Review of The VBAC Link - ICP?! Induction?! Doesn’t matter thanks

ICP?! Induction?! Doesn’t matter thanks to the VBAC Link!

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“The VBAC Link gave me the confidence and knowledge to advocate for myself and for the birth I knew I was capable of. For that, I will always be grateful! Having had ICP with my first pregnancy and delivering vaginally after that 38 week induction, I never imagined the second birth would go so wrong. I didn’t prepare for the birth at all, I just rode it out as a passenger to my induction with well-meaning medical professionals steering the ship. I ended up with a spontaneous complete placental abruption that nearly cost us both our lives. Fifteen minutes after his little lifeless body was taken out of me, my son’s heart spontaneously restarted following all resuscitation efforts by the medical team. Because of the quickness in which he had to be delivered, I had an unusually painful and slow CS recovery. To add to the trauma of everything else and my husband was away for the military, so I was completely alone, recovering from the trauma of almost dying, my son almost dying, major surgery, an infant who needed me all the time, all while taking care of my 2 year old daughter. Needless to say, the trauma for this was lasting and multi-layered. I told myself that if I ever had another baby, there’s nothing that would stop me from delivering vaginally, unless it was life-or-death. I found myself pregnant when my son was barely two and immediately poured myself into research supporting my desires and found the VBAC Link. Like so many of us, I became obsessed and listened to every episode of the podcast and read every blog, article, and post online. My doctor was supportive and willing to do a VBAC and we started the pregnancy with her saying that would be our goal, but was cautious to make any promises because of the last delivery. She was incredibly kind and was always willing to discuss it, but she had also been traumatized, so she was cautious too. Thanks to the VBAC Link, I knew to see that trauma in her and still be able to hold my ground and verbalize my desired outcome. I made it through most of the pregnancy fine, until the last trimester when the ICP showed back up. I began regular testing which I was okay with because I knew ICP could be dangerous. I declined a lot of things suggested by my MFM (including a RCS repeatedly) because the VBAC Link had taught me that it was okay to say no. By the 34th week, I had developed signs of preeclampsia and despite meeting a few of the criteria, I wasn’t diagnosed with it. I was still up against a lot and after a few weeks, my doctor seemed less keen to allow me to TOLAC, because she knew I would need an early induction. At that time, it seemed like a 36 week delivery was more likely and she wasn’t comfortable inducing me that early. While I knew that I had a right to say no, I decided instead to do research, as I had learned from the podcast and the group, and then I presented it to my medical team. After hearing me out, they agreed that baby was safe to stay in at least to 38 weeks. I decided to just shoot it straight with my doctor about where I was at. I had heard it so many times on the podcast, trust your body to know what’s right, so that’s what I told her. I told her I knew that my body could do this and all I wanted was to be able to try. If I tried and it didn’t go well, I’d be okay with that as long as I had the opportunity. She told me that through everything she had grown to trust my judgement and if I said I could do it, she would help me try and she told me she knew I trusted her enough to listen if she said it was time to call it. We both made compromises so that we were comfortable with the plan. I knew medically, we had been fortunate to have survived last time and it weighed on her a lot, so I was willing to meet her halfway. And so, she agreed to induce me at 38 weeks! When I went in for my induction, I was firm on the low and slow to start, which felt good, like I was in control of something. I eventually agreed to go up a little more and my amazing nurse helped me with all of the positions and movement. Even when I got the epidural (very light thanks to all I had learned!), she had me switching and moving! I’ll never forget the moment when my doctor walked in and said “Okay, we’re ready to have this baby!” I just cried big happy tears while they set up. Before they could finish, I couldn’t help the urge to push and literally 4 minutes later, my VBAC baby boy was born! Having that VBAC healed me in every way. Ways I didn’t even know I was broken. It’s like the trauma melted away as they placed him on my chest. I can’t even begin to describe how invaluable the VBAC Link was to my success and to my healing. Without everything I learned, who knows where I would be. I don’t have nightmares anymore or flashbacks. I can think about my first son’s birth with a smile rather than terror. I am so thankful that you all helped me find my voice and my confidence to advocate for myself. I am so thankful for your willingness to facilitate this insanely helpful world of VBAC. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Love, Aubrey”

JustAPaerson via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/10/24