All children by C-section tribe )_( - Page 6

[marieandchris]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

Has anyone who planned a scheduled C-section from the begining convinced an OB to let them go to 41 weeks?

It was pretty clear for my 2nd breech baby that she was not going to turn, so I guess my c-section was planned...it was and it wasn't.I wanted to labor, and he was happy to not push me into any dates. He even suggested that I labor at home some, but when it began to get intense, I should come in (or if my water bag broke...) She was a 9 lb frank breech, and she wasn't going anywhere in any hurry! I had midwives who were going to try to turn her in labor (gently) with my chiropractor at my house... that was the plan.

My OB's only condition, and one that I was happy to abide by, was that I do a weekly AFI, which I did. At my 41 week AFI, my levels had dropped from 14% to less than 1%, so that, my friends, was the end of that. 41 weeks.

Marie

[marieandchris]

Originally Posted by Leilalu

I just had my second miscarriage in 5 months time Saturday

I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you.

Marie

[marieandchris]

subbing

[intorainbowz]

Leilalu,

I am so very sorry. I wish I had better words than those, but I don't.

I ache for you, remembering when we though I was miscarrying. It was awful. HUGS. I'm thinking positive thoughts toward you.

[Leilalu]

thanks guys

[ToothFairy]

All I know is that the "birth value" I will pass along to any of my children or grandchildren is that children are a beautiful and perfect gift to a mother. Gifts are not always sent to us in the manner we planned on, but the important part is that (in most cases) we get to keep the gift forever. I try to focus on forever.

No comment on what would possess a person to even ask such a question.

[coloradoalice]

BUMP!!!!!!

[3bees~1flower]

hey, mama's!

what a great idea for a tribe....i have not read all the posts yet, but will work my thru them.

i have 4 babies, all brought into this world via c-section. and you know what...i am just as proud as those mom's who deliver vaginally. there's nothing i wanted more in this world that to have babies....naturally...but you know what...God had different plans for me....and that's ok...i wanted vaginal births as strongly as any woman on this board, but to dwell on the fact that i never got to experience that would destroy me....i hope beyond hope that those of you who are having trouble accepting you surgical births will someday be able to be in a place in your heart that you can be proud that you gave birth to your babies in just as beautiful a way as those with vaginal births. the birth of our babies thru c-sections (emergency or scheduled) is just as beautiful, and you know why? because at the end of it all our gift was just as beautiful...our prescious, healthy, strong babies!!! and please don't let anyone tell you different!! we are all beautiful, empowered mamas....please don't let your birth process diminish that in you!

my c-section history started with ds1...double footling breach and 7 weeks preemie...severe pre-eclampsia...dr said i was done being pregnant....they tried an external version...wouldn't reccomend that to anyone...didn't work, hence section #1...ds1, 7wks early, 4lbs 8oz.

section #2....attempted vbac (induced)...great labor...was walking around at a 10 with nor urge to push whatsoever...that boy was huge!! 10lb 7oz...NOT coming outta this bod!! LOL! when i would push the only thing decending was his scalp...hence section #2.

section #3....scheduled....i was able to watch him be born....i HIGHLY reccomend this for any mamas that know they will be having a scheduled section. helps you feel more involved...ds#3...10lbs 3oz.

section #4...scheduled...again was able to watch...and what made this even more fun was we were blessed with a baby girl!! seeing that she was a girl rather than them just telling me was so awesome!! dd...9lbs 13oz.

where these huge babies came from, i have no idea...daddy was a big baby, 9lbs 5oz, but even dd was bigger than him!!

thanks for letting me add my feelings about c-sections and if what i had to say offended you, i appologize...totally not my intention.....

[Leilalu]

welcome!

