The VBAC birth story of Josiah - 6 May 2019

Every birth I attend is a privilege and an honour. I witness the most incredible, tender moments between partners and the awe-inspiring power of birthing mothers. There is something that makes EVERY birth special. For this birth, parents Rebecca and Chris had had a very traumatic first birth, via caesarean. (Sidenote: not all caesarean births are traumatic, but this one was). So this birth was a hopeful VBAC - vaginal birth after caesarean.

Rebecca did A LOT of preparation for her second birth! She was determined to have a positive, healing experience. She hired me as her doula, completed my Bold Beautiful Birth Program, attended the Hypnobirthing Australia course with me (included in the BBB Program) and booked in with an MGP care provider who was supportive of VBAC and very mother-centred. (Shout out to her amazing midwife Jo - we love you!). During the birth, Rebecca was an inspiration, persevering through a very long labour and finally pushing her baby out into her own arms. 

Below is a collection of my favourite photos from her birth plus her beautiful birth slideshow that I created. A special thank you to Rebecca for allowing me to share these special images. <3

P.S. I've added some references at the end in relation to the instagram posts so click on the images to read the posts. :)

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 4, 2019 at 9:33pm PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 4, 2019 at 11:07pm PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 5, 2019 at 5:39am PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 6, 2019 at 3:02am PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 6, 2019 at 5:41pm PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 7, 2019 at 7:58am PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 8, 2019 at 6:21am PDT

 There are 2 photos in this post. Click the arrow to scroll through.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 9, 2019 at 7:36pm PDT

 

 

 

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A post shared by Christa Buckland (@christabucklanddoula) on Jun 10, 2019 at 2:44pm PDT

Rebecca wrote this beautiful testimonial about her experience:

References (from Instagram posts)

Buckley, Sarah J. Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing: Evidence and Implications for Women, Babies, and Maternity Care. Washington, D.C.: Childbirth Connection Programs, National Partnership for Women & Families, January 2015. Available with related documents at: www.ChildbirthConnection.org/HormonalPhysiology 

Carter, C.S., Keverne, E.B. (2009). In Hormones, Brain and Behavior (Second Edition), Mammalian Hormone-Behaviour Systems. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mother-infant-bonding

Cluett  ER, Burns  E, Cuthbert  A. Immersion in water during labour and birth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD000111. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub4. Retrieved from https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub4/full

Northeastern University. (2017, February 17). How humans bond: The brain chemistry revealed: New research finds that dopamine is involved in human bonding. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 9, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170217160940.htm