I believe

I was at the most amazing birth yesterday. They are all amazing, but all so different. It amazes me that Dr's set conditions on birth based on what is normal. I've never seen a "normal" birth.
My client hired my just 3 weeks ago. She wanted a VBAC after 2 c-sections and knew she would need extra support. She had a day and a half of early labor and then it really kicked in late Mon. night. I got called out at 2am Tues. and met them at the hospital. She was 5 cm when we got there. This is what I always hope for, but several of my clients get there earlier in labor. We got settled in a room and the midwife came in and my client was already at 7cm. So I'm thinking this will go quickly and I'll be home before lunch. Well, a couple of hours later, she was still 7cm and later she was still 7cm. My client was handling the contractions well and they were spaced out so she had a break between them. The mood was light in the room until the midwife came in and wanted to give her an IV and break her water. My client wanted no intervention whatsoever. We got the midwife to let us think about it. I did think she needed the IV because she was not keeping anything down. She was throwing up often which was hard for me to handle, but I knew she and her baby needed some kind of nourishment because this labor could go on for a while. She agreed to the IV, but not breaking her water. After that the midwife came in more often. Every time they checked her, 7cm. They wanted to break her water so badly and started using what I call "scare tactics". They told her that her uterus might be getting tired and the scar might rupture, because after all, she has had 2 c-sections. Also, if she "failed to progress" that could end up as a c-section. Staying at 7cm for so long did not discourage my client, but the things they said did. Her husband and I comforted her and protected her. Each time they came in to talk bout it, she stuck to her wants and did not let them break her water. When it was almost 2pm, the midwife was in again giving the same talk. While they were talking, the baby moved and they had to adjust the monitor. Then my client went to the bathroom. I heard her having a contraction so I went in to help her. I could tell this one was different and more intense. Then she cam out and had a more intse one and I knew this was it. The Dr over the midwife came in and checked her and she was 9.5cm. I cried when I heard this. With the next contraction she was ready to push. She was able to squat through most of pushing and laid back the last few minutes and boom a beautiful baby girl was born. She was 7cm for almost 10 hours and then went to complete and had a baby in about 30 minutes. It was awesome. She was so happy. I say "I believe" because I saw how beautiful and powerful a woman can be in labor. Not only had she achieved her goal, but she had done it on her terms. This birth really touched me because this is where I was just a few years ago. Wanting a VBAC and a natural birth so badly, but scared the Dr's would do something to mess it up. Well, she did it and the only thing she had to give in on was the IV fluids. She was so happy and I am so proud. It is such a tremendous priviledge to be present at a birth!!!