After a challenging first pregnancy and an unplanned C section, I longed for a different birth story. This time, I wanted peace, support and a space where I felt heard. That dream became reality through my VBAC birth with a midwife in Tanzania, a journey that taught me how faith, patience and the right support team can completely transform the motherhood experience.
My First Pregnancy Story
My first pregnancy was anything but easy. I suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, the kind of morning sickness that lasts all day, every day. I vomited for nine months straight and even started vomiting blood towards the end. Despite countless hospital visits, the doctors always said everything was normal.
As I approached full term, I was admitted to the hospital and induced, expecting a natural birth. But just six hours later, everything changed. I was rushed into a C section I had not planned for. My postpartum experience was equally difficult. I had baby blues, struggled with flat nipples that needed syringe tube to draw them out and had one hand receiving blood transfusions while the other was hooked up to IV drips. That postpartum period was heavy on my heart. It reminded me of what I shared in this post on finding identity in motherhood, about how faith carried me through hard seasons.
It was not the birth I had dreamed of. And yet, despite the trauma, I knew deep down that I wanted more children. I wanted my daughter to have siblings. I wanted a big family. But I also knew I did not want repeated C sections to limit that dream.
Meeting Aggie
When I became pregnant again, I was determined to do things differently. I met Aggie, a midwife, while she was helping my younger sister. She advised me to give my body time to heal before conceiving again. When I finally got pregnant, she congratulated me and suggested we connect in my second trimester to plan the journey ahead.
I initially planned to work with both my doctor and Aggie, but the hospital where I delivered my first baby no longer collaborated with her. I had to choose. Despite whispers of doubt from others saying her work was a money making scheme, I decided to investigate for myself. After speaking with friends in the medical field and meeting Aggie in person, I felt an overwhelming peace, the kind that only God gives.
Aggie was calm, patient, and deeply respectful. She never pressured me and only reminded me that the final decision was mine. My husband was fully supportive and together we decided to walk this path of faith and trust.
Preparing for a New Birth Experience
One of the most beautiful parts of working with Aggie was the education and support. She added me to a group of other expectant mothers and regularly shared lessons on pregnancy, birth preparation, nutrition, iron levels and gentle exercises.
This pregnancy was completely different. I felt involved, informed and empowered. Instead of just waiting for labor to happen, I was actively preparing my body and mind for a VBAC, which means vaginal birth after C section.
The Day I Gave Birth
When my water finally broke, Aggie was only a phone call away. I went to Audentia Birth Center, where I was welcomed by Aggie and her incredible team of midwives. They checked my C section scar for strength, monitored my progress closely and guided me through exercises to help labor progress naturally.
The environment was peaceful and full of faith. Worship music played softly in the background and God’s presence filled the room. I was surrounded by people who truly cared. Even when we later transferred to a larger hospital as a safety measure, the midwives stayed with me, advocating for me and ensuring that I was supported every step of the way.
I labored the entire day, and though it was not easy, I felt deeply seen, heard, and cared for. This time, I was not just another patient on a hospital bed. I was a mother bringing life into the world with dignity, support and faith.
Why Midwives Matter
Too often in the African context, women in labor are mistreated. They are shouted at, insulted, or even physically mishandled, leaving them traumatized and fearful of future pregnancies. Working with a midwife showed me that birth can be different.
It does not have to be a cold or clinical process. It can be a sacred, supported and empowering experience. Midwives not only reduce unnecessary C sections but also bring compassion, patience and dignity back into the birthing space.
C sections are sometimes necessary and they too are a beautiful way to welcome a baby into the world when needed. But they should be reserved for emergencies and not routine convenience.
If you are passionate about living with intention as a mom, you might also enjoy reading 5 Simple Habits for Intentional Living as a Mom.
A Word of Faith for Every Mama
If you are a mom dreaming of a VBAC or hoping for a gentler birth experience, I want you to know this. Trust God. Even if your first birth was hard, it does not have to define the rest of your story. God’s peace truly does guard our hearts and minds.
Believe that the same God who helped you conceive will see you through delivery. A mustard seed sized faith is enough to move mountains, including the fears and doubts you may carry.
I am living proof that your story can change. And I will forever be grateful to Aggie and the team at Audentia Birth Center for showing me that.
Hope for Every Mother
This experience reminded me that we, as mothers, deserve compassionate and faith filled care. We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. And we deserve to make informed decisions about our bodies and our births.
If you are an expectant mom, I encourage you to explore midwifery care, ask questions and find a support system that honors your voice. And if you are on a VBAC journey, have faith. God is faithful to complete the good work He began in you.
The work Aggie and her team do continues to impact many mothers across Tanzania. If you would love to learn more about their approach or follow their journey, you can visit midwifeaggie and audentia_maternity_tz.
As you prepare for your own birth journey, tools like Rooted: The Intentional Prayer Journal can help you stay grounded in prayer and faith along the way.
Stay tuned for next week’s post, where I will share how working with a lactation consultant transformed my breastfeeding journey and made early motherhood so much easier.
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