We asked to hear from you! Katie from Charleston, SC shared her “Changing What’s Possible” story with us.
By Katie, mother of two beautiful children
When pregnant with my first son Carter, while I was so excited to meet him, I was also looking forward to experiencing childbirth. I wanted that moment when they put your brand new baby on your chest, and your husband gets to cut the cord. Unfortunately for me a vaginal delivery was not in the cards. My water broke at 35 weeks and after being induced with pitocin, I never made it past 1.5 centimeters. So I had an unexpected cesarean. While I had a wonderful healthy baby, and an easy recovery, for some reason I was having a hard time moving past the fact that I did not get the vaginal delivery experience I had wanted.
When we got pregnant with our second baby I knew I wanted to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). After doing a lot of research I knew that MUSC was the best place for me to deliver. They had doctors and anesthesiologists on call 24/7, the doctors there were not only experienced with VBAC’s, but also pro VBAC, and I knew that if any complications arose, both my little girl and I were in the best hands.
Throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, I found all of the doctors and nurses to be very friendly, and thorough. I was rotated through most of the doctors on staff, so that when it came time to deliver, none of them were strangers.
On the morning of July 30, 2010, (which is also her younger brother’s birthday) I woke up in hard labor. We arrived to the hospital where we were checked in to one of the newly renovated birthing suites. I was four centimeters!! Our labor and delivery nurse was wonderful, even when I was not so nice due to the pain of labor. The doctor who gave me my epidural was very friendly and did a fantastic job. After that it was just waiting. Because I was a VBAC they doctors and nurses monitored me a little more closely, which was okay as I wanted everything to be as safe as possible. After a few hours of waiting I started to feel some pressure. Low and behold when the doctor came into check I was 10 centimeters!! I pushed for several contractions and our daughter Caroline Mary Heath was born and placed upon my chest. My husband cut the cord. It truly was an amazing experience and one that I am glad I was able to have.
I know that had it not been for the wonderful supportive team over at MUSC my dreams of a vaginal delivery may not have happened. When we have another child I know we will be back to MUSC for another fantastic experience!
