The way it's supposed to be

When I first became pregnant, I had the perfect birth in mind. I was going to labor for as long as possible at home (or nearby- walking around a 24-hr Wal-Mart) before going to the hospital. I didn’t want any medication; certainly no pitocin and I was optimistic about laboring without (and delivering without) an epidural or narcotic drugs. I figured, like many women reminded me, “my body is made for this”. Fast forward to my third trimester- I felt like I was 300 months pregnant. At 36 weeks, an ultrasound estimated my baby to weigh 9 lbs and forecasted a 10+ lb baby if carried to term. My OB/GYN expressed concern for delivering a 10 lb baby vaginally, since I had no previous history of doing so. I have to admit, I was concerned as well. My husband and I weighed the pros versus the cons, and together, we made the decision to go with a scheduled C-section. At first, I felt sad that I wouldn’t be able to experience all those typical labor/delivery milestones: my water breaking, timing contractions, rushing off to the hospital, pushing out a baby.. etc. But you know, the more I thought about it, the more excited I became about having a date and time that I would be certain to greet the most awesome person I have ever met. Is that selfish? Maybe. Did I catch a lot of negative tones? Of course- you know, the usually, “so sorry you’re having a c-section”, “that’s too bad a normal birth didn’t work out for you”, and the worst, most unsupportative comments: “You know, you don’t HAVE to have a surgical birth!”, “Get another opinion!”, “See another doctor!” and “It’s your right to refuse surgery!”  Not a single person (outside of my mother) said, “Wow. Congratulations!” or expressed any excitement or happiness that I was about to embark on one of the most significant milestones of my entire life! I was made to be a mother! In the final 7 days leading up to my date, I embraced the final hours of pregnancy- my heart smiled with every kick from my loved one as if he was saying, “I’ll see you soon mom!”.  In the end, his method of getting here wasn’t important. What was important was that he gets here and that he is safe and healthy!

My next pregnancy will undoubtedly result in another scheduled c-section and I’m okay with that. It might not be the way God intended for ALL women, but it is the way that he intended for me.

Oh, and let me add that my newborn son weighed in at 9lbs8oz!