12 October 2009

C-Section Scheduled

I have officially scheduled the birth of my baby girl. It is strange to say that, but also nice to know when it will happen and to plan for it (and count down the days, hours, minutes...). Of course, things don't always go as planned, but I am scheduled 5 days before my official due date, so I doubt very much that I will go into labor ahead of time.

So, we are scheduled for November 3rd at 7:30am! That also happens to be my birthday, so Happy Birthday to me! I had a choice between the 3rd and the 4th and figured, why not have the same birthdays? If they are one day apart, we would still celebrate at the same time anyway, so I might as well bless (curse) my daughter with my birthday. I think it's kind of cool. I hope she doesn't mind!

Coming to the decision about doing a c-section was a little harder than picking the due date. I considered doing a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). However, there are some risks involved and my doctors thought that I had a low chance of it actually happening that way because of how it went last time. I never dilated past 8cm. They don't know if that is because the cord was around Maddie's neck, or if I just don't have room for a baby to come through my pelvis, or a combination of factors. My doctor said he is an aggressive vbac-er and still was leaning towards the c-section. If I go with the c-section, the risks to the baby are minimal and are higher for me. If I go with a vbac, the risks to the baby are higher. I don't want to risk anything with the baby so feel more comfortable with the c-section. Also, last time, we went through an entire night of Maddie having heart decelerations and my blood pressure dropping very low, and I definitely do not want to go through that again. If I did go the vbac route, I can't be induced. Which means no pitocin and I would have to progress through labor naturally which could take a long time, then end up with a c-section anyway. I don't want to be utterly exhausted when I finally have this baby. I was so tired and worn out by the time Maddox was born, I could barely keep my eyes open in recovery to hold him the first time and breastfeed him, it was not fun. I also feel that I don't remember as much as I wish I did. I am hoping I will be much more alert and involved this time and will have the strength to recover more quickly.

Getting a c-section is major surgery and not much like giving birth the old fashioned way. But, I am determined to make it as wonderful an experience and closer to the regular way as I can. I have asked the doctor to make sure that I get some time with my baby after she is born. Last time, I only saw him for a few minutes and they sent Rudy to recovery. I want to spend the whole time in there with Rudy and my baby, not alone! I also want to see her right as she is being born. So, they will let me watch the c-section - as much as I want! Yikes! My doc said he has put up a mirror before to allow the mom to see it all. I don't think I want to do THAT, but I am going to have them lower the curtain so I can see more of what is going on. I want to see them pulling the baby out and watch her cry for the first time, etc. I missed it all last time, I only heard. I probably won't be able to watch the entire surgery or anything, although Rudy did watch the whole thing last time, ick! I am a little squeamish when it comes to myself and blood and all that, but I think I can handle a little bit of it to see my baby! We'll see how I feel that day I suppose.

I am in the home stretch, but am full on miserable. My back hurts every day now and the nerve pain in the front is back. It is exacerbated by the baby liking to hang out on the right side with her feet up in my ribs right where the nerve pain is. I am sore all over and some days can't walk too good. I also have heartburn which I didn't have last time. But, I am taking it one day at a time. Only 21 more days, 3 weeks of work, 3 more weekends to get ready, won't be long now. I can't wait!


3 comments:

George said...

Exciting news...congrats on scheduling the c-section...it's just around the corner now!

Unknown said...

I have followed your blog for awhile...not sure how I ever found you but wanted to tell you my baby was born on my birthday too. Actually, it is my mom's birthday too! I was being induced and had a choice of the 4th or 5th of March. I picked the 4th and was ready to see if he made it on our special day. He did at 10:20 pm! Anyways, congrats on the baby and Happy Birthday!

Katrina said...

Hey Cristen! That is amazing that you, your mom and your son have the same birthday! Thanks for your kind words and reading my blog!