Cesarean Awareness Month

It's Cesarean Awareness month! I never got to share about my birthing story in 2019 so I figured now is a good time! It’s been almost 2 years though, so there are some details I won't be able to include here. To be honest, when I got pregnant I didn’t think much about the actual giving birth. After attending a few classes, I told myself that since I had wide hips (aka child-bearing hips), I’m sure I could just wing it.

But I was so wrong. 😅

I took my Maternity Leave on my 37th week because I was starting to have contractions. My workplace was in Sta. Rosa and I was so scared to go in labor during my commute to Makati. However, despite all the cervical ripening efforts,  there was no progress on my 38th and 39th week. My OB then said she might have to induce labor on my 40th week. On my way to my 40th week checkup, my waterbag broke. It was such a strange feeling, having fluid coming out in several sudden bursts. I was then prepped for labor induction, however all efforts for 12hours did not even progress past 1cm. My OB said it was time for c-section. 

I remember someone discussing to me about the surgery in the labor room and my anesthesiologist repeating everything twice in the OR. Again, I thought I could just wing it, but when the surgery started, I completely forgot about everything they told me. I’m grateful though that the anesthesiologist was very kind and gently and reminded me not to fall asleep during the procedure.

Finally I heard my baby cry and we did “Unang Akap” and we took our first family photo. 

I thought it was all good after but again I was wrong. 😅

I remember having trouble sitting up. I felt like my insides were gonna spill out if I moved forward. My husband then told me that he had a chat with my OB after the procedure. Apparently, my baby boy Matteo had a big head that’s why my labor ended in a c-section. The insides-spilling-out sensation lasted for several days. I'm glad I was able to read a lot of tips though which included: wearing a binder - I used Wink; and making sure to try and move around. Nothing too strenuous but just a bit of movement. 

Before Matteo, I used to think it was abnormal to give birth thru Cesarean. But having experienced it, I realized that ultimately the end goal is to birth successfully, both mom and baby. Giving birth is one of life's greatest miracles. We should all celebrate our journeys coming into motherhood.