The Birth I Prayed For: Our Redemptive VBAC Story

"Christian Hypnobirthing truly saved my sanity during prodromal and early labor. It helped keep my mind centered on the Lord and reminded me that through it all, His hand was on me. The Faith-Filled Childbirth book also gave me education that was vital when it came to making decisions during labor."

Birth story:

On April 22, 2026, I was fed up with prodromal labor, or at least, what I thought was prodromal labor. I had been contracting for days and was exhausted from being kept up at night. The breathing exercises from Christian Hypnobirthing helped tremendously, but I was truly at the end of my rope.

That morning before work, I prayed, “Lord, give me the strength and patience to get through this.”

I went to work still having my “practice contractions,” but I had to keep stepping away to move through them. Eventually, my boss told me, “Honey, this isn't practice. You're going to have this baby soon.” I didn't believe her, but I went home anyway because working through the contractions was becoming nearly impossible.

I labored through the evening and couldn't sleep that night. My contractions were coming every 5–10 minutes and lasting around 45 seconds.

The next morning, April 23, I told my sister I wanted to get out of the house. We grabbed coffee and went shopping, where I spent plenty of time bent over chairs or tucked into store aisles, swaying through contractions. When I got home, I decided to take a nap. About 10 minutes after lying down, around 2 p.m., I felt a small pop.

“You've got to be kidding me. No way my water broke while I'm just laying here.”

I stood up to test the theory, and sure enough, clear fluid was leaking everywhere! I excitedly texted my doula, and the next several hours were spent on my birth ball, listening to my breathing exercises and singing worship songs.

My mom came over to watch my almost-3-year-old, and we decided to head to my doula's house since she lived closer to the hospital. That 30-minute drive was brutal. Memphis potholes + labor = absolutely no thank you. (If you know, you know)

At my doula's house, my contractions were about 4–5 minutes apart, so after about 30 minutes she suggested we head to the hospital. At triage, I was discouraged to hear I was only 3 cm, but they kept me because my water had broken.

Because I was attempting a TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean), I was placed on the monitor when we got to our room. We quickly noticed that my daughter's heart rate was dipping during contractions. This immediately brought back memories of my son's birth, when the same thing had led to a cesarean. Thankfully, I had a VBAC-supportive doctor this time who wanted to try different positions before making any decisions. (Dr. Michael Podraza if you're in the Memphis, TN area)

My husband prayed over us, and we worked through several positions with the nurses and doctor.

We eventually found one position where my daughter seemed to tolerate contractions best...lying flat on my back. Unfortunately, if you've ever attempted an unmedicated birth, you know that movement is your friend. Lying on my back was brutal.

After about 30 minutes, I kept saying, “I can't do this.” My doula reminded me, “We talked about coping versus suffering. You are not coping well like this. An epidural is not a failure. Would you like to discuss getting one so you can continue this labor comfortably?”

That was an easy yes.

The epidural was a blessing. I could stay on my back while switching sides and using a peanut ball to keep things moving, and most importantly, my daughter remained stable. I wasn't pressured into frequent checks, so we decided to sleep. It was around 10 p.m.

At about 7 a.m. the next morning, I asked for a check and was 6 cm. I wasn't discouraged because I knew things could pick up from there. My doctor even allowed me to snack while we continued changing positions as much as possible.

Around 10:40 a.m., my doctor came in to check me. His eyes got wide.

“Well, baby is right here! I think we can push!”

I immediately got a rush of adrenaline. I looked at my husband and said, “Can you pray that I don't have to push for very long and that she doesn't tear me too badly?” I was half joking, but he prayed anyway.

I wasn't sure how I would even know how to push since I couldn't feel anything, but my doctor and doula kept telling me I was pushing well. Apparently, I was doing something right!

I pushed for less than 10 minutes. My doctor turned around to get a drape, but he barely had time before my body pushed my daughter out on its own. There wasn't even a “head, then body” moment...she practically came out all at once!

My doctor caught her quickly and placed her directly on my chest. I tore very minimally. God faithfully answered both prayers!

I have never felt more joy than I did in that moment.

I did it. I got my VBAC.

I cried and thanked Jesus over and over again. She was perfect, and her lungs definitely worked!

I call this birth redemptive because I had so much peace throughout it. I got the birth I had imagined, even with a few hiccups along the way. And most importantly, I got the sweet golden hour that I didn't get with my son.

I could give birth over and over again. It is truly miraculous.

Our baby girl was born April 24, 2026, at 11:01 a.m., weighing 7 lbs 5 oz and measuring 19 inches long.

Christian Hypnobirthing truly saved my sanity during prodromal and early labor. It helped keep my mind centered on the Lord and reminded me that through it all, His hand was on me. The Faith-Filled Childbirth book also gave me education that was vital when it came to making decisions during labor.

I am so grateful for both of these resources and for the peaceful, redemptive birth they helped me prepare for."

Mama: @kleighp_xo

Doula: @sacredchristiandoula