“…if anything happens, just save the baby!”
I briefly mentioned in my last blog that things took an interesting turn during my labor and the room had to be cleared out of necessity. Well, that’s because after many hours of Pitocin induced labor, my beautiful baby girl was now showing signs of extreme fetal distress. If you’ve never witnessed an emergency C-section, I mean a true emergency C-section, it is a sight to see! Within minutes, my delivery room was filled with what felt like the entire hospital staff and I was whisked away to the OR to get my little precious one out! I distinctly remember turning to my husband and whispering, “No matter what, if anything happens, just save the baby!” How did we get here? Let’s start from the beginning.
“I don’t really need a child birth education class do I?”
In short, yes; you do need a child birth education class! I was a bit arrogant and nonchalant about the whole birth process. While I took great care to research a lot about pregnancy, what to eat, what not to eat, how to keep myself and my baby healthy, I really didn’t think too much about the actual birth process. I mean, women have given birth for centuries right? How hard could it be? Well, the fact of the matter is that the more prepared you are to experience birth in all its physiologic glory, the better birth experience you will have! Even if things don’t go as planned, you will understand the process and the options available to you. When you don’t know the options, you have none.
“You’re full term. If you’re that uncomfortable, we can go ahead and induce you.”
I fell for that one hook, line and sinker! I was tiny and my belly was huge, my back was hurting, my feet were swollen and I felt like I was in my ninth year rather than my ninth month! I had no clue that these were not very valid reasons to induce a baby (see lack of child birth education class above). I trusted my doctor implicitly so I didn’t give it another thought when he said, “Well, you’re full term. If you’re that uncomfortable, we can go ahead and induce you.” He would never recommend something that could possibly be detrimental to me or my baby, would he? I also had no idea that there should have been a totally different name for the contractions I would feel on a Pitocin drip for 12 hours with no pain meds. Well, you live and you learn, but a little due diligence goes a long way! Take the time to do a little research about the pros and cons of any suggested procedure. There is nothing more empowering than knowing you made the best decision for you based on all the facts available rather than the bits and pieces of information given on a whim.
“…research, research, research!”
Fast forward to the future and this day is still a topic of conversation in our house from time to time for multiple reasons. My husband and I tend to disagree about whether that C-section was truly necessary because in his eyes, he saw the events unfold and it was absolutely necessary for the safety of his wife and child. While I agree the procedure was necessary, it likely would not have been if certain actions and inactions had not set the ball in motion. Take the time to invest in your birth! Get the educational support you need, get a good doula or labor support person, pick a provider who is truly aligned with your wishes and research, research, research!
Want more information? Find out how A Beautiful Creation Doula can support you in your birth! Visit my website at www.abeautifulcreationdoula.com
Jennifer Rivera Atlanta Doula 