C-Section Birth Stories: Ginny Helmer

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

I went to my final appointment at 40 weeks, 3 days and basically showed no signs of progress. My OB performed an ultrasound that showed my son measuring large (nearly 9 pounds and 2 weeks ahead in the head), and my blood pressure had risen a bit, so we made the plan to induce. I started with Cytotec and began contracting well. I dilated from 1 to 3 centimeters after I completed that dose. I moved on to Pitocin and they ruptured my water. After a while, they noticed my son’s heart rate would decelerate after every contraction. They internally monitored him to ensure they weren’t missing something. There was also meconium in his amniotic fluid, which can be nothing, but also could mean distress. I made it all the way to about 9 centimeters when I began feeling very ill. Around that time, they had to make the choice to shut off my Pitocin, as my son was continuing to show signs of distress. When they did, I had “arrest of dilation” and my labor just completely stopped. At this point, they also discovered my son was sunny side up, and likely was stuck in my pelvis, meaning pushing could be brutal if we got there. My son’s heart rate then spiked into the 180s-190s and I spiked a fever of 101.5. degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, I was diagnosed with chorioamnionitis. The on-call OB called my primary OB and they both agreed, it was time for an urgent c-section delivery. I consented, but I was terrified and my nurse did not tell me much. The next thing I knew, they upped my epidural, laid me on the table, and soon enough my son was born not breathing, as the cord had been wrapped around his head and stuck between him and my pelvis, causing the decelerations during contractions. He also was born feverish. They ran him to another room and the NICU team resuscitated him and took him straight to his NICU room. I hemorrhaged at the same time as all of this, losing 1.5 liters of blood. Thankfully, we were both okay, thanks to our great medical staff!

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

How much you truly feel during the surgery. I expected not to feel much, but I felt TONS of pulling, tugging, and pushing. I even told the anesthesiologist “wait! Stop! I feel things!” She told me it was normal as long as I didn’t feel any pain. It was quite an experience!

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

My OB was AMAZING and I had a few good nurses in the postpartum ward as well. I had several friends who have had c-sections who gave me great recommendations for the aftercare and I was very appreciative.

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

Do not feel like a failure! What you’ve just gone through is crazy hard. You are strong and so brave. Be proud of yourself. Also, take the pain meds. Trust me. It doesn’t make you weak. That’s what they are there for!

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

Between the c-section, the 5-day NICU stay for my son, and the recovery afterward with a newborn, I have learned just how strong I really am and just how far I’m willing to go for the ones I love. Birth itself is not easy, no matter how you do it. Mommas are amazing!

Name: Ginny Helmer, Stay-at-home mom

Country of Residence: USA

Instagram Username: @ginny.ticen.helmer