Cesarean Birth Stories
Compiled by LLM
Photo supplied by Patti
Ramos Photography. All rights reserved.
On this page is a wide assortment of cesarean
birth stories- many sad, and a few victorious.
Please email
me if you want to add something to this page.
Click to go to the desired collection of birth
stories:
Cesarean
Poems Moving, poignant and sad poems from
moms whose tummies and hearts have been hurting.
"What
positive did your cesarean experience bring into
your life?" Moms
answer this question with honesty, as originally
posted to the ICAN email list.
Moms with one cesarean
A Nurse's Cesarean Nightmare
"I recently underwent a c-section for
the birth of my second child. I was fighting
for the chance to have a vbac. They all but
left me for dead in the hospital. I sustained
a lacerated bladder, and lost half of my blood
volume. Ilve been left incontinent and disabeling
weak from Dr. induced complications. In addition
I was put under general anesthesia the moment
my head hit the OR table because I had too much
to say and I was silenced. I am just coming
out of the fog and I'm overwhelmed with anger.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak."
-Andrea Knoerzer R.N.
Zella's
Birth Story Michelle wanted an unassisted
homebirth, but bowed to familial pressure to have
a midwife. The midwife was less than professional,
and the birth process for Michelle was long and
difficult. She transferred to the hospital, and
after a drug rollercoaster ended up with a cesarean.
Note that Zella was a beautiful, healthy ten month
gestation baby. For other "Ten Month Baby"
stories go here.
My Birth
Stories Kymberli had her cesarean at nineteen
(for reasons she now considers inadequate). The
cesarean undermined her sense of womanness. This
story includes her VBAC stories.
My
Son's Cesarean Story Dina was induced,
and as is so common, the induction failed- not
because it was her fault... but because how can
any woman give birth surrounded by people sticking
their fingers up her, and barking orders? Dina
was "helped" with Pitocin, an internal
fetal monitor, a second degree episiotomy, forceps,
and then finally a cesarean that was nightmarish
for her. (Hugs Dina.) Dina went on to have a victorious
VBAC- this story is linked from her cesarean story.
Lydia's
Birth Story Andrea was planning an unassisted
homebirth with her eleventh child; but when the
baby simply wouldn't move down, despite trying
absolutely everything Andrea had in he repertoire
of knowledge, Andrea transferred to the hospital.
Lydia was born by cesarean- she had been genuinely
stuck, and needed help getting out. The cesarean
was important, but Andrea received an astounding
amount of unsatisfactory "care"- from
a lot of people, including the ambulance personnel.
This links to her twins' and her tenth child's
birth stories. Includes photos.
My Birth
Story Crystal, approaching the 42 week "best
before date", was transferred to CNMs for
"care" that resulted in bullying and
fear mongering that led to an induction then a
cesarean; after which Crystal suffered from hospital-acquired
infections. Note her induction was primarily for
"low amniotic fluid"; her page links
to a study that shows that this is not a good
reason to induce.
Liadan's
Birth Mary wanted a homebirth, but was induced
with castor oil- which led to a cascade of interventions
that resulted in a heartbreaking cesarean. Says
Mary about thow she felt when her baby was taken
(needlessly) to NICU just after: "The anguish
of having my baby taken away from me was unspeakable.
There I lay, strapped and splayed, with my belly
cut open, and my baby taken from me. There is
something wrong with this picture, considering
she was taken away more because of hospital policy
than actual physical necessity."
Mary's
Story Kelly's contractions started at 31 weeks;
but her homebirth dreams seemed able to come true
after all when they abated a few days after they
began. But they renewed again at 35 weeks, and
after vaginal exams (one of far too many throughout
her late pregnancy and birth!) showed her baby
was in a double footling breech position, a cesarean
was deemed best for the baby. But it was not best
for Kelly. Note that Kelly had nightmarish experiences
with the contraction-stopping drug magnesium sulfate.
Caitlin's
Birth Story Céline dreamed of a natural,
powerful birth but ended up with a violently unwanted
cesarean due to her first baby being in the breech
position. The cesarean proved to hamper her and
her baby's bonding drastically. Note that Céline
went on to have a home VBAC.
Micklyn's story
"With my first child I had a bout of false
labor at 37 weeks, and, thinking it was the
real thing, went into the hospital. The doctor
told me I would have my baby in the morning.
