Scheduled C-Section =,(

Stick Around · May 2011

A few weeks ago I had a mini-stroke and was in the hospital for a few days. Turns out I have some extremely rare congenital Japanese brain disease that causes multiple strokes and brain hemorrhage. Good news is they think I have the "white people" version (their term, not mine), which doesn't progress like the Japanese version, but they won't know until they can do follow up tests after I have the baby.

The gist of it is that my carotid artery in my brain is 75% blocked (it's just the way I was born, apparently), so little tiny blood vessels formed around the blockage to keep blood flowing to my brain, but the Dr.'s think that pushing during a vaginal birth poses a significant risk of one of those little blood vessels popping and if that happens, my survival rate would only be 30-50%. And if I survived, I could be half paralyzed or brain dead for the rest of my life. So they think c-section is the safest option.

I'm having a hard time coming to terms with knowing I'll never get to experience going into labor, or having a contraction or having a vaginal birth. Anyone else having difficulty with this? 2nd time moms who had c's with their first babies?

Amaya84 · May 2011

Wow...well honestly I am so glad they caught it.Being able to be with your child means a lot more than intense pain from pushing. Many moms I know that have had both vaginal and c-section say that the only real difference is the pain. That pushing through labor does not mean a stronger bond to the baby etc.

In the end, it's all about having a healthy baby, and in this cause, a healthy you!

Magenta728 · May 2011

Amaya84:

Wow...well honestly I am so glad they caught it.Being able to be with your child means a lot more than intense pain from pushing. Many moms I know that have had both vaginal and c-section say that the only real difference is the pain. That pushing through labor does not mean a stronger bond to the baby etc.

In the end, it's all about having a healthy baby, and in this cause, a healthy you!

Everything she just said.

I'm so glad they caught it before something even worse happened. Just remember that having a healthy baby and healthy mommy is what's important, regardless of how you got there.

JayElleJayCee · May 2011

Oh my goodness! That is so good they caugh.. whatever it is you have! I have never heard of that before!! I know it is probably disappointing not having a vaginal delivery. Just try to be happy that there is a safe alternative for you and LO. While I do not want to have a c-section - I am sooo grateful for the option if something were to go wrong. Once your baby is here, none of it will matter i'm sure.

Stick Around · May 2011

Thanks, kids. i appreciate it. It's a tough pill to swallow! I've always been the "healthy one" my whole life, so this is all so weird to me.

P.S.- it's called Moyamoya. Yeah.... it even has a crazy Japanese name. And I have no Japanese heritage at all, but apparently it's not just confined to Japanese people. They just tend to get it the worst.

lynn97 · May 2011

Though I don't have any experience with this, I have to echo the other thoughts already posted - thank God they caught this! Many of my friends who have had both a vaginal and c/s delivery insist that the c/s is actually better. I still want to try for a vaginal delivery but, ultimately, it is all about whatever yields a healthy baby and a healthy mommy. That's my thoughts for you and everyone else here as well. Take care of yourself!

susieandmarty · May 2011

how wonderful that they caught the issue . i know not getting the labor you want may be tough, but the best outcome for anyone is a healthy mom and baby. this sounds like the best way

LexGator · May 2011

Wow, how scary. It's great that your doctors caught this before delivery, though. While I would also struggle with having to have a scheduled c-section, the most important thing is that you and your baby are healthy, and that's why it's being done. Best of luck!

LeeLee930 · May 2011

Wow, I wonder if being pregnant triggered this disorder to become active, which would mean your LO saved your life! No matter what, thank GOD, or your higher power of choice, that this was found! I agree with the other ladies, what matters most now is a healthy you and a healthy baby, no matter how you deliver!

MoMandA · May 2011

I had an unplanned c-section with my boys, after a failed induction, and had a rough time accepting that my body failed me during labor. I don't think that anyone ever envisions having major abdominal surgery to give birth, since the vast majority of women spend most of their lives thinking that they will get pregnant easily and give birth easily too. It is always rough when life throws you a curve ball and it sounds like you got a huge one. So give yourself time to mourn a day that you have been looking forward to for quite some time. You deserve it and it doesn't mean that you don't understand the importance of healthy mom/ healthy baby.

