My name is Adrienne, and I am a mom of 3! I have two girls, and one boy. I remember when I found out that I was pregnant! It was such an exciting time in my life, and one of the most memorable moments! I wanted to be the best, and healthiest mom I could be. I also tried to be conscious of everything that I did and ate! I researched everything which only amplified the importance of my and my child’s safety. In preparation for the big day - Labor & Delivery - I intensely searched the do’s and dont’s’ to make sure I did everything in my power correctly.

On the day I went into labor my husband drove us to the hospital, I checked in and we, excited and nervous, put our trust in the doctors for a safe delivery. We were so ready to meet our little girl and wanted everything to go as planned. We were introduced to the doctor - a resident. I’m not certain as to why I received the care of a resident doctor at the time but he was great, had wonderful bedside manners, and seemed pretty bright and compassionate. As my labor continued and my contractions grew stronger, I became more excited and believe it or not I was ready to experience every moment of my unmedicated birth!

Around the 12th hour in labor, I was in some serious pain; I was tired, and so ready to push. The doctor hadn’t checked on me in what seemed like hours! Now I know that’s pretty common, but at that moment I felt like the baby was ready to come and I needed my doctor in the room ASAP. My husband was keeping the family informed and doing his best to keep me relaxed and calm. So I called in the nurse, she checked to see how dilated I was and called for the doctor. Here we are, ready and waiting on a doctor nowhere to be found. The resident had left -GONE. Here I am ready to get this baby out.

The nurse and I hear the heart monitor going off! She asks me, “Where is the doctor!” Me. She asked ME! How would I know where the doctor is? She leaves me and my husband alone with the heart monitor going off in search of any doctor available that could help. When the nurse returns she informs us that baby’s heart rate is dropping and she needs to come out now! Now the nurse is in panic mode, which only makes it worse for us. So we’re all in panic mode. Come to find out her heart rate was absolutely normal but being a first time mom and dad we are trusting those around us. The only doctor available to help was one that was completely refusing a vaginal birth. He stated that he would ONLY perform the delivery via c-section! As a panicked mom, of course my first thought is to save my baby! Thinking back on it now I should’ve fought harder! I didn’t realize that I even really had a choice. They’re the experts right? They knew what was best. The doctor wasn’t interested in waiting for my baby to come naturally and I in turn believed his reasoning to be the best option at the time. I was hurt and desperately wanted to see my little girl, healthy. Kymara, entered into this world via c-section. Thank the Lord she was absolutely fine!

Having that first c-section and having different OB’s for each of my children’s birth put me in a category that basically prohibited me from having future Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBACs). Although the outcome was a tough experience, I am so blessed and grateful for my beautiful children.

Do your research and ask the tough questions.