C-Section Birth Stories: Madison Hughes

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

Failure to descend and dilate were my reasons for having a c-section. I was induced with a Foley balloon and Pitocin. I had the balloon removed after 12 hours and I was dilated at 5 centimeters. I was maxed out on Pitocin and 12 hours after I had the balloon removed, I was only at 6 centimeters. We met our 9 pounds 5 ounces baby boy about 30 minutes after the doctor checked my cervix for the last time.

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

My doctor placed a suctioning dressing on my wound, which I believe really helped expedite the healing process. I was pleasantly surprised by this because I didn’t know anything about it. I was also surprised by the lasting pain from my epidural/spinal. I think it may have been placed poorly but I had daily pain for over 9 months postpartum.

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

I feel like no one knows what a c-section mom experiences unless they’ve had one themselves. Luckily for me, even though none of my family was familiar with c-section births, they understood that I was recovering from an intense labor and a surgery. Our baby was born in the evening and my wonderful husband took care of him mostly solo that first night while I was confined to bed with a catheter. My mom was worried when we told her we were going in for a c-section and I wanted to see her immediately after. I was too groggy to remember it but I know it made me (and her) feel better in the moment. My healthcare team was incredible and my doctor came to check on me in the morning before she opened clinic.

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

Recovery sucked for me but at least I didn’t have any vaginal tears! On a serious note, I assure you that you won’t feel any less love toward your baby for having a c-section versus having a vaginal birth.

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

I believe having a child any way (c-section, vaginally, adoption, surrogacy) makes a woman so strong. There’s just something life changing about seeing that little person and knowing you’re going to be their whole world. I believe my c-section made me more knowledgeable to help my friends who had them after me. My best friend and I refer to it as “the zipper mom club.”

Name: Madison Hughes

Your Profession: Social Worker

How to Connect With You on Social Media: @madison.a.hughes on Instagram