C-Section Birth Stories: Erica Conlon

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

After a completely textbook pregnancy, I was in labor for thirty-three hours. Those thirty-three hours included a failed epidural, a ton of back labor, and six hours of pushing. Turns out, our little guy was stuck so a c-section it was. My worst fear was having a c-section, especially one where I was put to sleep. Also, no one knows why, but the freezing for the c-section failed like the epidural did. So I was put under general anesthesia and woke up to my husband and new baby enjoying some skin-to-skin.

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

Since I didn’t plan on having a c-section and I hadn’t researched it much, a lot surprised me. The biggest and most overwhelming thing was how hard it was to even get out of the hospital bed to care for our little one. Trying my best, it would still take me minutes to get to him and it was frustrating to not move as quickly as I’d like to.

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

My husband was the best support I could have imagined. We grew so much together from this experience. On top of that, our midwives were the best thing that could have happened to both of us. My husband was understandably as scared and overwhelmed as I was with everything. Our midwife comforted him as much as she did me. The staff at the hospital (during the c-section itself) treated me cold and like another surgery to push through, in my opinion. But our midwife talked me through everything and answered all my questions and held my hand until I was put asleep. During the first night at the hospital, my nurse was AMAZING. She came in constantly and was helping me with everything under the sun. We wouldn’t have made it through that first night still sane without her!

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

Remember, you just had major surgery and your body went through so much. Be kind to yourself and give yourself some slack. Your baby needs his/her super mom, which you are!

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

While in labor, the stress, the pain, the pushing, the fear...it was the hardest thing I ever did. I know that even though it resulted in a c-section, I did everything I could. Then being asleep for the c-section and not being able to experience the first interaction with our son was my biggest fear and I made it through that too! Now I get all the interaction and “firsts” I want with him! So if I could do that, I can do anything.

Name: Erica Conlon

Your Profession: Architectural Draftsperson

How to Connect With You on Social Media: @erica.conlon on Instagram