I am Nag Harini Maddali from Bangalore and my hometown is Hyderabad. I recently had my second child. My first was born through C-section because he was a breach baby. And though everything was normal during my second Pregnancy and I had three years of gap between both the kids, I was asked to get a C-section done in 2-3 hospitals in Bangalore just because my first delivery was a C-section.

Then I finally had a VBAC ( Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). This is something hardly spoken about in cities of Bangalore or Hyderabad. Not sure about other cities.

I never knew what was even a VBAC, till my Sister in law had one. She had her second son born by VBAC during my 32nd week of pregnancy. She was quiet normal till 9th month of her pregnancy but just because her first delivery was a csection and there was only 2 years gap between both her deliveries she was told that her second delivery would also be a csection and they would not even try a normal delivery. She was rejected for normal delivery from 2-3 hospitals in Hyderabad. At that time she read about Healthy Mother Wellness & Care hospital online and met them. They said that she can have a normal delivery. And finally she had a normal delivery. They had shared a wonderful experience with the Healthy Mother Wellness & Care hospital and especially with doctor Vijaya Krishnan. That was when I came to Hyderabad (my hometown) from Bangalore.
Then i met Doctor Vijaya Krishnan of Healthy Mother Wellness & Care Hospital, the lady to be mentioned about, the encouragement given by her at every appointment, every moment during my pains was simply superb. Every nurse and assistant there were also being beside and helping out wonderfully. There are very few hospitals and doctors like this. More than a doctor Vijaya Krishnan was a friend and a true supporter at every moment. Thank you so much Vijaya for being there for me and many such people like me.

Below is what my doctor herself shared about my VBAC:

“Mom lives in Bangalore. Wants a VBAC. Hyderabad is her hometown. And just over 6 weeks ago, we helped her brother’s wife have her VBAC. Motivated by her sister-in-law’s VBAC, she shifts to Hyderabad and into our care at week 36.

She is superbly healthy, barring borderline hemoglobin levels. Her first baby was born by C section due to his being breech. In this pregnancy, no one has encouraged her to have a VBAC. No one has talked to her about the pain and yet the power of natural birth. At the very first meeting, she decides she will work hard to have her baby naturally.

And work she does. The couple take a crash course of Lamaze classes, and then her husband heads back to Bangalore. He will come every weekend to be with his wife for her check ups. Mom puts in all the efforts: good diet, walking, climbing stairs, exercises, breathing and starts to feel confident mentally and even more healthy physically.

Due Date comes. And goes. At 40 weeks and 5 days, labor starts. 6 pm at night, small early labor pains. By 3 am in the morning of the next day, they are rhythmic every 4 to 5 mins apart, moderately uncomfortable. But we do not hear from her through the night. She is confident and manages on her own, until about 8 am in the morning. Then too, she is calm. We listen to her through 3 contractions that are 4 minutes apart. They are still not as strong. We give her some suggestions, which she follows. Another hour or so, now she wants to come to the Birth Center. And we say, come on in!

From the time she comes in, to the time she has her baby 14 hours later, she labors with calm and internal focus. No sounds for the most part, then a loud grunt occasionally. Water is her friend in labor. Multiple showers, and then into the bath tub. We go in, and find her relaxing calmly. We tell her how beautiful she looks, and the room lights up with her smile. Massages are taken with a sigh of gratitude and relief, and she later tells us that “you have magic hands”. Such attitude. Such self reliance. And such gratitude for the small things, it makes us feel so one with her birth energy.

Some bloody discharge. She asks for an internal exam, and she is about 8 to 8.5 cms. She is asking when it will be done. We tell her to get out of her room and come walk in the hallway, if she can – just little changes help change the tone of labor sometimes. In the hallway, her contractions are strong 3 minutes apart. She is feeling a bit restless, and we tell her she can dance her baby out if she wishes ?? And in the very next minute she breaks into a impromptu dance ?? Then takes a contraction. Walks in between, puts her hands up in the air and declares “This baby will come today”. Tathastu- may it be so, we say.

It will take another 4 hours after that – more walking, rest, positions, and finally back into the bath tub. Now she asks, “When will I start to push?” Soon, Mamma – we say – your body will tell you when you are ready. And an hour or so later, she is pushing! At first lightly, through some contractions and then stronger and stronger & stronger. An hour later, she is out of the tub, pushing in various positions, until she finds that semi-sitting is what will work for her!

Some more pushes. “How many more pushes like this?”, she asks. Next push, we ask her if she would like to touch the baby’s head. With that, comes another radiant smile – And Mom and Dad are happy in the knowledge that their baby will come soon. 4 pushes after that, her baby is born. Head comes. We wait for next 2 minutes for the next contraction, and her baby lying wet, wiggling on her stomach, crying loudly, announcing her entry into the world.

Now, no words from Mom. A dazed smile looking at the ceiling. Complete quiet. In that moment, we find our eyes wet. They wanted a baby girl. Finally, they look – and – yes, it is a baby girl! ?? Now the rounds of enthusiastic laughter begin. Few minutes later, Mom is holding her baby close, talking to her, and the baby and she are locked in eye contact. It is as if their whole world is only 2 feet round!

All we can do is watch in amazement. And later help Dad cut the cord. And still later, give Mom a kiss on the forehead to congratulate her on giving birth to her 3.75 kg baby girl with such calm, such confidence and such grace.”

This is how I had VBAC and I would like to share it with all of you moms and encourage more moms to try normal deliveries.