A Gentle Start: My Planned C-Section Journey to Motherhood

Every birth story is unique, and mine was no exception. As a first-time mom, I had envisioned countless ways I might meet my daughter for the first time, but life had its own plan. A planned c-section became the safest and best choice for both of us. Though it wasn’t what I initially expected, it turned out to be a beautiful, empowering experience. From the quiet preparation to the moment I heard her first cry, this is the story of how I met my baby girl and began the most incredible journey of all—motherhood. When we arrived at the hospital that morning, they immediately started me on fluids before heading back. Like I said, this was my first IV ever, and I will say - not my favorite thing ever. After that IV got placed, it was go time. Our Doctor came in one last time to check if she was still in the breech position, and she was, and then the entire team of nurses, doctors, surgeons, and the anesthesiologist all came in to introduce themselves and it was so quick from there! They gowned me up, and brought me back to the OR all while Nick went and got coffee and then gowned up himself. While in the cold Operating Room, I was amazed at how many people were back there during this. That is something nobody talks about. There are people everywhere doing their own jobs in order to make the surgery seamless. They were all so casual though, making it a comfortable setting and making me feel safe. They even had some music playing, which if you know me - helped me a lot. It felt like an eternity getting the spinal block placed, catheter in, and getting everything all set up before they allowed my Husband back there with me. When the surgeon finally said "Okay, bring Dad in." I got so excited! As soon as my Husband got in there, he kissed me, asked how I was doing and then from there... Pure bliss. He watched the entire thing. He said he saw them break my water and then she was out immediately. Hearing her first cry was a feeling I had never felt before. Tears from us both immediately. My Husband went over to the warmer with them, cut her umbilical cord, watched them check over her and weigh her all while coming over to me and checking on me as well. At one point I had to tell him "I am OK, go watch them with her!". He is just so sweet. When they put her on my chest, she immediately stopped crying and I knew that I had done my job and that I am now a whole a$$ MOTHER! She weighed 8lbs 10oz and was 19 inches long. When they announced her weight, I said "Holy smokes! That was all the HuHot and Dr. Pepper we consumed." and the room all started laughing. For a timeline reference, we got there at 5:30AM. Got sent back to the OR around 7:30AM, she was out by 8:01AM, and I was all stitched up and headed back to the recovery room by 9:00AM. The process was so quick and felt like a total of 5 minutes. The only downfall of my c-section was feeling slightly nauseous, but they fixed it as soon as I let them know how I was feeling. In the recovery room, we immediately got her to latch. My breastfeeding journey had begun and I will say it has been the hardest but most rewarding journey yet and with that, I am going to lead you to my next blog post "Nourishing Her, Nurturing Me: My Breastfeeding Journey".