The Birth of Vallie: Attempted VBAC

My partner Mickey and I decided it was time to start trying to conceive for baby number two. After my first birth with Joey, which ended in an emergency caesarean section, I was keen to try for a VBAC. We live rurally on the south coast of New South Wales, so hospital options are quite limited. We had Joey at Moruya Hospital and, although his birth ended in an emergency caesarean section, the overall experience was really positive. I was excited to learn that Moruya Hospital was also VBAC supportive.

At 34 weeks, I had a small bleed which landed me in Canberra Hospital. After this, I was placed on bed rest until I reached term, as Moruya Hospital doesn’t have the facilities to support a birth before 37 weeks. During this time I had a scan, and baby was measuring in the 90th percentile which definitely made me nervous for a VBAC. 

Thankfully, my waters broke naturally at 38 weeks and 4 days, at 4am.

Thankfully, my waters broke naturally at 38 weeks and 4 days, at 4am. I was beyond excited and felt sure I would have baby number two by that afternoon. Contractions were mild throughout the day, though I was placed on the clock as a previous caesarean with ruptured membranes. We arrived at the hospital around 5pm, and I was certain I was at least 3 centimetres dilated. Everything felt like it was going to plan — Joey was with my mum, and my favourite midwife and OB were both on shift.

After my check, my OB looked at me and said, “Your cervix is closed.”

I couldn’t stop laughing. I simply couldn’t believe it. Knowing I didn’t want to labour through the night, I looked at him and said, “Take me downstairs and perform a c-section.”

It was such a different experience being so calm and together, especially compared to my first birth. The staff were all amazing, we were laughing, and I got to play my birthing playlist. Mickey and I knew what to expect — and at 10.10pm weighing 3.79kg, out came baby boy number two, Vallie.

Although I was disappointed not to get my VBAC, I felt in control, advocated for, and supported throughout. C-section recovery is hard, and it’s incredible what our bodies go through — but I feel truly blessed to have delivered two healthy boys by caesarean section.