by Ronisha Johnson

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

I am a mother of three girls. My first delivery was by C-section. My second delivery was by VBAC or "vaginal birth after cesarean section". My third delivery was C-section as well. When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I told my doctor that I wanted to have a vaginal delivery. I opted for vaginal because recovery from major surgery such as a C-section is hard on new mothers. It is even harder for mothers with no help. Although my oldest daughter was five at the time, I knew she could only do so much. My boyfriend and I weren't living together and my mom does not do newborns.

Knowing I would be on my own for the most part, I did what I could to ensure that my labor would be active this time. I was active and walking throughout the entire pregnancy. I watched what I ate and made sure I didn't go over my daily fruit servings, as the baby grows larger from the natural sugars found in fruit. The time had come and I was a week overdue. I went in for my doctor's appointment and he told me that he would induce my labor that weekend. I was so happy and so scared. Knowing the risks associated with VBACs I was nervous. He assured me that my uterus scar rupturing during labor was possible, though rare, because I had a low transverse incision.

It was the big day and I went into the hospital and had my labor induced. I was in labor for about eleven hours before my daughter was born. Everything went smoothly as if I had never had a C-section before. That was an experience of my life. My baby was covered in all sorts of stuff when she came out and that feeling of the doctor reaching his entire arm into my uterus...that is something a mother can never forget.

My third baby was delivered by C-section and it was no fun at all for me. I ended up back in the hospital three weeks later with a pulmonary embolism, which are blood clots in the lungs. That is such a scary feeling, especially when you have asthma. I thought I was dying and, if I would have continued to be stubborn, I would have. I was in pain for three days before I went to the emergency room. The cause of my pulmonary embolism was the C-section. Having major surgery of any kind puts you at risk for blood clots anywhere in the body.

Women who have had a C-section in the past can have a vaginal birth in the future. Their chances of such are increased if they have a low incision going from left to right, no multiples, and their pelvis is not too small to accommodate a normal-sized baby. Women considering their options should talk with their health care provider.

Learn more about this author, Ronisha Johnson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.