I had my VBAC (after induction at 41+2) 🥹

Sorry super long! I’m so happy. My first is 20 months old and I had an emergency c section with him as we both caught infections during what i know now was an unnecessary induction. Finding out I was pregnant again so soon was incredibly scary but I knew instantly I wanted to try for a VBAC. During my consultations, I was given the risks of uterine rupture and any interventions ending up in an emergency c section again but I was determined. I drank the raspberry leaf teas, dates, okra water, on my ball constantly and chasing after my very active toddler but despite my efforts, by 41 weeks, I still had not gone into spontaneous labour. Although I was completely against the idea of an induction, I decided to go with it. In my 40th week I experienced loads of false labour starts which really got me down. On Sunday 20th of October, I was given the foley balloon catheter at 10:20pm and had to be in for 24 hours. In my initial examination, I was told my cervix was hard, posterior and basically still closed. I experienced on and off contractions when it was in but the pain was manageable. I then had it removed on Monday 21st October at 10:30pm and after further examination, I was then 3cm, my cervix was soft and stretchy and I had lost my bloody show. I had pethidine now also as I just wanted to sleep. I had consistent contractions but when I was checked at 4am, I was still 3cm (never let the numbers throw you). I was able to do an ‘out of guidance’ and go to the birthing centre… but the pool was out of use 😂🤦🏿‍♀️. I continued having consistent contractions and took another dose of pethidine to get more sleep. At 10am I was checked again and this time I was at 5cm, full established labour and where I dilated to in my first pregnancy. The contractions in this time got very real and at point I thought I couldn’t do it. I wanted to give up so bad and get an epidural. My amazing midwife kept speaking positively to me and asked to check me again around 2pm and I was 8cm, wasn’t even happy, as this meant labour was progressing quicker than I could get the epidural 😂. Up untill now, I was using hypnobirthing and gas and air. I really didn’t know how I was going to do it but I just believed in my body. I quickly went into the transitional phase and my body was giving me longer time between contractions to gear up for the birth. An hour later I started getting serious pressure down below and the time to push came. I adopted the knees down and arms on a raised surface position and I let my body take over. It was absolutely magic. I didn’t know if i personally could push him out but my body guided me in this process all the way. It was empowering. I have birth to my second baby boy at 4:14pm on the 22nd of October. I am so glad I was able to get my VBAC with an induction. I hope this inspires and gives someone the hope I didn’t have ❤️❤️