When it became obvious (to her) that I was not
really in labor, she didn't tell me, instead
she began to induce me, through my IV, without
my knowledge or consent.
"I ended up having a c-section after a
long and unproductive labour. I thought the
reason was failure to progress- I only found
out after wards when I checked my chart that
it was actually a failed induction. I firmly
believe that if they had just sent me home to
wait it out, I would have been able to have
a normal birth.
"The memory of my first birth brings back
in me such feelings of intense degradation,
humiliation and violation. I have a memory of
seeing my daughter's screaming face, when they
stuck her in front of me as I lay crucified
on the table, cut open, naked, helpless. I didn't
see her again for hours. I don't know where
she went, how long she cried, what they fed
her, who held her, or washed her or dressed
her.
People surrounded me on all sides- poking me
with fingers, needles, knives. Then abruptly
I was abandoned, sentenced to solitary confinement
until I was able to wriggle my toes." -from
Tane's
Birth Story: The Healing Beauty of Unassisted
Homebirth
Shelby's
Birth Crystal was only 17 when her first baby
was born via emergency cesarean. The aloof and
sometimes cruel treatment she received was unconscionable;
including no one believing her when she said she
was sick, and a nurse who decided she needed a
good cosmetic shaving before her surgery!
Brigitte
Jasmine's Birth Story With her fourth child,
Carrie was planning an unassisted birth; but sensed
that she needed to transfer, right away. It turns
out that her baby's cord was wrapped tightly around
her, causing her heart rate to drop drastically
down. An emergency cesarean resulted. This links
to Carrie's unassisted home VBAC story, and includes
cute photos.
My First
Baby's Caesarian (and my subsequent enlightenment)
Hope in Australia talks about the circumstances
that led up to her baby's "emergency"
cesarean (induction to the hilt), and how, for
a time, she felt unique and special due to her
operative delivery. After much soul-searching
with her second child, she decided that an HBAC-
a homebirth after cesarean- would be her safest
course.
My
Journey to Sarah Rebecca shares the story
of her ruinous induction, and subsequent cesarean.
Note that the baby's malpositoning was most likely
due to being forced to be born before she was
truly ready.
Morgan's
Story Emily was treated roughly during her
preterm birth and subsequent hospital stay; she
feels the early birth- brought on by "treatments"
for a yeast infection which she didn't even have-
contributed to her son's OCD and Asperger's Syndrome.
Kaia's
Birth Story... time to let go Kaare writes
about her emergency cesarean for placenta previa;
how she got to the hospital, and what she found
once there: fear, yet great learning about the
depth of her own courage and love. This includes
beautiful photos.
No
Birth... Just Pain Christina's OB
broke her water (without notification or permission);
likely as a result one of her twin's hands descended.
What followed was a deeply traumatic cesarean
that she feels intensifying grief over at five
weeks postpartum.
My
Cesarean Story Chris's "midwives"
failed to mention natural ways to bring down blood
pressure, and induced her with Cervidil. What
followed was terrible violation and intervention
in her labor, and then a cesarean that Chris felt-
in every part of her being. The midwives blamed
Chris (a nurse), and said that she was unable
to give birth. Of course this isn't true! This
page includes a response from LLM,
site editor.
Lillie's
Story Lillie had a failed induction for "postdates";
it was also feared that her baby's cord would
prolapse if her water were to break on its own.
So guess what happens?- her water is violently
broken by the OB, and her baby's cord prolapses
(comes down first- a genuine emergency); performed
on Lillie is an emergency cesarean. This includes
the sadness Lillie faced afterward, as she finds
it so hard to bond.
My
Cesarean Story Anna was planning a
homebirth- but due to a series of bad judgments
by her "midwife", Anna ended up with
a cesarean- a very terrible one.
Emma's
Birth Story Sara was doing so well
laboring at home- she got to 8 cm before deciding
to transfer. Once at the hospital, the cascade
of interventions began from one simple one- the
rupturing of her membranes. This led to a stalled
labor, and then Pitocin, an epidural, a vacuum
extractor, and then finally a cesarean section.
Erica and Gabriel's Story Erica had true PE-
pre-eclampsia- and in its treatment at the end
of her pregnancy, she found astounding variances
in medical compassion, and treatment, and was
often outraged to discover the effects drugs and
procedures had only after they were implemented.
