I know some of you have had c-sections as well, and I'd love to hear some positive stories. C-sections are births too!!! Let's share our stories!! (or is there a post on this somewhere??)

Thank you, Margi! I've been wondering the same thing. I would love to read more of these stories also.


As much as most women would probably love to have a smooth, no-complications, vaginal delivery, the reality is that sometimes C-section are necessary. I want to be prepared mentally for this, just as much as for the other scenario and want to read about the positive experiences others have had when this was necessary for them. I think we all know there are always risks and the negative things that can happen... it would be nice to have a place where people can share when they've had positive C-section experiences also for the encouragement of us waiting and not sure how our L/D will end up!

I had a c-section when Natalia was born... I don't know any other way of "delivering" so I can just say it was WONDERFUL! I don't care about the pain... my recovery was real quick (I think that the love you feel for your baby is the best medicine! and it makes you recover really fast) ... If you want to read a little bit more about her birth I already wrote about it on my "Bread and Tortilla" blog

Here is the post:

She was born (http://breadandtortilla.blogspot.com/2010/02/and-after-9-months-she-arrived.html)

Paloma.

Well i guess I will share mine, my first c-section wasn't planned but after about 24 hours of labor and over an hour and a half of pushing they decided to do a c-section as my ds's head was coming down hitting my pelvis and going back up again. I had worked so hard that I was at the point where I was so exhausted that i didn't think I could go any longer. Also I had not fully dilated. My ds was born via c-section.
With my 2nd we had a scheduled c-section, it was nice to be able to go to the hosp. and know when my baby would be born. I think both experiences were special, with E I was thankful to experience labor and with M I was thankful that I was not in as much pain and exhaustion and was able to enjoy the experience a little better!

They were both beautiful births, definitely E's was not how I had thought or planned how things would go. But at the same time I was thankful that a c-section was available otherwise I could have lost my little boy and also I could have been very ill too!

I don't feel like we should think that we are less of a mom or a woman if we have c-sections. Ideally I would prefer to have a regular birth but for some reason that is not how God planned it for us with my 2 boys and I am ok with that!

I wish you all the best whatever the outcome of your birth experience!

Just wanted to add that I found the first delivery a harder recovery as I was recovering from labor and c-section! Also it is good to maybe mentally prepare yourself, i didn't think that I would have a c-section as everything with baby was fine and he wasn't breech but when it came to the time to do the c-section I really was o k as I knew I had worked as hard as I could and my concern was get my baby out safely!

Thanks for that! The closer the day comes, the more freaked out I'm getting... and some part of me is trying to tell me how awful it will be and how much I'll be missing out, and that I might not even love my baby because I'm going at it the wrong way. I know it's just the devil trying to undermine my decision (made with God's blessing!) and I pray I'll have peace again when the time actually comes. For those of you who missed my big decision, here's a link to the story:
http://www.betweenloadsoflaundry.com/2010/02/decision.html

Margi, the devil is full of lies! Don't let him take this precious time from you! I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I don't think it matters one bit how your precious son enters this world whether delivered vaginally or by c-section once a mother lays eyes upon her babe there is sure to be love there. Don't let your mind get ahead of you, I know you will love him as much as you love your other two. Submit your heart to God and be a peace! Remember, in your situation you ARE doing what is best for your son ;) and that is what a great mother does! [verycool]

Margi, the devil is full of lies! Don't let him take this precious time from you! I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I don't think it matters one bit how your precious son enters this world whether delivered vaginally or by c-section once a mother lays eyes upon her babe there is sure to be love there. Don't let your mind get ahead of you, I know you will love him as much as you love your other two. Submit your heart to God and be a peace! Remember, in your situation you ARE doing what is best for your son ;) and that is what a great mother does! [verycool]

This is SO true, Jessy!! Many who adopt grieve not being able to have a child biologically, and I can understand why if that is something you have always "dreamed about" and wanted out of life. For me... no biggie if we had found out we could not conceive a child. I don't think I'd feel at all like I missed out, but I know I'm not in the norm in feeling that way. Going through pregnancy, labor and delivery just hasn't been something I've felt like I had to experience. And our first child coming into our family through adoption has been the most amazing experience.

