Desalie's Story-- Four Unnecesareans
Monday, October 5, 2009 at 10:19PM I’ve had 4 unnecesareans, which emotionally I don’t consider births.
I had a beautiful pregnancy with my first child. I read everything that was recommended, but wish I’d rather been educated! I was booked for an induction against my wishes, and still believe their dates were wrong. I think I would know when I conceived as I was the person who participated not the med. staff.
Long story short…the whole cascade of intervention thing ending in a section. To this day I’m not sure of the real reason why. Every reason they gave me, I now know to be untrue. I was induced over 2 days and absolutely not with it by the time I had my son. I also know now that I’m allergic to 2 of the drugs I had. I kept passing out all the next day, and suffered the most terrible P.N.D. for a very long time. Ended up with a non-breastfed baby who was diagnosed with colic and reflux, and then had an allergic reaction to his vaccinations.
When he was 8 months old we moved back to where my Mum lives. I haemmoraghed for 3 mths. non-stop after his birth. Took 4 yrs. antidepressant, investigative surgery, clomid, than finally the most wonderful naturopath to finally conceive again.
The joy only lasted 4 mths as my Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died 7 weeks before my baby was born. By that stage my fist son was also diagnosed with Aspergers.
I had thought about a vbac, but still didn’t really know much about it .The Dr. basically scared me into a repeat section. I was terrified of losing my baby after just losing my Mum.
When number 2 was 14 mnths old I found out I was pregnant again. Wasn’t sure how happy I was with #2 being a very difficult baby as well, and unable to breastfeed him either. However I was more determined to try for a vbac this time. Booking in visit at 12 weeks I let them know my wishes, but no-one discussed it with me until about 34 week visit.In the meantime I made contact with some supportive homebirth Mums and was considering that as well.
Come time for hospital visit at 34 weeks. “sorry, you won’t get that baby out they always get bigger”. Baby #1 was just under 9 lb., baby #2 was 9 lb.11oz.
Then when I showed them all the reading and safety evidence, no-one would still discuss it with me. I got told if I presented at hospital in labour that they would get 2 signatures and sign me into the psych. ward, and force me to have a c-section.
Wasn’t sure what to do at this stage. The homebirth midwives were nervous because of all the legal issues and losing their license. I didn’t want to cause any of them problems.
I’m rhesus negative and in the end that was why I ended up with another c-section as I was unable to organise the necessary blood tests, no doctor would help me out.
Also after being told the baby would be huge, and born at 39 weeks, she ended up being only 6lb 9oz and born at 37 weeks! Wasn’t happy about the early birth at all. Still think I could have pushed her out myself. However this time around I was hooked on attachment parenting and had a much improved baby relationship. We co-slept until she was almost 3, and breastfed until she was 2 1/2, and I became pregnant again.
Didn’t even try to argue with the hospital this time, as absolutely no chance of a vbac after 3 sections. There’s only one public hospital and the private hospital had a current 82% section rate. None of the private midwives could help me without being prosecuted. I did however hire a private midwife as my support person. She came with me to all my hospital visits. Had a very eventful pregnancy but everything was just the Dr.s scaring me on various topics. But we ended up with Ob. I wanted to deliver my baby as I flatly refused to see the horror ob. from my previous experience. They had also written in #3’s notes that they were going to tie my tubes as I’d had enough babies ,and that was standard procedure after 2 or 3 sections!!!!! Absolutely ropeable about that as well.
Managed to hang onto my 4th pregnancy until 40 weeks as my lovely ob. didn’t agree with early births. Also managed to co-sleep and breastfeed her for 2 yrs.
I was so sick for the whole 2 years after having her, when I finally found out I was allergic to their lovely c-sec drugs. I realise now why I was so out of it for so long, and so depressed after my first baby.
I have been researching so much on healing for both myself and my children. My 2nd son is also diagnosed with Aspergers.
I’m planning to get pregnant again and achieve a vbac this time. Even if I have to go out of town to find a midwife who can help. We are also homeschooling, and researching diet and health. I have a wonderful kinesiologist who has helped us all soooo much!
With regards to the haemorrhaging which I had for 10 yrs. she finally switched the light on for me. She sees a lot of women with this problem who have been damaged in their femininity in some way. She says it’s like “the uterus is crying!”
And on that wise note I shall send my story.
Reader Comments (4)
Desalie-
Thank you for sharing your story.
I have thought about a VBA4C. I even contacted a midwife that would do it. I don't think I could do it at home, (though I wish SO strongly I could). I'm not sure I could do VBA4C at all- the worry of something happening to the baby should I rupture scares me quite a bit.
If you do someday go for the VBA4C, I would love to hear your story!
Thanks Morgan.Have just found out I'm pregnant.Have also talked to a private midwife who's prepared to back me up with the hospital.A homebirth is out for her insurance reasons.Still a way to go but if I achieve my dream, shall shout it from the treetops!
I had a Unassisted birth after 5 csections this Spring. It was the greatest experience of my life, and the best and most educated decision I have ever made. I wish you many blessings as you make these decisions in your life.
Stacy
This comment from "guam-wsa-dp.med.navy.mil (214.1.241.252)" was not posted. "Rose," who left the comment and claims to be a health care provider, doesn't understand that women have been forced into procedures, sometimes with court orders.
Rose, just because YOU have never been party to a court-ordered cesarean or psych checks during labor doesn't mean they don't happen. I'll go ahead and include "http://www.med.navy.mil" as your URL since that's where you're writing condescending, anonymous comments from. Or are you at the Naval Hospital in Guam? http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/usnhguam/Pages/default.aspx
This story happened in Australia, by the way.