I've been debating if I wanted to share Maralyn's birth story here since it wasn't anything dramatic like Benson's. However, it was such a great c-section experience that I wanted to share it with others, so that if you find yourself in a c-section experience you don't have to be scared.
A planned c-section is so different from an emergency c-setion (which I had with Benson, you can read about it here.) Everything is so calm and relaxed, instead of urgent and rushed. It's a completely different experience. I had great doctors and nurses both times, which helped immensely, but having a soothing atmosphere definitely helped this time around.
My c-setion was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and the hospital wanted me to arrive two hours early. I was annoyed at first, but it ended up being nice because I was too excited and anxious to get a good night's rest. I was ready to go at 4:30!
When we arrived at the hospital we went straight into a room to get prepped. The nurses started taking my medical history and getting my IV in. Unfortunately, I don't do well getting IVs, and I got really light headed while they were getting it in. One of the nurses was so kind, she fanned me the entire time while taking my history.
After the nurses did their thing, the anesthesiologist came in to make sure I was ready for the spinal tap. I threw up every time I got an epidural with Benson, so the anesthesiologist recommended extra fluids to help. It was unpleasant to have the cold fluids pushed through my IV, but it was absolutely worth it because I didn't throw up after my spinal tap!
Around 6 a.m. they wheeled me into the operating room. It was a stark contrast to Benson's delivery because I could still move when I got there. I was able to move myself off of the bed and onto the operating table (which is really just another bed!). The anesthesiologist was very quick and she and the nurses all talked with me, asking about the baby and Benson while I was getting the spinal tap. It kicked in very quickly and within a few minutes I was numb.
The doctors arrived shortly after that and once they were all prepped, Jason was able to come in and sit by me. The biggest contrast between Benson's delivery and Maralyn's was being alert during the surgery.
With Benson, I had labored for 30 hours and was so tired that I just wanted to sleep during the c-section. However, with Maralyn, I was awake and aware of what was going on around me. I'm not sure this was a great thing because I could feel and hear more than I did with Benson. It's really hard to describe what it's like because while you're numb you still feel pressure. I could feel them pulling on my body but it didn't hurt; it was almost like having your foot fall asleep, except it's almost your entire body!
The doctors had some trouble getting Maralyn's shoulders out, which again, felt super weird, but once they got her shoulders out it was smooth sailing and the official birth time was declared at 7:02 a.m.
After a quick exam to make sure everything was alright, Maralyn was wrapped up and handed to Jason. We got to look at her and admire how adorable she was. It was so fun getting to see my baby so soon after she was born. Benson had been immediately admitted to the NICU and I didn't get to see him for eight hours.
After a little bit the nurses took Maralyn off to be weight and measured (8 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long) while the doctors finished the surgery.
The absolute weirdest part of the c-section happened after the delivery. Neither Jason or I wanted to watch the process, but we did have to sit there and hear everything. There were so many weird sounds and we didn't know exactly what was really happening so it was hard to associate them with anything.
Jason says that at one point the doctors dumped a bucket of water into me and then sucked it back out. I distinctly remember hearing stapling sounds, and feeling pressure. I just remember thinking that all I wanted was Jason to talk to me so I could be distracted. I think he heard my thought because a minute later he started asking me questions and just talking. We were both so grateful for a distraction!
After the surgery the nurses took me to the recovery room and I waited anxiously for them to bring Maralyn in. Our doctor went with her and Jason to do an exam while I went to recovery. It might have been an hour that they were gone, but the time passed quickly-
All-in-all we were only in the hospital for two and a half days. I truly enjoy being in the hospital with a newborn because you have so much help and no one expects you to do anything but love on your baby. It was extra sweet because Benson came and visited a couple of time and was completely enamored with his "bay-bee." He wanted to hold her every time he came.
Having a planned c-section was absolutely the best decision for our family. I felt so much calmer the last few weeks of pregnancy knowing it would end soon and I was able to make plans for our friends to watch Benson while we were in the hospital. I definitely preferred this to Benson's delivery!
