My Caesarean Birth Story (Elsie - January 2024)

After a LONG pregnancy with Hyperemesis, allergic reactions and many other little issues, by 38 weeks I was pretty ready to meet my baby, ready to not be pregnant, ready to begin healing. 

I went in for an induction at bang on 38 weeks after a few stretch and sweeps and trying all the old wives’ tales to no avail. We did two full rounds of Misoprostol, tried to break my waters three times, and used a Foley catheter for 24 hours. She was cosy in there - but I was ready. 

After four days trying to be induced, I made the call to have a caesarean.  

There was some pushback from my OB, who knew how much I had wanted a vaginal birth. I was even offered the option to go home and try again a few days later. But I knew I wasn’t leaving without my baby. 

Starting Pitocin meant the possibility of a long labour trying to birth a baby who just wasn’t ready. I didn’t want an epidural, and I didn’t want to risk stressing Elsie by forcing my body into something it wasn’t ready for. I felt confident advocating for myself because I had taken the time to understand my options during pregnancy. 

One more check confirmed my cervix wasn’t shortening, so we moved forward with the caesarean. 

To this day, it was the best decision I could have made. 

My OB was incredible. She let me watch Elsie be born and passed her straight up to me so I was the first to hold her. My birth may not have been the fairytale vaginal birth we’re often told to strive for, but it was calm, empowering, and exactly what I needed. 

Recently, I experienced a late first trimester miscarriage with our daughter Lottie. Before losing her, I had already planned an elective caesarean for her birth. My experience with Elsie gave me confidence in that choice and reinforced for me that birth doesn’t need to look one particular way to be right. 

Physically and Emotionally After Birth 

My recovery was textbook. Aside from an allergic reaction to the plaster on my thigh from the Foley catheter, I felt more like myself in the days after birth than I had in over a year.  

Emotionally, I felt a huge sense of peace in trusting my instincts. Letting go of the “ideal” birth I had imagined and making the decision that felt right for me made all the difference in how I processed the experience. 

What Helped Most During Recovery 

Having the right support and tools made a real difference in those early weeks. 

I used Belly Birth Icepacks from Viva La Vulva which were incredibly helpful in managing swelling and discomfort post-surgery. Once my scar had healed, I started using MyScar and truly swear by it. 

Advice for Other Mums 

Do the research so you understand your options - but also know it’s okay if your birth doesn’t follow the plan you imagined. Advocating for yourself doesn’t always mean pushing for one type of birth. Sometimes it means recognising when your body and baby are asking for something different.  

And most of all, birth doesn’t have to look a certain way to be positive. A calm, supported birth that feels right for you is what matters most. 

Kaz x