My Birth Story! - Twin C-Section

That doctor needs a christmas gift basket, that woman sounds like a blessing to this earth

I love that the doctors, while consoling you, didn't only say that you were wrong and not actually dying, they also said that this would be the best place for you to be treated if it were true. That feels pretty significant.

As a medical student, you sharing how your doctor was there for you made me tear up. I’m so glad there are doctors like that. I hope some day I can be like her.

Post abdominal surgical trauma advice: use a pillow to hold against your tummy when you cough or sneeze! It’ll help with the pain ❤️ congrats again! These babies are so lucky to have you both as parents!

As a nurse hearing your doctor advocate for you to the anesthesiologist saying “she says she doesn’t feel good.” Ugh chills. We love a doctor who listens to your concerns and advocates for you even to another doctor! ❤️

Okay can I just say, your doctor was intervention from the world because she was just what you needed to get through this pregnancy. A literal earth angel. Thank you to her for taking such good care of our precious Colleen and her little beans, you are exactly what every doctor should strive to be.

Two c-sections here- you’re not dramatic. It’s very hard and very weird- like surreal. For me, the docs were gossiping about coworkers while I was being sewn up- paying no attention to me. My husband left with the baby and I was alone- no baby, no husband, just basically a slab on the table. You’re not being dramatic- it’s super hard to process, especially when it’s unexpected. You can do this!

“Anestisialologist, is that right? I don’t know, the guy with the drugs”-Colleen 2021

it's been like a week since she gave birth to twins and colleen looks absolutely stunning like she is GLOWING. this woman impressed me every time

My dads an anesthesiologist and hearing his position referred to as “I don’t know the guy with the drugs” made me laugh so much.

You’re so strong

It’s crazy how fast and efficient everyone in that room is when an emergency arises. When they hit the NICU button in my room, people were in there from a different FLOOR of the hospital in less than thirty seconds. Doctors and nurses are incredible. I’m so glad they took good care of you 💞

I really love how your doctor spoke over the male doctor that was invalidating how you felt. Your doctor sounds like a real advocate. “I know it feels that way and that’s scary, it’s not likely to happen but if it does we have everything to help” is waaaayyyy better to hear than “yeah that’s not happening”

*Erik drinking orange juice*
Colleen, through her tears: “CAN I PLEASE HAVE SOME?!” 😂

The fact she looks so put together after just having her baby is just wow

Colleen: omg I’m so hormonal I can’t stop crying. People are going to think I’m dramatic
Me: 😭 can’t stop crying listening to her story.

I'm 16 years old, and the respect that I have for you, for being so strong and being such an amazing mother is crazy. I hope I get to be as good of a mother as you are one day.

This sounds absolutely terrifying and like a nightmare. I cannot even imagine. You are not dramatic at ALL. I am so glad you and the babies are through it and doing better. So proud of you and thanks for sharing

Karrie Locher recently posted “there are two people born during a birth, the baby and the momma”. The point was mommas need care and love too during birth and sometimes get forgotten. Your story about your doctor made me cry - I’m 10 mpp and still get emotional about my hospital experience.

Hey, just saying, this is coming from someone who has PTSD - if you find that after the birth you've been increasingly anxious for no apparent reason, you may have developed PTSD from the event. You've said that multiple aspects of the birth day have been traumatic, so just something to look out for. PTSD is very treatable, so don't worry about developing it

You are so strong!! My mom when she had me and my twin sister, the C-section. Tramuatized her. She felt the same feeling of her throat closing. She told me this story years ago and I still think about it, because I feel so bad her thinking she won’t see her babies again. Love you sm!! You are strong, and such an amazing moma ❤️❤️

The audio of Colleen saying she felt like her throat was collapsing was so chilling. I'm so relieved that didn't happen and that she's okay!

I had my daughter at 29 weeks and she weighed 1 pound 12.6 ounces and she was in the nicu for 79 days. When you described how your doctor held you during your spinal it brought back all those memories on how incredible and caring they are when you feel like you are completely helpless with a million thoughts running through your head. This was so emotional to watch. I’m proud of you!

Colleen-put a pillow on your incision and put some pressure on it when you need to sneeze. Or cough. Or laugh. Any jolting movement, really. It helps a ton! I hope you see this!

