Why I Chose Not to Attempt a VBAC

As you may know, I ended up delivering Nic via C-section. When thinking about baby #2, I often thought I would try for a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC), and it was one of my first questions for my OB at our 8 week appointment. The news wasn’t what I expected. Our first picture with our new baby will probably look a lot like this, but this time I'll have makeup and contacts on!

My doctor explained that because the problem during my first delivery was failure to progress, that my chances of having a successful VBAC are only about 10%.  She explained that if you have a C-section because of fetal distress or breach presentation, you have about a 50% chance of having a successful VBAC. I wasn’t quite sad when I heard this, just surprised. I had always thought that VBAC was a real option for me, but a 10% success rate didn’t seem worth the stress.

You see, if I were to go for a VBAC, I think I’d put everything I could into it. I’d hire a doula, probably switch to a more VBAC-friendly OB and commit myself to the most natural birth possible. And after putting all of that energy into a VBAC, if I ended up with a C-section, I think I would be truly disappointed. For me, it just comes down to not wanting to set myself up for that. I wasn’t disappointed the first time around, and I don’t want to be this time.

I think if my C-section had been for different reasons, I would have more seriously considered a VBAC. My husband was never into the idea (he still cringes when we talk about how much pain I was in right before I got the epidural), but I know he would have supported me if it was really what I wanted.

It turns out, that I’m perfectly ok that my babies come out “through the sunroof.” Although I’ll never have that experience where they pull the baby out and lay it directly on my chest (the one thing I feel I really missed with my C-section), I do get some solace in knowing that my parents will be in town and ready to watch Nic when I leave for the hospital on August 1^st.

Note: I’m not a doctor and am just relaying, as accurately as possible, what my doctor told me. Please, please talk to your own doctor about the odds of a successful VBAC and the risks involved. Also, I’m not looking to be convinced into going for a VBAC. I know that do still have the option, but I have chosen not to go that route.

Podcast #52: Sitter Drama

On this week’s podcast we talk about good items for Baby #2, 24-hour daycares, great ways to find sitters and the best/worst places to be a mom. And of course we give our hubbies a big pat on the back for an amazing Mother’s Day. Also, a big thank you goes out to our sponsors Gazelle.com and BakeMeAWish.

Listen to the podcast here.

Separation Anxiety – for Mommy

One of my best girlfriends is getting married next month. To celebrate the bride, we planned a super fun bachelorette party in Austin. I was super excited for a weekend of relaxing by the pool, catching up with the girls, champagne and dancing. I should mention that I was the only attendee with a child on the trip.

It seemed like a good idea to head out on Thursday with all the other girls but just leaving my little one for the airport tugged at my heart strings. Would she understand that I’d be back, that I still loved her with all my heart? I was in good spirits by the time I arrived at the airport. The girls and I enjoyed margaritas while we waited for our flight. All was going well.

By the time we got to the house we were all starving but excited to get the weekend started. My hubby sent me a sweet pic of my daughter a little after arriving and it just melted my heart. I couldn’t help but feel guilty being so far away from her. I’m tearing up now just thinking about it. I called them on the phone and she said, “Mama” in such a sad voice and cried when we hung up. It was so sad! One of the girls was super sweet and comforted me saying that I was a good mom and this is good time for her and her daddy. I have to admit that I was excited about this time for them. My husband had taken Friday off work to watch her so he got have two and a half full days with her.  It’s rarely just the two of them. Also, it was nice to see if he was worn out at the end of the day. Ha ha! As I predicted he pulled it off with flying colors. It was so cute seeing the pictures of them at their outings and in the clothes he put her in – he even put a bow in her hair! That so tugs at my heartstrings. He is such a good daddy.

While I had an amazing time at the bachelorette party and made memories that will last a lifetime, I had a really hard time being away for so long. I literally cried when I walked in the front door. Why am I such a baby? Do any of you other mamas have a hard time leaving your kids? Does it ever get any easier?

What I Want for Baby #2

I think there is only one thing that I actually NEED for our second baby—a big stack of pre-fold cloth diapers.  But of course, there are things that I want.

I’m not having a traditional baby shower (we’re going the Sprinkle route, but have requested no gifts), so I’m not creating a registry. But because l need a way to keep track of what I want to buy myself, and because the grandparents have requested some ideas, I did create an Amazon Wish List.

My wish list only has a few items, but I want to highlight some of my favorites. It’s just too hard not to swoon over cute baby things!

Glass Bottles

I really liked Nic’s Born Free bottles, but in the last year I’ve made a serious effort to kick plastics out of my kitchen. I love Nic’s Lifefactory sippy cup, so I’ve decided to go with the Lifefactory baby bottles. I really wish that they were wide-mouth, but they are just too pretty to pass up. They are out of stock on Amazon right now, so I think I’ll just have to hunt them down somewhere else.

Moby Wrap

My plan is to wear baby #2 a lot. I figure it’s the only way that I’ll be able to keep up with Nic and still bond with my newest little man. I love the Ergo and had planned to just get an infant insert, but my OB reminded me that the waist strap and a fresh C-section incision don’t mix (I know, I owe you all a post on my VBAC decision). She suggested that I get a Moby Wrap, since the baby is worn so much higher up. I’ve also heard that the Moby feels much more intimate than the bulky infant insert (and is much cooler for a summer baby too).

Fun Drying Rack

This one is mostly for my husband—he’s the head bottle washer in our family. I’m hoping this super cool rack from Boon will make this tedious process more enjoyable for him. You can even get pretty “flowers” on which to dry nipples and small parts!

What did you get for your second baby that you didn’t really need, but really wanted? Am I missing something pivotal?

Podcast #51: The Log

On this week's episode: The media's portrayal of attachment parenting, making sure your Mother's Day is awesome, picking a sunscreen and what not to say to a pregnant woman. This week's Little Victory has to do with a log, and not the kind that comes from trees.

Listen to the podcast here.

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