VBAC with a Doula

S. called me at 7:00 PM on Friday to let me know her water had broken.  She was not experiencing any contractions yet so we agreed that she would call back when she needed me.  I followed up with her the following morning and she reported a few mild contractions but nothing regular or painful.  On Sunday morning S. called at 5:30 AM and said her contractions were picking up in intensity and although she didn't need me immediately, she wanted me to get on the road to avoid rush hour traffic.  I arrived at her house around 6:30 AM.   For the next 6 hours we tried many things to get her labor going including the ball, walking, steps, lunges, etc.   Her contractions ranged anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes apart.  We couldn't get anything consistent established.  She took a short nap and ate lunch.  We continued through the afternoon alternating activities and positions.  By 3:30 PM her contractions were coming every 8 minutes.  She decided to use the TENS machine to help manage her pain.  At 6:30 PM her contractions were getting quite painful and she had some bloody show.  I helped her take a shower and get her things together for the hospital.  At 8:15 PM she felt a spontaneous urge to push while sitting on the toilet so we decided it was time to call her doctor and head to the hospital.  At 9:00 PM we arrived at the hospital and S. was 4-5 cm and 80% effaced.  Her contractions were 3-4 minutes apart and very intense.  She handled them very well using deep breathing and TENS.  At 11:20 PM she was contracting 2-3 minutes apart and spontaneously pushing.  The midwife on staff checked her and confirmed she was complete and ready to push.  She chose self-directed pushing and I helped her by suggesting different positions.  She tried tug/war, hands/knees, squat and traditional on her back.  Her beautiful baby boy was born at 12:47 AM on Monday morning.

My roll at the birth was to be her sole support person as her husband was at home caring for their 3 young sons.  She needed someone to not only provide comfort measures and emotional support but most importantly communicate with the hospital staff her birth plan and ensure it was followed.

Being that this was S.'s 4^th birth experience she was very knowledgeable about the process and knew her body very well.  This helped immensely because I could really focus on just taking care of her.  She was very good at breathing and managing her pain.  I was amazed at how focused she was.  After the birth we talked about her experience and she said that there was never a time where she thought she couldn't do it.  She is a very strong and determined individual.  She was elated that she succeeded in having her second VBAC.