If he is comfortable talking about it, could Erik give his perspective of the birth experience on the podcast maybe? I can imagine it was terrifying. You are such a huge inspiration for so many women, and you and Erik really give me hope that there are good hearted people in this world. I love you Colleen, please never feel ashamed of talking about this 💕
Edit:
Also wow I’ve never had a comment get this much attention, Colleen if you see this I LOVE YOU so much, I comment all of the time and say this but you’re like a big sister to me and I adore you and your strength and courage. Aghhhh! I hope you see this I LOVE YOUUU LOL

Everyone’s birth story is different and in no way should what you experienced be diminished or deemed like you’re complaining. C-Sections are rough, especially when they’re sprung up on you and not planned. I too had cholestasis with my only pregnancy and the exhaustion you experience is on a whole other level and really messes with you physically and emotionally because the lack of sleep. Felt like little tiny insects were pricking at me all night. 36hrs into being induced because of the cholestasis, I hadn’t dilated and had to have a C-Section. I was crying because I felt so defeated after everything I had gone through in my pregnancy and them trying to get me to dilate. I sat there on the operating table in tears trying not to have a panic attack. I was already struggling to breath from the crying and my sinuses being closed because of pregnancy. Once they pulled my son out and he was fine to hold, I didn’t wanna hold him because I was afraid I would start crying more. I immediately had a fever after the c section and was shaking/vomiting like crazy. Got postpartum eclampsia and didn’t get to leave the hospital for 5 days. Can be traumatizing but it is all worth it. Wishing you a speedy recovery and praying your babies stay healthy and come home soon!

When my mom was giving birth to my little brother, she had to do an emergency c section because his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. He is currently 12 and watching try not to laugh videos in the room next to me, I love him to bits. Glad your kids are doing okay, love you Colleen! ❤️

As an L&D nurse, I’m so glad you were able to be awake for your c section. Most cord prolapse situations are so emergent that the mom is put to sleep. Also, I know this is silly but I just wanted to clarify that the NICU people in the room are mostly all nurses actually. Doctors do amazing work as well, of course, but just wanted to highlight the work those NICU nurses do.

Colleeen: im sorry im crying Im so hormonal!
Meanwhile me: sobbing just listening to the story

My son was an emergency c-section baby because the cord was around his neck and it went great. BUT, Sneezing is killer! And I was allergic to something in the hospital. Fun tip, squeezing a pillow to your incision while sneezing, coughing, or laughing brings the pain down just enough for it to be bearable.

Colleen, you pretty much told my birth story. I wish I could give you a hug. I loathed having my emergency cesarean because I felt so utterly alone and robbed of a great birth experience. Yet, I'm grateful for the cesarean saving our lives. It's a weird bag of emotions that not many people understand, so thank you for making me feel validated!

Hi Colleen, I had an emergency c-section too. I quickly went from pushing my son out to being told not to push whatever I did. My son had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck 3 times. (I like to say he was protesting being born and insisting on staying inside). My son was also rushed the to NICU immediately after his birth. He was on a ventilator for a few hours and luckily recovered quickly. He was born at 10:29 pm and I didn’t get to see him until around 11 am the next day, it was horrible. All I had was a Polaroid of his little body with the ventilator in his nose. I was a single mom and that first night alone in my recovery room is one I will never forget. I hugged this Polaroid and probably should have been wearing the I cry a lot shirt! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I am happy to say he is now a very healthy 17 year old who NEVER stops eating, he is a literal bottomless pit. Someday you will have 3 teenagers eating everything in your pantry and fridge no matter how many times a week you grocery shop and this birth trauma will be a distant memory that you tell your children when they are driving you bonkers. Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I know it is the same for you. Hang in there, you and your little ones are all on the path to healing and strength. I am keeping you in my prayers!

If Erik is comfortable we’d love to hear the story of the birth from his point of view!!

In you’re last couple videos, you talked about how you guys were taking it “Hour by hour”, in this video you said “We are taking it day by day”. Just something I noticed! And that’s progress! So proud of you Colleen and Erik! 💗💗

You had me crying talking about how your doctor comforted you in the OR. Empathetic healthcare professionals are so special

As a 17 year old woman who’s FAR from having kids or thinking about that or adult life in general lol YOU INSPIRE ME! You to me feel like a mother figure and guiding force through the trials and tribulations of life and womanhood. You are extremely strong and this story brought me to tears. I love you and your family and new babies and wish you all the best! Thankful for you and your honesty it’s so touching ❤️❤️

