A Little Reassurance If You Please – by Lisa Kelly
At last week’s doctor appointment, my doc was unavailable due to an emergency surgery. I opted to take another doc who gave me the quick once over and said if I felt okay, she wouldn’t examine me. She thought the baby felt like she was transverse but would likely turn. At today’s appointment, my doctor was present and decided we would take a look at the babies’ position based on my gut feeling and the other doctor’s notes. Sure enough, my stubborn baby girl is still transverse and very high in my abdomen.
After finding which end was head (under my right rib cage) and which was butt (under my left rib cage) she suddenly announced the cord was looped around her neck in such a way that a C section was in order. I said “No. I will not have a surgery.” She said “Okay, she is not a candidate for turning and she will die if she drops into the pelvis this way.” Wow. Let’s just let that sink in for a second or two. I asked what would happen if I refused and let nature run it’s course and pray for the best. She answered very firmly “You both could die. She is showing no signs of turning on her own and has no room with that cord to drop properly.” So here I am, thinking I have two weeks to a natural delivery and instead finding out I have four days to get ready for a major surgery.
I have never been cut open and frankly, it terrifies me. I wonder if I could refuse and wait but then again, how would I cope if I did that and she didn’t survive my own selfishness? I don’t think I’m willing to take that risk. I am hoping some of you have had successful C sections and can offer advice and feel good stories of success.
6 Responses to “A Little Reassurance If You Please – by Lisa Kelly”
First, there’s nothing to say your plan for a natural delivery wouldn’t end in a cesction. It did for me with my first after 23 hours of labor. I opted for a csection with my second because, for me, I had very little pain the first time. The second was even easier. I was very anxious the second time, but once you get the drugs you relax. If I have a third I will have another csection. My experiences were not nearly as bad as I had imagined them in my head.
By martha on Sep 5, 2012
Lisa, I didn’t have a C-section but wish I had, because my delivery was beyond torture. In fact, had I become pregnant again after my son was born, I would have insisted on a c-section from the moment I found out I was pregnant.
Lisa, no one wants surgery. But you want a healthy baby and YOU need to be healthy to care for your baby girl. We’ll all say lots of prayers for you, but have the c-section. My natural delivery took 3 times longer from me to recuperate from than my friends who had c-sections. Don’t risk your baby’s life or your life with the hope that you will have a blissful natural delivery. Do it!!! It sounds way too risky!!!
By Cara Meyers on Sep 5, 2012
I worked out religiously until the day before I gave birth because I was determined to be in shape to have an “easy” natural delivery. Surprise! After going into labor naturally, my baby went into distress and I had an emergency C-section. And…aside from the terror I felt because of the “emergency” — the procedure was nothing. Because I was in such good shape, I didn’t need any pain meds afterwards and was up and out of bed in a day — and resuming most activities pretty darn quickly. And my baby was perfect — with a lovely round head from the start :) She was also 8 lbs 9 oz…and when I discovered that, I was Soooooo relieved I’d been “forced” into a C-section (I’m a petite 5’2″ gal — and I can’t imagine pushing a kid like that out!) So — my point is — don’t fear the C-section — especially if your child’s life is in danger… Good luck!
By Jamie on Sep 5, 2012
I had a c-section with my baby girl who was breech and it wasn’t nearly as scary or terrible as some people made it out to be. Of course it is surgery but they have you up very quickly and you will recover fast.
There is always a chance that she might still turn but the one thing I would ask your doctor is if instead of scheduling the surgery could you wait until labor starts on it’s own. This will also help your breastmilk come in quicker if you are planning on breastfeeding. There is a wonderful article on the API website about a family centered cesarean birth plan. This might help put you more at ease. In the end what’s best for you and baby is the most important!
http://theattachedfamily.com/membersonly/?p=1990
By allison on Sep 6, 2012
How about a second opinion?
By amg on Sep 6, 2012
I had a myomectomy years ago to have uterine fibroids removed, and I had never had surgery before either. I was cut open similar to a C.
If it’s what you need to do for the safety of your child and yourself….go for it!!
By Robin Gorman Newman on Sep 9, 2012