C-Section Birth Stories: Sydney Anstine

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

I was informed early on, around 14 weeks gestation, that I was not going to be able to push my baby and would need to have a c-section due to a head condition I have called a Chiari Malformation. A few weeks later, my neurologist made the call that not only was it not safe for me to push but I would need to go under general anesthesia for the procedure. He told me that a spinal or epidural could be catastrophic and could cause me to have a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak and other complications.

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

Honestly, what surprised me the most was the treatment I received from others when they would find out that I was going to have one. I constantly found myself having to defend it and explain why, having to assure them that my team of doctors were in fact not pushing me to have an unnecessary procedure and were valid in their decision. That was the most surprising to me, the amount of shame and judgment I received from others.

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

My husband was amazing. This was our first baby and he was absolutely incredible about the whole thing and really put my mind at ease leading up to our delivery date. If I was ever afraid, he was there in my corner backing me up and encouraging me to stay strong and have no fears. He would constantly research ways to help me heal after and to bond with the baby. He made sure that he would be there to do skin to skin with the baby immediately since I would be in recovery and would be unable to do so. He was very much a part of her birth, as much I was, and it really made our relationship that much stronger.

Secondly, my healthcare team. I cannot commend them enough. My OB is amazing and she made me feel at ease the entire pregnancy. She really advocated for me and for my husband. She was even able to get the anesthesiologist to allow my husband in the OR to see the baby be born. The anesthesiologist was also incredible and was in contact with my neurologist leading up to the surgery. The anesthesiologist also called me the week leading up to the surgery to go over any fears or concerns I may have and to reassure me that I would be safe. Even on delivery day, the entire healthcare team, from the nurses to the doctors, were top notch. I had the most amazing healthcare team at my side and I’m still blown away by them.

When I got to the operating room and laid on the table, the emotion of it all hit me rather hard and I started crying. Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed to my side to comfort me. I was laying there feeling so vulnerable and here were these incredible healthcare providers holding my hand and speaking words of encouragement to me all while preparing to do major surgery. I will always be grateful for what they did for me.

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

Don’t ever feel ashamed for having a c-section. All birthing methods are beautiful in their own right and one way is not better than another. There is a lot of stigma surrounding c-sections and I’m here to tell you I was never once sad that I had to have one. Focus on the end goal which is to bring a beautiful baby into the world. How you get them out is such a small part of the process of having a baby. Recovery is tough, take your time to heal, know that you’re a rockstar, and you earned that scar with pride.

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

For me, having to go under general anesthesia for the first time and becoming a mom at the same time was so surreal to me. I have always been deathly afraid of the idea of being put under for anything, let alone for birthing a baby. However, the moment the decision was made all my fear went away and I mentally prepared myself. It was a sense of ease that I never had felt before. Especially with something I would have never thought I could handle mentally. That in and of itself is so beautiful to me. The fact that I could overcome a major fear and feel so at peace with it all.

Name: Sydney Anstine

Your Profession: Flight Attendant

How to Connect With You on Social Media: Instagram @Takingbacksydnay