Lai Yee’s En Caul VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Getting to know HypnoBirthing…
Joined the FB Gentle Birthing Group Malaysia towards the end of my first pregnancy and got to know about HypnoBirthing. But I didn't get the chance to learn further. The moment I knew about this second pregnancy, I contacted Bee Ting and signed up for a HypnoBirthing course with her. Got my HypnoBirthing book and rainbow CD in June, and that was the beginning of my Hypnobirthing practice.
Hospital / Gynae Selection…
My first birth experience wasn't a very pleasant one. I would say that was due to my lack of knowledge and I was one of those “victims” of Active Management of Labour who ended up with an emergency cesarean. With this pregnancy, I am very determined that I want a natural birth. I was very hesitant with going back to the same gynae.. Yet, I went back to him, as he has successful VBAC record.
I discussed about my first birth and talked about birth plan, natural birth etc. After several check ups, I began to see a need for a gynae that supports both VBAC and HypnoBirthing. So, I changed my doctor as I progressed towards the end of my second trimester.
The Surges…
Friday was a state public holiday (Sultan’s birthday) and hence a long weekend. Coincidentally all immediate family members had earlier plan for vacation. Basically, my husband and I were “alone”. However, my elder sister had to stay back, as her husband got admitted to hospital due to dengue. Irregular surges started late night Saturday, length of each surge lasted about three surge breaths. It went on and off throughout the day at about 15 to 20 minutes apart. They felt like heavy period cramp. Something bearable. Managed to get a temporary confinement lady finally. MiL (mother-in-law) was on vacation as well, with FiL (father-in-law) and entire family of SiL (sister-in-law).
Sunday - Surges were irregular still. We went for breakfast and brought my toddler for doctor's appointment followed by lunch outside. I didn't time the surges, but they were bearable still. We had home cooked dinner and planned to sleep through the surges. Hubby packed all necessary.. just in case.. Didn't sleep very well, and spent the night doing surge breathing when awaken. They were longer, lasting 4 to 5 surge breaths per surge.. more oxygen needed probably?
Monday - Surges continued. Longer.. Lasting 6 to 7 surge breaths per surge. Couldn't do anything when the surge came. This should be it. Called the hospital to check Dr's availability. Ok, her schedule was afternoon. Got my elder sister to babysit my toddler while hubby and I went for check up at around 3pm. Did CTG and doctor advised to admit ASAP as I was in active labour, 2.5cm dilated, and she would like to monitor my progress as my first one was an emergency caesarean.
Went for late lunch after seeing the Dr, and surges were 5 minutes apart. Pretty frequent I would say! Went home, relaxed.. chatted a bit with my elder sis, surges became 15 to 20 minutes apart again. I guess seeing my active toddler, and knowing there would be no one to take care of her if I gave birth “helped” slow down the birth progress. My other sisters were home from vacation the same night. After putting the active toddler to sleep, my sisters came over to watch things out. The hospital called when we were about to leave home, at about 10pm, to ask how have I been.
Admitted to the hospital at about 10.30pm. Hubby stayed for a while as our active toddler wants only mommy or daddy at night, hence he had to leave even though the hospital did prepare a bed for him. The nurses were aware that we're HypnoBirthing parents, hence gave us quite some privacy. I was quite tired, and wanted to just sleep.. Surges were longer, lasting 7 to 8 surge breaths each time. I couldn't really sleep. Been up for toilet couple of times, listening to the rainbow relaxation on and off. By 4.15am.. that was it, very frequent surges. I felt like wanted to give up.. Pressed the bell, and the nurses came rushing in, getting me ready for the labour room and also called the doctor, 6 to 7 cm dilated.
At 4.45am, I was pushed on a wheel chair to the labour room a floor up. Texted hubby. How he wished he could be there as well.
Joined the FB Gentle Birthing Group Malaysia towards the end of my first pregnancy and got to know about HypnoBirthing. But I didn't get the chance to learn further. The moment I knew about this second pregnancy, I contacted Bee Ting and signed up for a HypnoBirthing course with her. Got my HypnoBirthing book and rainbow CD in June, and that was the beginning of my Hypnobirthing practice.
Hospital / Gynae Selection…
My first birth experience wasn't a very pleasant one. I would say that was due to my lack of knowledge and I was one of those “victims” of Active Management of Labour who ended up with an emergency cesarean. With this pregnancy, I am very determined that I want a natural birth. I was very hesitant with going back to the same gynae.. Yet, I went back to him, as he has successful VBAC record.
I discussed about my first birth and talked about birth plan, natural birth etc. After several check ups, I began to see a need for a gynae that supports both VBAC and HypnoBirthing. So, I changed my doctor as I progressed towards the end of my second trimester.
The Surges…
Friday was a state public holiday (Sultan’s birthday) and hence a long weekend. Coincidentally all immediate family members had earlier plan for vacation. Basically, my husband and I were “alone”. However, my elder sister had to stay back, as her husband got admitted to hospital due to dengue. Irregular surges started late night Saturday, length of each surge lasted about three surge breaths. It went on and off throughout the day at about 15 to 20 minutes apart. They felt like heavy period cramp. Something bearable. Managed to get a temporary confinement lady finally. MiL (mother-in-law) was on vacation as well, with FiL (father-in-law) and entire family of SiL (sister-in-law).
