Will's birth story- positive (planned!) c-section

bridein08 · February 2013

This is more than a little late- my bundle of joy is now 13 months. He is amazing, and motherhood is... AMAZING!

I went into premature labor at 30 weeks- I knew it then. My DS would be a BIG baby. I always knew we would have big babies- DH and I were both 9-10 pounds at birth. But at this ultrasound at 30 weeks, he was measuring nearly 6 pounds. WITH TEN WEEKS TO GO. I started to panic.

Will was measuring to be over ten pounds at 40+ weeks on my growth ultrasound. His head and shoulders were already measuring at about 41 weeks when I was just 36. After some talks with my OB, DH and my mom (who had an emergent C/S with my brother after 28 hours of labor and 5 hours of pushing, and a planned one (easier!) with me) and I chose to schedule a cesarean.

Everyone in the world wants to give you birthing advice when you are having a cesarean. "You need to have a trial labor first." My IL's were unreasonably upset that I wasn't having my son the "natural" way. They were upset he wouldn't be going through the "birth canal," and I could not have cared less. My son would get to the world safely, and we wouldn't have to deal with the uncertainty that comes along with an emergency cesarean.

The day came and I was so nervous to meet my little guy! The worst part about the entire experience was the spinal. It hurt! I had a great doctor who held my hands the entire time I was getting it since they don't let DH in until they make the first cut. The surgery went quickly, and as soon as they got him our, my doc said "Good choice on the C/S- he is a big one!" I also found out he had a nuchalx3 (cord wrapped around his neck THREE times) and a true knot. There is very good possibility if I had labored naturally that DS would have been harmed by laboring and moving into the birth canal. It would have, at the VERY best, resulted in an emergency C/S and at worst, a dead baby. After hearing the news of the cord, I knew that we had made the right choice. It was then that I saw my son's face (best moment of my life!) and after he was out and wrapped, DH held him and I got to talk with him and cuddle his face for about 15 minutes. They took him, with DH into the recovery area for a bath while I was being sewn up.

I was in there with them within 20 minutes or so, and had a great time chatting with my docs and nurses and had really no issues with anything. When I got into the post-op area, my nurse helped me to breastfeed DS for the first time. I had heard horror stories about cesareans and nursing, and that was honestly my ONLY fear about having a c-section. He nursed like a champ from the first moment!

I had some pain issues for day #1, but after that didn't need many pain meds. I was up and walking that afternoon (he was born at 730 am), and we spent three nights in the hospital (I will be asking for 48 hours next time- way too long!). On our way home, we went shopping at Target for a few baby and breastfeeding needs, I felt that great and continued to feel better for the next week. Within two weeks I felt "back to normal."

BrilliantBrunetteJenny · February 2013

Thanks I needed to hear a positive story. I am having a scheduled c/s in 5 days and am so nervous. With my DD I had an emergency c/s after 11 hours of labor where we just happen to find out i am highly allergic to the morphine they were pumping through my i.v. It was really an awful experience we were both in the hospital for 8 days after, and I am just hoping that with the knowledge I am allergic to most narcotics and without the emergency aspect that things will go so much smoother.

bridein08 · February 2013

Planned cesareans are so much smoother than emergent ones- the recovery is so much easier! I have a few friends who had it happen the same way you did (without the narcotic issues) and say it is the worst of both worlds! I think with the narcotic info and the fact that it is scheduled will make it a much easier process for you all!