My mom had a really similar c-section experience when she had me. She felt like her throat was closing and she still cries when she talks about it because just like you said she thought she was going to die before meeting me. I wasn’t a twin, but I had cord prolapse and was stuck in my mom lol and I wasn’t breathing when I was born as well. When you talk about your experience it sounds so similar to the way my mom described it to me, and it makes me appreciate my mom so much more because she fought that much harder to bring me into the world mentally, even though she wasn’t “participating”. I bet your kids will feel the same way💗

try pressing a pillow against your incision when you have to sneeze. it made it a little bit more bearable for me when I was recovering from my c-section. also, listening to your birth story made me cry a lot (again), because I was reminded of how I felt, after my son was born. I was very lucky in that regard, that he was full-term and did not have to go to the nicu. But after the doctors pulled him out of me, I could hear him cry, but I could not see or hold him for what felt like the first 10 minutes of his life. And that was very traumatic. Just to hear him cry and not be able to even see him. Stay strong, Colleen, during this difficult time and please feel mentally hugged! :)

Being prepped for an emergency C Section before your partner is allowed to come in can be so "out of control" feeling. I totally relate to that.

I'm a very sympathetic person, so whenever you started crying I started crying right there with you. You're so strong mommas and I'm glad that your twins are here and healthy. You have a beautiful baby girl and baby boy, I've been watching you since I was in middle school and I feel like I've kinda grown up with you. And I know a lot of people don't like to share their kids with people over the internet because of obvious reasons, but I really appreciate you sharing your life,family and stories with all of us on the internet. I know you don't know me and I don't know you personally, but I love you Colleen and I just want to thank you for being part of my life both as yourself and as Miranda.

We need more doctors like Colleen’s ob/gyn 😭 I’m so glad she had someone like her

the way your doctor comforted you when you felt like your throat was collapsing is incredible. she’s actually a hero and i applaud and appreciate her so much

hearing the clip of colleen saying her throat was closing made me burst into tears that's so scary and i feel so bad that she felt that way. she is so strong.

I had twin babygirls almost 9 years ago at the age of 19 and I was so scared. My water didn't break on its own but I was in labor for 18 hours. When they were born they both had problems breathing so seeing your babygirl all hooked up brought me back to seeing my 1st born daughter hooked up to breathing tubes. Instantly made me cry. They broke my water and instantly her heart beat dropped so they were rushing around like chickens with their heads cut off lol. The second twin was breached and they told me that I would most likely have to have a C-section but instead they dr grabbed her by the feet and pulled her right out. I'm so grateful I never needed a C-section. My older sister had 2 sets of twins and had to have a C-section for both births

It's incredible the difference a caring doctor can make. The clip when you felt like you couldn't breathe is a perfect example. The male doctor seemed to brush you off, "yeah that's not gonna happen," while your doctor listened to you and reassured you that you were in good hands. I know doctors have a lot on their minds and are very busy during these procedures but I so wish more doctors understood the importance of listening to and communicating with their patients. Mental health is just as important as physical health when coming out of these traumatic experiences.

“Anesthesiologist, that’s a hard word for me to say. Whatever the guy with the drugs.” 😂 In all seriousness you are strong Colleen and i’m so sorry you had to go through that. 💗

I am so proud of you. Birth trauma is real and something that isn’t talked about enough. Sending so, so many hugs. ❤️

I really appreciate hearing this story as someone who has been to several emergency c-sections as the doctor with the NICU teams its helpful to hear the experience of a mom and what they are going through

I'm just thinking of when they grow up, and boy will say "I'm older" and girl will say " BY 2 MINUTES!!"❤😭

My baby had her cord wrapped around her neck and they almost had to suction her out when I made direct eye contact with my partner and pushed her out in one push just so that they could get the cord off of her and she could breathe. It was terrifying, she was purple, I was completely torn, but she was okay after some extra oxygen. It was crazy to me how quickly that little baby became my hero, I kept telling her how proud of her I was. Your twins are heros and they are crushing it!

i didn’t cry when i was born either. i scared everyone in the room. but you’re strong and i send my love to the twins. congratulations on your babies! ❤️

I am 6 weeks postpartum and could barely watch this because everything you were saying brought back such intense memories. My experience was very similar, though I didn’t have cord prolapse. My c-section was emergent, however. How you felt is exactly how I felt - you are not alone in that. Now that my baby is out of the NICU and home with me, I can tell you that it WILL get better, and you WILL be able to bond with them. Seeing them with monitors and feeding tubes is difficult, but when they finally are able to have them removed, it is the best feeling! If I can find one positive about the NICU experience it’s that my girl sleep GREAT because she was so used to bright lights, constant noise and beeps, and other babies crying. 🤪

I meant to tell you - a few weeks after we had each of our kids, I asked my husband to tell me what happened from his perspective. It really helped process some stuff. I found it so helpful! Maybe Erik could do that for you. Especially since this time was so traumatic.

