A little something for the ladies afraid of c-sections...

[wookie130]

Here's a video of the birth of my daughter via planned c-section, on March 12th, 2013. It was a beautiful birth, and a G-rated video, and I just thought I'd share, because I know how scary the idea of it is if you've never experienced it before...

So, without further ado, here you go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_NQg6xS3XU

 

[SoldierWife]

I am still terrified of a c-section (I still struggle with getting shots lol) but when the baby cried for the first time and your face lit up it made me cry!! I can't wait for that feeling!

 

[wookie130]

Soldier, the moment you hear that first cry, and see your LO for the first time, it's so joyous and wonderful, that words could never do the feeling justice.

And to be honest, I am the world's most needle-phobic individual I know. I hate shots, blood tests terrify me, I tend to pass out, and have anxiety attacks, I swear, I cry, etc. I'm kind of off-the-hook. One little trick someone taught me about the initial IV they put in when you're situated, is to have them use some numbing cream on your hand ahead of time. This helped me psychologically as much as anything. And the spinal block...well, that was scary, but the good news, is that the process is very quick. A very quick prick to your back with the lidocaine injection to numb the area up a bit, and then the insertion of the actual spinal needle...I did feel that a bit, but I would not describe it as overly painful. That was also quick, and once they remove the needle, they swing your legs up over onto the table so quickly, as it's very fast-acting, and you'll be quite numb and unable to move your lower half within less than a couple of minutes. I know all of that sounds scary to a fellow needle-phobe, but honestly, if I can get through it, anyone can.

And I'm doing it again in August of this year, when I deliver my little boy via planned c-section.

 

[coz]

ahhh thats lovely, thanks for sharing, i had an emergency section but was put to sleep so its nice to see what they do and what its like awake, im sooo scared

 

[x__amour]

Beautiful!

 

[minties]

To be totally honest, I found that quite sad! I must be a total wimp. I've had 2 sections and think that your baby was away from you for ages and ages for all these checks that could surely have waited. And the person doing them was so rough. And why all the repeated rubbing off any fluids and vernix from baby? Sophies checkup took 35 seconds I think from memory.

Thanks for sharing and the baby was really cute. I hope you don't think I'm being nasty or anything.

 

[wookie130]

Whoa...I guess I fail to see where the birth of my daughter was "sad." It was the happiest day of my life. As much as a lot of people don't want to admit it, the checks are necessary to the health of the baby, and I was thankful for the medical staff checking her vitals, etc. And she wasn't away from me for "ages." She was a few feet away from me for no more than 20 minutes, and my husband had the joy of being by her side the entire time...I didn't take my eyes off her once. The nurses were not man handling her in any way.

Good grief, the more I try to defend the birth of my child, the more offended I actually am getting. You know what would have actually been sad? An attempt at vaginal birth just for the sake of having a vaginal birth, knowing that I had placenta previa, which could have easily resulted in both of our deaths. So before we dwell on my "sad" c-section that will never bear the natural childbirth advocacy seal of approval, let's focus on what the situation actually was - a beautiful birth that resulted in my now almost 2 year-old, who is as bonded to me as any other daughter could be with their mother.

I would never dream of telling someone that their birth was sad, unless perhaps the person valued the birth process over having a healthy baby, and it resulted in tragedy. The birth of either of my kids were a far cry from that, and I won't sit here and allow anyone to denounce the miracle that was the first day of their lives.

 

[rescuemom82]

It's not sad and that was rude.

 

[Iveneverseen]

It is really nice you are trying to reasure people.
I had a section with my youngest child and the birth and afterwords didn't go to plan so dispite having experienced it i still get scared. Lol x

 

[wookie130]

Yeah, I do realize that not everyone loves their c-sections. I think it's also important to acknowledge that not everyone enjoys their vaginal births, either, however. I was actually MORE afraid of my son's birth, which was also a c-section, because I was nervous about the recovery...I was pleasantly surprised that the recovery was easier the second time in my case.

 

[Iveneverseen]

Yeah, I do realize that not everyone loves their c-sections. I think it's also important to acknowledge that not everyone enjoys their vaginal births, either, however. I was actually MORE afraid of my son's birth, which was also a c-section, because I was nervous about the recovery...I was pleasantly surprised that the recovery was easier the second time in my case.

Yeah c sections terrified me before and it still scares me now. i had awful birth and recovery, very ill for months after.
I pray next time isn't as bad but i never have an easy birth. Lol x

Hope all goes well

 

[minties]

Whoa...I guess I fail to see where the birth of my daughter was "sad." It was the happiest day of my life. As much as a lot of people don't want to admit it, the checks are necessary to the health of the baby, and I was thankful for the medical staff checking her vitals, etc. And she wasn't away from me for "ages." She was a few feet away from me for no more than 20 minutes, and my husband had the joy of being by her side the entire time...I didn't take my eyes off her once. The nurses were not man handling her in any way.

Good grief, the more I try to defend the birth of my child, the more offended I actually am getting. You know what would have actually been sad? An attempt at vaginal birth just for the sake of having a vaginal birth, knowing that I had placenta previa, which could have easily resulted in both of our deaths. So before we dwell on my "sad" c-section that will never bear the natural childbirth advocacy seal of approval, let's focus on what the situation actually was - a beautiful birth that resulted in my now almost 2 year-old, who is as bonded to me as any other daughter could be with their mother.