Sunday - Surges were irregular still. We went for breakfast and brought my toddler for doctor's appointment followed by lunch outside. I didn't time the surges, but they were bearable still. We had home cooked dinner and planned to sleep through the surges. Hubby packed all necessary.. just in case.. Didn't sleep very well, and spent the night doing surge breathing when awaken. They were longer, lasting 4 to 5 surge breaths per surge.. more oxygen needed probably?
Monday - Surges continued. Longer.. Lasting 6 to 7 surge breaths per surge. Couldn't do anything when the surge came. This should be it. Called the hospital to check Dr's availability. Ok, her schedule was afternoon. Got my elder sister to babysit my toddler while hubby and I went for check up at around 3pm. Did CTG and doctor advised to admit ASAP as I was in active labour, 2.5cm dilated, and she would like to monitor my progress as my first one was an emergency caesarean.
Went for late lunch after seeing the Dr, and surges were 5 minutes apart. Pretty frequent I would say! Went home, relaxed.. chatted a bit with my elder sis, surges became 15 to 20 minutes apart again. I guess seeing my active toddler, and knowing there would be no one to take care of her if I gave birth “helped” slow down the birth progress. My other sisters were home from vacation the same night. After putting the active toddler to sleep, my sisters came over to watch things out. The hospital called when we were about to leave home, at about 10pm, to ask how have I been.
Admitted to the hospital at about 10.30pm. Hubby stayed for a while as our active toddler wants only mommy or daddy at night, hence he had to leave even though the hospital did prepare a bed for him. The nurses were aware that we're HypnoBirthing parents, hence gave us quite some privacy. I was quite tired, and wanted to just sleep.. Surges were longer, lasting 7 to 8 surge breaths each time. I couldn't really sleep. Been up for toilet couple of times, listening to the rainbow relaxation on and off. By 4.15am.. that was it, very frequent surges. I felt like wanted to give up.. Pressed the bell, and the nurses came rushing in, getting me ready for the labour room and also called the doctor, 6 to 7 cm dilated.
At 4.45am, I was pushed on a wheel chair to the labour room a floor up. Texted hubby. How he wished he could be there as well.
My Birth Experience...
Felt need to poo or probably “push” all time. This must be the natural expulsive reflex that we learnt at class. I visualised the rose bud opening. Tried to apply J breathing every time it came - this really need practicing. The nurses were just waiting for the doctor, and told me to wait too.. I couldn't be bothered, was just listening to my body. The doctor did come in time eventually. With another two J breathing, I felt a sudden pressure relief. Thought to wait for another surge for J breathing to breath the baby's body out. That was what we saw in birth videos at class, first comes the head then another breath for the body... But I didn't have to. Baby was “out” at about 5+am. Baby was put on my chest for skin to skin contact and attempt for breastfeeding. Dr took care of the remaining. Had a first degree tear.
One of the nurses came to visit in the afternoon. She mentioned that my baby came with his amniotic sac intact. I was amazed as I heard that. I didn't realize mine was an En Caul Birth!! Now, that somehow explained why I did not have to do second J breathing for the baby's body → because it was an En Caul birth! Just one breath will do! How I wish I knew it at that time, and I would have asked for photos to be captured. Hubby would be very excited and busy taking photos if he was around!
Anyway, I did have my dream birth somehow. Started with only surges. Birth show only when near giving birth. And membrane released happened only after birth! It's just the tear that's imperfect, but first degree is minor anyway. No episiotomy. Natural. Gentle. Calm. Alert. Drug free. VBAC.
Felt need to poo or probably “push” all time. This must be the natural expulsive reflex that we learnt at class. I visualised the rose bud opening. Tried to apply J breathing every time it came - this really need practicing. The nurses were just waiting for the doctor, and told me to wait too.. I couldn't be bothered, was just listening to my body. The doctor did come in time eventually. With another two J breathing, I felt a sudden pressure relief. Thought to wait for another surge for J breathing to breath the baby's body out. That was what we saw in birth videos at class, first comes the head then another breath for the body... But I didn't have to. Baby was “out” at about 5+am. Baby was put on my chest for skin to skin contact and attempt for breastfeeding. Dr took care of the remaining. Had a first degree tear.
One of the nurses came to visit in the afternoon. She mentioned that my baby came with his amniotic sac intact. I was amazed as I heard that. I didn't realize mine was an En Caul Birth!! Now, that somehow explained why I did not have to do second J breathing for the baby's body → because it was an En Caul birth! Just one breath will do! How I wish I knew it at that time, and I would have asked for photos to be captured. Hubby would be very excited and busy taking photos if he was around!
Anyway, I did have my dream birth somehow. Started with only surges. Birth show only when near giving birth. And membrane released happened only after birth! It's just the tear that's imperfect, but first degree is minor anyway. No episiotomy. Natural. Gentle. Calm. Alert. Drug free. VBAC.