And while she had true PE, she is deeply saddened
by the fact that her condition, under the watchful
eye of a homebirth midwife, could have been prevented
altogether as its first signs in her pregnancy-
protein in the urine- manifested. The victory
in her story is how healthy her little boy was-
and such a good nurser!
Eddie's
Birth Story Joy had a cesarean for breech;
it seemed like a good idea at the time, but after
two great homebirths Joy is sure she could have
given birth vaginally. This links to her homebirth
stories.
Ela's
Birth Kasia was induced repeatedly over a
period of several days, only to end up getting
sectioned because her baby just wasn't ready to
be born yet.
Verushka's
Story Says Verushka about her cesarean- "There
is my story... another women assaulted by the
disturbing lack of respect for birth in mainstream
medical culture." Hers is another story of
"failed" induction. (Women are not
the ones who fail though!)
The
Birth Story of Olivier Everett Jamois Tonya
had a c-section due to "CPD"... this
includes a link to her home VBAC story, and an
epilogue to her story: what she has learned about
how she could have prevented her cesarean. Includes
a photo.
Failed by
the System: The Birth of Zac Jennifer entrusted
her care to a CNM practice that discourages their
first-time mothers to learn too much about birth.
A cesarean for CPD resulted. This birth story
chronicles Jennifer's journey from open trust
to sad cynicism in the medical "profession",
and includes detailed description of the activism
she instigated to learn what really happened in
her surgical birth (she found that there was no
one answer- but a lot of lies and butt covering).
Includes a photo, and the link to her home VBAC
birth story.
Chaya's Story Chaya had the typical cascade
of interventions once she stepped into the hospital
to give birth: fetal monitoring, amniotomy (waters
broken artificially), internal fetal monitoring,
epidural, then c-section. And like most women-
Chaya blamed herself for not "being able"
to push her baby out instead of all the medical
nonsense happening all around and within her.
The
Lonely, Sad Pain of her Cesarean Three months
after her cesarean for twins, a mother's heart
is still breaking for the pain she went through,
and continues to feel.
Jacob's Birth
Story Karen's Pitocin induction led to her
placenta abrupting- coming off the uterine wall.
It's a miracle that it's actually a good
thing that her epidural wasn't inserted properly-
and she could feel the intense, stabbing pain
of the abruption. Medical negligence saved her
child's life from medical negligence! This includes
a link to her unassisted homebirth after cesarean
story.
Peter May's Birth
Story Heather's elective induction and epidural
lead to a c-section for "failure to progress".
Heather is pregnant with her second now, and wants
a homebirth.
M's Cesarean Section
Story A doula recounts how the over-management
of a woman's labor led to a dehumanizing, sad
cesarean section. This includes the doula's feelings
of helplessness about it all.
Isaiah's
Birth Rachel was planning a homebirth, but
upon discovering her baby was breech, it was decided
that she transfer; a c-section resulted. This
includes a photo of the first time Rachel saw
Isaiah, and her thoughts 2 1/2 years later about
her birth experience.
Never
Again... Bonnie tells of the wrenching, brutal,
thoughtless treatment she and her baby received
at the hospital. Her c-section may well have been
needed- but the brutality most certainly wasn't!
This includes the bitter discrimination Bonnie
faced because of her large size, and the story
of how a gentle lactation consultant did more
good for Bonnie's breastfeeding relationship in
minutes out of the hospital than the teams of
"experts" did in the hospital. Bonnie's
story shows again and again that how just a little
gentleness from someone can make a world of difference.
Long- but so worth the read. Includes photos.
My Fifth Birth-
A Scar on my Belly and a Knife in my Heart
Ann was a teaching subject for medical students
in this painful, traumatic birth. She is so hurt
inside... this includes a response by LLM.
Joseph's
Sad Cesarean Merry had a c-section at eighteen
because it was discovered in her labor that her
baby was breech. What a terrible excuse to perform
such a heartbreaking, cold assault on her. This
includes a link to her unassisted VBAC birth story.
Luke
Cosmos Candy - One Baby, Four Birth Stories
Annabel was planning a homebirth, but ended up
with a section for "failure to progress".
