My C Section Story

When I found out that I would have to have a c section due to my baby being breach, I honestly didn’t think too much about it. If anything, I thought how great it was that I wouldn’t have to attempt to push a baby out feet/butt first. I gave it no more consideration than I had my two previous vaginal births.

I should have thought about it more…

Two weeks ago I gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Madeline Sandra. She came on a Monday even though she was scheduled to arrive via c-section four days later and my original due date was 10 days away. She clearly had her own agenda.

At the hospital, I was prepped for the c-section as she still hadn’t turned. One hour and thirteen minutes after checking into the hospital, my daughter was born. To say it was completely different than my previous births would be a huge understatement.

I was nervous the week leading up to the c-section. Even though my doctor had walked me through the process, using as small of words as possible, and I had talked to other moms who had gone through the surgery before, I was panicking. All the research available could not (and did not) prepare me for the Madeline’s birth. I knew what to expect while being simultaneously clueless. Thankfully, when the time came, everyone was in such a hurry to deliver the baby that I didn’t have time to panic.

Everything went well and I delivered a healthy baby girl who weighed 6lbs 11 ounces and measured 21 inches long. After she was delivered, a huge wave of relief came over me. I had a beautiful, healthy baby girl. I no longer worried about the surgery (most of it was over) but, at the time, I did not grasp how fully unprepared I had been for my c section and recovery. SO here is a list for all of you out there who have not had a c section but may or for those of you who wish you knew more about them (for some weird reason).

Things I wish I had known about C Sections:

-They are considered major surgery

- (This from my husband) They will yank that baby right out of you. They want to get the baby out as fast as possible and will not be gentle about it. They won’t hurt the baby but there is a fair amount of yanking and pulling.

-Hope against hope that you won’t have to sneeze, cough, or laugh for at least two weeks after surgery

-You will bleed less but you’d gladly take the bleeding and the swollenness of a vaginal delivery over the pain in your lower abdomen that cripples you

-You won’t be able to take a bath for six weeks

-You won’t be able to sit up from a lying down position without feeling as if your stomach is ripping apart. This is a huge problem when you have to get up for night feedings.

-People will feel bad for you for having a c section as they believe you have somehow been cheated out of the birthing process; other people will judge you for having had a c section, thinking you somehow cheated the whole birthing process. Ignore these people. You had a baby taken out of you. You birthed it.

-You won’t be able to lift anything over 10 lbs for six months…this is impractical for those of us who have older kids. BUT you will unable to lift anything heavier than your newborn for at least the first week.

In all actuality, it was a beautiful birth, just like my other two children. I’m in my third week of recovery and doing great. My baby is doing great, the only difference being her head is perfectly shaped since she didn’t have to squeeze her way out of the birth canal.

If you are a c section mama, never let anyone tell you that you didn’t have a “real” birth. Ignore these people, or flip them off, either works. And if you are going to become a c section mama, invest in a postpartum belly band. Seriously. Life changer.