After we found out were were pregnant with Chloe, I started researching birth methods and pain management options.  I read birth stories, and read one awful story after the other about induced labor, stalling, and emergency c-sections.  This certainly wasn’t the kind of birth experience I had in mind.  I mentally prepared myself for natural childbirth and decided that I wanted to hold off on pain medication and any kind of intervention for as long as possible.

At 29 weeks I went in for a routine ultrasound and we found out that Miss Bean was breech. It wasn’t a big deal until I went for my 34 week appointment and she was still breech. Ultrasound confirmed this, and my doctor brought up the “C” word: C-section.  It was totally not in my birth plan, but then again, I didn’t have much choice. We weren’t candidates for an external version (and didn’t want one, anyway), so a c-section was scheduled for 5 days before my due date.   Chloe’s head was under my right rib cage, and I was more than ready to get this little girl out and snuggle her in my arms.

My birthing plan had been turned upside down and I quickly spent the next five weeks researching c-sections, driving my OB crazy with my ridiculous repeat questions, and making myself a nervous wreck.  Surgery? Awake? Were they insane?  Could I do this?

I suppose the biggest advantage of a planned c-section is how calm and peaceful the entire day is. My husband and I woke up around 5am Friday morning, and were able to take showers and get ready for Chloe’s birthday. There was no big rush; I wasn’t in labor, I wasn’t having any pain, and I was able to take my time and really mentally prepare for the day.

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We got to the hospital around 8am, and there weren’t any triage rooms available at the moment.  There were a few emergencies that morning, a nurse explained to me, so we impatiently waited in the L&D waiting area until my name was finally called.

Preparing for a scheduled c-section was nothing like I thought it would be.  It was a very slow-paced and calm environment.  No one was in a rush, no one was panicked.  Everything seemed so routine, and that was strangely calming to me.  A doctor came in and did a quick ultrasound to verify Chloe’s position.  Still breech, as we suspected.  I could feel her head under my right rib cage, and her feet under my left.  An IV was started, blood was drawn, and I met with several surgeons and the anesthesia team who reviewed the spinal process and had me sign release forms.  The head anesthesiologist introduced himself to us, and asked me if I wanted to participate in a nerve block trial.  Following surgery, when I was still in recovery, he and two other doctors on his team would inject a solution into my hip-area.  I wouldn’t know until we were released from the hospital if I’d received the nerve block or saline, but I didn’t have anything to lose so I agreed to the trial.

{Our last photo as a family of two! — all prepped and ready to go!}

Our surgery start time was delayed because there was an emergency c-section, then delayed a second time because my OB was delivering another baby.  Finally, at 11am, a super sweet nurse named Kathy handed Mr. Jump Rope a white jump suit and told me it was time for us to go back!  She told me I had to walk to the OR, and I asked if she was serious.  I honestly thought she was joking, but she extended her hand to me and we walked together into OR #3.  My favorite number is 3, so I took this as another good sign.

The operating room was cold and bright.  I was surprised by the number of surgeons in the room, and thought to myself that this was a three ring circus and not a routine c-section!  I was helped onto the operating table, and the anesthesiologist started prepping me for the spinal.  The sweet nurse, Kathy, let me squeeze her right hand for support.  My OB was like a cheer leader and bounced into the room and said, “Good morning, mama!  It’s time to have a baby!”  She gave me quick hug, then let me squeeze her left hand while the anesthesiologist did my spinal.

My biggest fear was getting the spinal, and it ended up being a breeze. I was told the numbing medicine would feel like a bee sting, but I’ve never been stung so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I barely felt a thing, though, and to be completely honest my flu shot the week before hurt ten times more. After that, I was completely relaxed. The worst “part,” in my mind, was over.  My bum and legs felt heavy, but it took a few minutes for the numbing to completely take effect.  I was laid down on my back, given oxygen, and my arms were strapped down on either side of me.  A blue cloth was put up.

My anesthesiologist stayed by my side the entire time, and did an incredible job explaining everything to me.  “This is to monitor your oxygen.”  “This is to monitor your blood pressure.  See these numbers?”  “You’re the tenth c-section this morning!  We’ll be done before you know it!”   I remember the doctors carrying on and having completely normal day-to-day conversations.  One of the nurses was talking about her daughter’s ballet class, and I remember thinking to myself, “I guess it’s a good sign that they’re not talking about me.”

Baby Jump Rope’s Monthly Updates part 1 of 5

1. Chloe's birth story, part 1 by Mrs. Jump Rope
2. Chloe's Birth Story, Part 2 by Mrs. Jump Rope
3. 7 month update by Mrs. Jump Rope
4. 14 month update by Mrs. Jump Rope
5. Chloe - 20 month update by Mrs. Jump Rope

C-Section Birth Stories part 1 of 6

1. Chloe's birth story, part 1 by Mrs. Jump Rope
2. Not Natural; My CBAC (Cesarean Birth After Cesarean) by Mrs. Twine
3. A Positive C-Section Story by Mrs. Bee
4. Welcome to the World: Meet the Babies Blue by Mrs. Blue
5. Becoming a mother of three, my twin birth story. by Mrs. Train
6. A scheduled C section & a tubal ligation: Lilly's birth story by Mrs. Train