Note that her surgeon messed up and she ended
up having to go into surgery again. This page
links to her home VBAC birth story.
Emilianne's
Birth Story Michele describes her traumatic,
heartbreaking cesarean section with honesty and
sadness. Note that her story includes how medical
students were very much involved in her birth.
Donna's
Coerced C-section, and Fears for Birth's Future
Donna is a Type 1 diabetic- and even though
she was well and healthy during her pregnancy
and birth, her condition led to fright, mismanagement,
and downright aggression by the hospital staff.
Donna is very worried about what sort of future
her daughter will be giving birth in...
Lyra's Story
"I have always distrusted doctors and
hospitals. When I became pregnant, I went to
a birth center with midwives. My entire pregnancy
went extremely well with the exception of being
Rh negative and me not passing the glucose tolerance
test (I did pass the following one). I declined
every test that I was allowed to, and researched
every one that was mandatory. I still felt that
they weren't natural enough for me. However,
I didn't feel I had any other options.
"I went into labor around my 41 week.
It began with my water breaking. After laboring
for 12 or so hours at home, and 12 or so more
at the birth center, my midwife took me to the
hospital in fear of infection. That was the
beginning of the worst experience in my life.
I was completely violated by allopathic strangers.
Even though my midwife stayed with me, she proved
to be useless. To make a long story short, my
delivery was hell and I ended up with a c-section.
An unnecessary c-section.
"My daughter is now six months old. Due
to what happened to me, I now have anxiety attacks.
I also had severe postpartum depression. When
I tried to get help, I was told that I couldn't
be helped without medication. I refused medication,
and made it through with my husbands help. I
feel as though I am scarred for life. I feel
so violated, and I believe I was raped. Until
I read LLM's Rape of the Twentieth
Century article, nobody understood my feelings.
I was told I was overreacting.
"I am now enjoying breastfeeding- which
the hospital also tried to take from me. But
I am still suffering in my heart." -Lyra
Vicki's
Birth Story, and Healing Through Artwork
Vicki talks about her cesarean- what brought
it on, and how it haunts her; then she talks about
how she has come to terms with her pain, and is
finding a victorious future in birth- through
the use of art.
Christopher's
Birth Story This story perfectly sums up the
births of so many women- dreams of natural birth-
but no idea about the power and knowledge involved
in order to make those birth dreams come true.
Letter
from Pat: Gentle Birth Dreams, Hospital Birth
Reality Pat describes
how her hopes and plans for birth were eliminated
by the classic cascade of interventions that happens
to so many women attempting to give birth in the
hospital.
Lindsey's
Birth Cindy experienced
the classic cascade of interventions that led
to her c-section- and now regrets her initial
trust of the hospital birth experience, and wants
to help educate others on the true meaning of
childbirth.
Ivana's
Story Ivana was planning a homebirth with
a CNM. She was transferred, and after an induction
roller coaster, was sectioned. Ivana was devastated.
Sunday's
Children Beth
talks about her water breaking a month early in
the pregnancy of her twins (she was tired and
overworked- which can lead to premature births),
the medical bungling she endured, and about her
c-section- as well as about her boys' health problems.
"...what
happened to MY BIRTH??? Emily wanted a birth-
but ended up with a c-section. Emily also shares
her feelings about her mother's 3 cesareans, and
her frustration in living in a time where "everyone
else is doing it!" is the dominant thought
pattern.
From: Just
another cesarean. A mom is wondering-
"what the hell happened to me???"
Hannah's
Birth Story Juli intimately, generously and
vividly details her unplanned c-section birth
experience. The "cascade of interventions"
that led to the section can be seen in plain,
mapped fashion.
Paralyzed
Woman Watches Helplessly as Her Unborn Baby is
Surgically Removed! Evelyn Walker
shares her news release-style birth story. It
catches her sadness and horror very well.
Angela's
Story Angela talks about the how she ended
up with a section, even though her body tried
so valiantly to give birth.
By Clarissa Kwasniewski
Moms with two cesareans
By Stephanie Coleman:
- The
Journey, Part 1: Hannah's Birth Stephanie
went through a traumatic cesarean because of
a failed induction at 34 weeks of pregnancy;
she had pre-eclampsia, brought on in no small
part because of the dietary restrictions her
doctor had her on. This amazingly-told story
includes mention of Stephanie's early pregnancy,
including Hannah's twin that was miscarried
in the first trimester, her near-death experience
in the cesarean, and Stephanie's deep sadness
over her lengthy separation from her iatrogenically
(doctor-caused) premature baby. This is a deeply
moving, must-read story.
