These birth stories, in honor of Cesarean Awareness Month (CAM), come from Ami Smith. Ami says, “In honor of Cesarean Awareness Month, and given that I’m 21 weeks pregnant and planning a vba2c this time around, I did a series of posts on my blog covering my previous deliveries and what has led me to want the vba2c this time. Just thought I’d share…” To have your birth story posted on this blog, email it to: blog@ican-online.org
Ami’s first cesarean (Click to read full story): “I went to the hospital early on the morning of the 15th, checked in, signed a slew of papers (none of which was really fully explained to me), got hooked up to monitors, and then the pitocin started. My blood pressure was 165/100 when it started… I was insanely nervous and overwhelmed at all of the monitors and such. And, I remember thinking, “They said in our class that we’d be able to walk while in labor… how can I do that while hooked up to all of these machines and the IV and stuff?” Obviously, I was limited in movement. And frustrated because the contractions were right on top of one another with very little relief in between and I couldn’t get comfortable in any position.”
Ami’s second cesarean (Click to read full story): “I wanted a vbac, but I did nothing to prepare myself for that. I didn’t take any classes, seek support from other women who’d had one, or read the research; I did nothing. All that I had done was mention to my doctor that I was interested, and even that was only once or twice early on in pregnancy.
At the follow-up with my doctor after the scan confirming Scotch’s position, my doctor confirmed my suspicion that because of her position, my only option would be a repeat c-section. He said nothing to indicate that there was any possibility of her changing positions, nor did he suggest anything that might have helped her to change positions. So, again, not really knowing better, I went along with it and scheduled the section for January 15, 2009. Again, one week prior to my due date.”
