03-31

It's official. Ethan will arrive by c-section on March 31 unless I go into labor early.

Friday we met with the surgeon that did Elliana's c-section two years ago. After gathering all of the information that we could, and listening to the surgeon as she went over the operative report from Ellie's c-section, it became clear that a repeat c-section is going to be the best and safest route for us to take to bring Ethan into this world. Both the surgeon and my primary care Dr. confirmed that I am not a good candidate for a VBAC, and they advised us to schedule a repeat C-section.

I have mixed feelings about this decision.



On one hand, I'm very sad. I'm sad that I will never get to experience a vaginal birth. I watched my sister Jenn deliver 2 of her 4 babies vaginally, and both deliveries were beautiful and smooth. I so wanted to experience that. I'm also sad because I know from experience that it is much harder to recover from a c-section than a vaginal birth.

On the other hand, I've heard that a scheduled c-section is a much better experience than an emergency c-section.

Everything about my experience with Elliana was not good. My water broke on her due date, then my contractions were right on top of each other and I dilated from 3cm to 9.5cm in one hour. I showed up at the hospital ready to push. After pushing and pushing, and the Dr. even using the vacuum to try and help Elliana come out, Elliana's heart rate was dropping and we went in for an emergency c-section. I was so exhausted physically and I could barely keep my eyes open after it was all over. There were many other complications that followed in the days after Ellie arrived. When I look back at my experience with Ellie, it's all just kind of a bad blur.

However, it's nice to know ahead of time that a c-section is needed and I'm looking forward to what should be a much better experience. I also know what to expect this time.

In the end, I have to remind myself that a few short years ago I didn't even know if I would ever be a mother. I am so thankful that God has given us not only one but soon to be two children. Their health and a safe delivery is what's most important and if a c-section is what's needed for them than I will be focusing on that. Again, I'm just thankful to have them.

I wanted to end with the rest of the pictures from my maternity shoot with Becky. These aren't all of the pictures, but some of my many favorites. I've said it so many times before, but I LOVE Becky's work! There are so many good pictures to choose from. Enjoy!

















This is how Ellie feels about not being our only child anymore. Ha!






Ellie wasn't supposed to be a part of the maternity photo shoot, but she kept running over to us so we snuck in a family shot. :)