Today I had my very first pre-op appointment. It is interesting that in spite of this being my 4th caesarean section, I have never gone through the ritual preparations. One was unexpected, one was unintended and one was just too early to prepare in advance. I think this is pretty standard for surgery in general: I have to wash with a special soap twice before the surgery. No eating or drinking (or smoking) after midnight Sunday night. They drew blood for some tests and gave me the low down on hospital protocol. (They really do not want you to fall down in the hospital!)
Once upon a time, having a c-section felt like a failure to me, but in time I learned to be thankful that they are a safe way to deliver a baby and to understand that how you deliver your baby does not make you a mother. I feel pretty confident that Caleb would not have done well in a "normal" birth. However the girls would have fared is really pretty irrelevant. I would still have the scar and they did not have any negative impacts from being born by c-section. I am not experiencing anything that makes me think the baby will come any earlier than Monday, so I am hopeful that being able to walk in and just have this done will be calm and unremarkable. I don't really need a birth story anymore.
Not having any children, I am on the outside of the "birth story" saga, but I'm so proud of you for your realizations. You have three healthy, smart kids and are about to add a fourth. Years later, does it matter how they were born? Just remember not to smoke! Put those cigarettes down! :)
ReplyDeleteI will resist the urge to smoke! At least for the weekend ;)
DeleteYou might be surprised at how incredibly passionate people can be about birth. I can understand frustration at feeling forced into medical procedures that may be unnecessary, but I also think that there is an element of fanaticism that is unwilling to acknowledge how much modern medicine has improved things too.
Thoughts and Prayers! Can't wait to see picures of the new addition! Doesn't matter how they get here.. As long as they are healthy is my thinking! Love ya bunches!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow!! Will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers will be with you too. I'm over birth stories too...but I'm not over looking at cute babies!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I am not overly nervous, but I do have some anxiety! Excited too of course :)
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