[schwieb]

Hi. I'm new to the boards after doing a search for Caesarean help on google and one of the listings to pop up were these boards. My name is Amber. I'm married to Jason and our DS Payton was born via c-section 9 days past his EDD. At 41 weeks I had an stress test and then an u/s which showed that his fluid was low and he was big (they approximated about 9lbs). Under my OBs recommendation, I was told to head to the hospital to be induced the following evening. I had not done any research on inductions or c-sections, thinking that I'd follow what my mom and grandmother and every other female relative I've ever known had done before- just have a baby. I was enjoying the pregnancy- even going past due (minus the everyday calls/e-mails about- hey- aren't you supposed to have your baby by now?) and didn't feel the want/desire/need to have it over like a lot of women I know who go past their due date (or even just get close to it). I was merely following doctors recommendations like a good patient. I was 2 cm when the induction started- cervadil and IV started and constant monitoring and lying flat on my back. The next morning the cervadil was removed and the pitocin was started. After 2 hours on that drug, the doc came in and broke my water and it was not water, but heavy merconium. I was allowed to labor for another 2 hours when I was checked again and found I had dilated to 3 cm. The pitocin was doing the trick and I was having regular strong contractions about every minute. My DH prodded me to get a drug to take the edge off. I didn't want an epidural, but I did get one in my IV. The doc also decided then to put an internal monitor to more closely monitor the baby. So then again, no movement allowed by me, so I was still flat on my back. After 2 more hours I was checked again and I had not progressed. That's when the talk of a section started floating. I said no and labored for another hour. Then DS's heart rate started dipping every now and then, and the doc came back in after about half an hour and pushed the section on me again. He said that as hard and fast as the contractions were coming, I should be pushing. So after some heavy debate and lots of tears between hubby and my best friend who was there with us and I, I consented to the surgery. DS was born an hour later. And BTW- he was NOT the big baby the u/s predicted. He was born 7lbs 15 oz. 19 1/2 inches long.

His birth and my labor story is full of what-ifs- what if I had not consented to be induced? Would labor had started on it's own? Was the merconium caused by the myriad of drugs? What if I had been able to move around? Would I have progressed? If I had just had the epidural would labor have progressed? Did I stall because I was fighting the strong pitocin-augmented labor pains? Was I just not breathing well enough? After DS was born, I told DH that with the next child (we want 4 total- God willing) I wanted to try for a VBAC and at my 6 week follow-up apt after DAS was born, I was told that I could try, but that all the doctors in the practice might not be as receptive to the idea (namely the doc that was on call and performed my son's "birth")

I am now pregnant with baby #2, due in mid March. I found a new OB this go-round. One with 3 women and a midwife. I thought that would help in my battle for a VBAC. Well, after the first apt at 8 weeks, I have learned otherwise. The new OB is not even going to give me a chance at the VBAC I wanted. She told me within 10 minutes of meeting her that knowing my history of not going into labor on my own prior to 41 1/2 weeks and the merconium issue, that my chances of a sucessful VBAC were not good and that she'd just schedule a ERCS at 39 weeks. So, it looks like that'll be my fate, though I still want to try to fight for that perfect wedding as I've read it referred to here. We'll just have to wait and see where this road leads I guess. I've also read it here that I'm not just willing to jump up on the OR table and get my baby cut out of me.

So after all that, I guess I halfway belong here. I do believe that my section with my DS was necessary. For his health for sure. If things do turn sour with this baby and the delivery, then it will only take me one push of the section just to ensure their safety. Yes, a VBAC would be ideal, but I do also realize that I'd rather see my children healthy and happy then get worked up on how they make their entrance into the world.

[Debstmomy]

Does anyone have a good birth plan for a planned c-sec? Just curious. Thanks.

[coloradoalice]

There is a ceserean information sticky in Birth and Beyond, and I think it has birth plan stuff on it! My birth plan was actually just newborn care for the ceserean section. I also has a few specifics about my arms being free, getting to hold the baby, having the baby with me at all times, even in the operating room and recovery. Pretty basic stuff. It was all honored to a T as well, I was really glad!

[Silvercrest79]

Originally Posted by egoldber

Just wanted to introduce myself here. I have had 2 cesareans and am planning my third for November.

