C-Section Birth Stories: Regina Olive

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

I was very determined to have a vaginal birth. After about 72 hours of being in labor, during which the doctors broke my water and I wasn't dilating, I finally agreed to having Pitocin. I still wasn’t dilating and they told me it was in the baby's best interest to have a c-section.

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

Not being able to be with my baby during recovery.

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

Everyone was great with asking what they could do. Friends cooked dinners and came to visit. My baby's father was really good about grabbing and doing things that I was restricted to do by doctors.

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

The pain during recovery is only as unbearable as your mind tells you it is. Don't listen to "war stories" about the unbearable pain that recovery will "surely" bring before you have the baby.

I didn't know much about c-section births because I didn't go in preparing to have one. My mom mode took over and the determination to not put medication into my baby's system through breastmilk, I feel, "sensored" the amount of pain I was in. I believe it truly depends on what you focus on.

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

Coping with not having things go the way I had envisioned and learning my tolerance for pain on behalf of my child were two areas in which I learned how strong I actually was.

After I went through the whole birthing process, I could no longer play into any former weaknesses that I may have leaned on in the past that held me back in achieving things I wanted.

I learned the true power of will, determination, and mindset.

Name: Regina Olive

Your Business/Title: Positive Mindset Coach

How to Connect With You: https://www.instagram.com/wecanwewillwemust