I would never dream of telling someone that their birth was sad, unless perhaps the person valued the birth process over having a healthy baby, and it resulted in tragedy. The birth of either of my kids were a far cry from that, and I won't sit here and allow anyone to denounce the miracle that was the first day of their lives.

You've obviously taken a great offense to my opinion, which I am sorry that i stated now.

I don't think that c-sections or any sorts of births are sad. I've had two sections myself ancd they were pretty good! I find it sad that c-section babies seem to get whisked off for so so long, and that it seems for no good reason at all in most cases. You were setting an example for others about how good it was for you, which is all cool, you have a happy baby and you loved the birth.

My son was taken away from me for the first 20-25 minutes also and I never understood why. With my daughter (new town so different hospital) we got skin to skin, then they quickly checked her for 35 seconds, then she was given back. I find it sad and I'm not taking anything away from you or attempting to by my opinion.

I can find it sad, I wont apologise for having an emotion. You can feel just as happy as you like. I can think it's just as sad as I like. Not your video being sad, or the birth of your daughter sad, just the taking away of babies from mother for so long is sad. No biggy!

 

[Keyval]

Sad?? That was such an amazing moment you just shared and I was crying with joy and I don't even knew you or your baby haha. My daughter was delivered vaginally and I didn't get to hold her only see her for 5 minutes before taken to theatre. Even though it's not what wanted it still was the best day ever and definitely not sad . These things had to be done for a reading. I've opted for a section this time and I'm terrified already ha. I've been reading such horror stories but your video is just lovely xxx

 

[wookie130]

Bah, what's a few minutes anyway? After that initial "separation" which I was physically and emotionally present for, I got to love up on her, and have all of the skin-to-skin I wanted, once I transferred back into my hospital bed. Those few minutes have not hurt our bond, whatsoever, not in the slightest. I don't get where the "sadness" plays into it.

And I'm definitely not one of these people that thinks that by wiping the vernix off, I'm impeding breastfeeding, or bonding, or any of that. I'd rather my kids be wiped off and cleaned up a bit, but that's just me. My kids won't ever hold that one against me, I'm sure. LOL!!!

 

[shelbelle33]

Your video is great, thanks for sharing. I see nothing wrong with my child being away from me for 20 or 30 minutes to be thoroughly checked out and know nothing is wrong and then have them back for feeds and skin to skin.

My son was an emergency c-section and I was put under general as they couldn't get the epidural in. I didn't get to see my son for an entire 24 hours (he was rushed to the NICU) and it was another 5 days until I got to hold him. He was in the hospital for 6 and a half weeks.

I would have been ecstatic with my LO only being away from me for only 20 minutes, especially if I could see them the entire time.

 

[wookie130]

Ditto, Shellebelle. I was just so grateful that everything went well...I know others who would have wanted the simple and straight-forward births I have had w/both babies.

 

[mel28nicole]

I agree, it's not the end of the world if you don't get to hold your baby right away. I also had a c-section, DD was cleaning up, checked out, given to DH about 5 minutes later and I got to see her. My arms were strapped down so I couldn't hold. When I finally did get to hold her it was about 40 minutes after she was born. No problem here, and we are very close, so I don't think it ruined the bonding experience. Sure it would have been nice to hold her right away but I'm happy I got to hold her after she was checked out.

 

[SoBlessedMama]

Such a sweet video!!!!! I love it! I teared up a little when you heard her cry!

I have had two c-sections. The first was "semi-emergency" (I wasn't in labor, but BP was way up, and baby movement was down.) It was pretty smooth, but the spinal block was too high, so I had trouble breathing, and I got a spinal headache afterwards. So, the second, (planned!) time around I was scared of the same things...and neither happened. It was perfect, I talked to DH and the medical staff the entire time, and after he was born, they held him up by my face and arms for several minutes before they checked him over. It was a great experience, and I stressed for 9 months over nothing lol.

Your video is very sweet and will definitely help put some mama's nervous mind at ease before her c-section. : )

 

[proxy bump]

I had my little man on the first with an emergency c section. I was terrified, in fact I threw up on the table before they started. When I heard him cry my heart exploded and my SO brought him over to where I could see him. Sadly, when they were stitching me up the epi didnt numb everything and I was in terrible pain. They had to dose me with several things which caused me to pass out/be loopy for an hour. Then both baby boy and I were running slight fevers so they wouldnt let me see him for three hours. My heart was breaking the entire time. As a ftm I just wanted my baby in my arms.

Its been two weeks and im thankful for the staff who took such great care of me and my baby.

 

[SmartieMeUp]

I thought this was lovely. When she was being checked over I really wished that they helped her clear her air way a little more when she was coughing. I did have a little giggle at the start though when you realised OH was standing there haha.

I was absolutely petrified of falling pregnant after my EMCS knowing there was a good chance I'd have to do it again but I was awake through the whole thing and my experience was awful. But recovery wasn't so bad, I managed it without pain relief. Then the fear or eruption took over. I was hoping for a VBAC this time round but then I think to myself that I'd be more prepared physically, mentally and emotionally if I'm opted for a ECS - it's a shame that I won't know until 36 weeks if I'm allowed to go naturally or if I have to go elective unless baby is breech at 34.

I'm glad you had an easy recovery, I heard that second time round is a lot quicker.