cannot handle that at our hospital."

they said.
But,

I really wanted to have a vaginal birth.
---

The main conditions for being able to have a VBAC were:

・Only one previous cesarean section

・The previous incision was a lower uterine segment transverse incision
・No problems with the size of the pelvis
・A sufficient amount of time has passed since the previous birth
・Not a breech or multiple pregnancy
I didn't know if it was a breech yet,

but I cleared everything else.

I really want to have a vaginal birth.
Hearing my feelings, the doctor

referred me to a large hospital.

I was very grateful.
After that, I

started going to a university hospital in the neighborhood.

The pregnancy progressed smoothly.
However, after my 34-week checkup, I had some bleeding.

I also felt like I was having
something like weak labor pains.
When I went to the hospital because I was worried,
"You are already in labor."
they said.

I was hospitalized right away.

And gave birth right away.
This time, it was surprisingly smooth.
My cervix opened easily too.
And

I was able to give birth safely via vaginal delivery.
VBAC success!!
---

I think there are various opinions.

In fact, there are risks.

Even so,
the reason I wanted to experience a vaginal birth
was just one thing.
"To know the pain of childbirth."
That was all.

I experienced labor pains in my first birth too.

But my cervix stopped at 8cm.

The end was a cesarean section.
So I always wondered.
What does it feel like to give birth all the way to the end?
What is the pain of childbirth like?
After actually experiencing it, I thought.

Labor pains are indeed incredibly painful.

They really hurt.
But, because I didn't have my abdomen cut,

my postpartum recovery was very smooth.

Cesarean section and vaginal birth are completely different.
I realized that from experience.

If I were to give my personal impression,
a vaginal birth was easier.

Of course, I think it depends on the person.
※By the way,
my recommendation for coping with labor pains was pulling on a rope.

It's exactly the image that appears in period dramas. Haha
---
The risk that must be most carefully watched in VBAC is "uterine rupture."

There is a danger that the scar from the previous cesarean section

will tear due to labor pains, and it could become an emergency situation

involving the lives of both mother and child.
That is why
a system capable of emergency cesarean sections,

a system capable of blood transfusions,

a neonatal intensive care unit,
and pediatricians and anesthesiologists are needed.
It is only performed at hospitals where such an environment is in place.
The university hospital where I gave birth

had all of that.
That is why I was able to have this experience.
Of course, it is not something that can be recommended to everyone.

The choice is up to each individual.
But,
"I want to experience a vaginal birth."
The doctors did not flatly deny my feelings.

While considering safety first,

they looked for a way to make it possible.
That both mother and child were able to be born safely.
And that I was able to have a valuable experience.
I am grateful for everything!!