My first C-section my water broke at 37 weeks. My DD was not engaged in my pelvis at all and my cervix was totally unripe. The OB attempted induction which failed. I never effaced or dilated at all. The hospital and OB had a 24 hours with ruptured membrane policy = C-section, so thats what we did. At the C-section, the OB said that DD was asynclitic, so that certainly didn't help, but I think the biggest factor was the (unexplained) early membrane rupture.

With my second DD I was determined to VBAC and have a natural child birth, but I wanted the "safety" of a hospital birth. I switched OBs three times to find a truly supportive one. I went into spontaneous labor exactly on my due date and labored at home with my doulas until I went to the hospital at 5 cm dilated. I labored for an hour at the hospital and was then complete and started pushing. During the routine montoring, DD's heart rate dropped into the 60s and stayed there. I was rushed for an emergency C-section and she was born 15 minutes later. But it was too late. I had had a uterine rupture and placental abruption, and DD had irreversible, severe hypoxic brain injury. She died 9 days later.

I am now pregnant again. I have yet another OB (although I do still love my last one) and am also seeing a high risk specialist. Barring any further complications, I will be having a planned C-section at 37 weeks, after an amnio at 36 1/2 weeks to check for lung maturity.

I'll never have a vaginal birth, and at this point I couldn't care less. All I want is a live baby in my arms again.

Just read your post and looked at Leah. What a beautiful baby. I'm so sorry you also experienced a UR causing your daughter's HIE. I can't help but feel she was spared a very painful life. Most HIE cases have devastating long term effects (well as long as the child lives which usually isn't very long). My heart aches for you.

[Meeshi Mama]

I'm joing this tribe after having my second and last section just over two weeks ago. My failed VBAC story is in the Birth Stories forum, but I actually feel some peace about the last section and reasons why my cervix never dialtes past 2cm. I am thankful to have my healthy girls and not *too* bitter about the scar or procedure.

For those that know me as Miss Natural Mama, the fact that I have never, will never have a natural birth must seem like a huge disappointment. While I don't see it as my ideal, I am also just so thankful we didn't lose our Luna Blue during my attempted HBAC and that the hospital was there for me when we really needed them.

EYA~ In case it seems confusing, my oldest girlie is not my bio-daughter.

[Peppermint]

Just found this thread, haven't read yet, but wanted to sub. I am Patty, have had 3 c-sections and will be having my 4th in April.....

[Jessy1019]

Subbing too.

My daughter was born by c-section after 20 hours of labor and three hours pushing. She just wasn't moving.

When my son came along, I was willing to have another c-section (I recovered very quickly and didn't feel terrible about my first experience) but I was entirely opposed to scheduling. Fortunately, I stood my ground and so got to experience labor again and know that he was being born on his own timetable, not the doctor's. It was actually a very positive experience . . . I regret not being able to birth naturally, but I recovered quickly again and had him with me save for a few minutes after birth when I was wheeled into recovery (but they brought him to me there, and he was nursing within the first 30 minutes or so).

I wish things had been different, but I am thankful that my c-section experiences were nothing like the horror stories I've heard and believe to be more the norm.

[Jessy1019]

Originally Posted by coloradoalice

There is a ceserean information sticky in Birth and Beyond, and I think it has birth plan stuff on it! My birth plan was actually just newborn care for the ceserean section. I also has a few specifics about my arms being free, getting to hold the baby, having the baby with me at all times, even in the operating room and recovery. Pretty basic stuff. It was all honored to a T as well, I was really glad!

Me too. My plans were taken very seriously with my 2nd birth, and I was very pleased with the whole experience.

Sadly, my friend who birthed at the same hospital just last week had a terrible experience and now I would be hesitant to recommend them to anyone.

[ToothFairy]

I am just loving this thread. It helps give me an even more positive outlook on my upcoming 3rd CS.

I have a question though about those of you who choose to have the curtain lowered for your births....
This seems like a really cool possibility that I have never considered before now....so I have to ask, is it scary being able to see everything, or can you just pretty much see baby coming out and forget about everything else going on? I feel like a pretty strong person and think that I would like to ask for my curtain to be lowered this time, but I'm worried that things might make me a little woozy. I'm not really the woozy type, but you never know until you're there sometimes. Any input?
Thanks so much!! And thanks for asking about planned CS birth plans, those threads mentioned really help too!!

