BREECH CAESAREAN BIRTH STORY

Congratulations Bridget & Reagan on the birth of beautiful Romy, I couldn’t be happier for you both

From the start of my pregnancy, I did everything I could to mentally and physically to prepare my body for a physiological, natural birth. From completing the Calmbirth course, pregnancy physiotherapy, pilates, positive affirmations and visualisation and hiring doula support, I felt like I was all over it. I was lucky enough to have a completely “low risk” pregnancy, so I felt excited and so ready to have my dream birth, I envisioned the classic drug-free, spontaneous labour, dimly lit, fairy lights, essential oils being diffused, meditations playing over a speaker, water birth, with my husband, mum, and doula there supporting me.

A c section birth was not even in my realm of possibilities, so at the very end of my pregnancy when it was picked up that my baby was in a frank breech position, I seriously thought my world was crashing down. We did everything we could to try and flip her into a head down position but at that point in the pregnancy she had most likely been like that for weeks and was well and truly comfy, so we were unsuccessful in changing her position.

I’m the type of person that doesn’t even like to take a Panadol so the thought of how I might feel on the medications used during a c section scared me, I was worried I would have the shakes, be nauseous and just not be mentally present for my baby’s birth. I was worried about the connection with my baby and if we would be able to do enough skin to skin after the birth like I wanted after a natural birth. I was worried about breast-feeding; would my body know to start producing enough milk if it hadn’t gone through the full labour and birth process?

After speaking to my providers, they told me the Obstetricians available were not confident in natural breech birth and they strongly recommend a c section birth. I consulted with some trusted women in my life, my mum, my doula.

My husband and I discussed further, and I prayed, a lot. Ultimately, I came to the decision that a c section birth would be me and my baby’s best option. I felt a change in me, and I got excited, and felt confident and so happy with that decision. I was ready for this and any challenges I may face.

Walking into the operating room was such a surreal feeling. A little strange that I just waltzed on in and jumped up on the bed, due to the fact we knew in advance my baby was breach it was not an emergency and I wasn’t in active labour. Before coming into the OR and while in there I had multiple staff tell me exactly what was going to happen and if I had any questions, concerns, or special requests. I felt so informed and supported by the staff. I also got to pick what music I would like to play; Luke Combs was my request.

I was sitting up on the bed ready for my spinal while my husband was waiting outside the OR. This was the first time in the day he wasn’t by my side and the first time I started to feel overwhelmed and a bit scared, I felt myself on the verge of tears. I said a prayer and remembered the breathing techniques I had learnt in my Calmbirth course. I was able to bring myself back and feel grounded and confident again. I was so excited to meet my baby.

They laid me down and my husband came to be by my side. They started the procedure at 10am. It was way more intense than I had expected, I knew you would feel pulling and tugging etc, but it seriously felt like my belly was a dishwasher, but no pain. I could feel myself once again feeling overwhelmed, but my husband helped me to keep my mind away from everything I was physically feeling and focus on the fact we would be meeting our baby so soon!

At 10:07am they pulled down the drape and showed us our baby! “Better together” by Luke Combs was playing, I turned to my husband and said, “oh my goodness she’s so cute!”. Bub was doing well so they were able to do a minute of delayed cord clamping then took her over to the paediatrician table to check her out. My husband followed them over and for myself they pulled across a screen that showed her there, so I could see exactly what they were doing and felt included while I was laying there on the table.

After that they bought her straight to me and I was able to have skin to skin while I was being stitched up. The midwife even assisted me to attempt breast feeding as my baby was showing signs of wanting to latch.

We were taken to recovery, and I couldn’t wipe the smile of my face, I didn’t have the shakes, I wasn’t nauseous, and I was on the biggest high. So many of my fears had gone out the window and I couldn’t believe I was holding this perfect little baby, and everything had gone so smoothly. Once we were back in the maternity ward I had over 2 hours of uninterrupted skin to skin, I was literally in heaven, and I only stopped so my husband could finally have a hold!

My doula and mum visited, and I couldn’t stop gushing about how amazing my experience was. My mum helped me have my first shower that night and she sympathetically asked me how I was feeling, knowing how I previously felt about it. I told her it was seriously the best experience of my life, and I wouldn’t change it if I could!

I’m 3 months postpartum now and I couldn’t feel more connected to my sweet girl and our breastfeeding journey is going strong. I was lucky enough to have a smooth recovery and fully took advantage of the fact I needed to recover from a major abdominal surgery by staying at home those first few weeks, limiting visitors, and just slowing down for the first time in my life and enjoying the newborn bubble.

What initially was my worst case scenario birth turned into the most amazing birth experience. I felt educated, empowered, and supported and wouldn’t change my experience if I could!

#calmbirth #breechbaby #caesarean #positivebirth