1. Please share the circumstances that led to your c-section birth(s).
My first c-section was my daughter and was overseas in Japan. Pregnancy had gone super smoothly so I decided to be seen and deliver at an off-base Japanese women's health clinic. The clinic was more holistic and med-free vaginal births were prevalent there (higher risk births and planned c-sections were done at the nearby hospital). 40 weeks came and went with zero issues and the OB agree to let me go to 41 weeks. I went in at 41 weeks and everything still looked great, but she was concerned that my daughter might be too big to deliver. I agreed to be induced at 41 weeks and stayed overnight while they administered pitocin. It did not induce labor and they monitored the both of us. We agreed that we would try again at 42 weeks if I didn't go into labor before then. Went back at 42 weeks and they attempted pitocin again. Two rounds later and labor had not started nor was I dilating past 1cm. They decided to insert some seaweed sticks into my cervix that would absorb moisture and expand, thereby helping me dilate and hopefully start labor. I was having non-productive contractions throughout all of this. The sticks ended up breaking my waters so then we had to be constantly monitored. It was pretty clear by that point that I was not going to further dilate nor were the contractions going to move her down. My daughter started having decels and that was the first mention of a C-section. My husband and I had never considered one since the pregnancy had went so well. Once we agreed that a c-section would be best, the entire staff came together to do an emergent c-section and my daughter was born at 42.1 weeks. Regarding pain relief, I was not given anything stronger than Tylenol and ended up staying 4 or 5 days in recovery.
My second child’s birth was in Pensacola, FL at the Naval Hospital. My OB was amenable to a trial of labor after cesarean, but also encouraged me to schedule a C-section at 40 weeks, which I decided not to do. He also would not induce me due to my prior C-section. I ended up having strong and consistent contractions a couple of days before 41 weeks. I labored most of a Friday afternoon and evening and once the contractions got closer together we drove the hour to the Naval Hospital. They checked me and I was only dilated to a 2. They advised that we walk around a bit to see if things changed and I ended up at a 3. They would not admit me at that point, even with my prior c-section, and sent me home to labor further but wanted me to return a few hours later to be checked again. We ended up going to a friend's house that was much closer and I tried to rest while having very painful and close contractions. We returned to the hospital mid-Saturday morning and no progress. We went to another friend’s house and labored through the day, I experienced very painful and close contractions until my waters broke that evening. We returned to the hospital and an epidural was placed so I could labor longer. I labored for another couple of hours but had no further dilation than before, so we decided on a repeat C-section because I was exhausted and not making any more progress. After laboring roughly 35 hours, my son was born via repeat C-section. Pain management was much better with standard narcotic and OTC meds.
My third c-section experience was with my twins in Bethesda, MD at the Naval Hospital. I had an uneventful pregnancy with the exception of more swelling. Given my medical history and the twin pregnancy, I was to deliver no later than 38 weeks. My OB thought I would likely go into labor on my own, as many twin pregnancies trigger earlier labor, but I was pretty sure I wouldn't and I didn't. My son and daughter were born via repeat C-section (scheduled) with no complications. I also chose to have a bilateral salpingectomy (removal of Fallopian tubes) at the same time.
2. What surprised you the most about having a c-section?
Regarding a C-section, I would say I was most surprised that very little was discussed about the actual prospect of it during my first pregnancy. We had literally done zero research on it because it wasn't even in our realm of possibility since my pregnancy with my first daughter was going so well. I think had I better known all the possible outcomes I would have felt more prepared and felt better about having the first c-section.
3. What kind of support do you feel you received (from friends, family, healthcare team) after your c-section(s)?
As a military family we very much relied on our friends after all three c-sections, especially the first since we were in Japan. Shortly after my daughter was born, my husband had to go on a short deployment and I was left alone with a colicky newborn and our pets, in an off-base residence. We received so much support and many warm meals during that time. Our friends really were lifesavers. Since we were stateside for the second and third C-sections, we did eventually have our family visit for a short period and they were great with keeping the older kids preoccupied so my husband and I could focus our attention on the babies. We still leaned on our military friends and some very special "civilian" friends who were around for the day-to-day, but we did a lot by ourselves.
4. What’s your #1 piece of advice/encouragement for a new C-section mom?
My best piece of advice for potential and/or new c-section parents is again, just inform yourself of all possible outcomes when it comes to the birth of your child. If you know you will be having a C-section, figure out what might be best to have on hand at the hospital to help with your recovery. My top two musts were a belly band and Depends Silhouette underwear. Please advocate for yourself in the hospital (such as adequate pain management) and once you're at home (mental health support or lactation consultant). Remember that a healthy baby is the ultimate goal and in the long run it really doesn't matter the route they take to get here. You still did an amazing job making and carrying and bringing them into the world.