[marieandchris]

Originally Posted by egoldber

Just wanted to introduce myself here. I have had 2 cesareans and am planning my third for November.

My first C-section my water broke at 37 weeks. My DD was not engaged in my pelvis at all and my cervix was totally unripe. The OB attempted induction which failed. I never effaced or dilated at all. The hospital and OB had a 24 hours with ruptured membrane policy = C-section, so thats what we did. At the C-section, the OB said that DD was asynclitic, so that certainly didn't help, but I think the biggest factor was the (unexplained) early membrane rupture.

With my second DD I was determined to VBAC and have a natural child birth, but I wanted the "safety" of a hospital birth. I switched OBs three times to find a truly supportive one. I went into spontaneous labor exactly on my due date and labored at home with my doulas until I went to the hospital at 5 cm dilated. I labored for an hour at the hospital and was then complete and started pushing. During the routine montoring, DD's heart rate dropped into the 60s and stayed there. I was rushed for an emergency C-section and she was born 15 minutes later. But it was too late. I had had a uterine rupture and placental abruption, and DD had irreversible, severe hypoxic brain injury. She died 9 days later.

I am now pregnant again. I have yet another OB (although I do still love my last one) and am also seeing a high risk specialist. Barring any further complications, I will be having a planned C-section at 37 weeks, after an amnio at 36 1/2 weeks to check for lung maturity.

I'll never have a vaginal birth, and at this point I couldn't care less. All I want is a live baby in my arms again.

I too looked at your pictures of your sweet little angel. My heart goes out to your whole family and to you, and I hope you will post again when you have your new baby in your arms.

Marie

[RosesArePurple]

Wow! Great tribe idea.

I may fit here. DS1 was C-section due to "fetal distress". At 41 weeks I went in for a NST. He was deceling on contractions that I couldn't even feel. I was 1 cm. I was sent to the hospital for a stress test.

They actually tried another NST and the L&D nurse looked at the monitor and told me I was in for a c-section. My OB was very much into trying to get labor going, tried pitocin after putting in an epidural. My son never dropped and engaged after a few hours. So off we went to the OR. My OB at the time said it's possible he didn't drop because of pelvis size. I don't know that I believe that, though.

I thought I was fine with this, I figured it was called for as he wound up in NICU for various reasons. I had a very easy pregnancy.

I'm now three weeks away from my due date for DS2. This pregnancy had been fine too until I was tested for GD. Then I saw my "allowed overage" to be 41 weeks before induction. What makes it bad, is the OB my midwives sent me to see, says that since I've had a c-section, she doesn't want to induce because of the increased risk of uterine rupture and because I'm 4'7" she doesn't feel I could birth a "large" baby. After my U/S (week 36) to check for size and fluid levels, she informed me that at the estimated fetal size of 7.5 pounds (ds1 was 6 lbs 11oz at 41 weeks) she wants me to schedule a C/S at 39 weeks if I don't go naturally before 38 weeks, because even though she would never say I can't birth a baby, if the baby gets much bigger my odds are slim.

So I'm in a quandary of what to do. I'm *not* looking for advice here as that's not the point of this tribe. I'll post in the birth forum for that kind of thing. I'm just being wordy while I work through things in my head.

Here's the thing, I thought I was ok with the C/S I had, but on talking with my midwives about all this, I started to cry. She told me I needed to look into what is bothering me about the first one. Since I thought I was ok with it up until now, I'm conflicted. Part of me thinks it might have been necessary, part of me thinks if I never have a vaginal birth, I'll be ok. Another part of me says that's not true. I'll feel like I missed out on a potentially empowering event.

I guess that's all. Like I said I may fit in here. I obviously have issues with my first C/S and in a month, I'll know if all my pregnancies end in C/S. My husband and I are stopping with this one. That decision was made before we even got married!