I've mentioned before that I had a C-section with my son last September. And it was a not so great experience. I was in a lot of pain afterward, and it's something that I do not want to go through again, if I don't have to.
However, my various doctors continue to rain on my parade and constantly encourage me to schedule a C-section for this baby, because I'll be delivering only a year after the first C-section. At first I cried when they told me a few months ago. But, I was determined that I wouldn't have one. On Tuesday I had another doctor's appointment, and of course the doctor told me the same thing. I'm starting to accept that I may have another one.
The doctors are afraid that my c-section scar will rupture, which can be fatal for both me and the baby. But, from my research, the chances of that happening are very small. But it can still happen. Right now, I'm just trusting in the Lord that everything works out the way that it should.
I was reading today on Anna's blog about fertility, and I must admit that I'm somewhat afraid to trust God with spacing my children. I got pregnant with my son one month after our wedding, and pregnant with my second when my son was almost 3 months old. So, . . . I'm a little hesitant to trust after this second one. I was all for it with the first, and quite a bit with the second. But, I want to be more financially stable and HEALTHY before I have another child. I'll see what happens, and keep praying about the direction that I should go in.
4 comments:
May I give you some encouragement if you DO have to have another C-section? The second is not nearly as painful or debilitating as the first. Really, it isn't. The doctor will typically cut along the old scar and the tissue there is not so sensitive as it was the first time. And somehow, a woman's body seems to bounce back more quickly than you might expect, especially if she is in good health to begin with.
I personally believe God allows us the choice to space our children, as long as our methods of doing that are scriptural. I am not a Catholic but you might check out some of their information on natural family planning. While you are young and presumably able to handle two C-sections this close, it WILL be hard on your body to keep up this pace of childbearing and major surgery. Your husband needs a wife and your precious children need their mother.
Blessings on you in whatever you decide.
I was also in a similar situation as I had a C-section with our first and then when she was 8 mths old got pregnant with our second. My doctor told me I would have to have a second C-section but I am a young healthy women and felt that they could not dictate to me what was right for my health, so I started researching and praying. Sounds as you have done a little of that too. There are some great books out there about VBACs (feel free to email me if you want to know some books that I have read about VBACs and C-sections - patriciabird@yahoo.com). I also continued to pray and felt God was telling me to pursue other avenues. We ended up doing a home birth with some great mid-wives, but I know that isn't for everyone, and to my knowledge I know there are some states in the US that do not allow home birth or midwives to be certified for home birth. We were also in a financial situation to pay for it since our insurance would not. All of this to say that you do have options and if you feel God is speaking to you in a certain way then you must follow what He has planned for you! It is always best to be in His will. I know how scary it is to think of major surgery and also spacing of children, as my husband and I are struggling with that right now - wondering about a third! I just think that God is telling me at this time that I must give Him total obedience in EVERY area of my life, not just the ones I want to. This has been a hard lesson for me to continue to learn.
May God Bless you and your family whatever your decision. Seek the Peace that only God gives.
I appreciate your kind comments carla and tricia. I have definitely been praying for a VBAC this time around, and feel fairly confident that I can.
I have heard that the second time isn't as bad as the first, so that thought does give me some comfort if I have to have a C-section. If I have to have another C-section, I'm thinking that I will try natural family planning. I know I should completely surrender my fertility to God, but, . . . I don't know. I'll just keep praying.
Thanks again ladies for sharing your thoughts with me. I appreciate it.
Hi,
I like your blog-- I'm new to it, but it's inspired me already.
In case you are interested, the Couple to Couple League offers classes on Natural Family Planning.
The neat thing about NFP is that you get to decide every month whether or not you feel open, as a couple, to another child. There's an ongoing conversation in the marriage, so you have continual flexibility.
By the way, FAM (Fertility Awareness Method), doesn't require abstinence, but it's also less effective at preventing pregnancy.
Also, NFP is for everyone, not just Catholics! :) And most people don't realize the sympto-thermal method is 99% effective when practiced correctly.
Okay, thanks for listening, and thank you for your wonderful blog. I apologize if you've already posted on this somewhere else already!
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