C-Section Birth Stories: Kirsty-Jo Blenkharn

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

I had an emergency c-section with my little boy. This was after five days of being induced and nine hours of labor. He was coming down nose first and back to back...a very awkward position. This emergency c-section led me to choose a planned c-section with my little girl (11 weeks old as of writing this in November 2019). Although at first on that operating table I was petrified after it all, I was told it was the best choice for my baby as my scar had a ‘window’ in it from my emergency c-section. I was told that if I was to have had one contraction I would have ruptured!

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

Emergency - how amazing and calm the staff was and how I didn’t feel a failure at birth at all but an actual superwoman instead.
Planned - how interactive the surgeon was, my partner got to see my little girl enter the world and cut her cord!

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

My partner and parents were amazing, offering all the help in the world to help me walk, cook meals, 10,000 piles of washing done by my mum but also the support from midwives and my partner through my recoveries. I was still recovering from my second c-section (as of writing this), as my scar wasn’t healing as well the second time. Emotionally it was hard to deal with since I just wanted to take my children swimming again!

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

Respect and love yourself, your body has done an amazing job for nine months and you are a warrior. You’ve just been cut open and are looking after a newborn whilst discovering a side of yourself that you have never seen before...amazing!

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

I’ve had a few surgeries but my c-section was the biggest emotional rollercoaster. It was my first time having to care for a newborn, learn how to be a new mum, and learn all about a c-section and recovery whilst battling mental demons that my body will never be the same again. This made me stronger to be able to cope the second time around with a newborn, toddler, and c-section scar and recovery. Mind over matter and positive thinking were much more natural for me the second time around!

Name: Kirsty-Jo Blenkharn

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