From the moment we heard two heartbeats on an ultrasound monitor, we started making decisions as mothers, fighting for what we knew would protect our children.
Making the choice on HOW to get our babies to this world was a huge decision. A scheduled c-section doesn’t seem to be the most socially acceptable way to have a baby, but it is a choice many mothers make, and it is an honorable one. We are amazed by the strength all mothers have when it comes to birth plans because we know first hand the unconditional love that goes into make those choices.
We have to say that making the choice to have scheduled c-sections weren’t decisions that we embarked upon lightly, nor were they decisions that came without some emotional turmoil.
We decided to write a post simply to share with our beloved readers our perspectives about having scheduled cesarean births. Why? Because birth is birth no matter which way you look at it.
Whether you delivered naturally, unmedicated, in a tub at home or up in a tree, we believe that the choices every woman makes for herself and her body simply to protect her babies are the most natural in the world.
Why We Choose to Have A Scheduled C-Section:
Jenn’s Birth Story:
The several years it took my husband and I to start our family were some of the most tumultuous of my life. A miscarriage, surgery, endless appointments, uncomfortable procedures, thousands of blood draws, needles and boxes of drugs were only the beginning.
By the time I was blessed with my miracle pregnancy, I was emotionally drained, struggling with anxiety and fighting to stay positive about the health and well being of the babies growing in my belly.
I remember the day we saw our babies on an ultrasound…six nerve racking weeks into my pregnancy. We left our RE’s office carrying the coveted first pictures of our miracles. Our eyes were puffy and red from the tears that had exploded from our eyes as soon as we saw two beating hearts.
My husband and I sat in the truck in silence, processing the amazing news we had just received. Before we decided who to call first, I looked at him nervously and said, “Honey, I don’t want to give birth to these babies the ‘natural’ way.”
Without hesitation, he grabbed my hand and said, “We will do this any way you want, I have your back babe and I want what is best for our family!”.
The thing was, we had been fighting for these babies for so long and I was struggling to see myself as any other pregnant woman. I was nervous, unable to calm my own fears. After so much disappointment and unknown, I needed a clear plan to help me see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I see our choice to have a scheduled cesarean birth as an act of unconditional love. It was intentional, and maybe even a little bit desperate, to help us achieve our ultimate goal: to bring two live, healthy babies into the world.
A scheduled c-section gave me, my husband and our babies the stamina we needed to optimistically to get through a challenging twin pregnancy. This choice allowed us to take back control of our emotional lives and fight with strength to the end of our journey.
With full support of my OB, we scheduled our cesarean birth at our 10 week appointment. Ironically, in the end, my twins were both breech and a c-section was the only safe way to deliver. Regardless, having a scheduled c-section as my birth plan gave me the piece of mind and emotional control I needed to keep myself and my babies healthy for 37 ½ weeks.
Meghan’s Birth Story:
When I got pregnant with my twin boys I was beyond ecstatic. There are truly no words to describe the pure joy that was exuding from my heart. Well, maybe except for the excitement the audience feels on The Ellen DeGeneres Show when they all win tickets to the 12 Days of Giveaways!
When the doctor showed me two little heart beats for the first time, my eyes filled with tears and my heart just about burst out of my chest. My world flipped upside down in an instant; sometimes I feel like I don’t remember what life was like before that moment.
All of the sudden, this mama bear maternal instinct kicked in and I knew I needed to keep these boys baking in the oven as long as my body would let me. Thoughts and questions started to immediately swirl around in my head. The one question that stands out from the blurry fog I was in that day was, “What is the safest way for me to get my babies here?”
After a discussion with my husband and doctor, we decided to have a scheduled cesarian birth. There is, however, a medical reason why I chose early on in my pregnancy to have a c-section, I had uterine fibroids obstructing my cervix. The size and location of them made it highly unlikely that I would be able to deliver my twins vaginally. As a team, we knew that a c-section would be a safe way to get the boys to Earth.
This choice felt right for us as family, given our circumstances. We scheduled a date and time for the surgery, which helped me to start getting really excited to meet our boys!
I ended up making it to my scheduled date and time, and the entire birthing process was an incredible experience. There was music playing in the operating room that my husband had chosen ahead of time. A wonderful nurse took our camera to take photos of our experience and we have a meaningful video that we shot with our GoPro (the best ‘last-minutes choice of a lifetime)!
Turns out, the ol’ fibroids WERE in the way of my cervix and I wouldn’t have been able to deliver vaginally. Baby B was also breech. The moment those babies came out screaming, my life has been forever changed. It didn’t matter to me how they got to Earth, it just mattered that they got here safely.
My heart exploded into a millions pieces that day in August and I wouldn’t change one thing about our decision. Because, in fact, I know in my heart that it was the right decision for our family.
The choices women make about giving birth are incredibly personal. Whether you have an elaborate birth plan that outlines every possible scenario, a scheduled c-section or a home birth, know this mama….
You have just made the most loving choice to welcome your sweet little miracles into the world.
Share your birth stories with us…..we would be honored to hear about your incredible mama strength!
Chat with us in the comments below.
