A home VBAC water birth story, by D.W.

I have 2 beautiful sons … both born into this world in completely different ways.

When I became pregnant with my first son, I found a doctor and hired a doula. I fully expected a beautiful hospital birth. I was very wrong! My pregnancy was normal and wonderful, except for borderline high blood pressure. (White coat syndrome!) Two days before my due date with contractions starting, my blood pressure went up just over the dreaded 140/90 and off to the hospital I went. I was admitted at around noon and at 7:00 p.m. my baby was born via C-Section. He was beautiful and healthy, however I was disappointed. There was lots of healing to do.

I remained in contact with my doula, R.K., and over the next couple of years our friendship grew. She often talked to me about her practice. I listened to her stories about many hospital births and how doctors treated these women. I realized the medical community treats pregnancy as a disease, and birth as the cure! When actually… it’s a perfectly natural process, and yes women do have a choice! Knowing my husband, Justin, and I wanted another child, I realized I would have a tremendous obstacle to overcome … having a VBAC.

October 13, 2006 | Filed Under Home Birth, Home Birth Stories, VBAC | 6 Comments

Betsy Milligan is fearless

Up until March 30, 1987, I’d considered myself a confident, strong, and capable woman. But on that day I entered the hospital as an obstetric “patient.” And a “prima gravida” at that! My husband accompanied me through the Emergency entrance. I was admitted and we were escorted to the sixth floor maternity ward — me in a wheelchair.

In this article for the Huffington Post–who would’ve guessed that Ariana Huffington has birth and baby bloggers like Jay Gordon?? — Betsy tells a brief tale of her unexpected Cesarean and subsequent education on VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). I bet you’ll never guess where she gave birth….

Links: Becoming Fearless, Jay Gordon, MD, and Betsy’s personal blog: Betsy’s Beanery.

September 12, 2006 | Filed Under Cesarean Birth, VBAC | Leave a Comment