C-Section Birth Stories: Katie Walton

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

I was induced at 41 weeks and 4 days, due to post-dates and borderline blood pressure. The induction started with Cervidil, then Cytotec, then a foley balloon with a slowly-increasing dose of Pitocin. I then consented to the artificial rupture of membranes (AROM). Pitocin was reduced and then slowly increased. Because of the Pitocin and my Group B streptococcus (GBS) plus status, I was continuously monitored and had IVs hooked up to me all over, thus keeping me very close to my bed. The IVs blew and Pitocin had to be discontinued while the nurses tried to get an IV line back in my vein. I had been using hypnobirthing techniques, but this was the last straw that broke my concentration. After 25 minutes, I was hooked back up to Pitocin at full blast. I was experiencing a great deal of bladder pain that did not ease up in between contractions, and the contractions themselves were unbearable (and I have a very high pain tolerance). I asked for my options regarding pain medication after being checked and I was still at 5 centimeters after 5 hours. I consented to Stadol (pain medication), but this did not help. After an hour or so, I consented to an intrathecal (spinal), as my hospital did not offer epidurals. Despite being internally monitored after the intrathecal was placed, I still made no progress. The midwife tried to call it but I asked for more time through the sobbing tears. I was given two more hours and still no progress. After a 3 day induction and all of the interventions under the sun, my baby was born at 9:54 pm on November 14, 2019 with a double nuchal cord weighing 8 lbs 10.3 oz and 21 inches long with a 14.5-inch head circumference. He was asynclytic (the head of the baby is presenting first and tilted towards one shoulder) and stuck. They call it "deep transverse arrest."

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

Everything! I had not for one second throughout all of my birth preparation (and I did a TON of it) even considered I would need a c-section. I guess if I had to choose, I would say that I was most surprised at how dissociated I became during the process and how little memory I have of my son being pulled out of me. I don't remember meeting him for the first time or hearing his first cry. It was all a fuzzy memory. I did not expect for the emotional response to this to be so intense either.

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

My friends and family were great - they brought my husband and me meals for almost 2 weeks straight, when getting around was the most challenging for me. The midwife that assisted the cesarean birth was the midwife I connected to the most during my prenatal visits and was wonderful. When I went to get established with an IUD about 8 weeks postpartum, she took an HOUR to debrief the experience with me, share with me that she was worried she had "pushed me too far" because she knew I wanted a vaginal birth, and explained that I was a great candidate for a VBAC. She saw me as an equal and had a GREAT deal of empathy, and that really showed. The appointment took almost an hour and 20 minutes which was far more than I was scheduled for. My husband is continuously supporting me and has been willing to listen to me when random thoughts about my son's birth come up. This has truly been the biggest challenge of my life so far.

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

Talk about it! Find your people and process, join support groups (online or in-person), and seek a therapist if you need it. I have heard women share that even with planned c-sections, a lot of unexpected feelings come up. It's a LOT to take in and holding it in is only doing a disservice to yourself and your healing process. Try to balance processing with living in the moment and enjoying your baby - this has been the most challenging for me. You will get through the tough times and, although you only get one chance to meet your baby, you have the rest of your life to develop a bond with them, so be gentle with yourself!

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

I believe a c-section birth has truly made me stronger because I’ve had to give up the false perception that I can control everything in life. I've also learned that advocating for myself is hard and it's something I really need to work on. During my induction of labor, there were things I went along with even though in my gut I knew I didn't want to. However, I did them because I didn't want to be inconvenient or be viewed as a noncompliant patient. Whether or not these decisions played a role in ending up with a cesarean is something I will never know for sure, but I've been able to identify that standing up for myself and advocating for my needs is a MASSIVE goal of mine...and I can do it. Finally, after having a cesarean, I've learned that even though it's tempting to get into that mindset, I don't need to be at war with my body. My body is strong, my mind is strong, and I *am* getting through this day by day.

Name: Katie Walton

Your Profession: Mental Health Therapist (LCPC-C)

How to Connect With You on Social Media: Instagram: @rosepetals.and.peaches