Blooma Birth Story: Gretta

Thanks to Gretta for sharing the story of her inspiring August VBAC at Methodist Hospital. She shares her experience below in a letter to Sarah Longacre, Blooma owner and prenatal yoga teacher. Welcome to the world little Lydia, and well done, mama!

Love,

Alisa & the women of Blooma

__

Sarah,

I wanted to share our VBAC story with you as I credit a lot of our success to our time at Blooma. Thank you so much for the yoga, tips, advice, and workshops you provide.

Monday night I was three days past my due date and started to have contractions that lasted through the next day. I had them about 20 minutes apart and they stopped around 2:30 p.m. So, I decided to kick it in gear with one last (hopefully) yoga session before she was born.

That night I started contractions again at around 9 p.m. and they quickly intensified. By 11:30 p.m. they were 3 and a half minutes apart and we were calling my sister to come over to watch our 2 year old. We reached Methodist hospital at 1:20 a.m and I was 6 cm dilated!!

By the time we got checked in and up to get an epidural I was at 8 cm! Before we knew it I was completely dilated and decided to get some rest while my body did some work with the contractions. I ended up learning through our doctor that my pelvis is small and tilted which probably caused our son, Walter, to be sunny side up and that this little one was presenting herself the same way. I was told that this could be a good thing, as this may be how she has to come in order to get around my pelvis!!! Great news as we were told that Walter wouldn't make it because of his presentation.

What a difference a positive doctor makes!!!! We were encouraged to make it this time and told of all our options. He did say another C-section was possible, but he also told me what I had to do to make this a VBAC. He was very encouraging and gave me the extra push by saying I could do it and it was possible.

So, at 9:45 a.m. Lydia Anne was born. She was four days past her due date and weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. I kept saying "We did it! We did it! We did it!" while she rested on my chest.

I never felt like more of a "Goddess," as you would say in our classes, and never more powerful in my life. It was the biggest personal accomplishment I could have made. After the whole experience, I truly believe that God made Lydia the size she needed to be and the presentation she needed to be in in order to make it into the world! I also am very grateful to my doctor for his support with my VBAC.

After Lydia was born I told my husband that I think your yoga classes are what really inspired me to have a successful VBAC. I have never felt more engaged with my body than when I was in your classes. Thank you so much for your compassion for pregnant women. You are very talented at what you do. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

-Gretta

Talk VBAC options + support at Blooma this weekend!

Pregnant and thinking about having a vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC)? Whether you’re already planning a VBAC or researching your options, Blooma invites you to a VBAC workshop this Saturday night, from 6 to 8 p.m., to help put your mind, heart, and body at ease.

Join Blooma founder Sarah Longacre, life & wellness coach Sarina LaMarche, and C-section mama Anne Gustin for a candid conversation about your options for birth: from changing care providers late in pregnancy to researching your options for birth after Cesarean-section. During this informative evening, we’ll provide a safe space to ask plenty of questions, share stories, cover Cesarean support, and VBAC and HBAC options. We'll also spend time journaling about birth experiences and expectations. Spouses, partners, and labor companions are welcome to attend.

You may use your class pass for this workshop, or pay as a drop-in ($18). Please sign up on the 9/26 CLASSES tab or call Blooma, 952-848-1111.

Clare's birth: a story of triumph + inspiration!

Hello Blooma mamas!

We love hearing your birth stories. Sometimes, you even let us share them. Such is the case with Clare, a mom who attended Blooma yoga classes throughout her pregnancy. Below is a letter from her. We thought it might inspire all you mamas out there. Clare, we are sending you big, congratulatory hugs!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

___

Dear Sarah,

I wanted to write an email to you telling you my birth story so you can share it with anyone you feel needs to hear it. The birth process for my first daughter did not go as planned and ended in an emergency C-section with a faulty epidural. As they pulled Bella out of my uterus, it tore and because my epidural was not working they put me under general anesthetic as soon as the umbilical cord was cut. I have no memory of her first cry, I didn't get to see her first bath and she didn't meet me until she was a few hours old. I remember coming around in the recovery room and asking, "Does she have red hair?"

The outcome of her birth was wonderful: I have an amazing daughter who is now 3 years old and everyday she teaches me something new about how to be a better human being as I watch her gentle soul interact with the people around her. My OB told me before I took Annabelle home that I would never have a natural birth.



