Andrea's Stories- SEVEN "Macrosomic" babies-VBAC & Home

Baby#1: 9 lbs., 8oz.; 21 " head ? ;hospital that ended as a c-section

Baby #2: 9 lbs., 3 oz; 20 1/2",Head 14 1/4"; hospital ; vbac; but assisted by midwife

Baby #3: 9 lbs., 6 oz; 22 1/2"; Head 14 1/2"; Homebirth

Baby#4: 9lbs., 4oz; 20 7/8"; Head ?; Homebirth

Baby #5: 9lbs., 9 oz; 20 5/8"; Head 14 1/2"; Homebirth

Baby #6: 8 lb., 13 oz; 20"; Head ?; Homebirth

Baby #7: 9 lbs., 3 oz; 19 5/8"; Head 14 1/8"; Homebirth

Baby #8: Homebirth planned

Mother's Height: 5' 5 1/2 "

How was your pregnancy?

Other than some high blood pressure with baby # 7 things were pretty much textbook.

How did you feel about your upcoming birth?

Excited, calm, know I can do this!!!

Description of your birth experience:

My first birth was HORRIBLE; 27+ hours labor, multiple times getting stuck, stuck in a bed most of labor, not able to get up, they ended up deciding she was just to big and I needed a c-section. I was 9 cm dilated.

The next birth was with a midwife and a wonderful doctor who let her do her stuff. Since my birth was so long the last time, I didn't rush to the hospital. When they checked me I was 9 cm. They didn't have time to do any intervention but the belly baby monitor. He was born quickly. I actually had to not push to wait for my md so that the midwife would be allowed to assist. He was born 9lbs. 6 oz. You can't tell me that those 3 oz. Made my daughter too big.

The next 2 births were fast relatively easy births. Both under 3 hours. Both 9lb + baby boys.

Then the 5th baby decided to come in a whirl wind. She was late arriving but made up for it in her birth. The midwife barely made it across the room to catch her. She was my biggest baby at 9lbs. 9 oz. and I didn't have to push at all. She fell out. Swift and clean! She was a dream birth and labor.

The next 2 came within 3 hours of labor and were both 9 lb+ baby boys. Simple straight forth births.

How did you feel after the birth (first month)? I'm always tired from lack of sleep. But am usually able to get back to my old schedule in about 2 weeks.

How did you feel six months after the birth? One year? Now? Totally healed and great.

What did you learn from this birth?

I can have a big baby. They were wrong. I ended up having a baby bigger than that first one and her birth was a breeze. Don't believe the lie that you can't have a big baby vaginally. I have proven it 6 times now. They just want you to birth in their time frame. Not your baby's.

Any words of wisdom to impart?

Let your body bring this baby out. It does know what to do. And you can deal with the pain if you work with it. Not against it.