- My
Birth Story of Leah May Coleman Stephanie
wanted a homebirth with her third child (after
one c/cesarean,then one homebirth), but after
her PKU levels were high, as well as her blood
pressure, a hospital induction at only 37 weeks
was decided to be the best course for her and
the baby. Without permission the OB broke Stephanie's
waters; as a result the cord prolapsed. Stephanie
is heartbroken for the birth that she feels
she wasn't there for- but at least her husband
was- he refused to leave her side, even when
the hospital staff asked him to.
The
Story of my Second Cesarean (feeling so sad)
Valerie was planning a home waterbirth VBAC,
but her midwives- tired and impatient- transferred
her for a cesarean. Valerie feels like a failure.
Did she need that cesarean?- or could there have
been another way? This includes a response by
LLM.
Erica Johns' stories (read her journal and other
birth stories here)
- Isaac's Birth -or-
An All-Natural Momma Trapped in a High Tech
World Isaac, Ercia's fourth child, was born
at only 29 weeks gestation via cesarean section.
Erica learned so much from this pregnancy and
birth... such sadness, wisdom and peace came
out of it all. Includes photos.
- Aidan's
Birth Erica was planning a home waterbirth
with her sixth child, but when she was bleeding
heavily, she went to the hospital. After careful
thought, she had an emergency cesarean. Her
recovery has been wonderful, but her experiences
with nurses was not. This includes how ultrasound
missed signs of a placental abruption, and links
to her main journal and birth stories page.
Addah's
Story Heather dreamed of an unassisted birth
with her second baby; her first child was taken
by cesarean due to a failed- and pointless- induction.
But her placenta abrupted: detached from her uterine
wall- she needed the emergency cesarean that may
well have preserved both her child's and her own
life. This includes much about her pre-birth experiences,
the birth itself, and her daughter 's lengthy
stay in the NICU. Includes many lovely family
photos.
By Jen Olomon
- My
Daughter's Birth Story Jen experienced firsthand
the dangers of trusting the medical profession
too much (read about the small blood pressure
cuff that led to a great deal of anxiety!).
She also learned to never invite her mother
to a birth of hers again. Included: how her
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome led to breastfeeding
difficulties.
- Robbie's
Birth Jen talks about her long and challenging
labor, and why her midwife wanted to transfer
her for another cesarean. Jen was planning a
home waterbirth. Includes how beautifully helpful
her husband was.
Rebecca's
Birth Story Lisa gets her second section for
"failure to progress"; in fact she had
a failed induction. Her story illustrates how
women will resist giving birth when they are badgered
so relentlessly. Includes how her anesthetic failed,
and many photos.
Dylan's
Birth Story After dreaming all her life of
a natural birth, Lisa ends up with a cesarean
for breech. She was heartbroken.
Joan's Story,
written to the ICAN Email List Joan has had
2 c-sections... she wants her births back. She's
hoping to find some peace, healing and answers
on the ICAN email list. Included: a response to
Joan's letter by LLM, and an amazing,
humane, wise response by Gretchen Humphries.
One
Mad Mama Rhonda received abysmal care
in the pregnancies and births of her two children-
"care" that led to one premature birth,
two cesareans, and damage to her soul that leaves
her raging and weeping still. She is determined
that the (ir)responsible medical personnel be
held accountable for the suffering they've caused,
and is at the start of a legal battle with the
involved Australian hospital.
Anita Woods'
Birth Stories Anita Woods, Vice President
of ICAN International, has been through so much-
from a needless cesarean and brutal hospital VBAC,
to an ecstatic unassisted home waterbirth. Her
fourth child was born by cesarean; note that this
birth was gentle, dignified and respectful.
Birth Stories
of Wendy McNair Wendy talks about her 2 c-sections,
and her dreams for her third birth. (Note that
Wendy went on to have a home waterbirth VBAC!)
Letter
from Kiley to Leilah Kiley honestly discusses
her c-section birth experiences in response to
the article Cesarean Section: The Anatomy of
a Choice (linked from Kiley's page).
