March 31st 7.00pm - Surges started while I was bathing my 17-month old daughter, Kath Li. Didn’t know if it’s really labour as it’s still mild. Surges gradually got stronger, and I informed husband and MIL.
11.30pm - Checked hospital bag again. We went for supper with strong surges kicking in. Everyone was looking at me uneasily whenever I stopped or froze every 5 minutes to take in deep breath for the surges, haha.

April 1st 1.30am - Decided it’s time to check in to the hospital. My MIL was so relief to hear of the decision because she had been urging me to go since I told her about the labour. There was no traffic, no hassle, no hurry. Husband driving slowly…everything was as calm the night.
2.15am - Checked in, changed, got ready. Experienced very strong surges every 5 minutes but only 4cm dilated.
6.00am - Extra 1cm dilation despite strong surges every 3minutes.
8.00am - Doc checked my condition and decided to break my water bag. Surges got stronger by the minutes.
Throughout the labour, everything went on smoothly. I had no worries about previous c-section scar rupture as I trusted my body. I applied HypnoBirthing breathing techniques whenever I surged and I was feeling very calm all the time because to me, the whole thing was very natural. I had full confidence with myself that I can do it the natural way. Husband was also very calm as he knew I knew what I was doing and I will ask if in doubt. So, he just stood by beside me. Later, he confessed that he was actually very anxious but as he did not want to spark my anxiety and disturb my concentration, he just stayed quiet and waited if I needed anything. I did not realize I didn’t scream even once during the whole process till now. But I did tell my husband that the surge was very strong and I was in pain, a few times. That was my way of releasing some stress and I felt better after expressing it.

10.30am - Felt the urge to push. Informed the nurse. Started pushing for 15minutes but only little of baby’s head was visible. During the pushing time, I just closed my eyes and concentrated on what my body needed me to do. The nurse did tell me not to try so hard for fear of uterine rupture. I heard her but I just pushed following my baby’s and body’s lead. Frankly, I did not have the worry feeling nor did I remember feeling worry as I just closed my eyes and stayed calm throughout. Only sometimes I felt excited because I will be seeing my son soon! But I quickly calmed myself down, talking and ensuring my baby that everything will be fine. I imagined a very peaceful green scenery, playing happily with my family, with very relaxing music playing in the background. Shortly after, doc arrived. He encouraged me to push for another 10minutes, then did episiotomy. Baby was still in the same position, hence he assisted the birth with vacuum. Finally at 11.00am, Baby Jia Zhuan was safely born! I breastfed him while Doc was doing the stitching.

In this birth, I felt myself being very much in control of the situation and be ready rather than panic and not trust my body to do what’s correct and best for both mother and child. Everything was so calm and stress-free, it's just like a…. "just another thing done" rather than a big hoo-ha over the childbirth. I’m happy I have this empowering birth to ‘boast’ for the rest of my life, haha.

My humble advice for other mothers planning VBAC is to get to know your body better and be comfortable with what you are doing. If doc gives the green light then go ahead, unless doc strongly advice not to, then gather facts as to why not e.g. health condition as everyone is different. Most important is to do what you are comfortable doing.

-- Wai Mei (April 08)
http://magicalshots.com/blog/index.php/2008/04/01/i-am-a-father-of-two

Jia Zhuan at birth6mth old
First birthday