C-Section Birth Stories: Robyn Giles

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

It all started when I had to get my bump measured. It was fine to start with until the second measurement, which was below the lowest line you can have. So we went for a growth scan every two weeks and a blood flow scan every week. My consultant was convinced that there was something wrong with the baby even though the scans were coming back completely normal apart from the baby measuring smaller than she should’ve been. She was 3 pounds 10 ounces at 32 weeks. I was then told that baby would be born before 37 weeks because they thought something would happen to her. We ended up having her at 36 weeks after being in antenatal and being monitored every day for nearly two weeks. Thankfully, my baby was delivered at 5 pounds at 36 weeks and was absolutely perfect!

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

How fast and calm it went! I was on the operating table for an hour but felt like 10 minutes to me and my boyfriend. The staff was amazing throughout and nothing happened until the anesthetist knew I couldn’t feel anything from my chest downwards! This was 30 minutes in and I was then told the baby was coming in 5 minutes and it felt like 30 seconds. She was handed to my boyfriend and was absolutely perfect and healthy!

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

The midwives were amazing in the hospital, were always there answering questions, or even to check on me to make sure I was walking around to help me recover. My boyfriend has been amazing and still is. I definitely could not have gone through it all without him, especially the condition he’s seen me in the first couple weeks of recovery!

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

Don’t overdo it! Yeah, you may feel completely fine but you’ve still got to take it easy because you’ve had major abdominal surgery at the end of the day! Listen to your body and if you feel like you got a bit more swollen and it aches or pulls, sit down and let people fuss around you!

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

It made me feel like I can get through anything since I got through the c-section itself. It was the hardest and scariest thing I’ve ever done but I got to meet my baby at the end of it and it was the most amazing experience I've ever had. I feel like I can do anything now after I received the all-clear at my postnatal check-up.

Name: Robyn Giles

Your Profession: Student

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