Jo Wheeler's Birth Stories
- Dain
Jo details the events that led to her first
c-section (9/18/97), and the surgery itself.
- Destin
The story of Jo's second section (12/29/98);
including her spinal anesthetic nightmare.
- To read Jo's beautiful,
sad VBAC story, go here.
Angela Kane's Birth Stories
- Jimmy's
Birth In her first birth, Angela endures
an induction roller coaster- Pitocin, AROM,
Cytotec- and then ends up with a c-section.
- Branden's
Birth Angela has another c-section, but
is grateful regardless.
Moms with three or more cesareans
Be sure to see BirthLove's VBA3+Cs
(vaginal birth after three- or more- cesareans
birth stories.
Susanne Ray's
birth stories
- Ryan's
Birth Story Ryan was born by cesarean after
a terrible failed induction almost killed him.
His mother felt the entire surgery. He was in
serious danger of dying for several days after
his cruel removal, and the damage from his birth
could be seen when he was a baby. Ryan is now
a healthy, happy thirteen year-old honor student.
- Evan's
Birth Story After Evan was "born"
(Susanne doesn't consider her cesareans "births"),
Susanne was so lonely for him- her heart breaks
at being separated from her babies for hours
after birth. Once home, Evan developed an infection;
lucky that Susanne is a nurse, and was able
to spot the infection before it could truly
hurt Evan (he picked it up at the hospital nursery).
Note that forceps were used to pull him out
of her uterus, and they bruised his face.
- Sierra's
Birth Story Susanne had had it with being
separated from her babies. She says- "I
got out of my bed at 2 hours post-op (stopping
to puke a couple of times) and dragged my sorry
ass out of bed and out to the nurses station
and insisted that they bring me MY baby. They
were shocked to see me dragging my catheter
bag and IV pole and placated me with a promise
that they would bring her if I would just get
back in bed. My baby came to me within 5 minutes.
FINALLY, I got to bond with and breastfeed my
daughter." She had planned a homebirth,
but her naturopathic physician sorely let her
down.
Note that all of Susanne's cesarean stories
link to her home waterbirth VBAC page!
Ibone's Story She wanted
a natural birth so badly, and her body was working
so beautifully- but still the vaginal birth-phobic
OB found reason to cut. This birth has been very
painful for Ibone to process, and write about.
Twenty-two
Years Ago Today A mother of
12 shares the story of her 2nd child's c-section...
and how the pain of one birth stays in a mother's
heart always. For a bit about Kathy's 8 VBACs,
go here.
The Birth
Story of Brendan James McGinnis Beth talks
about her lengthy prodromal labor, and her third
c-section- it was necessary, and done by a wonderfully
empathetic staff- Beth's support team helped keep
her respected and comfortable for the birth as
well . Note that Beth is deaf, and used a sign
language interpreter to speak with the staff.
This page includes a picture of Beth's three boys.
Letter
from Sonia Sonia had three very unwanted sections;
the last one being "frankly a chainsaw job-
I was practically sawn in half."
Annette's
Sadness Annette talks about the loss and guilt
she feels as a result of her three c-sections.
Jenn
Rynder's Birth Stories
- Jessica's
Birth Jenn's
first section, and what she would now tell a
woman having her first baby.
- Kaitlyn's
Birth Jenn
talks about her traumatic second section- a
planned homebirth gone awry. Included: Marine
Corps intimidation (her then-husband was a Marine),
doctors' unbelievable callousness and cruelty,
and how her c-section was without adequate anesthetic.
(Hugs to you, Jenn...)
- Arynn's
Birth Jenn's
third section, her most positive one. Included:
how external version was used to try to turn
her breech baby.
- Jenn has recently given birth to her fourth
child- a VBAC! Read her pregnancy journal here.
Sarah Sweeney's Stories
- Experiencing
the Birth that EVERY Woman Deserves Sarah
had three needless sections, and great trauma
because of them- including intestinal stoppage
(ileus), a cesarean with forceps (!), and a
near death experience. Now, pregnant with her
fourth, she dreams of the gentle, safe birth
that is to come.
- Sarah's
Birth; Sarah's Sadness Sarah recently had
her fourth c-section- after much planning, dreaming,
and researching for a home VBAC.