I highly recommend going on line and looking at c-section birth plans. I know it sounds crazy, because I was pregnant with twins, but I never imagined that I would have a section. If I had planned a little I could have made requests like getting to see the boys before they were cleaned up, which I did not get to do although there was no medical reason to whisk them away. Or ask to have DH re-cut the cord, which was not offered to him. Or to have a second support person there to take some pictures so DH could be in the moment and support me.

I hope that everything goes well for you. And FWIW the surgery was a breeze and recovery was not too bad either. I had no trouble breast feeding. I could take care of both boys without help within 2 weeks. And as a little bonus your vagina won't be stretched to all hell.

Good Luck

jc&cat · May 2011

If I ever heard of a critical medical reason for a c-section, you qualify!! Holy cow.

Thankfully this was caught now and you can calmly plan for the arrival of your LO rather than having some sort of horrible fire drill experience once you were in labor. I had an emergency c-section with DS and really, I got over the fact in about 2 min b/c the most important thing was to get him out safely. Honestly, I would rather the vaginal birth this time around for the recovery aspect only (vs that of a c-section recovery) but again, top priority is baby's safe arrival and my safety too. Don't worry about bonding....you are already doing your baby a huge favor by making sure you're going to be there!!!

jcsumm0 · May 2011

First of all, I'm sorry you are going through this.

My situation is obviously different, but I am being induced at 37 weeks due to problems with my baby and I'm at an increased risk for a c-section because of being induced and issues with the baby. Of course what you want is a healthy baby in the end, but I think it is really difficult to give up on the dreams/plans you had for labor and acknowledge you will have to have a c-section. Everyone says it doesn't matter if you get a healthy baby in the end, and I understand why people say that, but it doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel sad and "mourn" your chance for a vaginal birth.

I don't know if this will help you or not, but here is my post from the Natural Birth board. I thought some people had really thoughtful responses and they did make me feel better, so I just thought I'd pass it along. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the very best c-section experience.

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/52474305.aspx

rileylr215 · May 2011

MoMandA:
I had an unplanned c-section with my boys, after a failed induction, and had a rough time accepting that my body failed me during labor. I don't think that anyone ever envisions having major abdominal surgery to give birth, since the vast majority of women spend most of their lives thinking that they will get pregnant easily and give birth easily too. It is always rough when life throws you a curve ball and it sounds like you got a huge one. So give yourself time to mourn a day that you have been looking forward to for quite some time. You deserve it and it doesn't mean that you don't understand the importance of healthy mom/ healthy baby.
I highly recommend going on line and looking at c-section birth plans. I know it sounds crazy, because I was pregnant with twins, but I never imagined that I would have a section. If I had planned a little I could have made requests like getting to see the boys before they were cleaned up, which I did not get to do although there was no medical reason to whisk them away. Or ask to have DH re-cut the cord, which was not offered to him. Or to have a second support person there to take some pictures so DH could be in the moment and support me.
I hope that everything goes well for you. And FWIW the surgery was a breeze and recovery was not too bad either. I had no trouble breast feeding. I could take care of both boys without help within 2 weeks. And as a little bonus your vagina won't be stretched to all hell.
Good Luck

My T&P go out to you momma, and I'm so glad they caught your condition early. And thank you MoMandA for providing such a frank and true response. It's not often you hear that it is OK to mourn something you've been looking forward to. One usually just gets platitudes.

leb2be · May 2011

oh wow! i'm really glad that they caught this for you!

i know it's hard when your plans change. i was fine, in the moment, with my emergency c-section. it was afterwards that i mourned. as a pp said, give yourself time to mourn a little bit. YES- it's a good thing they caught this and YES- it's best for you and the baby, but that doesn't change your feelings at the moment.

i hope to hear that everything goes well for you and that they can give you some more information on the moyamoya after your delivery.

jetskreemr · May 2011

So sorry to hear this, but grateful for you to have a chance for a healthy baby.

I also found that I will have to have a CS due to having vasa previa with my pregnancy. I had a stillborn baby last time around, and was induced with her, although she was pretty small when born, and even though I got an epidural it was super easy, half an hour of labor and one push and she was out, so I know it's not quite the same. I was a bit disappointed with having to have a CS, however I have a few friends that had one, and they are telling me how lucky I am. One had her first baby vaginally, and the second by scheduled CS, and she said the second one was so much better. And the others just said the CS was easy. I also have a friend who the docs wanted to have a CS, but she refused, and she had a horrible labor and still to this day asks "Why didn't I listen to them???" As my friend who had a baby both ways said to me: "They both hurt, just in different areas."

gymnst1013 · May 2011

Oh wow!!! I'm so so sorry

I'm certainly glad they found the issue but sorry you won't be able to experience labor. I know how disappointed I would be. I hope all goes well for you!

