Valerie’s first pregnancy was fairly easy. She was working with an OB and her NP and planning for an unmedicated vaginal birth. At her 40 week appointment, her OB discovered baby was breech during a cervical check. Ultrasound confirmed a breech baby and the OB gave two options: Valerie could schedule a cesarean or go in for an ECV consultation then into induction if successful or cesarean if unsuccessful, both options for the next day. Valerie was heartbroken at the news and chose the latter option. The ECV was not advised so she reluctantly went to her scheduled cesarean. The procedure went smoothly with some slight blood loss. Breastfeeding was a little challenging after the cesarean but she was able to establish a great breastfeeding relationship.
Valerie’s second pregnancy happened when she was nine months postpartum. She had a similarly uneventful pregnancy, but this time she was working with in-hospital midwives as she pursued a VBAC. At 40 weeks and 2 days, Valerie received labor inducing acupuncture; labor started the next day with slow, mild contractions. At 40 weeks and 4 days, Valerie delivered her second child vaginally after about 5 hours of active labor and one hour of pushing. She used nitros oxide during the pushing phase to help distract from labor discomfort. Breastfeeding was a breeze and postpartum was night and day different compared to her first postpartum season.
Valerie’s third pregnancy was a similar experience as her first two, but everything was a little “extra”; extra nausea, extra soreness, etc. She started her prenatal care working with the same in-hospital midwives as her second birth, but decided around 16 weeks to hire a home birth midwife and do co-care with both with the hope of a successful home birth. In her 39th week, Valerie had leaky waters for a few days. She ended
up delivering with low Pitocin at the hospital, no pain meds. Her labor was about three hours, start to finish, with baby coming out in two pushes. Postpartum has been good as baby is currently 7 weeks old.
Valerie Hummel LaBounty Bio
Valerie lives with her husband and three daughters in South Dakota where she works as a pastor in a United Methodist Church. Valerie is also a Chapter Leader of her local ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter in Sioux Falls, SD and is also ICAN Chapter Director. Email for contact: valhummel.10@gmail.com
Resources
- ican-online.org
- I always recommend reaching out to local birth and body workers, including the doula community.
- Birth After Cesarean by Hazel Keedle
Zenith Health
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