Validated and Heard - Positive Birth Story
Amy had a calm, empowering and magical elective C-Section birth, after prioritising her mental wellbeing due to anxiety about vaginal birth complications. Here she highlights the importance of making decisions that feel right for yourself, regardless of others’ opinions.
In my initial birth plan discussion with my midwife I highlighted my concerns with regard to inductions and my preference to avoid this if I were to become overdue. My midwife was very supportive and understanding of my decision, which I now realise is perhaps not the norm.
Prior to my consultation with the hospital regarding a planned C-Section, to avoid an induction, I had another follow up conversation with my midwife. The conversation allowed me to express my ideal birth and some of the things I would want to avoid. It was a realisation moment for me that I have considerable anxiety towards some of the complications that come with a vaginal birth. My midwife provided me with all my options and advised that I could have a planned C-Section and provided me with a wealth of information. After a lot of research, discussions with my partner and a consultant midwife I decided to put my mental wellbeing first and to have a planned C-Section. Although I felt very confident in my decision, I was very concerned about the view my friends and family would take, given there is such a negative view on C-Sections, even those that are not planned.
On the day of my section, myself and my partner went to the hospital feeling calm, slightly apprehensive, but prepared. I cannot express how grateful I am to the team who performed my C-Section. The consultant was lovely; she made me feel at ease and that my feelings mattered.
On entering the theatre I was made to feel very comfortable and although I was extremely nervous, the environment allowed me to remain calm. The spinal block did cause a slight nerve reaction, but it wasn’t painful. Just prior to baby's arrival, the curtain was dropped to allow me to see my baby being born into the world and the team then held her up to allow my partner to reveal her gender. She was then immediately passed over to me and put on my chest. It was the most magical and amazing experience of my life. I was offered immediate skin-to-skin and delayed cord clamping. The team allowed 1 minute before cutting her cord. She then remained on me until she was taken for a slight rub to encourage her blood flow. They then offered my partner the opportunity for skin-to-skin too while they finished the procedure. I did have some nausea but I was advised in my initial conversation with the anaesthetist to speak up about this, and I feel this definitely allowed the team to quickly action medication to prevent this.
I was taken to recovery where I enjoyed lots of cuddles while they observed me. Following this, I was taken to the ward and within 8 hours I had the catheter removed, which was painless, and I was supported to get out of bed. I was surprised how little pain I felt and within a couple of hours was in the shower. Following an overnight stay, we were discharged the next day.
I honestly can’t express how pleased I am with my decision. The birth was magical and my recovery has been a manageable process given we had the opportunity to plan for my arrival home. I really wanted to share my story to encourage women to not feel pressured to make decisions that aren’t right for them because of others’ opinions.