Yes....I'm having a scheduled c-section for those who don't know. Some people give me odd looks when it comes up or automatically ask why, while others try to be polite and not say a word.
Let me first say this. I'm not having a scheduled c-section by choice. If I had my way, I would go for it--all natural, well, almost--hello epidural! ;) LOL! But, I would do the vaginal birth if I could. When Chris and I went on a tour of the hospital where we will have our baby, I was so envious of all the women who are able to have their baby in their rooms. That won't be me though.
On Friday, Sept 13, 1996, when I was just 5 1/2 weeks shy of my 25th birthday, I was in a major fall (I won't get into what caused the fall, etc., now). The fall affected my life in many ways for a variety of reasons, but the most apparent one was my physical condition. I was teetering on the edge of life and death. I can honestly say that my life is a miracle from God and the angels who saved me on that day. However, while I survived, it wasn't without physical consequence. I broke 6 ribs (one punctured a lung causing the other lung to collapse), broke my upper left arm, caused internal damage, had a slight skull fracture, shattered my right hip and broke my pelvis in 4 places.
Needless to say, I spent a long time in the hospital. Soon after the surgery repairing my hip and pelvis, I developed what is called compartment syndrome in my right leg under my knee. Basically, what that means is that a limb starts blowing up like a balloon. If it isn't taken care of quickly, one can lose the limb or worse. The doctors had to relieve the pressure and did so by performing something called a fasciotomy (basically, they made a large cut in my right calf and 3 smaller ones in my right foot). They were able to save my leg, but...the swelling killed 40% of the muscle which had to be removed and damaged/killed many nerves in my leg. So, to this day, I have something called drop foot (I literally cannot lift my foot with my ankle). Ever since that day, my balance has not always been the greatest.
One year after this, on Sept 11, 1997, I had a total hip replacement for my right hip and spent even more time recovering.
One of the concerns my sister and mom addressed while I was in the hospital was if I would be able to still have children. The doctors said yes. However, they said I would require a c-section due to my broken pelvis. My pelvis will not expand as it needs to during birth. So...I will have a scheduled c-section. Also, in my research, even if my pelvis hadn't been injured, due to my hip replacement I would have chosen to have a c-section because many women end up having to replace their hips again within a year of giving birth.
I'm just so thankful to God that my injuries, my fall, will not prevent me from becoming a mom. I am willing to go through whatever I need to in order to have this baby. The good news, for me I suppose, is that my cousin, a Labor & Delivery nurse, thinks that a c-section will be a piece of cake for me because it will be nothing compared to any of my past surgeries. I hope she is right! :-)
In April 1998 I was hit by a car while on a bicycle. My pelvis was crushed and separated along with a compound fracture to my left femur and a few other injuries. My biggest fear was not being able to carry/birth children. I was extremely lucky to have two option to fix my pelvis one of which allowed me to deliver my child first naturally. I will soon also require a hip replacement but again I'm lucky enough to have the ability to attempt a VBAC with this, my third and last child. My c section wasn't a great experience for me but it was an emergency so I'm sure any kind of prep time would have helped. The only piece of advice I'll offer is to walk as soon and often as possible but listen to your body, I had to go back and forth to the NICU and didn't listen to my body and pushed myself way to far. I hope your section goes a smoothly as possible!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erica!
ReplyDeletePart of the reason giving birth vaginally is not an option due to my pelvis is I still have metal inside me "holding" it all together. The metal is no longer necessary, but too hard to take out.
I appreciate the advice and plan on taking it.
Wow, I just first have to say congrats on surviving the fall and that for the most part, your in good health. I had a scheduled c section, again not by choice either, my baby was breech. It was kind of a relief for me though because I knew when it was going to happen and while other women were pushing and in labor for hours after hours, I had my baby in my arms and was nursing within an hour. It's not as bad as others say. I kinda liked it lol. There are positive things about it :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it, it's still an amazing experience. Good luck!