If you have any questions or concerns about a c-section, I'm happy to share my experiences! Leave a comment or shoot me an email (rebekahanneblog @ gmail.com) I'd love to hear your experiences as well!
A planned c-section is so different from an emergency c-setion (which I had with Benson, you can read about it here.) Everything is so calm and relaxed, instead of urgent and rushed. It's a completely different experience. I had great doctors and nurses both times, which helped immensely, but having a soothing atmosphere definitely helped this time around.
My c-setion was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and the hospital wanted me to arrive two hours early. I was annoyed at first, but it ended up being nice because I was too excited and anxious to get a good night's rest. I was ready to go at 4:30!
When we arrived at the hospital we went straight into a room to get prepped. The nurses started taking my medical history and getting my IV in. Unfortunately, I don't do well getting IVs, and I got really light headed while they were getting it in. One of the nurses was so kind, she fanned me the entire time while taking my history.
After the nurses did their thing, the anesthesiologist came in to make sure I was ready for the spinal tap. I threw up every time I got an epidural with Benson, so the anesthesiologist recommended extra fluids to help. It was unpleasant to have the cold fluids pushed through my IV, but it was absolutely worth it because I didn't throw up after my spinal tap!
Around 6 a.m. they wheeled me into the operating room. It was a stark contrast to Benson's delivery because I could still move when I got there. I was able to move myself off of the bed and onto the operating table (which is really just another bed!). The anesthesiologist was very quick and she and the nurses all talked with me, asking about the baby and Benson while I was getting the spinal tap. It kicked in very quickly and within a few minutes I was numb.
The doctors arrived shortly after that and once they were all prepped, Jason was able to come in and sit by me. The biggest contrast between Benson's delivery and Maralyn's was being alert during the surgery.
With Benson, I had labored for 30 hours and was so tired that I just wanted to sleep during the c-section. However, with Maralyn, I was awake and aware of what was going on around me. I'm not sure this was a great thing because I could feel and hear more than I did with Benson. It's really hard to describe what it's like because while you're numb you still feel pressure. I could feel them pulling on my body but it didn't hurt; it was almost like having your foot fall asleep, except it's almost your entire body!
The doctors had some trouble getting Maralyn's shoulders out, which again, felt super weird, but once they got her shoulders out it was smooth sailing and the official birth time was declared at 7:02 a.m.
After a quick exam to make sure everything was alright, Maralyn was wrapped up and handed to Jason. We got to look at her and admire how adorable she was. It was so fun getting to see my baby so soon after she was born. Benson had been immediately admitted to the NICU and I didn't get to see him for eight hours.
After a little bit the nurses took Maralyn off to be weight and measured (8 lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long) while the doctors finished the surgery.
The absolute weirdest part of the c-section happened after the delivery. Neither Jason or I wanted to watch the process, but we did have to sit there and hear everything. There were so many weird sounds and we didn't know exactly what was really happening so it was hard to associate them with anything.
Jason says that at one point the doctors dumped a bucket of water into me and then sucked it back out. I distinctly remember hearing stapling sounds, and feeling pressure. I just remember thinking that all I wanted was Jason to talk to me so I could be distracted. I think he heard my thought because a minute later he started asking me questions and just talking. We were both so grateful for a distraction!
After the surgery the nurses took me to the recovery room and I waited anxiously for them to bring Maralyn in. Our doctor went with her and Jason to do an exam while I went to recovery. It might have been an hour that they were gone, but the time passed quickly-
All-in-all we were only in the hospital for two and a half days. I truly enjoy being in the hospital with a newborn because you have so much help and no one expects you to do anything but love on your baby. It was extra sweet because Benson came and visited a couple of time and was completely enamored with his "bay-bee." He wanted to hold her every time he came.
Having a planned c-section was absolutely the best decision for our family. I felt so much calmer the last few weeks of pregnancy knowing it would end soon and I was able to make plans for our friends to watch Benson while we were in the hospital. I definitely preferred this to Benson's delivery!
If you have any questions or concerns about a c-section, I'm happy to share my experiences! Leave a comment or shoot me an email (rebekahanneblog @ gmail.com) I'd love to hear your experiences as well!
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