Julia's Cesarean Birth

When did you realize you were really in labor?

I was past my due date and I had been trying every natural way to induce many labor--foods, activities--all of the things you read about with no success. I went in for my second over due check up and my amniotic fluid had gone from 17 to 3 in two days. The doctor was concerned since it was so low. I could have definitely been leaking fluid. I think towards the end of a pregnancy there's so much going (swearing, constant peeing, etc.) I could have easily been leaking and not even really realize it. I was admitted and we started the induction process.

What was the most challenging thing about going natural?

My body vs the will. My goal was to have an unmediated birth. I had read stories, taken classes, read books, talked with women about their experience but when it came down to it my body didn't respond to any of the induction techniques. We started on midday on a Thursday with 12 hours for cervidil, then 6 hours for a foam that was inserted to help ripe the cervix, then another 6 hours of a depository to do the same. After all of that my cervix went from 1cm to 2! I felt annoyed my body wasn't responding. I agreed to pitocin with fear since I kept hearing that it made contractions so strong, but again no change and just bad period like cramping. On Saturday morning I agreed to have my water broken. This finally got contractions to start. My doula and husband were great support during this time--I felt stronger and stronger contractions but they weren't really rhythmic. After about 5-6 hours of this, my cervix was still at 2! The doctors and nurses were really understanding of my desire to have a vagibal birth. They alllowed me to try so many different things in order to get things going (from noon on Thursday to Saturday evening!), but at the end after having time to discuss it and think about it, my husband and I felt comfortable with going ahead with a c section. I felt good about it not being rushed and that we were able to get so many things before that decision. My will couldn't will a vaginal birth into existence--my body and baby had other ideas. Another challenging thing was that our baby had to be in the NICU for 48 hours because my fever spiked during labor causing her heart rate to skyrocket. So they wanted to observe her just in case there had been a uterine infection. Tests came back find and she joined us in our room on our last day in the hospital--a total of 6 days!

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

We hired a doula. It may sound funny after having a c-section to say that this was one of my most helpful things that prepared me, but she was great. The few meetings we had beforehand, allowed me to process what could happen--we may have our preferences but during the actual event, things can change what we need, so our 'plan' can change. During the birth, she was allowed back in the operating room with my husband and myself. She was able to capture some great pictures of our delivery. And afterwards, she followed up with us about processing what happened and to check on breastfeeding and overall health during that first week home.

What surprised you about your birth?

I was surprised how my body didn't respond to medical intervention. I honestly thought that the interventions to get things going would have worked and I was surprised that things didn't work. Especially pitocin. I had heard horror stories and even when they kept upping the dosage, it didn't help (or really hurt terribly). Another surprising thing was to be in the hospital for so long and see and hear so many other babies coming into the world in a variety of ways. I was readmitted with signs of preeclampsia two days after being discharged. I didn't have any signs of it during my pregnancy. I was surprised that you could have preeclampsia after giving birth.

You can do it. Women do it all of the time. But, realize your birth preferences and plans can't always work out. And that's OK. Life is like that.

What pain relief strategies worked best?

Our doula was great and during the most laborious time for me, she helped with some spinning baby techniques. It also helped to be reminded to take one contraction at a time. My husband was a great support too! Having him during labor and holding my hand during the surgery was the best help.

What position did you end up delivering in?

A c section, so an operating table.

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

Amazing. She was taken to the NICU and I had to wait until the spinal tap wore off so I could be taken to see her. We didn't know the gender, so it was exciting to have my husband announce it during the surgery. We got to see her in there for a few minutes, but we weren't able to hold her until a few hours later.

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

You can do it. Women do it all of the time. But, realize your birth preferences and plans can't always work out. And that's ok. Life is like that. Planning (for birth and for life) is wise but it often doesn't go exactly like you envisioned. Don't feel guilty about it. Even though our daughter is just one month old, I'm pretty sure parenting will throw us more curveballs that we haven't planned for and we'll have to figure that out too. I look at our daughters birth as good practice for figuring out what to do when things don't go as planned.