There’s a common perception that opting for a C-section is merely a shortcut in the journey of labor and childbirth. Some even argue that women who deliver via C-section haven’t truly given birth at all. The notion is widespread: if a woman can conceive, she should be able to deliver naturally. It’s just how it works.
Women who have C-sections are often seen as choosing a less valid method of birthing. So, if you’ve decided on a C-section instead of enduring the traditional route, some might say you haven’t really experienced childbirth. You’ve taken the easy route. And in some circles, it’s suggested that this means you’re not a “real” woman.
Real women, it seems, go through the process the way nature intended.
I should confess that I, too, am not considered a “real” woman in this context. I opted for three C-sections, and let me tell you, each one felt like a breeze.
To be fair, I initially attempted to let my first baby navigate through the traditional path. After all, I put in the effort. However, my little one had quite the noggin and couldn’t fit through my pelvis. After fourteen hours of labor, the doctor intervened, realizing I wasn’t going to have the experience everyone expects. She and her team wheeled me into the operating room—the place where those who choose the “easy” way go to deliver—and brought my baby into the world. I was relieved! After a grueling day, someone recognized that a C-section was my best option.
The second time around, I had a baby who was larger than average. Following the advice of a new doctor who also agreed a C-section was my best option, we scheduled the surgery a week before my due date. The doctor concluded that if my first baby couldn’t fit, then neither would this one.
Things didn’t go as planned, as my second baby decided to make an early entrance. I found myself in the hospital, enduring four hours of labor until an operating room became available. The surgery was far from smooth, and I had to stay tied to my hospital bed post-surgery, unable to visit my baby in the NICU. But hey, it was a walk in the park! Not being a “real” woman has its perks!
For my third, I ended up in the hospital at thirty-six weeks due to both my baby and I experiencing quick heart rates. I spent a week there, enjoying the delightful aspects of not being allowed solid food, feeling like a balloon from IV fluids, and experiencing contractions that lasted up to twenty-five minutes. Finally, after reaching thirty-seven weeks, I had my third C-section.
At first, I was disappointed that the experience was coming to an end. I wanted to prolong the easy part of pregnancy—puking into bedpans and being disturbed every hour for checks. But when the time came, I was ecstatic! I got to spend four hours in surgery while the doctors navigated through my scar tissue. It was quite the adventure!
In hindsight, it’s time to acknowledge what many already suspect: having a C-section is often viewed as taking the easy way out. It’s not the same as traditional childbirth; it’s more like a vacation. And what a memorable one it was!
So, to all the women out there like me who have chosen the C-section route, it’s time to embrace it. The secret is out.
For more on this topic, check out this informative article on artificial insemination and explore the options available at Make A Mom’s Insemination Kit for further insights. If you’re interested in other perspectives, you can also read about our disclosure here.
Summary:
This article humorously addresses societal views on C-sections, sharing the author’s personal experiences with three C-sections. The narrative playfully critiques the stigma associated with opting for a surgical birth, ultimately encouraging women to own their choices.