Missy's Birth

On Nov.13,1997 at 4:00p.m my labor pains started they were not painful enough for me to go to the hospital until 10:00p.m that evening and even then the pain was tolerable after arriving I was checked and was dilated to 3cm at this point I did elect for pain relief fearing I would be to tired to push if I tried to hold off.I was given Demerol which made me sick then given Staydol which was nice because I was able to sleep through contractions at 10:00a.m the following mourning my water was broken by my doctor,the baby had her first bowl movement in the water potentially dangerous to her.Soon after I felt the urge to push and did so until about 2:30p.m that afternoon at this point the baby would crown and then slip back inside no matter how hard I pushed the baby would not crown completely plus having her first bowl movement in the water had increased the danger for her so my doctor advised a C-section at this point.I was exhausted and felt this was the best choice,an epidural was administered(without pain or complication)and I wheeled into the O.R my husband AND mother attended the birth in the operating room my 9lb3oz beautiful baby girl was born at 3:15p.m they allowed me to touch and kiss my baby before they took her to the nursery while I was stitched up.Not even an hour later she was brought to my room where I was encouraged to breast feed and allowed to hold her, I had my C-section on Friday and left the hospital on Sunday .

Not to say there wasn't discomfort afterwards but it was worth it and never did I feel like a failure for having a C-section.I had a big beautiful healthy baby and it didn't matter how I had her. I feel that I experienced labor I pushed I gave it my all but it just wasn't meant to be.I had a caring doctor who let me try until it was dangerous for us both,I had supportive nurses who stayed with me thought the process,I was in a hospital that cared that there was people who loved me in that operating room and helped speed my recovery so my baby and I could go home.They weren't there to hinder or scare me they were there to help.I am now pregnant with my second child and she is due anytime now, my doctor(the same one of course)is supportive of VBAC and once again I will give it my all but if I have a C-section that's OK I will not feel like a failure and no one should feel that way,the goal is to have a healthy baby!!!!My one suggestion is ask questions about your doctor,hospital where you plan to deliver,and the hospital staff these are the people who ultimately make you comfortable and help you to make your decisions.Make sure this is a caring network and environment to have your child.I hope this helps and comforts those who have had or will have c-section's, not all are horror stories. Missy
missy76@gte.net