Baby Kemp
“We are not having this baby at home, that’s crazy!”
(Continued)
… Thirteen hours after my arrival, I was told I was fully dilated and ready to push. So, after waiting for the on-call doctor to arrive, the pushing phase began. My husband could see my son’s head, I of course, could not feel a thing, but they said I was pushing just fine. Yet, after an hour of this, my son would not come out. They said he was stuck. They tried rotating me, but not much after that, his heart rate dropped and I was told I needed a C-Section. What do you do in this situation? You trust the doctors, because they know best, right? Scared and crying, I agreed, along with my husband, that I would go in for the procedure. My post-partum recovery was horribly painful, both physically and emotionally. I became pregnant the week of my son’s 3rd birthday I assumed would have to have another C-Section. Around my fifth week of pregnancy, I went to my doctor to confirm that everything was okay, as being 36 years old; I had believed I was considered high risk. This was the beginning of a journey that would take me to a place to where I never thought I would have gone in a million years. When I asked about having to have another C-Section, he said yes, that I would have another C-Section. I asked if there was any way I could avoid this, and he said no. It was at that moment that I decided I was not going to let another doctor put me under the knife without giving me a chance, if at all possible, of having a vaginal delivery. I began my hunt for a new doctor. This task was not easy in Las Vegas, as very few doctors will allow a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). I did find a wonderful doctor with an incredibly bedside manner who agreed to let me attempt a VBAC in the hospital. However, he said he wanted me to research the risks associated with VBACs and to make sure that both my husband and I were on the same page with me attempting a VBAC. I began researching VBAC. I found a great book at the library called “The VBAC Companion”. I read it front to back, and even renewed it a few times. It was a fabulous resource and really opened my eyes to many things surrounding pregnancy and delivery. I took the recommendations from the book and began asking my doctor many of the questions regarding how he would handle certain situations in the delivery room. His answers were perfect. Right on par. I had nothing to worry about. All I needed to do was to hire a doula to help me with my early labor. Doing and internet search for a doula in Las Vegas, I came across a wonderful resource in Las Vegas for pregnant women called Well Rounded Momma (WRM). That Friday was an open house where I could meet the doulas associated with WRM, so I went. I spoke with many doulas that night, but my intention was to find a doula that was experienced in VBACs. I wanted a doula that would help me to make sure I was far enough long in my labor that I would not go to the hospital too early this time around, and to make sure the pain I was feeling was normal, and that I was not having a uterine rupture. During my questioning, more than one doula asked why I just don’t have a homebirth. What? I thought I am not going to have a baby at home, that’s weird! But, I was polite, and just said that I was not ready for that. When I left the WRM open house that night, I started to think more about what the doulas said. And again, I began researching. Meanwhile someone at work asked if I had seen the movie “The Business of Being Born”. I hadn’t, so I asked my husband to rent it. A few weeks later I was at a Bunco night with some friends. The topic of delivery came up, and I explained that I would be having a VBAC at the hospital. Another lady asked why I don’t just do it at home. I again had the same thoughts, but just said I was not ready for that. I set up an interview with a doula who was actually a midwife as well, Sherry Hopkins, figuring she would be the most experienced doula I would find. After talking with her, I left feeling confused. Wondering, if I hired her as a doula, and she was a midwife, why would we leave my house and go to the hospital just so the doctor could catch the baby. It seemed ridiculous. Why not just let her deliver my baby. I discussed this with my husband, and he said, “we are not having this baby at home, that’s crazy!” My husband and I finally watched the business of being born, and it raised more questions, even for my husband. We were both starting to see how safe a homebirth could be, and how the care of a midwife was so much more personal. I would be her only patient during my delivery, not just one of ten others in the labor and delivery ward. More importantly, it seemed that my chances of having a successful VBAC would be far higher at home than in the hospital, even with a doctor that was supportive. I scheduled another interview with Sherry along with another doula, Tiffanie Gonzales. I asked tons of questions, mostly relating to the safety of homebirth for a VBAC. I was mainly concerned about the risk of uterine rupture, as that seemed to be the number one risk associated with a VBAC. I asked my husband what he thought and he