These birth stories, in honor of Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM), come from Deena Blumenfeld. To have your birth story posted on this blog, email it to: blog@ican-online.org
Owen’s birth story: My c-section (click to read the full story):
“5:08 am – Owen was born. He started crying with only his head out. His apgar scores were 9 and 9. Big and healthy. I only got to see him very briefly. I sent Dan with him to the nursery. While they were stitching me up, both the MW and the OB told me that if I have another baby, and I don’t go early, they are scheduling me for a c-section. I think that’s best.
Hmmm… So, that last paragraph stuck out to me. Wow, even my Midwife told me to expect a second c-section. I didn’t remember that till I read it. I didn’t realize they didn’t have faith in me. Makes me a bit sad, actually. Good thing I knew better by the time I got pregnant with Elaine!”
Elaine’s birth story: My VBAC (click to read the full story):
“My mantra – “OPEN, DOWN, OUT”… um, but of course I swore… a lot. Can’t help that. I yelled during pushing. I know, I know, “low tones”… *sigh* My bully nurse got in my face and basically told me to can it. Strangely enough, it was exactly what I needed.
Lori, my midwife then offered me an epidural and a chance to rest OR to take 15 minutes and push my baby out. I honestly thought, for a whole minute, that an epi might be a good idea. Then my determination set in and I decided to push. I had to get over my control issues. Had to release into it. Surrender. Once I did that, I could push. Felt like the biggest poop ever. Her head and hand came out. I needed to get the rest of her out. Head felt big, body lumpy. She cried right away.”
