To cut or not to cut...that is the question.

Ever since I had a c-section with Emelie, I've been absolutely obsessed with the birthing process. I vowed that I would have a VBAC (vaginal birth after a cesarean) with any subsequent pregnancy. To top things off, I wanted an intervention free, drug free birth. AND on top of that, I really didn't want to go to the hospital to have a baby.  I was afraid that my desire to have a normal birth would be overshadowed by a doctors need to do things the medical way.

So when I found out that I was pregnant again a couple years later, I dragged my feet getting an appointment at a new clinic with a higher rater for VBACs. I dragged my feet getting on my blood thinners for my blood clotting disorder. I educated myself with everything I could. I read everything I could get my hands on about how to have a drug free, intervention free birth. I was absolutely obsessed with all things VBAC.

I was seeing a doctor, actually 3-4 different doctors. And they all agreed there should be no reason to have another c-section, but some of them wanted to use pitocin, which was one of the reasons (I think) that caused my first birth to end in the OR due to fetal distress. I wanted drug free, intervention free. I didn't really even want to be talking to doctors! I wanted to deliver at home. So at 37 weeks, I officially changed from seeing doctors to going to the midwives at the same clinic.

During my first pregnancy, due to the blood thinners, I was constantly being monitored. They took blood all the time, during the last month I had NSTs twice a week and I had probably 5-6 (maybe more?) ultrasounds during the whole pregnancy. I thought I was overly monitored, and racking up a hefty bill at the doctors office! But at this new clinic, they only tested my blood once or twice, they gave me one ultrasound, and I didn't have even one NST. During this pregnancy, I loved that they weren't bugging me all the time! I felt like I was on a good route to get my natural birth that I wanted....

But as things turned out, I should have been bugging the doctors about how the baby looked or sounded in my belly, instead of all the focus being on how she would come out. It didn't even come across my mind that my baby would be born so sick and die with in days of being born. My focus was on myself and my own goals of having a normal birth. Of course I wanted a healthy baby, more than anything. But in hind sight, I spent more time thinking about getting her out vaginally, than just getting her out.

At the time of birth, with how fast she came out, she ripped my inner labia out, so it was hanging out of me (ewww, gross I know!). I was bleeding really bad. Had I been at home having a nice little water birth like I wanted- we both would have died right then and there. I would have bled to death with out a surgeon coming in quickly to sew me up (with took 2 hours). My baby was whisked away before we could even cut her cord, and I only got a quick look at her while they cut the cord. She would have died right then and there if we would have been at home.

So when it comes down to c-sections now, I am seeing them as a life saver. Are there a lot unnecessary cesareans performed, OH YEAH!  But I went home a few days after my c-section with a healthy baby. I went home after my VBAC empty handed to a house full of newborn baby clothes and a carefully placed bassinet. One reason I really wanted a VBAC was cause I wanted to breast feed. I was unsuccessful with Emelie, due to pain at the incision site and my milk never really coming in. After my VBAC, I had a major milk supply- just no baby to feed.

During my pregnancy, I read a lot about VBAC awareness/anti-Cesarean awareness from different blogs, journals, and support group sites. While many of them have good information about VBAC preparation, they won't tell you (well they would never say it straight out) that c-sections can and do save lives. IN a perfect world, every mother would have a perfect birth and a perfect, healthy baby- but that's not how things are! Things can go wrong really fast, and if you're not with people who are prepared to deal with scary situations, you could be putting yourself and your baby at risk.

After re-reading everything I've already written, I might sound like I'm promoting c-section deliveries for everyone. That is not the case. I'm more wanting people to be aware that we can't always control everything that happens during child birth. Things can happen so quickly. Its important to have a doctor or midwife you really trust to do what is in your and, even more importantly, your baby's best interest.

Do I regret going for a VBAC- no. There was nothing that could have been done to prevent Oliveah's passing. It was an incredible feeling pushing her out, drug free, intervention free, sitting on a birthing stool. I will forever remember the feeling of release as she was born. Will I go for another VBAC with any next pregnancy- I'm not sure. Part of me wants to have a planned c-section next time. I'll definitely be going some place where they are overly watching my baby. I'll take them up on every type of tests they offer and I'll be an annoying patient!

Eight Months....

It's been 8 whole months since our beautiful angel baby was born. Not a day passes that she isn't still the first thing in my mind, but I have learned to not let my thoughts linger on the fact that she's not with us. Last month was Infant Loss Remembrance month. It was a long month. But we made it though. I can honestly say that my heart is starting to heal. I'm starting to get on with my life, but there is still no shortage of shed tears. I still have no answers to the "why" questions. There is still fear that any future pregnancy could end the same way.
Recently a very close friend suffered an ectopic pregnancy. It was a definite reminder of how blessed I am. We were talking about how going through this tough stuff makes us realize how blessed we truly are to have the children we have. We hug them a little closer and give extra kisses to our children. I try to spend extra time each day playing with Emelie and reading to her. I spend a little more time fixing healthy meals for her, so she grows strong and healthy.
After 8 months, I've come to be truly grateful of who I have in my life. BUT I still don't like hearing people trying to empathize with me, like they've been in my shoes (unless you did lose a child... then go ahead!!!! Spread your wealth of understanding and knowledge!). I can't stand the super cheery people who try to make you see the brighter side of things. And losing your sister is not the same as losing your child! Its a completely different thing (although I do believe it would be harder in someways- like the loss of a companion, or wanting to tell your best friend something but remembering they aren't there anymore). Its hard going to events where people I know and love are at, because the topic of the death of my child comes up, and sometimes when I start talking about her- I can't stop! Then I feel like I've totally taken over a conversation with a pretty gloomy topic!

But I do feel I am at a better spot today, at 8 months, then I was a few months ago. Life is a little brighter. I try to not think of the what-could-have-beens, and thinking about the what will be's. The upcoming holidays will be wonderful. I will embrace my family and be thankful for what I have!