Sunday, May 27, 2018

C-Section Scar


I was originally due to give birth on March 17, 2018.  However, after one of my regular scheduled doctor appointments on February 20th I was showing signs of pre-eclampsia so I would have to be induced early to ensure I didn't develop any health problems.  Before leaving the doctor's office I was told that I would be induced on February 26th, but the next day I received a phone call from the doctor that my induction date was moved up to February 24th which was that coming Saturday.

I immediately felt overwhelmed.  Not only would I have a short amount of time to tie up loose ends at work before going out on maternity leave, but I had to also make sure everything was prepared at home for my daughter's arrival.

Ready or not, mostly ready, that Saturday with my husband and mother in tow I arrived at the hospital at 6:30 in the morning.  I filled out all the necessary paperwork and soon after a nurse escorted me to what would be my private delivery room equipped with my own bathroom and television.  Quite frankly the room was huge.

Lying there in bed I hoped that my daughter would arrive that day, but as the day ticked by it became apparent that her entrance would be delayed.

Between the time of checking into my delivery room and the actual birth of my daughter I was poked, prodded and seen by the hospital medical staff which consisted of several doctors, nurses and residents.  I remember the first time I got out of bed to go to the bathroom I tried to be modest and close my gown in the back to avoid flashing the nurse that was in my room.  However, by the end of the first day when I had to go to the bathroom again I made no attempt to close my gown.  I just got up and went (with aide from my husband).

Between late Saturday night and early Sunday morning there was a balloon catheter inserted to help me dilate because my body was not doing so on its own.  This was an extremely unpleasant experience both the going in and being pulled out.  However, this was after the doctor had to break my water which was also unpleasant.

Epidural 

Throughout my pregnancy I declared that I wanted to give birth naturally without the use of drugs because I wanted to experience what childbirth was really like.  However, by that Monday morning when the contractions started to intensify I looked at the nurse with desperation in my eyes and a beg in my voice for an epidural.


Just so you know, my epidural took (for some women this doesn't happen) and it felt amazing.

By early Monday still not dilating the way I should have it was discovered that the baby's heart rate was fluctuating up and down.  This had been happening throughout the night and day.  By Monday afternoon a doctor came to my room, sat on my bed and gave me the news that they would have to perform an emergency Cesarean section (C-section) to ensure that the baby would survive because I wouldn't be able to deliver vaginally.  I tried to put my brave face on, but it didn't hold up because tears started to fall from my eyes.  I was scared.

It is impossible to convey my discomfort and how scary my experience was in the hospital.  My mom told me that I would forget all about everything I went through.  Honestly all these months later I still remember it all.  However, I look forward to the day when my daughter gets older and I can share this story with her and show her my C-Section scar.  If I had to go through it all over again I would for her.  The only thing I would change is I would have gotten the epidural sooner. 😜

Thanks for reading!
(John 3:16)

*** A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE NURSES, DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STAFF AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. AMAZING PEOPLE.


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