Our Birth History: Because I Know You’ll Pray…

You are in the last 2 weeks and I feel for you. My 4th is just 6 weeks old. I realized after she was 2 weeks that something must be wrong with her collar bone. I am so glad to learn about SD, I never knew. She is fine with full motion.

I am thankful for your comfort on being breeched. I know that the idea of a c-section terrifies me compared to the fierce pain of vaginal delivery. But I know many mothers that are happy to do c-sections and would never want the vaginal experience.

you are in my thoughts and prayers.
~trish

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awww…hang in there! I have had 2 csections. The first because he was breech and the second I tried to VBAC that was the plan but was having a lot of pain in my previous incision so I was told I had to have a second csection to prevent the incision from ripping open. I prayed..alot. It can be very overwhelming and scary but I have had no complications or problems with either. It doesn’t hurt either! Just alot of pressure. It makes me sad I’ve never and will never have the chance to have a natural birth but it’s ok my babies are healthy and happy good luck!!!

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I’ve had one breech baby that needed a c-section delivery. God gave me a peace about it as well.
As important as it is to get up and get moving afterwards, it’s also important to take it easy. It is major surgery & your body will need to recover, so accept any offers of help.
Praying all goes well!

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I have nothing to offer in form of advice (I have only two children, and both were medicated vaginal deliveries) but I can say I prayed for you tonight, and I KNOW our heavenly Father heard me

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Hugs!! My first was a C-section, all I can say is make sure you have TONS of help! You need to have lots of meals premade as well as remember that this is major surgery, and you need to remember to treat it like that. For 6 wks you will need extra help…I have to say I don’t envy you right now, especially with many littles that need looked after as well. But I DO know that we serve a wonderful Elohim and He will supply your needs! Will be praying for HIS perfect will!

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Oh – and one more thing! I got a shot of duramorph in my spinal for my 2nd c-section. Way better than the demerol I had after my first (I don’t react to it very well). The duramorph lasts about 24 hours – it just made my nose itchy (a normal side effect) – and you don’t have to use the little button to self-administer the dose.

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I am expecting our 8th baby in a few weeks and I had to have a C-section with our third as she was breech. I will be honest and say I found it very difficult, because you cannot just get up and go like when you had natural birth. You need to do things slower and you are sore from the surgery. I had no extra help aside from hubby and the 2 older children where too small to be of help.if you can get someone to help around the house the first 6 weeks or so it would help a lot. You will however recover and feel normal after a while, it just takes longer than when having natural birth. Blessings to you. Natalie.

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My advice is different than all the rest. I do agree with everything everyone else has already said though. My three points of advice:
1) eat very light the night before, something easy to digest, that will be gone by morning, just trust me on this one. Even if it is your favorite meal it will be forever scared if it decides it doesn’t appreciaate all that pushing going on in your belly.
2) Get a Shick Intuition Razor so you don’t have to use shaving cream when you shave until you heal.
3) Make sure that whatever you plan to wear after doesn’t have a maternity panel with a seam in the area of the incision.

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Will be praying for you! The best thing about it is no matter HOW she is born, at the end of the day (or night you will be cuddling another sweet blessing from the Lord! Praying that all goes well!

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I don’t have a situation that relates, so I will simply let you know that you, your family, and this dear baby are in my prayers. God is so great and He knows how to speak to each one of us individually so that we will hear Him. You are blessed to have the wisdom to set out your fleece and have the Great Physician himself reply.

mychildsview.blogspot.com

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Hi!

I have been a follower of your blog for a while. I am a homeschooling mom and a labor and delivery nurse. I can totally understand the struggle you are having with your birth decision. Reading your birth history is somewhat frightening to me, since I know the high risk associated with shoulder dystocias. I commend you for leaving this decision up to the Lord and I praise God for giving you such a wonderful sign. I have had one c-section of my 4 babies, my second son was an emergency c-section delivery due to some pretty heavy duty bleeding during labor and some scary heart rate tracings. It was totally unexpected, but I tell ya, it did not rob any joy out of his birth. I encourage you to seek out the joys that await you as you welcome your new one into your arms.

When I am tending to a laboring mom who is suddenly faced with a c-section, sometimes they feel like they have failed, but their job (and ours) is to have a healthy baby and a healthy mom. Praise the Lord that you have options, and that God has clearly stated which option He has for you at this time.