I know for me, I feel like if I have to have a C-section, then that is what was best for me AND baby, and I am just thankful to live in a day when medical advances make it such a better experience.

Also...

.... my first c-section wasn't planned but after about 24 hours of labor and over an hour and a half of pushing they decided to do a c-section as my ds's head was coming down hitting my pelvis and going back up again.... Just wanted to add that I found the first delivery a harder recovery as I was recovering from labor and c-section!

I have a friend who went through a similar experience, except she did try to resist the C-section for quite a bit longer (I think for about another hour after the doc advised it was needed). When they did finally deliver the baby via C-section, she said he had a swollen area on his little head where it had been hitting up against her bones. She also ended up having an infection I guess in her incision, which did not happen with her scheduled C-section the 2nd time around. She said her 2nd c-section experience was wonderful because the recovery time was easier.

Margi, the devil is full of lies! Don't let him take this precious time from you! I'll be lifting you up in prayer. I don't think it matters one bit how your precious son enters this world whether delivered vaginally or by c-section once a mother lays eyes upon her babe there is sure to be love there. Don't let your mind get ahead of you, I know you will love him as much as you love your other two. Submit your heart to God and be a peace! Remember, in your situation you ARE doing what is best for your son ;) and that is what a great mother does! [verycool]

Thanks Jessy... You even managed to make me cry!! [cry] Just needed to hear that today - my mind is totally running ahead of me these days!

Many who adopt grieve not being able to have a child biologically

I totally agree! I talked with a friend who's been infertile for the 15 years they've been married. They now have 3 adopted kids, and I told her I felt like we finally had something in common! She will probably never experience pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding so why should I complain when I still get to experience the miracle of pregnancy and breastfeeding!

great idea for a thread. Wish Josh I struggled for months after his birth on feeling inadequate as a mom because he didn't come out vaginally.

With Josh I was induced at 36 weeks because of preeclampsia. They allowed me to be induced for 5 days. Even with pitocin and cervidil alternating around the clock I never went into labor until day 5. On day 5 I labored for 24 hours and never dilated past 4. On day 6, early in the morning we decided a c/s would be best because I was so exhausted and Josh's heart rate started dropping. recovery was fine, I was walking hills 3 days later and taking very little pain pills, but emotionally I was in pieces. I blame my struggles with the birth, and my feelings of being a terrible mom with my c/s.

With Sarah, it was a different story. I went in with a birth plan, so I was empowered. I wasn't tired like i was with Josh so I was able to enjoy the birth more and my son afterwards. I was able to tell my dr. that I wanted dissolvable stitches rather than staples, that I wanted the curtain pulled down so I could actually see my daughter right after she was born (which wasn't done with my son, so I never saw him bloody) Seeing her right when she was born was SUCH an amazing thing. I was able to do a little skin to skin on the OR table (face to chest) which I think helped with breastfeeding later. Sarah was a very enjoyable birth and I didn't have any of the emotional issues I had with Josh. Her birth was just so beautiful!

This new baby will be a repeat C/S and I plan on having my birth plan in hand again. I am looking forward to this birth. For me recovery both times has been very easy. I was up walking a couple hours after surgery and using very little pain meds. I think getting up and walking as soon as you can is the key to recovery. I have also heard it helps decrease your internal scar tissue.

With Sarah, it was a different story. I went in with a birth plan, so I was empowered. I wasn't tired like i was with Josh so I was able to enjoy the birth more and my son afterwards. I was able to tell my dr. that I wanted dissolvable stitches rather than staples, that I wanted the curtain pulled down so I could actually see my daughter right after she was born (which wasn't done with my son, so I never saw him bloody) Seeing her right when she was born was SUCH an amazing thing. I was able to do a little skin to skin on the OR table (face to chest) which I think helped with breastfeeding later.

Becky,

Did you have a scheduled C-section the 2nd time because of the complications with the first? I did not know that you could request dissolvable stiches... I wonder what the difference is or why they would even do staples when the dissolvable option is there?

I'm also curious about the things like you mention about holding the baby right after birth that might help with the breastfeeding transition when you have a C-section, because I'm just assuming that it could be more challenging, but I'm not basing that on any facts or research, just my own assumption?