"Anesth- Anesthesiologist?"
"I don't know the guy with the drugs"
I think it's a hard word for everyone to say! 😂

My mom had a c section when she was 32 weeks pregnant with my brother due to pre eclampia. Her c section wasnt nearly as traumatic as yours and she still cries when taking about it 25 years later. You have every right to feel what you're feeling. You're doing great ❤️

The doctor telling you that even if something was wrong, you’re in the right place, that you have everything you’d need at your fingertips, and that you’re not at home would be so incredibly reassuring to me. She seems like such a blessing.
I’m grateful to be watching this back now that Maisie and Wesley are healthy and happy and almost a year old ♥️

When I was born, I had the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck and had suffocated for so long that my heart had stopped. The only time I have ever seen my dad cry is while he recalled the events of my birth and how he felt waiting for me to cry while I was on the baby crash-cart.
It reminded me of you talking about your baby girl. I don’t think remembering that moment will ever get less painful and scary, but that is just a testament to how much you love her and the place that she already holds in your heart. ❤️

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NAMES REVEALED! You are so strong Colleen! Even the fact that you survived is incredible

Girl coughing and sneezing is the WORST PAIN after having a c-section! I can feel your pain. I've done had 3 c-sections! Congrats on your 2 precious bundles of joy! So excited to watch them and Flynn grow up together. He's going to be such an awesome BIG brother! Sending lots of love and prayers y'alls way from Louisiana! ❤❤❤

You had Flynn home for Christmas. I feel confident that these little ones will be home with their family for the big day, as well. Positive thoughts to you and your family.

Best c-section recovery advice I received: Whenever you feel a sneeze or cough coming and you're not sure you can stop it, hug a pillow. I found pressing it onto to my incision area gently when I sneezed helped me feel like my insides weren't about to burst through my incision. Like you, I had never had a surgery before my c-section and, as you and others have said, I also felt like I couldn't breathe when my son was out. It's terrifying and, though I'm obviously okay, I'm still relieved to hear that seems to be a common thing.

Your doctor is a rockstar. How kind to coach you while Eric couldn’t be there for a minute.

By far the most realistic, honest and funniest KRplusr there is. Love her personality sm!! it’s so cool how she keeps being so „normal“ in her videos, whenever I watch one I feel like she’s not faking any reactions/or exaggerating things like almost every other KRplusr. Her channel is also personally the only channel where I can watch these long talks and actually find them funny and interesting. Comfort channel cuz her and Erik seem so real therefore every video has those positive/happy vibes! 🥺💕

I am so proud of her. She was scared, but she did it. Incredible woman and the twins are incredible too. Congrats Colleen. 🥰💚😄

I laughed when Colleen said “I don’t know the guy with the drugs.” Lol I love you Colleen you are going to be a great mom!

My nephew came via an emergency c-section at 32 weeks due to my sister having a placental abruption. Thankfully she was already in the hospital, or else we were told neither of them would have survived, given how far away they lived from the hospital. My nephew had to be revived a few times once he was delivered as he was not able to breathe on his own. He was born with hydrocephalus, and his kidneys were not working, along with several other health problems. For the first two months of his little life, he endured surgeries, was life-flighted to a children's hospital hours away, and we were told he would most likely never have a normal life, never walk, never talk, and we weren't even sure if he would survive. I tell you all of this, to say this...Today my nephew is 21 years old, a college graduate, works full-time, is an amazing drummer, and lives the most normal life you could ever imagine! No matter what challenges you may face in the coming days, weeks, months, or years, it's going to be alright. Take a deep breath, and take it one day at a time. Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with all of us! 💕

I'm honestly struck by the nurse story when getting an epidural. I was trembling and sobbing when I had my first one and the nurse was so cold and unfeeling; she basically scolded me for being so upset and not able to be still. Ugh.

