April is c-section awareness month and during the month of April, Thrive Postpartum and Couples Therapy will be featuring Mamas who have experienced a c-section birth(s). One amazing thing that has been learned through the interviewing process is how different each circumstance is that led to a c-section birth. No matter how your baby was brought into this world, your experience is valid and important. We would like to feature Mamas who have experienced a c-section as many times these experiences are looked over. Discussing c-section experiences can still feel taboo and uncomfortable. But we are hoping to break down barriers and allow for a safe space for these important stories to be told

This is Allison’s story.

1. Please share the circumstances that led to your c-section birth(s). 

At 39 weeks and 3 days my water broke around 8pm. I wasn’t contracting and I hoped to have an unmedicated birth. I convinced my doctor to give us a few hours before starting induction. Nothing was happening so around 11pm I took an induction pill, and around 3am I got an epidural. I was able to relax but I wasn’t dilating as quickly as they liked, so they decided to start me on pitocon. The baby’s heart rate kept dropping so they cut back on the pitocin. Around 3pm, my doctor was talking to me about a c-section but I asked him to give me more time. At 5pm, I finally dilated to 10cm and began pushing. From the exhaustion of labor and the baby being stuck on my pelvic bone, I was practically begging to be taken to the OR. My team all agreed it was time to go, and my baby girl was born at 8pm. 

2. What surprised you the most about having a c-section? 

I was surprised by a few things! The quickness of the surgery, the unexpected tugging and pulling you feel, but mostly the pain post surgery. It was very traumatic for me both emotionally and physically. I did not prepare myself for the possibility of a c-section so I was very unprepared on what that experience would be like. I later went to therapy to process my entire labor story. 

3. What kind of support do you feel you received (from friends, family, healthcare team) after your c-section(s)?

I had excellent support from everyone post c-section. My healthcare team was very compassionate as I felt I failed in my birth plan. They checked on me frequently in the hospital and were very supportive in my wishes postpartum like breastfeeding, walking, etc. My family was a huge help. My mother also had c-sections for all of her children so she was a great help with anything I needed, as well as offered advice on recovery. My husband barely let me lift a finger and tended to all the things I couldn’t do physically, while making it possible to fully mother our child in the way I wanted. Our friends did a meal train. The support was wonderful! The pain emotionally/physically was not. 

4. What’s your #1 piece of advice/encouragement for a new c-section mom?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Let others cook, clean, help with the baby where they can (like diaper changes, rocking, bathing, etc), and take things slow. Your body will tell you when it’s ready to resume normal life.