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Evan Michael Blackwell's Birth

My son Evan was born by elective C-section. It was nothing like the horror stories I had heard, it was a wonderful and exciting experience.

At seven months, Evan was discovered to be upside down. At the time, the doctors felt that there was ample time to let him turn on his own, so nothing was planned at the time. Closer to 37 weeks, an ultrasound found him still to be breech and measuring fairly large (estimated about 9lbs). My doctor decided to forgo a version since he was so big and I was refered to an Obstetrician to weigh my options.

Since I am 6 feet tall, it was decided that I would try to deliver the baby breech. Shortly before forty weeks, Evan placed himself on a nerve on my right leg and I lost most of the feeling in my leg. I was admitted to hospital to be monitored for two days. During that time, another ultrasound found that the cord had been wrapped around his neck. Several obstetricians agreed that the risks far outweighed the benefits of natural birth and a C-section was scheduled for the following day. I spent the entire day fasting and waiting for several possible C-sections before they finally told me to have dinner and start again tomorrow. The next day, I started fasting at 8am and again had to wait for possible emergency sections, but was finally prepped at 8 that evening. I was given an IV before going to the OR where they administered my epidural. It was quick and painless. They led my husband in where I was lying down and being hooked up to a blood pressure and heartrate monitor. A curtain was put up in front of my face and iodine was rubbed on my stomach. They started immediately and before I knew it, my son was being held up over the curtain for me to see.

They whisked him away to the corner of the room where he was cleaned and checked. Everything was fine and he was bundles and handed to my husband to hold while I was stitched up. They wheeled me to recovery and handed him to me right away to nurse him. He seemed to catch on right away and fell asleep after afew minutes. My husband went with him to the nursery where he was checked and once again checked out fine. Recovery was uncomfortable, but not terribley painful. I was blessed with a content baby who slept most of the day away, which added to the ease of my recovery. I have no regrets about the decision to have a section since it likely saved my sons life. He was ultimately born at 9lbs 5oz, 22.5 inches long, and is now two years old and growing like a weed. As rewarding as the experience was, I am now looking forward to trying a VBAC with his little brother. An experience I hope to share with you all soon.

Brandi Blackwell
mom to Evan (18/11/93)