Okay, so I’m going out on a limb here to share my birth experience as well as express my feeling about all the controversy surrounding vaginal births vs. c-section, but here goes.
I chose to be induced with Ellie at 39 weeks for two reasons: 1. So my family who lives in Chicago could make the birth and plan to fly down 2. Because my brother’s wedding was 6 days after my due date.
It was more important to me to have my family at the delivery and to not miss my brother’s wedding (in Chicago) then to avoid a possible c-section. So, I’ve now officially admitted that I induced for purely selfish reasons….
I’ve heard a lot of people talk about us “convenience” moms and how we’re so selfish and unnatural. One I would agree with, yes my decision was purely selfish, but I wouldn’t take it back! But in terms of being unnatural, I breast feed Ellie for 11 months, that’s a lot longer than most moms I know, so I don’t think I’m really that unnatural.
An important aspect to all of this is that I knew when I made my decision to induce I personally had a 65% chance of having a c-section for two reasons 1. I had not progressed or began the labor process at all on my own 2. Ellie was very comfortable pressed tightly against my left groan area (head down) but not in the birth canal.
Did I want a c-section? No. Was I sad when I only progressed to 5 cm after being on pitocin for 8 hours, yes! Ellie’s heart rate had been dipping off and on but my doctor did give me the choice to turn the pitocin off until the next morning and try it again…but I decided against it.
So, I think no one really has an excuse to be mad about having a c-section because you should know all the options and be prepared for what you want as long as your baby isn’t at risk. For example, my sister-in-laws sister took option two to turn her meds off and induce again the next day…she did end up have a vaginal birth but she told me she wishes so would have just had a c-section, her birth was horrible!
In regards to the actual c-section, mine was absolutely amazing. It was very special and still as emotional as any other birth. Not everyone has an easy c-section just like not everyone has an easy vaginal delivery but once again you need to be informed about how to make recovery as quick as possible…like getting up and walking around at least 6 hours after surgery.
Now on to my repeat c-section. In Oklahoma I have the choice to deliver at the specific hospitals that do VBAC’s, vaginal births after c-section, but of course I’d have to switch hospitals and doctors and accept the risks that VBAC’S pose. The two risks are 1. Possible tearing of your c-section scar which can led to deadly bleeding, for the baby, in the uterus as well as 2. The possibility that my body just won’t delivery naturally and I’ll have done all that “work” for nothing…
It is exciting to hear success stories of VBAC’S but even some of those have led to additional surgeries after delivery… So, after weighing my feelings and talking to multiple doctors, nurses, and moms I will be having another c-section with Macy.
What are the benefits to a repeat c-section? Most likely I will not experience hemorrhoids, after delivery or for the next 20 plus years like some women do, I will most likely not experience bladder and urinary issues for the rest of my life, and I will never experience the feeling of stitches on or in my vagina. Would I accept all these side affects of a vaginal birth in return for a healthy baby, of course!!! But if I have a choice with additional risks I would of course choose a repeat c-section.
So, there’s the heart of a selfish mother if you were ever wondering or judging…at least you know my side now. In regards to c-sections being unnatural and not the way God created birth, Ellie was perfectly healthy and coherent at delivery. A misconception is that epidurals and/or c-sections are so bad for the baby and mom… This wasn’t true in my case and like I said its a myth not fact… So I’ll stand on God’s truth that, “He knit me together in my mothers womb”, and I am no worse of a mother then my mother was just because I had a c-section.
Feel free to comment…it won’t offend me…I’ve heard it all and remember these are my feelings, opinions, and collected information from professionals and people I know.
I’m just that good!