My c-section was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had a medicine called duramorph placed when they did the anesthesia and it kept me quite comfortable for 24 hours. I am always anxious to get out of the hospital after deliveries . . . My son was born at 1pm on Sunday and I went home Tuesday morning.

You will need to take it easy, watch what you lift afterwards (they say don’t lift anything heavier than your baby). Tell the hospital staff that you want to hold your baby as soon as possible and I will pray that happens for you. I don’t know much about what hospital you are delivering at, but most have bedside care of infants these days, and the babies aren’t whisked away to a nursery for hours after they are born.

I hope I have been of some encouragement to you, you will definitely be in my prayers and I eagerly await pictures and stories of this precious child’s arrival.

In Christ,
Kristina

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praying for you! may God bring you peace and a healthy delivery/baby!

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I have had 3 C sections and the things that I recommend the most are stitches not staples, I agree w/ another post, take your pain meds. Your body can not heal if you are in pain. But most of all, MOVE MOVE MOVE. Even if you can’t get out of bed, (catheter will keep you in bed) turn every 2 hours. Just moving from side to side will make a world of difference. Move every time you nurse, that is a good way to remember to move. If you don’t think you have the will power to do it, (I am a baby when it comes to pain – my mother spent the first 24 hours in the hospital w/ me with all 3 of my children) Have someone there to insist, oh I mean remind and encourage you to turn and to be your cheerleader to get up and move as soon as possible.
With all that being said, God will be there w/ you the whole time. I dealt w/ the whole c section thing by reminding myself that God gave the Dr.’s the wisdom to know how to do this, to help us be able to have healthy children.

Blessings!!

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My BFF had twins via C-sect. She felt this book helped her. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=book+on+c+sect&hl=en&cid=17047924644909061013&ei=nxMjTIHdMZ6wiwTw_KCmBQ&sa=title&ved=0CAwQ8wIwATgA#p

The Essential C-Section Guide: Pain Control, Healing at Home, Getting Your Body Back, and Everything Else You Need to Know about a Cesarean Birth [Book] by Maureen Connolly, Dana Sullivan in Books

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Isn’t God wonderful, the way He comes through and lets us know if we ask and listen?
I’ve had two c-sections, and they were two very different experiences (the first was wonderful- I actually have always told people it was “spa-like” because it was so relaxing! The second… well, let’s just say I now know what to demand to make it a positive experience.)
Here are my tips for your own “spa-like” c-section:
-Ask for dimmed lighting in the room. With my first c/s, the lights in the room were dark, and just the table area (that the doc needed to see and work) were lit.
-I had a wonderful wonderful WONDERFUL anesthesiologist, who sat at my head and massaged my shoulders throughout the entire c/s. Wonderful? check! Spa-like? Check!
- At some point, you will probably feel like you are having trouble breathing. This is the medication, it is normal. Tell the doctor so that you aren’t missing something important, but keep it in mind so if it happens, you don’t completely panic. I had a friend who mentioned this the night before my c/s, and had she not told me, I would have thought something was going terribly wrong, because sure enough, I “struggled” to breathe for awhile (not painful, and no actual oxygen depletion. Just strange to feel.)
- God is in control! Prayers that He keeps His loving, healing hands holding onto this baby and keeping everything safe.

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Thanks for sharing! You’ll be in my prayers!
I didn’t see this mentioned, but ask the nurses for a support band to wrap around your middle during recovery. They probably won’t offer (though they should!) so you will need to ask. Feel free to do soe research on belly binding. It’s all good! You could also just buy one yourself like the Bella Band. The added support is A.Ma.Zing!
God bless!

