C-Section Birth Stories: Carly Orta

1. Please share the circumstances that led to your c-section birth(s):

During my first pregnancy with my daughter, my water broke at 28 weeks. I had PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes). I was placed on hospital bed rest until a scheduled c-section at 34 weeks, due to her being breech. For my second pregnancy, with my son, I was really hoping to try for a TOLAC/VBAC, but due to discovering I had extremely low fluid at 32 weeks, the doctor advised I wouldn’t be able to carry past 36 weeks. Therefore, I had a scheduled c-section at 36 weeks.

2. What surprised you the most about having a c-section?:

For my daughter’s c-section, I was quite surprised by how many people were in the operating room. Multiple doctors and nurses for me and multiple doctors and nurses/NICU team for her, since delivery was at 34 weeks. With my son, I was more mentally prepared and all the nurses joked, “You’ve done this before huh?”.

3. What kind of support do you feel you received (from friends, family, healthcare team) after your c-section(s)?:

The nurses at Advent Health downtown in Orlando are literally angels on Earth. One nurse I had for my PPROM stay while pregnant with my daughter, was transferred to Labor & Delivery, and she was my nurse who stayed with me for my entire c-section with my son. It was so nice to have a familiar face when I was nervous about my second c-section. Madison was there every step of the way and even let me squeeze her hands when they placed my spinal. Forever grateful for all my nurses and doctors.

4. What’s your #1 piece of advice/encouragement for a new c-section mom?:

Two words: STOOL SOFTENERS. Also, get up and walk! After my first c-section, I didn’t expect the severe gas pains that travel up to your shoulders. But after my second one, I was prepared and made sure to stay on top of my medication and got to walking before they even took my catheter out. My husband was carrying it behind me, so glamorous! But my recovery the second time around has been so much smoother with knowing what to expect!

5. How do you believe having a c-section birth(s) made you stronger?:

I 10000% believe being a 2x c-section mama has made me stronger. I always believed I had a low pain tolerance and was weak, but I have accomplished so much with two difficult pregnancies. I still amaze myself with everything I have done for my two children.

Name: Carly Orta, Full-time mama + Full-time Client Service Liaison at AssistRx

Country of Residence: United States, in Florida

Instagram Username: @carly.orta