Joycelyn’s Positive Birth Story – a quick hospital VBAC

This positive birth story details Joycelyn’s positive VBAC experience. Love reading positive birth stories? You’re in the right place!

Zyon Bruno
Born at 39+6
6lbs 4oz
VBAC – Gas & Air
Delayed Chord Clamping

Growth Scan

At a growth scan, baby’s weight had slightly dropped. I was booked an induction for three days time. I agreed to but truthfully didn’t want to have.

At about 10pm that same day hubby and I decided to take a walk up a hill to see if we could get labour started. We walked slowly for about an hour. I was exhausted by the time we got back, however I was determined to not have the induction.

“Period” Pains

Through the night I started to feel period pains and what at the time I thought were Braxton Hicks (as I was not aware those were contractions and early labour had began)!

The following day I bounced on my gym ball throughout the day. Still feeling period pains and cramps. Plus kept using the toilet for both 1 and 2 more than the usual (still hadn’t realised I was in early labour). The pains got more intense getting to the end of the day. Then I realised labour had already began as contractions were happening every few minutes. I rang triage to check this at around 5pm and was told to take paracetamol and time the contractions (which I hadn’t thought to do earlier) and if pain intensified I should make my way to the hospital.

I took paracetamol and at about 6.30pm the contractions were happening every 5-7 mins so I rang hubby to come get me to the hospital! The was still no mucus discharge and water hadn’t broken. 

At the Hospital

We arrived at the hospital and the pains were getting stronger! I was placed on a monitor, checked at 7pm and  told I was 9cm dilated! Still doubting myself I asked for an epidural knowing it was too late! The midwife quickly rang hubby who was sitting in the car at the car park to come in quickly as I could have the baby at any point! I was rushed to a labour room and was given gas and air on the way there. Hubby caught up with me just as I was being wheeled into the labour room! When we got there I couldn’t move onto the bed so the midwives helped me.

My Amazing VBAC

At that moment I felt the urge to push and was still only on gas and air which felt like I was in heaven. The midwives kept complimenting on how well I was breathing throughout, thanks to this course!!

My daughter was born at 7.39pm (39mins later)!! I had some grazes and a tear which were well stitched up and almost fully healed and no pain 3 weeks later.

I never, ever, thought I could labour naturally until I took this course! Reading others stories inspired and encouraged me! Thank you all for sharing your experiences and thank you Beth for this course!

Click the link for more information about The Bump to Baby Chapter’s Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Online Course. Know what you can do to stack the odds in your favour for the birth that you want. Videos, checklists, audios & a support group all created by a midwife to get you feeling excited, prepared and confident for birth.

If you are considering a VBAC, here Obstetrician Vicki Medland explores the pros and cons to both to help you make an informed decision in our blog Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).