I had an emergency c section at 25 weeks, my husband was on a business trip in another state when I went into labor and I was all alone and it was so terrifying and traumatizing. My daughter spent 4 months in the NICU, she came home on oxygen and heart moniters and I was scared every moment. She's now 2, and perfectly healthy. Your doing great mama! This will be a distant memory soon and you'll be cuddling your baby's at home. Love you!
Edit: to put how early she was into perspective, she was born June 21 and her due date was October 4th.

I sobbed over my baby’s hospital bassinet when she had MINUSCULE levels of jaundice. She was under the lights for maybe 9 hours and then we could go home. And I was a wreck. I cannot imagine the emotional torment you have been in and yet here you are, strong enough to tell us all about it. My admiration is through the roof. 💘

24 years ago I had that same conversation with the anesthesiologist! I was convinced I was dying during my C-section, he convinced me as long as I was talking I was not dying. I had a lot of blood loss plus I already suffered from Panic Disorder so I'm pretty sure that combination didn't work in my favor. Congratulations on your beautiful babies!

As a person apart of the medical team, this makes me happy to hear that they were good to you during the spinal part. It’s always scary for patients and with the clinic I work at, we make sure safety and security comes first for our patients. I’m glad you felt touched for those moments ❤️

Colleen saying shes crying about how sweet her doctor is cause shes hormonal ….. *me crying* why am i crying then 😂😂

Don’t ever feel like you’re being dramatic or too emotional! You were honestly afraid for the lives of you and your children. I’m crying just imagining how you must’ve felt.

I’ve had four C-sections and I’ve only had C-sections my first one was an emergency and it was absolutely horrifying hated every second of it but my three others were planned and they were absolutely amazing I honestly feel like if it is a planned C-section it is so much more calm than emergency and not as terrifying.

I had emergency c-section with both of my babies, two years apart and they were both JUST as traumatic. I was so scared and also felt like I was dying, and they were also Nicu babies. It was all worth it and I'm very thankful my babies are ok but really made me want to NEVER want to have babies again. 🥺

The first thing I recognized was Colleens new shirt and I thought: "Oh, how fitting. It's the theme of the video." And I cry with her EVERY time. Mommas unite.
And the part with the not crying of the baby I can understand very well. My son took his time until he cried out for the first time. He came out of me and I just called his name and waited for his cry, but it didn't come. For me it felt like minutes, but it probably just were a few seconds. It took us a little longer than wished to get him out because my power left me. But my doctor helped by pushing on my belly from the outside. So my son just needed a second to take a breath. But this moment waiting for his cry was so horrifying for me.

I have never had any children, but I have had an appendectomy, and sneezing after that was ABSOLUTE HELL. It really helped to grab a pillow, pull it up to your abdomen, squeeze that tight against your body, and sneeze while keeping that pressure. I promise you, it helps so much. I love you so much, Colleen!!!! You are actually amazing.

I’m the product of an emergency C-section due to preeclampsia so hearing how your experience was makes me even more admirable of my mom. I realize her experience was probably different but I’m sure there were some similarities in the process so it’s really interesting to hear about it.
I was born 2 months early as well but I was only 2lbs. Luckily I was totally okay but I had to be in the NICU for 2 months which I know now must’ve been so hard on my parents.
Thank you for sharing your story you super hero momma❤️

Girl I started crying when you talked about how your doctor was treating you so sweetly :) I wish I had that type of emotional support when I gave birth

I’m a nurse and it was eye opening to hear your experience from the other side. Congratulations to you! I’m thankful you and the babies are doing well. As much as you want the babies home by Christmas don’t get your hopes up. It may not happen and that is okay. Trust me it was be worst if they don’t come home and you get your hopes up. If they come home sooner that’s fabulous!

I just had a baby at 32 weeks in May and the best thing I was ever told was that the highs will be unbelievably high and the lows will be just as intense and that really resonated with me. He is now a happy healthy 6 month old. Praying for you and your family. NICU life is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through but one day you will look back and realize it made you a stronger mother. 💕 talking about how hard it was made me feel better ❤️‍🩹

I can’t even begin to explain how incredibly similar our traumas/perceptions of c-section were. INCREDIBLY similar. It was so surreal to hear you explain it, and actually really helped me with the imposter syndrome I have surrounding our experience.
I coordinate events over at Dear NICU Mama (podcast, insta, private Facebook group). Please drop by any time. We’re non-profit, there’s no financial gain of any kind for us to have someone with a “presence” there, we just really want to support ANYONE with NICU experiences.
Take good care of yourself. Validate that trauma ❤️

Colleen, a tip for abdominal surgery and sneezing and coughing that I learned when I had surgery, press a fluffy pillow (not a firm throw pillow) into your lower stomach while you cough or sneeze and it helps. ❤️

I’ve heard also the difference between a scheduled C-section and emergency C-section is night and day. I’ve heard so many people traumatized by emergency c sections and then have a wonderful experience with their next because it was planned and much more peaceful. Just writing for anyone who may be forced to schedule one and is scared.

