What I Did To Have A Successful Vaginal Birth After A C-Section

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Having a successful vaginal birth after a C- Section is crucial. The joy of every mom who has walked this path is to have a successful birth story.

I’d always wanted to have three children, and even the incident of a scary ectopic pregnancy didn’t change that. Not only that, I longed to have all my children naturally.

But because life doesn’t always give you what you want, things don’t always go as planned. 

When l got pregnant with my first child in 2012 (after my ectopic pregnancy), I looked forward to having a vaginal delivery as a first-time mom. 

My birth didn’t go as planned as I ended up having a C-section because my baby was breech. So, l didn’t get to experience what labor was like in my first pregnancy.

Even though I’d heard the painful tales of labor from other moms, I still wanted to experience it so badly.

My recovery after the C-section was slow and painful. My incision site got infected, and I had to be readmitted to the hospital.

My painful experience reinforced my desire to have my other children through vaginal delivery. 

However, I understand that there’s no easy way out of childbirth; each path is laced with pain. I just wanted to experience both. 

My Second Pregnancy

Immediately l got pregnant with my second child, l began to research the possibility of having a vaginal birth after a C-section; because I’ve learnt that there’s a higher risk of having a C-section with a history of the same.

 
In my third trimester, my midwife and I talked about my birth plan. I told her about my decision to go for vaginal birth.

Initially, she expressed worry because of my previous history of ectopic pregnancy and C-section.

But when she saw my determination, she supported my decision and encouraged me immensely. 

I’m glad my birth plan went as desired as I had two vaginal births after my C-section. 

I’d like to share with you some tips that helped me make my decision :

1. Support and Encouragement from Loved Ones

There is nothing like having a good support system in life. 

You need friends and family who love you dearly and can support you through whatever decision you make in life. 

Apart from having a good support system who stood by me during my recovery, they also didn’t discourage my decision to try a vaginal birth despite my history of two major surgeries. 

Although they expressed concern about my decision, they stood by me regardless. 

2. Choose a Supportive Health Care Provider 

While your OB/GYN and Midwife should give you the best advice concerning your birth plan, they can’t decide for you. The decision still remains yours. 

Make sure you choose not only a competent health team but also one that is supportive. 

If you are skeptical about your health care providers, please change them.

When l told my health care providers about my decision to have a vaginal delivery, they supported me through it all and made sure l had a successful delivery. 

Of course, I was open-minded enough to accept any change if it came up. I knew they were acting in my best interest. 

3. Prepare Yourself for Labor 

There’s no better time to start than when you realize you’re pregnant. You can start preparing for labor right from the first trimester.

Choose the right nutrition. Eat healthy foods that benefit your body and your baby’s overall well-being.

Avoid eating unhealthy foods that can cause unnecessary weight gain for you and your baby, as this increases the risk of having a C-section. 

Also, moderate exercise such as walking is a good idea. 

Pregnancy yoga classes are a good idea, or you can also indulge in other forms of exercise approved by your GP; anything to make your body strong and ready for labor. 

4. Have a Positive Mindset

You not only need to prepare your body, you also have to prepare your mind by thinking positively. 

Watch beautiful birth stories on YouTube, read books with positive and successful birth stories and confessing positive affirmations. 

Remember, your thoughts control your actions, so you must think positively.

5. Prayer

Yes!

I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer, and I believe God is interested in everything about my life. 

Believe that God will make everything work for your good. 

I must emphasise, however, that a safe and successful delivery is one where you hold your baby in your arms. 

So, whether you have a vaginal birth or a C-section, the most important thing is that you and your baby are in good condition. 

This post is just to encourage women like me who wonder if they can have a vaginal birth after a C-section. 

More on the blog:

My Ectopic Pregnancy Story: Symptoms, Causes, Recovery, And Life After

5 Best Fruits that helped to boost my milk supply

3 Best Lactation Smoothies to Boost Milk Supply

25 Fun Indoor Activities To do with kids.

17 Must-Have Baby Registry List

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