An Empowered Planned C-Section

The moment I found out I was pregnant, I already knew what I wanted for my birth- a planned c-section. It wasn’t the popular choice, nor was it what many of my friends, family, and even midwives expected of me. The common advice was always, "Our bodies are made for vaginal births," but, I knew what was best for me. I’ve always been a planner, and the certainty of a scheduled c-section felt like the right decision for my body and mind.

 My pregnancy was smooth and empowering; I stayed active, worked, and trained right up until a few weeks before my girls planned date. One thing I didn’t have to stress over was birth classes or the uncertainty of when she would arrive, especially as a single mum at the time and navigating the unknown of support from the father.

Then came the morning of June 21st, 2024, the day I would meet my babe. I was wheeled into the surgery room, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. The team of surgeons, nurses, and the anesthetist were incredible- their smiles, their positivity, their warmth were all so reassuring. They made me feel safe, excited, and supported, as they talked me through every step of the procedure. As the minutes passed, I felt a combination of nerves, cold air, excitement, and a sense of awe as I knew my tummy was being carefully opened, layer by layer.

The whole process was quick, about 15 minutes, if I remember correctly. The anaesthetist gently explained, "You'll hear a pop, that’s the sack. Then in a few seconds, you’ll hear your baby cry for the first time." And sure enough, I heard her- a strong, perfect cry. She had a little delay in the cord cutting, as I’d requested, giving her a moment before the world rushed in. She was then weighed, wrapped up snugly, and placed up into my neck as I was stitched back up. It was pure magic. 

I tried to breastfeed shortly after, but it wasn’t the path I’d take- and that was perfectly okay.

My baby girl is formula-fed, and I’m so proud of that decision. Every journey to motherhood is unique, and every woman’s path is her own. Our choices deserve respect, and a c-section is far from the "easy way out." It was the right choice for me, and it was an experience I will always cherish.

I couldn’t have asked for a better birth experience, and I’m forever grateful to the team at Northern Beaches Hospital for making it all feel so right.

Birth story written by Monique.