The stories of Elphie's
cesareans
- "C-Section
#1 - failed induction at 39 weeks. Diagnosed
CPD and FTP (cephalopelvic disproportion and
failure to progress). Ended up with a hot spot,
where the epidural didn't take, could feel the
surgery, was knocked out after baby was born.
Baby perfect.
- C-Section
#2- sad and difficult.
- C-Section
#3 - Planned UC (unassisted birth). Water
broke at 35 weeks, contractions didn't begin.
Husband freaked on me, insisted we go the hospital
after about 10 hours. Head was transverse, cord
was in a position that was causing a prolapse
risk, fought for hours against c-section, finally
gave in. Epidural made blood pressure bottom
out, went insane trying to get up and leave.
Followed birth plan for c-section beautifully.
Everything went as well as it could. Saw her
immediately, she never left me, nursed her in
the recovery room. Very family oriented c-section.
Baby perfect.
- C-Section
#4 - Hell."
3/20/02 Elphie is pregnant again.
Because of her four sections, she now has placenta
accreta; she has written an article about it-
find it here.
Note that she had been planning a home VBAC...
the pregnancy journal she had been writing may
be found here.
8/2/02 Elphie is a new mommy again! Her
son William was born by cesarean section, and
it is a beautiful miracle that they both survived.
She turned out to have placenta perceta- more
dangerous even then placenta accreta. Read her
birth story on
this page: the surgery staff were outstanding;
the nurses were appalling- her labor was beautiful.
This includes photos.
C-sections without
adequate anesthetic
From Ryan's
Birth Story:
"They threw me on the table, strapped
me down, threw my gown over my head and covered
me with sheets. I felt cold liquid on my belly.....HEY
I can feel that and I'm not supposed to. I felt
a burning slicing on my belly. I started yelling
'HEY I can feel that...STOP cutting me!'A disembodied
voice said 'I'm not cutting you, I'm just pinching
you'. I continued screaming and begging them
to stop. The slicing continued.... layer after
layer of burning. I thrashed..All during this
cutting, the anesthesiologist was frantically
trying to inject more medication into the catheter
that was taped to the front of my gown. I was
reduced to a sobbing mess as they continued
to cut me open. I felt enormous tugging and
my baby popping out of me in a giant suction
pop."
Flashbacks, and grim reality
"I am a nurse in the Special Care Nursery
at the hospital where I had my c-section so
I am confronted with flashbacks and bad feelings
on a constant basis. It is awful!
"We were called to a 'stat' c-section
the other night for 'severe fetal distress'
and the sOB's started cutting this woman before
the anesthesia was effective...and they did
the old pull and tear maneuver while she could
still feel it also. (It was in the same OR as
I was in to have Alexandra.) I started sweating
and got really anxious, scared, and thought
I was going to throw-up and faint at the same
time. But then I said, 'OK PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO
STOP!! THIS MOM IS SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HER
LUNGS!!!' They did stop and then gave her a
general... but I felt terrorized all over again...
and that poor mother!!"
Denise
Mama to Alexandra
Carolyn's
Birth Story Amy gave birth through cesarean,
due to the baby's arm presenting first- which
led to a labor in which Amy knew something wasn't
right. And tragically- in the birth, Amy's general
anesthetic wore off- leaving her in paralysis,
but awake in her mind and in unspeakable agony.
From No
Birth... Just Pain:
"The OB screams for them to get the OR
ready for a emergency C-section. Not long later
I was awakened, and I screamed and screamed
in pain and they said well get you some Demerol
and I screamed WHY would you wake me up with
no pain medication. I kept screaming, it hurts
so bad."
From Rebecca's
Birth Story:
"Shortly after that as they were stitching
me up I could feel stitching me up which agonising
stabbing pains. I don't remember much of what
happened after that only bits and pieces. I
remember the pain very well though. My whole
body started trembling all over. The pain was
unbelievable. I thought I was dying. I don't
know how long it took them to realise the epidural
was wearing off. To me it seemed like an eternity.
