No regrets - Stop the Mummy shaming!

7 Comments

I was 40 weeks and and 4 days when I went into labour. It started out as cramps in my back at random intervals, around 3am Tuesday morning.
They continued on through the next day, while I went about the house work and made sure my hospital bag was packed. By 1am the following morning (Wednesday) they were getting closer together and more painful, so we took a trip to the hospital. There I was told I didn’t appear to be in labour, but they said they would check anyway. I was 4cm! They told me to return the following morning.
Around lunchtime on Wednesday I arrived back at the hospital, having contractions (all in my back, nothing in the front) every 5 minutes or so.
This continued on for hours on end. I ended up having contractions that lasted for over a minute and were only a minute apart.
I opted for the epidural after they broke my waters around 3am Thursday morning. I was 8cm at this stage. I was hooked up to the heart rate monitor after getting the epidural. My sons heart rate began dipping with every contraction, eventually dropping to only 40 BPM!
It was decided to rush me to theatre for an emergency c section. I was lucky to have had the epidural already, as they would have put me under general anaesthesia.
My son arrived safely at 4:45am.

I have talked to many mums after this scary experience, and I find I get asked the same question often; “don’t you wish you had a normal birth?”
While a c section wasn’t part of my birth plan, it was necessary to make sure my son arrived safely. So no. I don’t wish I had a “normal” birth!
We need to stop making other Mums feel guilty for their choices during childbirth! We are all amazing and strong, no matter how our babies entered the world!
I spent a long time ashamed to say how my son was born, but now I live with no regrets. I have a beautiful, healthy little man, and that is all that matters.
Be proud of your birth experiences, you all did a wonderful job!

Posted by Sarah93, 31st May 2016

7 Comments

- - mom93821 said
  - 02 Jun 2016
    7:36 am
I always say define normal? As long as babies arrive safe and sound, it does not matter how they get here!

- - BellaB said
  - 31 May 2016
    7:16 pm
Maybe they just mean a birth with less drama…

- - Jessica said
  - 31 May 2016
    3:32 pm
Ive never had a c section but it doesn’t matter how or where you give birth be proud some woman arnt blessed like we have been isn’t that all that matters

- - mum4107 said
  - 31 May 2016
    1:31 pm
I can’t believe people say that. all that matters is that you and your baby are ok. I had a c section. All I care about is that my daughter was born safely

- - mom81879 said
  - 31 May 2016
    12:46 pm
I cannot understand how some people can be so judgemental regarding birth and breast feeding. Most of us just do whatever is best for us and our children, sometimes there’s no choice in what we do. Just accept it

- - mom90758 said
  - 31 May 2016
    12:15 pm
Absolutely true. Luckily that you could get a cesarean. It was the best decision for your and your baby! Congratulations on your baby!

- - mom165744 said
  - 31 May 2016
    12:14 pm
Some people have no idea. You have a healthy child, that is the main thing. I wouldn’t consider a c-section not normal. Enjoy the precious gift you have.