A positive planned c section: Ernest’s birth story
My pregnancy was fairly straight forward. At 36 weeks a scan identified that my baby was breech. An unsuccessful ECV meant that I knew I would be having a c-section, which wasn’t what I planned, however the HPHB course taught me I could still have a personal experience with things like music in the room and delayed cord clamping.
3 days before my c-section scheduled date I woke up and thought my discharge was slightly pink. I did some yoga and then went to my pre-op assessment ahead of the section later that week. I later went to the park for a walk with a friend and around 4pm started getting pains in my back - she questioned me saying ‘it’s not contractions is it?’ but I just brushed it off as back pain.
The sensations continued and at 5.30pm my partner Rich made me call the labour ward they told me to monitor things. I went to the toilet and saw the mucus plug, so I called the hospital and was told to go straight in. Still convinced it was Braxton Hicks we ran round packing a bag and then drove to the hospital. At 7pm I was given a bed and hooked up to a machine to check the baby’s heartbeat and to monitor my contractions. At 9pm it was confirmed that I was definitely in labour and a vaginal examination stated I was 4cm dilated and at 10pm we were walking to theatre.
In theatre I had gas and air to help manage the contractions and we were talked through what would happen and asked our preferences. Rich did most of the talking at this point, as I focused on contractions. I had the epidural and whilst on the table and my waters broke. I had a lot of adrenaline running through me due to the shock of how things had unfolded. Rich kept encouraging me to focus on him rather than what was happening.
10.49pm Ernest Fox Lawlor-Rowe was born and at 11pm he was finally in my arms, which was amazing. At midnight we were in recovery room and I could finally relax with my baby boy.
The first time I saw Ernest it was amazing - I was so happy.
I would recommend the Happy Parents Happy Baby course - I thought it was a great and covered a lot. The course ensured you could make your birth personal, whatever happens.
Top Tips:
Really plan for the unexpected. I know we all have our birthing preferences, however they are very likely to change - these babies have other ideas!
Breastfeeding in the first two weeks is hard, but stick with it - it does get easier
