To My C-Section Mommas

In case you didn't know, April Cesarean Awareness Month!  I didn't know until yesterday, so don't feel out of the loop if you didn't know either.  I thought I would take this opportunity to cheers to you, a C-Section Momma!

A C-Section usually is never a part of your birth plan, unless you've had a previous one and are scheduled one for your next birth.  For me, I allowed a C-Section to tag a long on my birth plan.  It wasn't my choice by any means, but I knew that my petite frame might cause problems for my very healthy babe growing in my belly.  So my plan?  A natural birth, with an epidural, BUT whatever options needed to get my baby out safely.  After 15.5 hours of labor in the hospital (I labored 24 hours at home) my epidural was not working on my left side, which is where I later found out my baby's head had been lodged.  Not only was her head stuck in my left hip, she had completely flipped sunny side up when I reached 9cm completely stalling all my natural progress.  I stayed at 9cm for what seemed like forever.  I was given 30 minutes to try to progress that last centimeter before they had to take her in fear of infection.  My water had broken hours before, so we were running against the clock.  My 30 minute timer expired and I burst into tears.  I couldn't labor anymore and I felt defeated, exhausted, and scared.  The next few minutes were the scariest of my life.  Everything happens so fast and my husband wasn't allowed to see me until I was strapped to the table.  All I really remember is a lot of shaking, a lot of crying, and a tiny, screaming head popping over the curtain before I threw up all over my nurses and operating room.  I was then quarantined to recovery for over an hour before being reunited with my husband, daughter, and Mothers.

Sometime later, my Doctor came to check on me and said that despite all my natural efforts, I would've never gotten Mykenzi out myself.  My 5 foot, 95lb (pre-pregnancy) frame was just not enough space for my 7lb, 20 1/4 inch babe to comfortably fit into the birth canal.  It's taken it's toll on me, emotionally and physically.  I'm still very much recovering, even 8 months later.  My heart is heavy knowing that I'll never know a natural birth, while at the same time so happy that I have a healthy baby girl that made into this world safely with no complications.

A friend sent me this article and I couldn't wait to share it with you all.  It's a reminder that I think all C-Section Mommas need!  Whenever you're flooded with negative feelings about your C-Section, remember you are brave, you are strong, and you are very much a Mom.

Give this a read, you won't be disappointed. (Click picture to be transferred to article.)

via Cord Mama