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Hello Kim.
Sorry that I’m a bit late to add my comment about a c-section. I too, am a bit slow. :0)
I had a c-section with our first born, a little over 9 years ago. She was in the breech position and we didn’t know this until she was 8 days overdue. Before and during the surgery, there’s not much to say. ~ They, of course, will give you an epidural so that you can’t feel from the waist down. ~ They will put up a “curtain” above your ribs, so that you can’t see anything.
~ Don’t be surprised if it becomes a little harder to breathe during the procedure (I remember it was like someone was sitting on my chest). Apparently, this is normal.
~ You won’t be able to sit up for about the next 5 hours or so after the birth.
~ Ask for the pain medication as soon as you feel pain. I don’t like taking medications of any sort, and I waited to long to ask for anything. Because of this, it took a long time to get the pain under control.
~ The nurses will do things for you, including changing your pad and perhaps helping you wipe after using the bathroom. It is a little uncomfortable (okay, A LOT!) but it is needed, for you won’t be able to do it. :0)
~ Once you get home, DO NOT OVERDUE IT!! I know this is difficult. But you have older children: USE THEM. I’m really serious about this one. I overdid it and the incision became infected (I was told the incision “popped” open because of overdoing it. I’m not sure if this is true or not.) I had to go back to the doctor where they opened up the incision and it had to heal from the inside out. It was not pleasant.
I do know how you feel on the side of where you want to birth your baby and where you must birth your baby. I would really like to have a home birth, but all of our 6 children have been born with meconium in the amniotic fluid, and 3 of them have had serious breathing problems (1 that needed to be in a little oxygen “bubble” for the 1st 24 hrs, 1 that had to be incubated because of Pulmonary Hypertension and the other because he had a stroke in utero due to a pinch in his cord. This resulted to him having some brain damage). Neither my husband or I am sure if having a home birth is right for us.
My prayers are with you Kim!
Jennifer D

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Hi! I have had 1 natural birth and 3 C-sections. C-sections are a breeze! Of course the first one was a little harder to recover from, but now I love me a good C-section. You know when the baby will be born and it is much easier to make arrangements for the other kids! My one tip would be to use a hair dryer on your incision after you get out of the shower (not too close to the incision of course) and this will help keep it dry and it will heal faster. Blessings to you on this day. Jennifer

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This story is the first I’ve read on your blog, which I was directed to by a friend. All I can say is that I relate to your birth history all too well. I am one of those very few people in your situation, only not quite as many case studies . I have 2 children, both injured at birth. My first, a girl, also had brachial plexus along with a broken collar bone. As soon as her collar bone healed she was fine, no permanent damage, PTL! Then came our second, a boy, with brachial plexus too. No broken collar bone for him, but his is severe enough to the point where we are looking at having muscle tranfer surgery before he’s 2. A heartbreaking thing to watch your babies struggle to do the ‘simple’ things of life, like reach out and grab something at 90 degrees. Thank you for your stories, I fully intend on reading any other posts you have in this dept. The other thing I found quite interesting, or maybe just coincidence, is the fact that you referenced the story of Gideon. Our little boy’s name is Gideon, and I’ve never seen a little baby (he’s one today) that is a fighter like him. Happy to his core and doesn’t let anything stand in his way. Judges 6:12

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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
March 2nd, 2011 at 7:03 am

Hi Lendsey,
When we saw Dr. K he told us that he couldn’t believe that we hadn’t already had a serious injury and that cases like yours are most common, a slightly injured first baby and then severely injured second.

I’m curious if after your first child was injured your doctor told you about your increased risk of a more serious injury. I’d never heard of Erb’s until Nicholas was injured, despite my risk.

I’m so sorry and pray that Gideon will have a wonderful recovery.

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Lendsey Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Kimberly,
When I was pregnant with Gideon, the doctor did tell us that the chances this would happen again were higher. We told him that if possible, we wanted to avoid a c-section. Our doc was never very pushy about trying to get me to do a c-section, so we go back and forth between being upset with our doctor for not pushing us to make a different choice (my husband) and frustrated with my body (me). So, getting to a place to know that God can bring something good out of any situation has taken a while to come around to. Thanks for your kind words and prayers for Gideon. I will continue to pray and read about Nicholas and his recovery efforts. It is an encouragement knowing I’m not the only mom working my way through this relatively unknown injury. God Bless!

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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
March 10th, 2011 at 7:37 am

Thank Lendsey. Yes, getting to that point of peace in knowing that this also is God’s good will and not a mistake on our part was a struggle. Thank you for your prayers!