Christmas Eve 2008: I discovered I was pregnant again and I dutifully made a 12-week appointment with the OB who had delivered Annabelle. He insisted that I could not attempt a VBAC and everywhere I turned I only found people telling me it was not possible. So I scheduled my C-section and started going to the yoga classes at my local hospital in Shakopee. There I reconnected with a wonderful woman named Susan Colvin who had been a real support to me after Annabelle's birth. She suggested I try out the yoga classes at Blooma so I went along one Saturday morning to take the class.

Well, there were so many women there at all stages of pregnancy and the instructor was telling a story about a birth she had been at as a doula and how the woman had been in a birthing squat for most of her labor. I loved the energy there and my little girl fell in love with the childcare that we always called the Kid's Club.

Every time I took a class and heard one of Sarah's success stories I knew that I wanted to be one of them. There was something in me telling me that I could do it.

At 30 weeks pregnant I asked Sarah to be my doula and said that I was going to find someone who would let me try a VBAC. Before I even found a new OB I called and cancelled my C-section, as I had no intention of doing it. I spent the whole summer surrounded by the wonderful women of Blooma in the yoga classes that began to be so hard to do. I shared inward groans when Sarah asked us to "Peel off the floor into another crescent lunge" or "Hold in Goddess pose for just one more minute."

I finally found an OB who agreed to let me try a VBAC and decided to deliver at Methodist. Labor Day weekend I started having contractions on the Sunday night and dutifully went to Methodist as I had been told not to labor at home. When we got there, they were reluctant to let me go home, even though the contractions were not regular. There were enough of them that they were worried I was about to go into active labor.

They finally let me go home at 3 a.m. and I went to bed and tried to sleep as much as possible between contractions. Monday morning I mostly hid out in my bedroom until Amber (my backup doula) came over at about 3 p.m. She suggested we go out for a walk and she massaged my back and shoulders as we kept stopping for my contractions.

At 5:30 p.m. I suddenly decided we needed to go to the hospital. In the car the contractions became very intense and by the time we got to hospital I was in tears. Hearing Sarah's voice in my head I refused a wheel chair but I did cheat a little and take the elevator to the 3rd floor! When they checked me in triage I was already 7 cm dilated!!!!

They whipped me into a delivery room as soon as they could. I had always told Sarah I was very reserved and would be very modest and quiet when I gave birth. Well, here I was almost completely naked, screaming some very primitive noises at the top of my voice, and I did not care who could see or hear me! I was so loud that I was hoarse the next day. I refused to lie on the bed and wanted to stand for most of the time—thank God for strong thighs from all those bloody Goddess poses and Warrior sequences.

Amber has to be an angel in human form as her calming voice was a complete voice of reason for me and she even held my leg while I was pushing and pulled my knees open to give more room in the pelvis.

Three-and-half hours after I arrived at the hospital, my second daughter, Harriet Grace, was born. She was pretty much exactly the same size as Annabelle and she made it through without even a cone head! The doctor handed her straight to me and she started to nurse immediately. I was present in every part of the birth and I remember it all. My husband cut the cord and even looked at the placenta when I insisted on looking at it (just like a big liver!). I was lucky to labor completely drug free and I had very little tearing.

With the support of the wonderful women of Blooma I found the courage to say that I didn't believe I couldn't do it and I took on the challenge to prove that it was possible. I got my miracle.

I know the decision I made is not necessarily the right decision for everyone but it feels amazing to have followed my intuition and to have my miracle. So, now I am home with my family...

I am feeling amazing. I am going to miss the weekly yoga classes and hope to see familiar faces in BYOB yoga. Thank you for all of your support and community.

See you soon,
Clare

Support for VBAC moms

I received a wonderful e-mail last week from a woman named Anna, who birthed her baby through a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) in May. She wrote:

“I just wanted to thank you for recommending that VBAC meeting at Blooma to me … I attended a couple of them and found them to be very helpful, and the overall support at Blooma was wonderful! I believe it helped contribute to my successful VBAC… I would also never attempt birth again without a doula!”

Congratulations, Anna! We’re happy that Blooma has been part of your journey and hope we will continue to be. Here’s a picture of Anna's adorable daughter, Adele. Check out all her gorgeous hair!

The VBAC workshop Anna spoke of is led by Blooma's Anne Gustin, and there’s another one coming up Sunday, July 26, 6-8 p.m. Anne says the moms who come are both pregnant and not pregnant; in either case women are coming to learn more about their VBAC options. You can sign up for this powerful and informative workshop here. (Click on the Workshops/Ed. tab in the upper right corner).

