THe UBAC of Bowen

I am still processing all that happened so bare with me. I'm sure this will be surprising to some since few knew what my true intentions for this birth were. I just didn't feel comfortable posting that at MDC since I know so many people IRL who read and post there. My doula for one- who didn't show up and was out of town when I called her in early labor. I was furious. She offered to call her back up but since it was a weird situation, her having offered to attend a UC and all that, I didn't feel safe with her back up. My doula is a mw's assistant so her backup doula wouldn't have been able to provide the same service (and by that I mean reassurance to my DH which is why I hired her in the first place) anyway. So, it was just me, DH and my mom. My kids were asleep all except the first few hours. It's weird because it was so uneventful and natural that there is so much less mental energy involved than with all of my other births... I just haven't thought all that much about it.

Labor was 10.5 hours from the first contraction to birth. Transition was the worst I've ever had by a long shot... about 2 hours total. I didn't push at all- just breathed through 2 contractions. DH caught. 6 pounds 8 ounces and completely in the sac. I tore the sac with my hands as his head delivered because DH was a little freaked out about it exploding on him. The labor was hard and very painful but the actual birth was easy and fairly painless with a lot of pressure. No tearing at all. Placenta took it's time and I ended up having to take some homeopathics and pull it out myself. I think I just waited too long and the cervix closed too much. It had been about 90 minutes and I had no urge to push it out. I could feel it sitting there, detached. We cut the somewhat short cord so I could work on that and while DH held him. It came, finally, whole and HUGE. It was almost as big as my baby. We encapsulated half and made 2 large smoothies with the rest. I took pictures of everything and a birth video that I haven't watched yet but may someday share.

Things are great, just busy. Thank you for the well wishes, advice and support. Wonderful, amazing UBAC!


Baby Bowen

Hey.. I wanted to reply yesterday when I read your birth story but didn't get a chance. Congratulations!! Sounds like a wonderful birth, although I'm sorry your doula didn't make it.

I'm in awe of UCers! You are amazing!

Congratulations, Mama!!! You did it! How very awesome! Sounds like a very trying but empowering birth experience. You should be soooooo proud of yourself! Welcome baby Bowen!!

Congratulations!! I enjoyed reading your story. I secretly fantasized about an UC this time, but once I found out my favorite mw was the one on call I decided to hold off on pushing till she got here.

How wonderful! I figured you must've had some reservations about posting details of your birth on MDC. I could sense your unease (is that a word?) Anyway, it sounds like a beautiful and very peaceful birth. Congrats mama!

Amazing!!! What a beautiful birth story, you should be proud of yourself and of your Dh sounds like he came through for you despite his fears.

Bowen is a beautiful name!!

Thanks for sharing with us.

I finally get around to coming here to post and wow, I'm so happy I did! What an amazing story! A belated congrats to you, mama, I'm so happy for you!!!

Thanks everyone! Hard to believe it's only been 8 weeks. It feels like ages ago!

That sounds wonderful! I'm glad everything went smoothly for you!!! Congrats!