Corey's C-Section Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I never went into labor. I went to the hospital at 38 weeks because i had not felt any kicks for many hours, when we got to the hospital there was a heartbeat but no normal fetal activity, we were told to induce but we pushed it off for a few hours and when that time came things were not looking any better so we were rushed for an emergency c-section which thankfully saved our sons life as the umbilical cord was in a tight knot and wrapped around his neck. He was not breathing and was taken to the NICU for 5 days and thankfully he was fully recovered by the time I was discharged and we were able to go home as a family!

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

I wish I knew! I didn't even feel the contractions I was having at the hospital while we waited.

What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?

Being open minded! I wanted everything as natural as possible but I knew my birth plan could change, little did I know just how much things would change! I learned as much as I could to prepare for both my natural birth and if interventions needed to occur. I also hired the most amazing doula, Keya of Hariatama Birth and she was able to coach me through so much before birth and due to having a c-section I had amazing postnatal care.

What surprised you about your birth?

That I was able to already have that motherly instinct to protect my child before he was even born. I was told that if I had not come to the hospital that night I didn't feel movement and waited until morning he most likely would have been a stillbirth. I definitely had God watching over me and my baby.

Prepare yourself for any and all circumstances! If I had not been familiar with some of the options the doctors were suggesting than I'm not sure I would have been as calm and willing to listen to what they were telling me.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

I never felt any pain... until after my c-section!

What position did you end up delivering in?

Unfortunately on my back and I didn't even get to see my son for 8 hours after I delivered. Normally they bring your baby up by your face after a c-section and you get to at least see your baby...but since he had respiratory issues I had to wait until after I was able to come to the NICU.

How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?

I was overwhelmed and cried so hard the minute I saw him and just held him as long as I could. It was amazing, I couldn't believe he was here and was healthy and the sweetest thing I had ever seen. I had envisioned such a different arrival and had hoped for skin to skin, breastfeeding and all the normal bonding right after delivery but I didn't get that. But in the end none of that even mattered the second I held him.

What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?

Prepare yourself for any and all circumstances! If I had not been familiar with some of the options the doctors were suggesting than I'm not sure I would have been as calm and willing to listen to what they were telling me. I was young and had no complications my entire pregnancy, the minute they said "induce" or "c-section" after planning a natural birth I was completely shocked but I think I was able to go with the flow because I knew that I had educated myself and had planed to have a natural birth in a hospital for a reason. My doula even got a midwifes opinion on what was happening and sure enough any woman with low fetal movement would have been sent to the hospital even if they were having a home birth! I am just grateful beyond measure for going to the hospital when I did, I will never forget that feeling of urgency and sure enough I was right.