Here’s what VBAC workshop facilitator Anne has to share about the gathering and VBAC moms:

Women who choose a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), embark on a journey like no other. These women have amazing strength, courage and faith.

Through their pregnancies VBAC moms need to spend time addressing fears and doubts that arose because of their previous Cesarean birth and learn ways to protect themselves emotionally from the influence of others' fears and doubts. They face adversity from the medical community and often feel unsupported in their choice for a natural birth.

A key tool for fighting the adversity is education—education on the facts about VBAC births and the natural process that occurs. VBAC moms not only work hard to educate themselves, but also to educate their spouse/partner.

More than anything, VBAC moms need support, encouragement and to connect with other women about their journey. Blooma offers a space in which to do that. Since Blooma began offering VBAC Workshops and Chat sessions in Sept. 2008, 31 women have attended. Those who attempted a VBAC were successful.

We are thrilled to see the impact of the workshops. I am personally inspired and filled with joy for Anna and all the other Blooma moms who have had the strength and courage to choose the birth that is best for them and their families, and to experience birth the way it was intended. Congratulations!!!

With Love,
Anne Gustin
(and Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma)

p.s. - Feel free to share your own VBAC story, or questions, by posting it here or e-mailing it to alisa@blooma.com.

VBAC Chat: Choosing a Care Provider: Feb. 1, 2009

Support & Options for Birthing Beyond Cesarean Section

When it comes to birthing, you have a choice about how, where, and with whom you bring your little one into the world. But it's not always easy to know how to go about making those choices. Join us at Blooma for a candid conversation about your options for birth: From changing care providers late in pregnancy to researching your options for birth after Cesarean section, we can help.

Who's Invited: Cesarean mamas who are wondering about their options for future births, and moms-to-be planning for a vaginal or home birth after Cesearan (VBAC/HBAC).

What: An afternoon of shared stories, candid conversation, and lots of information to help you find the right birthing path for you and your family.

When: Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, 6-9pm.

Where: Blooma, of course!

Why: To help mamas understand the full range of choices available in childbirth. We'll cover Cesarean support, VBAC, and HBAC options. We'll share stories, spend time journaling about birth experiences and expectations, review the birthing options in the Twin Cities, and take time for a Q&A session.

Fee: Free! But please do sign up at Blooma (Register ... click, then scroll down).

This afternoon session is geared toward women who have had a Cesarean birth or would like to know more about Cesarean birth. It is intended to help women process a prior Cesarean experience, inform women who are planning a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC), and raise awareness in women who are expecting their first child. Spouses, partners, and labor companions are welcome & encouraged to attend.

Choices in Childbirth: Cesarean & Beyond

Support & Options for Birthing Beyond Cesarean Section

When it comes to birthing, you have a choice about how, where, and with whom you bring your little one into the world. But it's not always easy to know how to go about making those choices. Join us at Blooma for a candid conversation about your options for birth: From changing care providers late in pregnancy to researching your options for birth after Cesarean section, we can help.

Who: Blooma founder Sarah Longacre, life & wellness coach Sarina LaMarche, and C-section mama Anne Gustin invite moms-to-be, Cesarean mamas who are wondering about their options for future births, and moms-to-be planning for a vaginal or home birth after Cesearan (VBAC/HBAC).

What: An afternoon of shared stories, candid conversation, and lots of information to help you find the right birthing path for you and your family.

When: Sunday, September 14, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Where: Blooma, of course!

Why: To help mamas understand the full range of choices available in childbirth. We'll cover Cesarean support, VBAC, and HBAC options. We'll share stories, spend time journaling about birth experiences and expectations, review the birthing options in the Twin Cities, and take time for a Q&A session.

Fee: Free! But please do sign up at Blooma (click "schedule" then "workshops" to register).

This afternoon session is geared toward women who have had a Cesarean birth or would like to know more about Cesarean birth. It is intended to help women process a prior Cesarean experience, inform women who are planning a Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC), and raise awareness in women who are expecting their first child. Spouses, partners, and labor companions are welcome & encouraged to attend.

Blooma Blossom: Baby Luke

Baby Luke
May 26, 2008
9 pounds, 4 ounces
21 inches

Mama says: "Born at home as a VBAC!"