Positive c-section birth story!! Big baby! TMI Raw birth photos!

For my entire pregnancy, baby boy had been measuring two weeks ahead. We had been seeing a MFM and having growth scans bi-weekly which estimated him to be in the 98th percentile with a birth weight somewhere between 9.5 - 10.5 lbs. As a new mom, I was of course worried about being able to push him out, but I was really wanting a vaginal birth. After lots and lots of research and speaking to several of the OB’s at my clinic, we decided that a C-section would indeed be best because it offered the least amount of risk for stalled labor, shoulder dystocia, and other complications. I cried a LOT letting go of the birth plan that I wanted for us, but in the end we made the right decision!

On 6/11 we went in for our 40 wk. routine check. My blood pressure was pretty high, and due to it being elevated at my previous visit, my OB decided that it was best to go ahead and deliver baby. Our little guy made his appearance at 6:24 that day weighing a whopping 10 lbs. 11 oz and was 22 inches long. The doctors and nursing staff said that if we had decided to deliver naturally, it could have been a really long and painful labor that would have likely resulted in an unplanned c-section. We were SO glad we chose to deliver in the way that was safest for him. We were able to do skin to skin immediately after he was delivered and assessed, and he didn’t leave my side at all after that! I was so worried about bonding time and I really don’t feel that I missed out on anything at all. I am recovering really well with minimal pain, and we are breastfeeding like champs. If you are nervous about having a c-section, my advise would be to stay optimistic and go with the flow. I had a WONDERFUL birthing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything! Here are some photos of my birth and meeting our son for the first time!!

Rhett Carter Hayward 🖤 Welcome to the world!

5 years. 4 IVFs. 3 losses. 1 miracle 🌈