EMLYNNLERETTE · May 2011

I am so glad they found this now instead of your husband finding out on the other end of a vaginal birth gone wrong. I hope everything turns out perfectly on the csection end of things and that after your surgery you can figure out what is next and kick it in the bum! On the positive note, at least your hoo-ha will be pretty as always.

(Is that inappropriate?)

Stick Around · May 2011

LeeLee930:
Wow, I wonder if being pregnant triggered this disorder to become active, which would mean your LO saved your life! No matter what, thank GOD, or your higher power of choice, that this was found! I agree with the other ladies, what matters most now is a healthy you and a healthy baby, no matter how you deliver!

They say it has nothing to do with being pregnant and it's just something I was born with, BUT...... the mini stroke could have happened because pregnancy can cause blood clots and a little clot of blood got temporarily stuck in that narrowed spot.

amberpro · May 2011

I am so glad they caught it and you are doing well! I have a close family friend (also white) that was diagnosed with Moyamoya after having a stroke. She's had other issues with the disease since the stroke, but has recovered and is doing very well. The doctors told her they think the disease may be linked to prolonged use of birth control in some cases. This is NOT something I have researched or know anything about beyond her experience, just something she talked with me about because she was worried about me.

I'm glad they were able to catch and diagnose this so you can now have the safest and healthiest delivery possible.

Stick Around · May 2011

amberpro:
I am so glad they caught it and you are doing well! I have a close family friend (also white) that was diagnosed with Moyamoya after having a stroke. She's had other issues with the disease since the stroke, but has recovered and is doing very well. The doctors told her they think the disease may be linked to prolonged use of birth control in some cases. This is NOT something I have researched or know anything about beyond her experience, just something she talked with me about because she was worried about me.
I'm glad they were able to catch and diagnose this so you can now have the safest and healthiest delivery possible.

You're the first person I've mentioned Moyamoya to who had heard of it! I'm impressed! I was thinking about the whole birth control thing and apparently now I can't be on the pill any more because it can cause blood clots, but I was on the pill, non-stop for 15 years, and I wondered if that had anything to do with it. The Dr.'s didn't know either way.

Stick Around · May 2011

Thank you, everyone for the kind words and for the honest stories. If anything it's nice to know I'm not alone and that other people understand that it really is a grieving process to know that something I've always fantasized about isn't going to go down the way I'd anticipated. I'm just glad I've got another 5 and a half weeks to get used to it. Hopefully it'll make it easier to deal with on the day of.

shanbrite2 · May 2011

I fully, fully understand the grieving. I'm facing cancer right now (see below), and the very real possibility that my baby might be born while I'm totally out and in the operating room. In many ways, I think that's a harder and scarier thing to deal with than the cancer because I had all these dreams for my "ideal birth," and to know that that might not happen (although mine is not a certainty like yours), it's so, so hard. But as others have said, it's an amazing thing that you found out about this before and are able to deal with it in a safe way. I'm truly sorry you won't be able to have the birth you hoped and planned for, but I also hope you are able to come to a place where you are able to fully appreciate the wonder of the birth you will have (because it will still be amazing!). Best of luck to you, mama.

Stick Around · May 2011

shanbrite2:
I fully, fully understand the grieving. I'm facing cancer right now (see below), and the very real possibility that my baby might be born while I'm totally out and in the operating room. In many ways, I think that's a harder and scarier thing to deal with than the cancer because I had all these dreams for my "ideal birth," and to know that that might not happen (although mine is not a certainty like yours), it's so, so hard. But as others have said, it's an amazing thing that you found out about this before and are able to deal with it in a safe way. I'm truly sorry you won't be able to have the birth you hoped and planned for, but I also hope you are able to come to a place where you are able to fully appreciate the wonder of the birth you will have (because it will still be amazing!). Best of luck to you, mama.

Oh, wow, that's a kick in the pants, too isn't it? =( I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I hope your birth goes smoothly, as well. Thank you, and good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Scheduled C-Section =,(

Re: Scheduled C-Section =,(

Choose Another Board

Search Boards