Thanks for sharing!!

Becky,

Did you have a scheduled C-section the 2nd time because of the complications with the first? I did not know that you could request dissolvable stiches... I wonder what the difference is or why they would even do staples when the dissolvable option is there?

I'm also curious about the things like you mention about holding the baby right after birth that might help with the breastfeeding transition when you have a C-section, because I'm just assuming that it could be more challenging, but I'm not basing that on any facts or research, just my own assumption?

Thanks for sharing!!

Surgeons just have person preference with staples vs stitches. Staples I believe are easier and faster to close with, but stitches can make a better "hold" and I think less of a scar, plus with staples you always have to get them taken out which can be uncomfortable.

I worked with my lactation specialist before Sarah's birth to help me with attachment and breastfeeding with a c/s. She said that it isn't necessarily about getting them to the breast as it is about getting your flora on their skin. So we did face to chest skin to skin. It is so cold in the OR you really can't unwrap your baby from the blanket. Because of the position you are in, it is hard to really hold your baby yourself so I have dh hold the baby on me. I also had hand expressed some colostrum that they had on hand in case Sarah was hungry and I wasn't out of recovery yet so she didn't have to have sugar water/formula. They didn't need it but it was nice to know it was there. Also I always have dh follow the baby back to the birth center while I am being closed up and during recovery. dh was able to do skin and skin (again to get our household flora on her skin) during the whole time I was in recovery. One other thing that I changed was with Josh all our family was there waiting for Josh to be born, so EVERYONE got to really see him before I did. With Sarah we didn't allow anyone to show up for the first hour and then we chose those who could come (MIL and FIL who were watching Josh...we wanted Josh to have his own time to meet Sarah for the first time) that made things less emotional knowing that I was one of the first people to see and hold Sarah.

why I did a repeat:
I tried for a VBAC, but with a VBAC they will not induce. with Josh I was told after that my pelvis was "misshapen" He was born with a MAJOR cone head and only was 5lbs 4oz. but I wanted to try for a VBAC with Sarah. I was 40weeks and Sarah never dropped, I never had a BH contraction, and I never dilated. so we decided to schedule a repeat C. I even talked to an OB nurse who is all about natural births, and she told me that she agreed, because I should have been having some type of movement/preparation by then.

Becky, your story sounds a lot like mine... guess I should post my birth stories as well, huh?

With our first, I was due July 23, 2003 (our 3rd anniversary!) and ended up getting induced a week early due to high blood pressure. They broke my water at 11 pm, and I *immediately* started having intense contractions. Being a bit of a wimp I decided on an epidural almost right away. I dilated pretty good but at 3 am and 8 cms, the baby was in distress (heart rate dipping down as low as 45) and they talked over our options with us. Of course at that point we just wanted our baby to come out healthy and we said to go ahead with the c-section. Everything happened really fast after that point. It really was not a bad experience; I was just WAY unprepared! During our prenatal classes I always tuned out when they talked about c-sections because "it wouldn't happen to me". Anyways there was a bunch of discomfort when they were trying to get him out because he was way down in the birth canal already. I really think he would've been born shortly if we'd been patient! Blake was born on July 17 at 3:30 am, very healthy and gorgeous, 7 lbs 5 oz. The worst thing was I took forever to heal... 6 months before I was really pain-free...

26 months later (September 20, 2005) I was scheduled in for a repeat c-section - I had wanted to try VBAC but my OB was too scared to try it and told me the horror of ruptures (I did my research and it's less than 1%) and so back into the OR. This time though I was more prepared and relaxed, NOT in labor & it was really a great experience. I did ask them to lower the screen for the actual birth (which they did!) and skin-to-skin contact right away (which they also did!!) and hubby got in some great bonding time while I recovered. I have the most awesome memories of the 3-4 days in the hospital. Nicholas was also healthy, 7 lbs 10 oz and the most adorable little guy with his strawberry blonde hair!

Now they are 6 and 4 and excited to welcome another little brother into the mix! In only 10 days!!!

Just getting back into town after a long trip, but will try to come back and post. Three of my births were c-secs. If you have any specific questions shoot me a pm.