It was apparently a couple of minutes Darren
tells me. I can vaguely remember him saying
"What's wrong with her"! The doctor
injected some local anaesthetic into the wound,
which made very little difference. Then someone
topped up the epidural." -Lisa Aldbridge
From Lisa's
Story:
"After they delivered Rebecca, the epidural
started to wear off and I could feel everything
they were doing. My whole body started shaking
uncontrollably (apparently I had been going
into shock). The pain was indescribable. They
topped up my epidural as quickly as they could,
but the damage had already been done. I still
have flashbacks of the pain now."
Submissions Sought from Moms who've had Cesareans
without Adequate Anesthetic (go
here) A mother who's been there intends to
write about this terrifying and surprisingly common
occurrence.
From The
Journey, Part 1: Hannah's Birth:
"Before my husband came in, DR Ray started
to make the incision in my abdomen and I could
feel her cutting me! That pain was so awful,
I wanted to just die!"
Spinal
anesthetic nightmare, and responses to the post
Three women talk about how anesthetic during cesarean
section can become a nightmarish experience.
At least
you have a healthy baby A mother puts her
terrible cesarean pain into a heartwrenching,
vivid, obvious image- a photograph that captures
her feelings when people say to her- "at
least you have a healthy baby".
Kaitlyn's
Birth Jenn talks
about her traumatic second section- a planned
homebirth gone awry. Included: Marine Corps intimidation
(her then-husband was a Marine), doctors' unbelievable
callousness and cruelty, and how her c-section
was without adequate anesthetic.
Stacy's c-section without
anesthetic
"I had my first baby, a girl we named
Emily Christine, on Feb. 22nd via C-section.
I had a horrific experience. My spinal block
did not work. The anesthesiologist never tested
the area to make sure it was numb and when the
Dr. came in she began the surgery right away
and didn't test me either. I felt the entire
section and was complaining the entire time.
The anesthesiologist continually ignored my
pleas and screams and told me I was 'just feeling
pressure.' At one point, I heard my doctor yell
at everyone and ordered something to inject
my stomach with... this did not work either...
The pain was so bad I was screaming in agony
and kicking my legs and arms... My husband was
a wreck. I still have the bruises on my arms
from him holding me down so I didn't jump off
the gurney.
"At the very end of my surgery they put
a mask over my face and I went out. When I woke
up I was in recovery and didn't know if my daughter
was dead or alive and my Dh was nowhere in sight.
I didn't get to see her for 2 hours. I have
a constant backache that won't go away. I am
going to be making a formal complaint to the
hospital. The anesthesiologist never even said
he was sorry for my suffering. I know that he
probably can't because then it would be admitting
guilt.
"On that note, I just want to say that
I am totally grateful that I have a healthy
beautiful baby girl... We went through 3 years
of infertility before conceiving her. I just
can't get past the trauma of the delivery."
-Stacy
Cathy's Story
Feb. 26, '99 from Cathy's sister: "Cathy
[in British Columbia, Canada] was induced at
8 days post term, but the induction didn't 'take'.
So more oxytocin was given, and because of the
great increase in pain she had an epidural.
As a result of all the intervention the baby's
heart rate decelerated [drastically slowed down];
Cathy was rushed to an emergency C-section.
The first half of the incision went well; the
second half did not... the epidural only numbed
half of her. Now, on day three after the section,
she can't even sleep, is loaded with morphine
and she can't talk, can't cry... her baby's
in an incubator. Cathy is thirty years old."
3
c-sections, then a home waterbirth "I've
had 3 traumatic c-sections. The first was without
anesthesia and resulted in a very sick baby due
to a doctor trying to rush a first-time mom to
fit his schedule."
Kmom's Story
The following is excerpted from Kmom's cesarean
birth story. Find the whole story here-
go to "BBW Birth Stories: C-Section Stories"
and click on "Kmom's 1st Story". Note
that there are many, many excellent birth stories
on this page (and the site itself is a fantastic
resource).
"...Basically the epidural for the c/s
did not fully take either, so I felt the surgery
intensely. It was a horrendous experience,
deeply traumatic. They tested to
see if I was still numb, I told them I DID feel
something but they didn't believe me and started
cutting anyhow. I kept telling them to
stop but they would not, and soon I started
fighting. They told me they could not
give me anything more until the baby was born
and strapped me down. I'll leave out the
rest of the details (it was pretty gruesome
for a while) but it greatly affected all of
us and has taken many years to heal. The
hospital staff ignored it as if it never happened.
What a way for my baby to come into the world!"
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