Never in a million years did I think I would ever wind up with a c section. My last pregnancy was the quintessential natural birth. I also didn’t know that a breech baby bought me an automatic ticket to a c section. I just assumed babies were delivered in whatever position they were in. Breech plus low amniotic fluid plus suspected fetal growth restriction bought Quinn and I a C Section.
I’m still processing all the factors and decisions that went into the final decision that he had to be delivered via surgery. I look back and second guess, but I’d do that no matter what. What I do know is some of my experience that might be helpful to other moms who find themselves needing c sections rather than vaginal births. These are just based on my own experiences.
1. I worried about the ways in which a c section might be depriving my baby (and myself) of some of the natural experiences that occur during and after birth. I might not ever stop wondering how it may have affected his entrance into this world.
2. It was important to me to feel like a mom to Quinn AND Cash prior to, during, and immediately after Quinn’s birth. I didn’t want to be robbed of that feeling.
3. While the morphine is still on board, it was helpful to move around, wak, and flex my abs ever so slightly. It seems way easier to do these things on morphine than after its effects have worn off.
4. I didn’t need help to the bathroom the next morning. My catheter was out in less than 12 hours and I was in the cafeteria eating breakfast soon after it was out. There’s a balance between doing too much and doing just enough.
5. I wanted/needed to walk. I felt a little like a caged animal in my room. I wasn’t allowed to carry Quinn around the floor so I would just pace in my room. I felt a million times better walking than lying in a hospital bed.
6. Getting in and out of bed was hard. I’d equate it to being 40 weeks pregnant and trying to get up, but with a lot more pain.
7. The incision isn’t bad. I could see it the following day, which is apparently an uncommon phenomenon? It never leaked or oozed or whatever they warned me about.
8. After surgery, I didn’t need pain medicine. Motrin was enough.
9. I worry about my scar, adhesions, my belly, long term nerve damage, etc.
10. Figuring out what to wear is tricky, especially bottoms that go with nursing tops. Maternity pants are too low. Underwear hits the exact wrong spot. I have two pairs of pants that work. But it’s very short term.
11. It’s been two weeks and I feel like in in the in between time where I feel better and therefore could easily do too much. I’m no longer bleeding, I can get out of bed solo, I miss being involved in real life, etc. However, I’m still trying to take it somewhat easy.
12. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I’d prefer not to have had to ever have a c section, and I don’t ever want to do it again, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Joyful Striving 