Labor and the C-Section

      

 

Birth – I could talk about it all day. How you went into labor, your birth story and your whole experience. There are always similarities and differences in these conversations. I have had two babies and two unplanned c-sections; however, I am not disappointed.

After learning about natural and alternative birthing methods over the past ten years, I was so excited to experience it in 2014 with my first baby. My friend, who knew a lot more than I did, and I had regular discussions about labor. Coincidentally, she was also pregnant at the time. I had a doula, went to a birthing class, wrote a birth plan, researched everything from hep-locks to vernix and even made a “labor playlist” on my phone. I planned to do skin-to-skin and nurse immediately. Following my first unplanned c-section, I decided to go for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I visited a chiropractor to help with pelvic alignment. But the second labor ended the same way.

A birth plan is just that – a plan. But not necessarily how things will actually go. And I’m okay with how it turned out ..twice. 

For many reasons, I felt like I got the best of both worlds and that I didn’t really miss out on too much.

1. I went into labor with both babies, experiencing the gradual intensity of contractions and the utilization of different pain management techniques. Both times were very different.

2. The first time I was able to walk the halls to get things moving and try multiple laboring positions for 13 hours, until I chose to get an epidural.

3. The second time I labored in the tub for a while. Then later, I pushed for what seemed like hours. He was right there (but more like stuck right there).

4. After both c-sections, I was able to hold my babies on my chest and nurse right away. The team there was very accommodating to my requests, for which I was so grateful. 

I had prepared as much as possible for what I thought would happen and even had a great team assisting me both times. Although both my labors ended in c-sections for which I hadn’t originally planned, I am thankful for the *very long* laboring I was able to experience beforehand. I cherish the labor photos I have from those hours and even have a few framed on our bedroom wall. Those photos are a perfect example of how different labors can be and that each one should be celebrated!

Jenny
Jenny is originally from Kenner, LA, and considers herself a New Orleans girl at heart. She moved to Pineville in 2004 to attend college where she met her funny and always entertaining husband Brandon. Together they relocated to Baton Rouge almost 10 years ago and married in 2008. They added their joyful daughter Salem to the crew in April 2014, blue-eyed son Declan in July 2015, and baby Liesel in 2019 and now live in Zachary. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication/Journalism from LSU and has previously done some freelance writing. She now works full-time for the State of Louisiana. She and her family enjoy spending time together, making each other laugh and being a part of their church community. She loves wandering around Target, drinking coffee, watching HGTV, having people over and making any kind of craft.

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