Unmedicated Breech Delivery where mama says, " I knew God's plans were in the works"
Today, we would like to introduce you to Lauren Williford.
Lauren, thank you so much for giving us the chance to learn more about your birth story!
What were your greatest challenges in preparing for your birth BEFORE joining Werk Your Birth program?
As a first-time mom, I had a lot of fears of the unknown before meeting Chanel and taking the Werk your birth course. There is also such power in education from the course to both ease fears and empower you for the things you don't know going into pregnancy/childbirth. I was also lucky enough to have Chanel as my Doula to walk me through pregnancy and child birth every step of the way.
What made you decide to join Werk Your Birth?
I was motivated to have an unmedicated/natural birth and as I watched the course/interacted with Chanel, I became even more confident in my future birth journey.
To learn more about how you and your partner can become prepared for birth, check out my virtual birth coaching here.
Okay, so tell us about your birth? Walk us through your story!
I found Chanel in my second trimester and knew I wanted a doula to help guide me along the way and set me up for a successful natural childbirth. Having touch bases with Chanel and taking her Werk your Birth course became a foundational part of my story and looking back I know I couldn’t have done it without her or the resources she provided me.
By my third trimester we were well on our way to meet Lily but found out she was frank breech at 32 weeks. I began to be slightly uneasy as having a breech baby would mean I couldn’t deliver at the birthing center or would potentially be looking at a c-section at the hospital if my baby didn’t flip.
I tried everything from spinning babies exercises (I was doing these a few hours a day towards the end), moxibustion, homeopathic remedies, ice pack/heat, baths, walks, a Myofascial release specialist, you name it. I had also been seeing a Webster certified chiropractor and pelvic floor PT since my 1st trimester of pregnancy to set myself up for the best pregnancy and delivery as possible. After exhausting myself for over 6 weeks trying to flip my baby, I was able to have my midwives perform two gentle versions to flip the baby at the birthing center and little girl was still very comfy frank breech.
I was so thankful to have supportive midwives and to have Chanel walk me through every step of the way. A big part of my conversations with Chanel and taking the course were addressing the fears I had with this pregnancy. Fears can come up, but a huge part of addressing your fears is the power of educating yourself, creating a plan and having the right support.
At 37 weeks, if my baby didn’t flip, I wouldn’t be able to deliver at the birthing center and having a c-section was a strong possibility. I was referred to an OB to complete an External Cephalic Version (ECV) where a doctor manually flips your baby under an epidural giving you the best chance for the baby to flip. I had this procedure completed at 39 weeks and my baby decided not to turn head down and remained frank breech.
The tears came down in the hospital bed and all I could feel was defeat. I was swarmed with opinions about what I was doing next and if I wanted a c-section that day. It seemed so easy that I could go ahead and schedule the c-section and not go through this anymore. But I knew God had a greater plan and I knew the c-section wasn’t what I wanted. We let the epidural wear off and went home.
During the time that Lily was breech I did a lot of research on breech babies. With Chanel’s help I became educated on my options and seeked understanding of the type of risk related to my pregnancy.
When completing the research, the following criteria in a breech presentation results in excellent neonatal outcomes for virginal births:
> 37 weeks gestational age, frank or complete breech presentation, no fetal anomalies on ultrasound examination, {adequate maternal pelvis}, EFW between 2,500 g and 4,000 g, no oxytocin induction or augmentation, strict criteria for normal labor progress, a skilled provider in vaginal breech delivery.
I met all of the criteria above outside of having a “proven pelvis” as a first time mom. I believed in my body and knew given the prep work in my pregnancy that my body was very capable.
After the failed ECV, my husband and I called Chanel to go into game planning mode. My next option would be to find a skilled provider to deliver breech vaginally, but I would have to find someone to take me on at 39 weeks.
After the ECV I was drained from emotion, Chanel pushed me and supported me and encouraged me to make calls to all the breech providers we had found in DFW. After the failed ECV we were determined to find a breech provider to deliver vaginally. I reached out to all the providers on my list, and I was too far along, no one would take me at 39 weeks.
Feeling defeated and wrapping my mind around a c-section I got some rest and told myself I would navigate the rest tomorrow.
On Thursday (39+1), I called one last provider and he had an open appointment that afternoon. This was it; I knew God’s plan was in the works.
I met with the doctor that day and he gave me the facts and risks of vaginal delivery vs a c-section given that I was a first time mom and ultimately let me make my own decision on which route I wanted to go given that he was trained in breech delivery.
As I left the doctor’s office I could feel this huge weight lifted off my shoulders that I had been carrying for the past 7 weeks, I finally did it, I found someone to delivery my baby.
Saturday morning (39+3), I woke up with some slight cramping, I took a bath assuming my body was prepping for labor in the next week or so. As the morning progressed the pain got more intense with lower stomach cramping and lower back cramping. I could only sit on the squatty potty with legs up for relief. There were no contractions, so I didn’t think I was in labor. But things picked up, outside of no contractions, I started showing all other signs of labor. I just wasn’t getting any relief after a few hours and the cramping was constant. I called Chanel to come over and she was amazing, she supported me the entire time, worked me through positions to get the baby off of a potential nerve and helped me with my comfort measures.
By early evening I was tapping out and part of my water was breaking, I still didn’t have contractions so I figured I would get some medication from the hospital and continue from there until I went into labor.
Once I got to the hospital to my surprise I was in labor and I was 9 cm dilated, this baby was coming tonight.
We got to the room and I no longer wanted pain medication, I was 9 cm dilated, I knew I could do this and I knew I would to give myself the best possible chance of progressing. We found out that I actually never had contractions due to her position and I only had the urge to bear down with the intense cramping.
I pushed for a few hours, with the support of my husband, Chanel and my amazing nurses. I was doing squats, lunges, high knees standing on the hospital bed, you name it. I delivered Lily on Halloween at 12:10 am. She was a happy and healthy little girl, and I did it.
How did Werk Your Birth positively impact your birthing experience?
I was able to go into my birth very prepared for any obstacle that would come my way.
What has this program done for you (and your partner)?
The course also put my partner at ease as we navigated birth for the first time.
Were there any results you weren't expecting that pleasantly surprised you?
I still look back at my birth in awe that I did it! Chanel teaches that birth doesn't have to be painful or fearful and looking back on my birth that's how I feel! Looking back my birth was empowering, wonderful and I loved delivering naturally.
What would you tell a mama who is hoping to prepare for birth?
Do your research, surround yourself with support, and most importantly believe in yourself. Facts over fear can be a key part of your journey if you allow it to be.
Before we end, what would you tell someone who is considering investing in the Werk Your Birth program?
DO IT! The resources, education, and support Chanel provides are priceless.
Be sure to follow this mama on her journey on Instagram @lauren.e.williford
Watch Lauren’s birth story below!
If you have been a part of my Werk Your Birth program and want to be interviewed, fill out this link.
Do you have a desire to join our community and become empowered during your pregnancy and birth, join here.
Looking for more information? Take a look around because we have so many resources available to you (and your partner) on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and of course here on our website.