Hanson's Ridge
Ok. I had a business blog. But it's been unpublished and I realized I still wanted to be able to share my three birth stories with folks. This post has been backdated. " It's a long story, so I'm posting in a slightly different format. On the left, you can read about my previous births, which provide back story about what made this birth different (and so much better!). In the middle, you can read about how I prepared for both a VBAC attempt and possible scheduled CS, both physically and mentally. On the right, you will find the story of my gentle cesarean. Below, you'll find photographs from the gentle cesarean (which the hospital calls a family centered cesarean and is also sometimes called a natural cesarean). "
I'm six days postpartum now, and I haven't stopped smiling. I love holding and snuggling my little girl, and I feel only happiness when I think about her birth. It's a story I'm excited to share to help others, but it's also a story I'm excited to share because I feel like I'm getting the baby moon that I missed out on the last time. Both births were scheduled c-sections, but one felt like a surgery and one felt like a birth. In this most recent birth, there was acknowledgement that birth is both a separation and a meeting. There was joy in the room, rather than it feeling like the last task of a shift before going home. I was equally as exhausted afterwards, because it's still major surgery, but felt proud and happy rather than numb. Because I had a good birth, I've had more resiliency in the days afterwards. There were some concerns about her getting enough breastmilk in the hospital, and I had to pump and use a combination of a supplemental nursing system and syringe feeding for a couple of feedings (she's doing great now!). I had the emotional energy to take on that challenge and feel flexible about whatever needed to happen to get my baby fed. When I came home and saw myself in the full length mirror in the bathroom, I felt pride and happiness in the sagging skin and fresh scar. Last time, my body image hit an all time low because I felt like my body had failed me and my son. My daughter will have a better mother during the first year of her life because I felt respected and in control of my birth experience, even though she came through my belly instead of my vagina.
Important Note I was able to have every single thing I asked for in my c-section birth plan for four reasons: 1. Supportive OB. You have control over this part. Interview OBs, even before you are pregnant. Ask them about your options from the beginning. Even if you are planning a vaginal birth, have a c-section birth plan and discuss it with your OB ahead of time. 2. Supportive hospital. This hospital has made it a priority to offer these types of cesareans. It happened because of a lot of advocacy before I even got there. 3. Supportive anesthesiologist. In the OR, the anesthesiologist is actually the top boss. They get to decide who is allowed. They may limit support people because of space or worries that a support person will get in the way or even faint. There were two anesthesiologists at the hospital that day. The other one said he would not have allowed more than one person into the OR, and no one at all during prep. You probably don't have control over who you will have as an anesthesiologist. 4. Everything went smoothly. This is the area of least control. I had a scheduled c-section, but complications can always happen. Because it wasn't an emergency, we were able to take time. That being said, I feel strongly that every birth should involve respect, informed consent, and an acknowledgment that birth is a big deal for the family. Delayed cord clamping or immediate skin to skin can't happen if mom or baby is in distress, but the medical team can still keep the attention in the room on the people who are central to the experience. If you have a positive experience at a hospital, especially if they are breaking norms, write thank you notes. Write positive reviews. Write letters. Share your experience widely. Our anesthesiologist let our doula into the room because a previous anesthesiologist had allowed her in the OR. Precedent matters.
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AuthorHi! I'm Stephanie Hanson. I live with my husband, Himself, on Hanson's Ridge in Virginia. Archives
September 2017
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