said, “If you want to have a VBAC, just do it at home, otherwise let’s just schedule a C-Section at the hospital and be done with it”. I couldn’t believe it. He was not only agreeing, but suggesting we do a homebirth! With him on board, and being less emotional about the decision than I, I trusted him, and decided to have a homebirth. I called both Sherry and Tiffanie the next day and told them they were hired! So, at 33 weeks pregnant, I was now under the care of both an OB/GYN and a midwife. I continued dual care for the rest of my pregnancy. I even had my Sherry come to one of my OB/GYN prenatal visits so she could meet my doctor. My prenatal visits with my Sherry would last an hour if I wanted/needed. She did all the things they do at an OB prenatal visit, but she would also ask me about my mental health, how my work was going, how I felt otherwise. She even let my son be part of the visit, having him help with using the fetal monitor to hear his baby sister. I looked forward to each visit, as did my son. Around 37 weeks I was already dilating. This was very exciting! As my due date approached, I became more excited about the birth of my daughter, Rebecca. I envisioned her being born in the birthing tub, having my husband and son there with me. It was going to be an amazing experience. The afternoon of January 5th, my water broke, while at a prenatal visit with my OB. I called Sherry to let her know. I also called my Tiffanie and the person to setup the birthing tub. At 3am, January 6th, my contractions began. I timed them for an hour. Around 4am my husband awoke and asked why I kept turning on the light. I told him that I was timing my contractions. I said they were between 5 – 7 minutes apart. So we agreed we should call my Tiffanie. In the next hour, my contractions got more intense, I could no longer talk during them. We called Tiffanie again around 5am and let her know this was it. Tiffanie, with her magic hands, showed up around 6:30am, just in time. The pain was getting intense, but the counter pressure applied by Tiffanie’s hands made the pain disappear. I tried the birthing tub, but unfortunately it did not work for me. For the next couple of hours Tiffanie was my only method of pain management. As time went on, the pain became greater, and I did start to wonder, “what was I thinking?” . How am I going to do this, it hurts so much! But, there was not a choice. I was home, and Rebecca was going to be born right here in my bedroom. As the pain intensified, I began to sink into my own world, just making it through one contraction at a time. I knew that this meant I was getting really close. Around 9am Sherry arrived. My complete birthing team was now present, but all I cared about was having this baby. The fear of my uterus rupturing never entered my mind Around 9:30 Sherry checked and found I was 10 cm dilated, which she and Tiffanie basically already knew, but wanted to be sure. I could finally start pushing. With each contraction, I did my best. I tried different positions. Ironically, lying on my bed was the worst and most painful position! I tried standing, but that was so difficult because I was so exhausted. At one point, Sherry suggested I sit on the toilet. This was supposed to be a great position to help bring the baby down the birth canal. My husband was there supporting me as I squeezed his hand so tightly. Finally I was in my bedroom, laying my torso over my birthing ball. This was the best position because I could finally rest between contractions. Each time I felt a contraction, I would push. Sherry was so calm, coaching and encouraging me and letting me know how I was doing. Around 45 minutes passed in this position, when finally my husband said he could see Rebecca’s head. He said it was amazing. He could see it more and more each time I would push and this time, he said “she is not stuck, honey, she is coming out!” This was a great feeling for both of us and with each contraction I pushed even harder. At 10:45am, Rebecca’s head popped out. She was hanging upside down and her eyes were open. It was amazing. I of course couldn’t see this, but my husband was giving me the play by play. The next contraction I pushed and the rest of her body came out. It was an astounding feeling. I couldn’t believe it. I did it. I had my baby at home. Here she was. Tiffanie helped me to turn around and sit down and Sherry handed Rebecca to me. She was perfect. I was holding my beautiful daughter, sitting on the floor of my bedroom next to my bed, where just 8 short hours before she was still living in my belly. My son came upstairs to see his sister, and within minutes I was laying in bed with Rebecca nursing her. Not long after my whole family joined Rebecca and I in bed, and we all shared in the joy of seeing the newest member of our family. That evening was a night I will never forget. My husband and I spent time in our bedroom alone with Rebecca. Watching her sleep right next to us. Listening to her newborn squeals. We could barely sleep, amazed at our new daughter sleeping beside us. Rebecca Nicole Kemp, born at home, January 6th 2010, 7lbs., 4oz., 19 inches in a successful HBAC, Home Birth After Cesarean.
