OPINION - My Wonderful Awesome C-Section And Vaginal Deliveries

                                                      Facebook/Helen Carmina Photography

I had healthy and beautiful pregnancies with zero complications. My nine months looked like six...they told me I carried well. 

My first born child was expected on January 20th. Lo and behold, from very late Tuesday 19th January evening and all through the night, I was in and out of the restroom emptying my bowels beyond my control. I was in deep discomfort but incredibly there was no pain. By 7 a.m. my Husband phoned the hospital, he was advised to drive me in to be on the safe side. With bags packed yonks ago, we headed to Harrow. 

The Midwife told me I was definitely in labor...and so it was...it went on and on. I was in pain ...the Doctor gave me an epidural. Suddenly the Midwife declared that I was not dilating any further. Two concerned Doctors were summoned, one of them inserted his hand to health check my Baby's position and progress...."a lot of hair!... Let's wait, everything is fine, your Baby is going to turn for delivery soon." 

Unexpectedly, I did not dilate and my Baby did not turn and prepare for the natural vaginal delivery position. The Doctor said Baby was exhausted and needed to be delivered quickly. The epidural was a plus and aided the decision to deliver my by Baby C-section. With tears streaming down my face, my Husband and I could not understand what had gone wrong. I was immediately rushed into the operation theater, the procedure was performed...my Husband witnessed everything from start to finish. (Much later on, with combined joy, shock and appreciation, he enlightened me on what he witnessed after the fact - "they cut you open, I saw your blood, it was incredible.") Within a short space of time Doctor showed me my beautiful, gorgeous Baby Boy. They weighed him at seven pounds fourteen ounces and eventually handed me my Bundle of Joy. With my abdominal gap stitched and dressed, the caesarian section ...the major life-saving operation was hailed an excellent success. To cap it all, new Daddy always joked and boasted that he saw our Baby before me! 

Our Son was born on Wednesday, 20th January 1993 at 2.47 p.m surrounded by the gentle, kind and loving care of Northwick Park Hospital staff. The emergency operation prompted one week residence. Breastfeeding for eight months pulled in my uterus perfectly; the painful abdominal gap eventually stopped hurting and by October of the same year, I was expecting again! I always wanted my first two children 18 months apart. God had faithfully answered.  

My second born child was due 9th July 1994. After conducting myself like bionic woman with one thing or another while doting on my toddler, I sat down to relax, crossed my legs and...lo and behold, my waters broke!  Fortunately I was at home but it was only Sunday 3rd July, six days to my given delivery date! No emptying of bowels here...this was very different from my previous pregnancy. Husband and I packed for three, dropped our little one at his Godparents and headed to hospital through the unbearably boiling summer heat.

Now this one was painful...I screamed, shouted...demanded an epidural, my wish was granted. The labor went on for ages...the Midwife did an excellent job without the need of a Doctor...she even offered classical music. Naturally, I can not remember if it was Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky or all of them...Yes, absolutely, this was indeed a beautiful vaginal delivery to the sound of music! After breathing, counting and panting, I pushed out what my Husband and Midwife initially thought was our beautiful, gorgeous daughter..."it's a girl" they said. "No, I had a dream that it looked like a girl but it's a boy."  At the final push, out popped my beautiful, gorgeous Baby Boy. I remember the Midwife immediately placed him on my chest. Our new Son was delivered on Monday, 4th July 1994 at 1.20 a.m. surrounded by the very same gentle, kind and loving care of the same hospital staff at Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex, England, UK.  My Bundle of Joy weighed in at six pounds and twelve ounces. Since Mother and Son were good and in great health, we were discharged and sent home the next day, Tuesday 5th July.

Approximately six weeks later, one night I awoke to the most dreadful abdominal pains...this was like labor without the epidural! Doctor said my uterus was contracting naturally...how very different this was from my post-caesarian uterus contractions! Breastfeeding was for approximately 8 months and fortunately, there were no more painful natural uterine contractions.

Incredibly, this was a peacefully co-operative new Son who slotted right into our routine. He cried only when he wanted to be changed or fed. He knew there was an older toddler sibling who was fast approaching 24 months. 

In retrospect and with the appreciation that the fruit of the womb is a gift and heritage from God, I prayed, studied Luke 1 and in particular while placing my hands on my tummy, I recited The Magnificat  (verse 46 to verse 55) of The Holy Bible daily.  Incredibly, my catholic prayers from Marywood Grammar School (age 11 to 15 years old) came to remembrance. After my first delivery, which was by all accounts a life-saving c-section procedure, I certainly did not know what to expect for my second. I had learnt to take nothing for granted. However what I will say is that both pregnancies were good, healthy and smooth months with obviously different delivery formats. Be that was it was, both were awesome and wonderful.

By the way, Doctor did the c-section on my bikini line and there were times when it used to itch a bit but cocoa butter was a big help. During both my pregnancies I dabbed Johnson's Baby Powder all over my tummy to prevent scratching and ultimately...stretch marks. Miraculously, with good exercise, my tummy is un-flabby, stretch mark free and flat.

From the very first positive pregnancy tests to the very last hospital delivery momentos, I have kept them all. As God would have it, the precious gifts He delivered have since blossomed into 22 and 21 year old gentlemen.  Whether by caesarian section, vaginal delivery or adoption, Motherhood is indeed an awesome journey.

Childbirth is by the Grace of God. All thanks and glory be to God!


(c) JuicyChitChats 2015 [Tuesday 18th August]

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