Georgia & Baby Kai
I had an elective C-section because I got scared by the obstetricians (OBs) at the hospital when I was 31 weeks pregnant. They mentioned shoulder dystocia and told me worst outcome is death.. then took my blood pressure and I was monitored for the day.
Because I have a high Body Mass Index (BMI), gestational diabetes (GD) & Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) etc essentially I got scared into a C-section. I don’t regret it though, I do get a bit nervous that when I tell people I had an elective C-section that they think I’m weak because I didn’t push Kai out. But my birth itself was some how calming?? Even with the OR lights.
I think for me the most empowering moment of my birth is that the entire medical team that assisted/operated on me were females - I love that so much. I had the best assistant anaesthesia person, if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have some of the most amazing photos of my birth - she even videoed Kai being taken out for me. At first I didn’t ever want to see it but now it’s one of my favourite videos (fun fact, Kai peed as soon as he came out so we didn’t have to worry that he couldn’t pee).
Once the epidural was in, it worked the first time and I was so scared for the needle but turns out the IV hurt more than the actual big spinal block. I remember telling the nurse that I was so scared and she just helped me get my fears out of my mind by talking about greys anatomy (haha) and I remember asking if they started yet and turns out they were seconds away from my baby coming out. They showed me Kai, then I remember first thing I said was “he’s a Kai”. We did skin to skin for ages and I didn’t let anyone hold him after the midwife made sure he’s ok (selfish I know but I grew him for months I can be selfish) then I made Simon (husband) go everywhere with Kai, he was not to let Kai go out of his sight since I still had to be cleaned up and moved from the operating table. I was only expecting to be in recovery for maybe a few hours. Since I had GD I was the first elective C-section that morning and you’re only in recovery for an hour or so before being moved to maternity. Kai was born at 8.30am and in recovery by 9.40an at the latest I think.. and I stayed in recovery with my little family until 3.30pm.
They kept me in because they couldn’t stop my bleeding and a vessel was nicked during the C-section. I remember starting to panic thinking I was going to die - I was extremely scared to give birth since my mum was close to death when she gave birth to my sister (she has a postpartum bleed and had to be rushed to emergency surgery), so got a bit of background fear for birth. My mum spent weeks prior to my birth calming me down and helping me get those scary thoughts out of my head which I’m so thankful for. When the midwife came back to me to check my bleeding, do the massages, give me meds etc I asked her do I have to worry and she told me no and I asked if we even get close to that stage could she please let me know and she promised she would. Thankfully we didn’t even get close - she brought the OB in and they gave me this other medication and that stopped the bleeding.