When I hit the 33-week mark in my pregnancy, I faced a premature labor scare. Thankfully, everything turned out fine, but my doctor advised that if my baby boy decided to make an early entrance after 35 weeks, I would be in the clear for delivery since he was healthy and sizeable. However, my OB also mentioned that I needed to be “open-minded” about the labor process due to his large head and my small pelvis, which raised the possibility of a C-section.
Wait, what? After spending the last eight months preparing for a vaginal delivery and crafting my birth plan, the thought of needing a C-section hadn’t even crossed my mind. To calm my nerves, I reached out to my friend Lisa, who had delivered both of her big babies via C-section. She assured me that the process was “super quick” and that her husband was right there with her the whole time. She described the experience: the curtain went up, she felt “pressure but no pain,” and within 20 minutes, her baby was in her arms. Honestly, that didn’t sound too bad. Sure, I knew a surgical procedure was involved, but the idea of meeting my baby in less time than it takes to get a pizza delivered was appealing.
Then Lisa looked at me seriously and said, “But I hope you don’t have to experience that.” Confused, I asked why, and her expression turned somber. She expressed feeling like she missed out on the true experience of giving birth because she didn’t “push” her babies out herself. It was as if she felt robbed of a rite of passage.
I reminded her that she had two beautiful, healthy children now thriving in school, but she insisted that she felt incomplete since she hadn’t done the work of birthing them. I hadn’t realized C-section guilt was a common sentiment until I started researching online, where I stumbled upon countless forums criticizing C-sections. Many people consider them the “easy way out,” while others hold religious beliefs that label C-sections as not a true form of giving birth. A simple search for “having a C-section is not giving birth” reveals a multitude of discussions on this topic.
But let me make it clear: after enduring 36 hours of labor (including a grueling 12 hours of premature labor at 33 weeks and an additional 24 hours of active labor), I have zero guilt about opting for a C-section. After a few hours of pushing, I was informed that my baby’s heart rate was dropping dangerously low every time I exerted myself. My doctor presented me with two options: continue pushing with the risk of an emergency surgery or go for the C-section right away.
In that moment, my desire for a “typical” vaginal delivery vanished. My priority was clear: get my baby out safely and quickly! Once strapped to the operating table, I didn’t have a second to feel guilty. After what felt like an eternity of my insides being pulled and prodded, I didn’t think twice about my choice. When my doctor mentioned the need to be cautious of my bladder, and I heard the clattering of surgical instruments, guilt was the last thing on my mind.
Finally, I felt a powerful suction and realized my son was being pulled from me. I heard his first cry, and even from a distance, I watched as he was cleaned up and examined. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I couldn’t wipe them away as my arms were still strapped down. It took another half hour for them to stitch me back together before I could hold my baby. My husband brought him close, allowing me to greet him cheek to cheek.
In a whirlwind, the drape was pulled down, and I was transferred from the operating table to a bed, propped up and informed that I could now hold my baby. Just like that, I was wheeled back to my room, feeling as though nothing had happened—just moments ago, hands were deep in my abdomen, and now I was a mother.
Processing that day wasn’t easy. From the long hours of labor to the swift transition into surgery, every moment was a whirlwind. But at the end of it all, my son was safe, healthy, and strong, and that was what mattered most to me. I refuse to feel guilty about my C-section.
If you’re interested in learning more about C-sections and related topics, check out this insightful post. For those considering home insemination, visit Cryobaby for reliable at-home syringe kits. Additionally, Science Daily is an excellent resource for further information on pregnancy and fertility.
Summary
In this personal reflection, the author shares her experience with a C-section after a challenging labor, emphasizing that the focus should be on the health of the baby rather than the method of delivery. She counters the stigma surrounding C-sections and encourages understanding and acceptance of various birthing experiences.
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