C-Section Birth Stories: Iman F.

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

Hi, my name is Iman and I live in Western Canada. My pregnancy was going well and I was low risk. I was thinking about my birth plan, and I was okay with having a c-section. Also, I have been a NICU nurse for the last seven years. After working a night shift, I had a routine ultrasound at 29 weeks, and that is when they found the problem with my placenta. My son wasn't growing well and he was getting stressed. I was in and out of the hospital for two weeks. What led to my c-section was that my son was getting more stress in utero, and a c-section was the best and safest option for him. He was born at 31 5/7 wks. He was admitted to my NICU and my co-workers were taking care of him. Being a patient in my own unit was unreal! It was crazy being on the other side, as a patient. But I'm so grateful for my NICU team for admitting him and taking care of him. He was in the NICU for 5 weeks.

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

It is surgery, but I was surprised how fast I healed with moving a lot. It is VERY painful to move, but I had no choice since my baby was in the NICU. I had to walk from my car (after being dropped off) to the hospital every day. But the movement helped so much and I healed pretty fast.

Also, you often hear that a c-section will affect your breastmilk and you won't have enough milk. Based on the information I read and know, a c-section shouldn't affect your breastmilk. I had a good milk supply. Usually what affects your breastmilk might be that you’re exhausted and tired from the surgery, so you don't pump right away. The key is to start pumping right away or breastfeeding your baby right away to start the production of milk.

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

My family and friends were amazing. They took turns driving me to the hospital when my husband was working. They cooked and dropped off food for me. They took photos of me even when I didn't want any photos. These photos are a great memory now. They visited me at the hospital (this was pre-COVID of course :) ). The healthcare team was amazing in explaining to me about the c-section and why they had to do it. During the surgery, they were calm and explained everything they were doing. Even though I'm a nurse, they treated me like a regular patient and new mom, and that’s exactly what I needed!

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

Try to move and walk as early as you can in the hospital. It's going to be painful, so take your pain meds and don't be a hero. But moving will really help you heal faster.

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

I always had a low pain tolerance. It was to the point where I couldn't handle my period cramps and I had to take pain meds. After having a c-section, and walking to the hospital every day, I really surprised myself with the strength I had to handle the pain and discomfort. My body and I can handle so much more than I thought. It was also after my c-section, that I actually started to do some work on my new blog to share my experience.

When I was hospitalized and I had a high-risk pregnancy, I came up with the idea of starting a blog to share what I went through. I want to teach and empower other NICU parents, who also had a high-risk pregnancy and a premature baby. I have the unique experience of being on both sides, as a NICU nurse and a NICU mom, and I want to share my knowledge with others.

Name: Iman F.

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