Here are some of my least favorite myths about caesarian births: that all women can avoid them by being strong-willed/more informed. (If only I'd used my Jedi mind powers over that pesky preeclampsia!) That it's not a "natural" birth. (O RLY? What exactly are my babies, then? Cylons?) That they're "the easy way out." (*doubles over, slaps knee, throws out back because of decimated core muscles*)
For whatever reason, some people are just really, really, really opinionated about c-sections, and all I can say is that I hope for their sake that their lives continue to go exactly as planned with zero undesired consequences.
But I'd also like to address another increasingly pervasive belief, which is that any and all medical intervention during birth is horrible and unpleasant, and that hospital environments are always rushed and uncaring and uncomfortable.
I'm sure it's true for some people, but my hospital births -- surgeries and all -- were amazing.
There were disagreeable things, of course. I was scared silly about going into surgery, I was unnerved by the nauseating sensation of my intestines being moved around during the birth, recovery was achey and gooey and weird.
But mostly I remember both of my hospital births with happy nostalgia. I even remember feeling like I didn't want to leave, especially after my first son was born. My husband was eager to get back to the comforts of our house but man, I could have stayed for a week or more. At the hospital we had all kinds of experts checking on the baby, making sure everyone was doing okay, and even taking him to be fed if my husband was gone and I needed to sleep. A steady stream of friendly nurses were a button-push away from bringing me ice water, pain meds, and extra diapers.
Everyone says hospital food is awful, but I have fond memories of the little daily menus where I'd circle my meal requests. The shockingly delicious pushup popsicle a few hours after surgery, the blessed cup of coffee on the second morning.
I loved the big comfy bed that could be adjusted to suit my needs. It was crisp and white and even when the sheets got all bloody and gruesome and had to be changed out from under me it felt like this clean, safe, sterile place to be holding a baby. I could crank it into a Barcalounger shape and nestle my child in my lap while holding a book off to the side.
I dozed a lot, especially the first time around when I was recovering from magnesium, and since I went to a teaching hospital it felt like I had a new nurse every time I opened my eyes. Every single one of them was pleasant and patient and kind.
I remember recovering immediately after surgery, with my baby in my arms. The nurses had put a knit hat on him -- you know, the one with the little tied-off piece of yarn? -- and wrapped him like a burrito in that teal-and-pink blanket and the anesthesiologist came by to check on me and there was this bustle of professional good-natured activity in the room and I just felt like we were so cared for.
I have the same exact memory from both births: I'm lying in bed, just me and my brand-new son. The room is quiet and I'm looking at my child's tiny perfect face, while outside I can hear the muted murmurs and bleeps of a busy nursing station. All those people ready to help us if need be. It was like being in a pocket, or cupped in someone’s hand.
I know a lot of people have unpleasant hospital ordeals, and hate the idea of intervention. I didn’t plan on having surgical births either, but I couldn’t have asked for better treatment. Really, considering that everyone arrived in perfect health, I couldn't have asked for better births, period.
Did you have a positive hospital birth?
Image via Linda Sharps
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Comments 40
I myself did not have a c-section but if my child was in any danger or I was too exhausted to push any longer I definitely would have done it with no complaints. As I see it it does not matter how your child comes out its still the same child you carried in your belly for many months.
I had an emergency c-section as I was not progressing after 15 hours of induced labor. My son was very big in my small body. I do remember being very very cold when I was in recovery but after surgeries in the past years the same thing happens - shivery coldness.
I was at a very small hospital in our very small town and for 4 days he was the only baby in the nursery. He got alot of attention!
I was prepared for a whatever type of delivery my doctor thought would be best if I had another child but he ended up being my only one.
I could not agree more, I also had an emergency C-Section as my son was repeatedly decelerating and there was a fear he was not getting enough oxygen, while the recovery process was much to be desired, I could not have asked for a better experience and staff at the hospital. Anyone who gives someone crap about not doing it naturally should shut their pie holes as I am sure if most of us could have had that option without endangering our children, we would have taken it.
Maybe it's because I'm not from this country, but when I hear American's complaining about the state of our hospitals and the care they receive I can't help but be perplexed because our hospitals are the nicest I've ever been in.
I have no quelms having my 1st child in an American hospital where there is central air and the building doesn't reek of cigarette smoke.
umm.. how about hell no. I also went to a "teaching hospital" , only because it was the only one within an hrs drive that said they'd put me on pictocin after 20 hrs of labor at a water birthing center. Never once told me how much I'd swell up after being on it 36 hrs. Also never once told me that if I didnt massage my uterus after surgery that it'd become "boggy". Needless to say that hospital almost cost me my life, and also about $4,000 after insurance.