You’ve spent the past handful of months planning for your baby’s birth day. You’ve read about the advantages of a natural delivery. Your pregnancy class recommended to avoid having a C‑section because of 10 – 20 consequences for you and your baby. You’re also read to not take any pain medication nor to get an epidural.
And when the big day arrives you find out that: The baby doesn’t have enough amniotic liquid. That birth will have to be induced.
So far this had all been bearable. At least, I was still going to try having a natural birth. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of all the ups and downs that having labor induced meant.
After more than 24 hours of labor, I remember breaking apart in my husband’s arms when the doctors told us that a C‑section was now inevitable.
My water had broken 10 hours before, so it was obvious that there were no other way. But still I couldn’t accept it.
I felt so betrayed and disappointed with myself.
In this post I will share with you all the wrong decisions and beliefs that I had; because trust me, trying to prepare emotionally & physically for a last minute C‑section is not fun at all.
1. Believing that a C‑section is a mistake. #
Giving birth through C‑section can be as beautiful as a normal delivery, but it can turn into a nightmare if you are against a C‑section with beliefs like:
C‑sections are only a better paycheck for the hospital and doctors. While it’s true that a C‑section is more expensive than a vaginal delivery. They’re designed to help your baby come to this world with the least possible trauma in a very difficult situation.
I will be less brave than the other mothers. Completely wrong! You’ve been carrying your baby for 9 months. And now you are going to be cut open and will have to deal with not only your recovery but also care for your new baby. This is not the sign of a weak person.
The recovery will be longer than for a vaginal delivery. Recovering from a C‑section can be as fast as a vaginal delivery or even faster; if you listen to your body and don’t overexert yourself.
I will never be able to use a bikini because of the scar. Unfortunately, it’s more likely that you’ll never use a bikini due to those extra pounds gained or stretch marks than a C‑section scar. In most of the cases, the cut will be done low enough that it won’t be visible when you use a bikini.
2. Not being aware that a C‑section may be necessary: #
A C‑section is necessary if your baby is not getting enough oxygen, or you are not dilating, or many other possibilities. You can find further information here.
3. Making decisions without considering the pros and cons. #
After a few hours of being induced without much progress, the nurse asked me if I wanted to stop and try again the next day or if I’d prefer to keep going.
I was so eager to meet my son that I didn’t even ask which option was better for me and the baby. I just said I wanted to keep going. Thankfully, my son was strong enough to withstand the whole process without stress, heart or oxygen issues. Just to mention some of the scenarios that could’ve led to complications.
4. Taking pain medication instead of an epidural. #
My son was facing sideways instead of facing down. This slows the delivery and makes it more painful.
Though I wasn’t feeling too much pain until my water broke after at least 12 hours of waiting for better dilatation. Then the pain increased enough to make me ask for pain medication. BIG MISTAKE!
I don’t remember any of the pain that I felt because I was under the effect of pain medication and also exhausted. But I can tell that I was still in pain for two reasons:
1) My husband was suffering with each painful contraction that I had.
2) When it was time for the C‑section, the anesthesia was like a switch off button. I then started to enjoy my son’s birth again.
Due to some wrong beliefs that led me to keep trying to be as strong as other moms. I ended having an emergency C‑section. My son was without amniotic liquid which made the surgery more difficult because now my son was very low and close to my pubic bone. There also wasn’t anything separating my little boy from the surgical blade.
He ended with a scar in his right cheek. But thankfully he’s very healthy and strong.
Now after five years, I’m ready to go through a C‑section again. This time it’s a planned one. And I know it’s going to be completely different and probably even scarier than the first. But this time I won’t feel bad with myself because I wasn’t prepared nor aware that having a baby via C‑section or a vaginal delivery isn’t the point.
What matters is that you’re going to experience the miracle of bringing another being into this world. And the amazing feeling of unconditional love that will fill your heart when you hear them cry for the first time.