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Just came across this following links related to doing grammar on the late side (which we do), strangely enough. Just wanted to say, to share stories – we’ve had two SDs in ten deliveries (#3 and #8) Our number 3 was a natural delivery and his collar bone broke quickly. The cord was also around his neck and pushing was very forced due to that, the dystocia did not last long, yet she still had time to hit the STAT button on the wall and everyone came running just as his bone broke and he was able to come out. He was born blue and needing assistance to breath (cord, I think, rather than the short time of SD) – but has been fine (now 12 years old). I never ever heard the term SD or any worries about future deliveries. (Actually they didn’t find the collar bone break, I found it after it healed at 12 days with a big lump). In fact after that 9 pound 9 ounce baby, they were not concerned letting me go a full two weeks late with another huge baby – fortunately it was OK. Another late and very big baby but Ok. Then two mid sized babies, with easy deliveries. Then with number 8 I had a very comfortable epidural labor, easy day, that went perfectly with no prolonged pushing and suddenly after the head delivered, SD (I really didn’t know things were so dangerous especially since I was 100 percent pain free) – my midwife did all the maneuvers and the second time trying McRoberts, out she came with no injuries. She was pink as could be. I think it was only about one minute. This time, I heard about it. My midwife was so shaky afterwards (veteran of maybe 2000 births?) and I peaceful, not really understanding the danger, actually very happy with the birth! When I asked how often she had a delivery like that (after she explained what had happened) she said she might have to do serious maneuvers once a year, but that mine was the worst ever! I was shocked. The next pregnancy, we agonized and prayed. I did not feel peace about a c-section and my mid-wive seemed nervous. She said she wasn’t pushing a c-section, but it almost seemed so. Though I had mentioned my baby with the broken collar bone when I first met her (before delivering my 7th), she was not at all concerned about it until she experienced the emergency with me. In the end, after about 8 months, we decided against the c-section, party because the baby seemed on the small size, partly just through prayer. My mid-wife was unable to be at this birth due to an emergency and my family practice MD did the delivery with a lot of confidence. In God’s providence that was my smallest baby and the delivery was very smooth and he came out so very quickly everyone was surprised (and with 6 extra people in the room just in case). In fact his delivery was so fast that his lungs were still wet and he ended up hospitalized for a pneumothorax and labored breathing. He was completely recovered after a week in NICU. Our 10th delivery also went quickly and with no complications after we again considered a c-section, but without peace- he was a mid-sized baby, this time again with my mid-wife. Always in hospitals due to our experience with number 3 needing assistance with breathing, glad to be at the hospital. The c-section decision is so hard each time as I/we do now know about the extra risk. There are also risks with having many deliveries by c-section, and some erb’s palsy injuries during c-sections (which seems crazy). Your history beats mine, I haven’t met anyone who has had even two SDs. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for sharing your story! I thought you might be interested in mine. If we are blessed with another baby, we’ll have to make that decision again. Sorry I ended up rambling there and went back to add details which probably made it worse! (ps. I’m 42, married 22 years, kids aged 17 down to 9 months). Blessings!

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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm

I love hearing about other people’s stories. Thank you!

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Oh Kimberly, I am crying as I write this. I have been following your blog for a while now and thank the Lord for you and your family and all your encouraging and uplifting and funny and troubling posts. I have recommmended your site to many of my dear friends that I know will be blessed as well. But this post has dug deep into my heart and I pray that my words may be uplifting to you.

I know exactly what you are going through and I wish we could talk instead of write for I have so much to say. My heart is in non-medicated, non-invasive natural childbirth and homebirth if at all possible. I have read and studied and prayed about this issue A LOT.

My backgroud is in the medical field where I spend 10 years at a hospital working with children, new born infants and post-partum care. The whole time I was there I saw so much intervention in childbirth that just disturbed me to no end and I swore that I would never be one of the statistics. I just knew that I would be able to get pregnant, have a “normal” pregnancy and a “normal” delivery “just the way God designed it” without any “help” from the medical “professionals”. I wanted / desired / longed for going into labor on my own, delivering my baby wihout instruments, just God’s help and then resting comfortably after hugging on my little one.

Well, I got pregnant for the first time 4 months after I got married and it all started. My OB, one of the best in the area that I knew and trusted told me at one of my appointments that my pelvis was kinda small and that a c-section might have to be a possibility, but I refused to hear any of it. Long story short, against ALL my wishes and I believe b/c of circumstances that lead up to it, I ended up with an epidural. However, I only had to push for 20 minutes and she was out w/o any complications, praise God. But I swore that I would never have anoter epidural.

