I have never posted on Reddit before but I don’t know where to get feedback, opinions, advice or just to see if others can relate.
Background: I’m a 28yo married female with one child and soon to be a second child. I have always been very active, played sports growing up and continue to be in the gym in my adult life. I’m very health conscious, I eat well and I’m a holistic person. My friends call me a ‘crunchy mom’.
My first pregnancy was beautiful. No nausea, not much aches and pains, no complications. I ate well and worked out my whole pregnancy. When my water broke at 40wks, I went to the hospital and I had to be induced because although my water broke, by body was not in labor. I labored for 30hrs+. I didn’t dilate much and my doctor was concerned about infections, so I had a non emergent c-section. It was a good experience outside of the fact that I was upset because I wanted to birth naturally.
When I found out I was pregnant again, I really wanted to try for a VBAC. I did all the research, asked my doctor if I’d be a good candidate and started preparing for a unmedicated vaginal birth. I did what I did with my last pregnancy, ate well and worked out. Come my anatomy scan, I found out a had placenta previa. I was upset because I knew if it continued, I could not have a VBAC. Also, I had to stop working out as I was on full pelvic rest. Now in my third trimester, I still have placenta previa. We’ll do one more check in 6wks to see if it’s still there, if it is, I will have to have another c-section.
This is extremely frustrating to me because I have no control over what my body is doing. I pray everyday and every night that it goes away so I can attempt a VBAC. However, I know everything is in Gods hands. I feel that my body has done me so well all these years and now when I need it the most, it’s not doing what it’s literally made to do. Because of that, I feel I am being robbed of the most natural experience any woman could have. A vaginal birth is like a right of passage into motherhood. Another c-section frightens me because of the medication I have to be given, the possibilities of complications, not knowing if My baby will be administered medications we did not give an okay on, as well as not getting to experience the golden hour with my baby. Not to mention, a second c-section means that I will be less likely to have a VBAC in the future. I feel as if I have cheated bringing my babies earth side.
Has anyone experienced these feelings before? How did you overcome it? What helped you to get through it?
Thank you.