My VBA3C Birth Story: Trusting My Body After Three Caesareans
By Shannon Whitlock – Doula & VBAC Support, Cambridge UK
If you’re planning a VBAC after multiple caesareans, I hope my story gives you courage. This is the birth of my fourth baby, a successful VBA3C (vaginal birth after three caesareans). It was a long, emotional journey here in Cambridge, UK, but I finally birthed on my own terms…and it changed everything.
My Previous Births: What Led Me Here
First birth (age 19): Induced at 41 weeks for being “overdue,” which led to a cascade of interventions and an emergency c-section.
Second birth: Planned a HBAC, but fear took over at 34 weeks and I scheduled a repeat section.
Third birth: During Covid. Coerced into a section at 41+5. I felt completely dismissed and traumatised by the hospital’s treatment and lack of aftercare.
Each experience left a mark. But I knew this time had to be different.
Pregnancy After Three C-Sections: A Constant Fight
My NHS due date was 1st July, but I believed my actual due date was sometime between 25th–28th June. From the very beginning, this pregnancy felt like a battle, not with my body, but with the system.
At nearly every appointment, I was warned that my baby might die, that I could rupture, haemorrhage, or face shoulder dystocia. The tone was fear-based, not supportive. Despite having the consultant midwife and head of midwifery involved, I constantly felt like I had to defend my well-informed decisions.
It took a serious toll on my mental health.
Labour Begins
I began losing my mucus plug on 25th June. By the 27th, I was feeling pressure and discomfort and even took our car for its MOT repairs (a nesting task if there ever was one!). That night, I baked a pineapple upside-down cake with my son and just felt different.
On the 29th, I woke up with nerve pain in my leg which is not unusual due to my hypermobility. But at 7:30am, the first contraction hit.
They started slowly but grew stronger throughout the day. Around lunchtime, I took a bath and contractions picked up pace. I was soon having one every 5 minutes.
Change of Plans: No Homebirth Support
We called the hospital, but were told the homebirth service wasn’t available (I now believe this wasn’t true). I was crushed. I thought this meant the end of my HBA3C.
We rang my mum to come watch the kids, and with help from her and my husband, I made it into the car on all fours which was the only position I could manage. They were worried I’d give birth en route!
Arriving at Hospital: It’s Really Happening
At triage, I agreed to a vaginal exam (even though I originally didn’t want any). I just needed to know, “Was this it?”
I was 4cm. They wheeled me straight to the birth pool room and eventually brought in gas and air (the room didn’t have it due to the restrictions at the time).
I laboured in the pool for about 90 minutes. Baby was so low they couldn’t find the heartbeat easily, so I got out for Doppler checks. They brought in a doctor with a scan machine to confirm baby’s position.
Unfortunately, it was the same consultant who had coerced me during my third birth. I turned away from her and gave my power to my husband instead. When she asked how long I wanted to push for, I replied:
“As long as me and baby are OK, for as long as I need to.”
She didn’t like that and left.
The Final Stretch: My Body Takes Over
Soon, my contractions shifted into overwhelming pushing urges. I couldn’t stop them, this was the Fetal Ejection Reflex (FER) in action.
I moved instinctively between all fours and lying back. Suddenly, I felt my waters pop…a gush! After that, every push brought a bloody show. I asked for more pain relief, but nothing came and I’m glad. This was transition.
Then the stinging began. The ring of fire.
The midwife lifted the sheet, saw baby’s head and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, there’s the head!” With one guided push, her head was born. With the next contraction, her body slid out.
Born at 22:14. I heard my husband say:
“It’s a girl!”
I just kept repeating:
“I did it. I did it.”
Afterbirth & Recovery
I did have a 1.2L postpartum haemorrhage and agreed to the injection and fluids. The placenta came out intact, and though I had two second-degree tears, only one needed stitches. Thankfully, I avoided theatre.
She weighed 9lb13.5 and was placed straight on my chest.
We stayed overnight and were home the next day by lunchtime.
Reflections: Healing, But Not Erasing
I put so much energy into that birth that I felt a sort of emotional comedown. I thought a VBA3C would completely heal my past trauma…it didn’t, but it has helped massively.
Now I know with certainty:
My body was never broken. The system was.
Planning a VBA3C or VBAC in Cambridge?
You can do this. You deserve informed support. And you’re not alone.
As a doula and VBAC advocate based in Cambridge, UK, I support women planning VBACs - including VBA2Cand VBA3C - across Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas.
If you’re feeling dismissed, scared, or just need someone in your corner - let’s talk.