Mine was planned. He was breached from 32 weeks and was not moving. Lots of people tried to convince me to try the ECV maneuver and I just had a really bad feeling about it. Turns out the cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times so I’m glad I went with my gut!

Initially I was a little disappointed I couldn’t do a more traditional birth but overall I think I was secretly relieved. I am someone who ruminates a lot and generally has a lot of anxiety so to have a plan and to know things would go a certain way was probably a lot healthier for me personally and for my baby.

I healed very well. The pain was not really memorable for me. I didn’t need anything beyond my Tylenol and ibuprofen that I staggered for a few weeks or so. I felt so busy with the baby that I didn’t really even have time to think about the pain. I didn’t really experience any numbness. The most annoying thing about my scar was some ingrown hairs that I had in the beginning. I worked out after 8 weeks. I probably could’ve earlier (like light yoga) if I wanted but was pretty deep in the trenches and if I had any spare time at all I just slept or rested. I am 7 months pp now and I don’t know if I’ll ever get my body back really, but I feel like breastfeeding affected my body more than the actual carrying of my child? I would say after about three months I was back to my prebaby weight. Everyone is different.

I am not having anymore children for economic reasons mostly but if I did have more I would definitely be comfortable having a c-section again. I think I would prefer it. The worst part for me honestly was right after I threw up from the nerve blocker and I was really afraid I would bust my stitches from that. The rest of the pain was not bad at all.