C-Section Birth Stories: Allison Nell

1. Please share the circumstances that led to your c-section birth(s):

At our 20-week scan, we were made aware that my placenta was low lying - meaning near the cervix. I had experienced no symptoms or bleeding, so the doctor was very confident it would travel up the uterus and a vaginal birth would be possible.

I was able to receive many more ultrasounds to check the placenta’s location, which was great. Each time it moved slightly more and more, but never a great amount. By 38 weeks it was 2 centimeters away. That is the bare minimum required for a vaginal birth. After discussing with my doctor, the risks of birthing the placenta before the baby were too great - either the baby or I could develop serious complications including death. My doctor didn’t feel comfortable doing a vaginal birth, so therefore I made the choice for the c-section.

2. What surprised you the most about having a c-section?:

What surprised me is how common they are. As I informed neighbors and friends I might have a c-section, I met more women who had c-sections than had a vaginal birth! This was comforting to me. I was prepared for my c-section. My husband and I attended a labor and delivery class, but we made sure they went over c-sections, since we may need one. If we had not asked for details on that, they would have rushed over it. It surprised me that c-sections were not addressed in detail. I was even more surprised after two women I knew who had babies the same month as me and had emergency c-sections. They were not prepared. I watched videos and saw a pelvic floor physical therapist before birth on how to safely get in and out of bed, massage my scar, etc. It was surprising that I was not given this information at the hospital. Being prepared with a plan for my c-section was so helpful.

3. What kind of support do you feel you received (from friends, family, healthcare team) after your c-section(s)?:

Knowing I was headed in for a scheduled c-section made things much easier. My parents came to stay, not as grandparents, but as my mom and dad. They cooked, cleaned, and grocery shopped so my husband and I could focus on our newborn and recovery. Because it’s tough to get out of bed, pick up the baby, and take the stairs, my husband was really in it with me. He was up every two hours, helping to change the baby, handing me the baby to feed her, etc. It was 100% a team effort those first few weeks. I am grateful to have had his support. It also allowed him to have an incredibly strong bond with our baby. I will also say there were some feelings of frustration and sadness on my part. I wished I could’ve done more those first couple of weeks before I felt recovered— but that soon passed. It gets better!

4. What’s your #1 piece of advice/encouragement for a new c-section mom?:

It gets better! Take the time you need to recover. Ask for help so you don’t overdo it. It’s hard those first few weeks: the pain, the frustration of not having full use of your body, plus the sleep deprivation! But soon you will get over that hump. It’s very hard for a few weeks, and then it’s like a storm passes.

5. How do you believe having a c-section birth(s) made you stronger?:

Absolutely. It made my relationship with my husband stronger, and it made our bond as a family stronger. I would have loved an unmedicated, vaginal birth. However, my scheduled c-section was a truly peaceful and beautiful experience. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Name: Allison Nell, former teacher, stay-at-home mom

Country of Residence: USA

Instagram Username: @alliebnell