Well, the next time towards the end of my pregnancy we were told that the baby had a double nucal cord, the umbilical cord was wrapped pretty tight around her neck and she could be strangled at any time. So, I went back to the office MANY times to be evaluated. AFter prayer and advice from the doctor, we decided to be induced. Well, that was NOT on my radar screen or anything that I EVER thought would happen to me. But after prayer and wise councel we decided that we should listen. So, we induced, well long story short after a very rough process,, I was in labor and at the end, all of a sudden the doctor said somethign to the nurses and one of them rushed a stool over to me, and almost jumped on my belly as I was pushing. It ends up that she has SD and that we were very blessed to have no complications.

So, now we were pregnant a third time and I just knew thingngs wouldd be different. But once again, around teh middle of the pregnancy, the docotor says, “the baby was
“looking big” and that we should induce to avoid another SD. I was so disturbed, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want toto have the recommended c-section, NO WAY, that was the WORST possible cenario in my mind and my husband and docotor knew it. So, once again, against all my mind said to me, we scheduled an induction. Well, that was the worst time of my life. The medications were driving my crazy and made me feel horrible. But finally the time came to deliver. Long story short … his heart rate dipped dangeroustly low and 4 -5 nurses RUSHED into the room and flipped me over onto my numb knees and hands which helped, so I stayed that way for 45 minutes. Then back over I went only to have his heart rate skyrocket into the 200s while pushing. I pushed and pushed and pushed and NOTHING. His head was NOT coming out. So, the doctor looked at my husband and he looked at me and I started crying and got so mad at myself and almost hysterical b/c I knew what the looks meant … c-section. They couldn’t get me numb enough with the epidural , so out I went under general anesthesia. I woke up feeling like a Mac truck hit me , TWICE and worse, my baby was in teh NICU for 12 hours before I got to see him at all. That was a very difficult delivery to say the least for me , the baby, and mostly my husband.

So, when we got pregnant the 4th time, I prayed like never before. I read up on V-BACs and read “Christ Centered Childbirth” and was prepared for the best, Christ Centered childbirth anyone has ever had, we had a doula set up, support ready, music, scripture verses, you name it, I was ready for the best delivery of my life.

Well, it didn’t happen. I was having contractions 2-3 minutes apart for several days with no cervical change and the doctor had already said prior that the baby was once again “looking big” and suggested another c-section. I refused. I couldn’t imagine that God would want this for me. He put this baby inside me, surely it should be able to come out w/o complications, right???? Well, He had some teaching for me, that things don’t alawys go my way, I suppose, still learning.

We prayed, spoke with our Pastors and friends and ended up deciding to have another c-section. I was A MESS and so upset. But in the end, thankful for a healthy baby, for sure.

So, I’m not sure if I have encouraged you at all,but I do believe that God is soverign and in control no matter what decisions we make. Your story has encouraged me b/c so many of my friends and family members have had such wonderful natural childbirth that I have felt left out, and I suppose a bit jealous. But when I sit and really pray about it, I need to be thankful for healthy chilren and the medical resoureces to help us have health babies. I still long for that dreamed about natural childbirth, but I dont’ know if it is even possible for me.

Be encouraged that God has given you the wisdom to make decisions and that no matter what He is in control and you can trust Him. This baby is a blessing and gift and He will deliver that gift in the way He wants to, Vag or C-section, but now matter what the wrapping looks like, it is still a gift from the Lord above.

I am still strruglling with the issue, but know that I will be praying for you and know that you are NOT ALONE. I know how you feel!

In Christ,
Jamie

Thank you for all your words of wisdom, please keep the blog going , God is using you and your precious family to bless me and my friends.

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Kimberly @ Raising Olives Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 8:58 am

Thank you for sharing your story. It is nice to know that we are not alone. Blessings.

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I am the mother of 8 children & I too have faced your dilemma about having a c/s due to SD in previous babies. my babies are all born “sunny side up” even my c/s baby! some drs have said this contributes to the incidence of SD during my deliveries. I had peace in my last pregnancy about delivering unmedicated and as a VBAC (vaginal birth after c/s-2 yrs & 5 days to the day from my c/s). by the grace of GOD i did it & had a healthy 9lb 3oz baby girl BUT her shoulders stuck during delivery and she was VERY PURPLE at birth (none of my other SDs were that purple)- super scary! I am the only person i knew with this kind of birth history until now and i think you can NEVER go wrong by trusting God to tell you the right path. i will keep you in my prayers.

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