You are so strong Colleen! I was born at 31 weeks, through an emergency C-section, where they had to knock my mom out completely. Here I am now, healthy as can ever be. I cannot imagine the pain and fear you both went through, tysm for sharing your story with us

It makes me cry thinking about how traumatising this must have been for Colleen and how scared she was. But I’m glad she and the babies were safe. You’re so amazing Colleen! 🥺💜

I am SOBBING. This is bringing back all of my c-section memories. I’ve had three and each time I also felt like I was going to die on the table. The spinal block was so easy for me, too, I barely felt anything at all each time! It’s crazy how similar we are, I also have ADHD and Dermatillomania and I’m a singing actress and it’s just so weird bc I feel like I’m watching my soul sister living a separate life on the opposite coast from me! I’m so proud of you. You are absolutely a SUPERWOMAN and even though it didn’t feel like you participated in your twins’ births, your body absolutely was a freaking BOSS LADY that knew exactly what to do to get those babies out exactly when they were supposed to. I believe the timing was perfect and you should be proud that you were able to endure such a hectic time! Love you, Colleen!

Already so In love with the babies ... watching Flynn grow up is already so amazing and I can't wait to watch them grow up too

There's also a huge difference between an emergency c-section, an unplanned c-section, and a scheduled c-section. I don't know many people with emergency c-sections who feel great about the experience. I'm sorry that yours went that way, too. I've had one unplanned and two scheduled, and one and three were very easy. Two was a bit more challenging in recovery, but still positive overall.

I hope Colleen knows what an absolute QUEEN she is!

So, I’m only 13 so haven’t given birth to any humans (hopefully in 20 years or so!) but when I was born, my cord was wrapped around my neck and I wasn’t breathing for a while. My mum told me that was one of the scariest moments of her life. I do not truly understand this pain and fear, but I know I am so so so so proud of you! Hope you are recovering well (you look AMAZING!) and the rest of the fam - of course the twins - are doing great! Love ya 💗

This made me remember when I had to have my emergency C-section with my son at 26 weeks due to preeclampsia. I remember how hard it was to connect with my son when I first saw him. I couldn’t hold him until 3-4 days after giving birth to him. He weight 1lbs 6oz. He was so tiny the size of a water bottle. It was the hardest time. I had him in July. His due date was Oct but didn’t come home until DEC. 5 whole months in the NICU. He came home with a feeding tube. He is now 6 years old and still on a feeding tube. Now I have a 2 year old also and she was a full term baby vaginal delivery and I swear thinking back I thought the C-section was way easier to recover from. Maybe it was me being numb to the pain since I had bigger things to think about. But with my vaginal delivery I swear I was in pain for a month. I couldn’t sit on the toilet. I couldn’t sit at all! It was too painful. I couldn’t even pee with out having to concentrate.

i have one son born via c-section. it was the most traumatic thing i have ever been through. 3.5yrs layer it still is a hard moment for me to think about. when you said you didn’t feel like a participant in the birth it really resonated with me. thank you so much for sharing. wishing you & you beautiful babies health & happiness.

I've had both a vaginal birth and a C-section. I honestly hated them both. My body hated being pregnant. I threw up every single day with both until the day I gave birth, I had constant cramps the entire time, my daughter was born was 34 weeks and because of that I had to take these shots during my second pregnancy that hurt so mad. And then I had gestational diabetes and diet didn't do anything so I had to get shots for that too.
My water broke at home with my daughter in the middle of the night and I labored for 52 hours before she was finally born because my body wouldn't fully dilate. When they started talking about a C-section it was like she hears them and she finally came out 45 minutes after that. She weighed 5lbs exactly. We spent our first Christmas in NICU and she stayed a little over a month. Leaving her every night was the hardest thing I ever had to do. But I would spend all day with her alone in the hospital and when my husband got out of work, he would join us for a bit. It's so crazy to think that she is going to he 9 years old in 12 days!!
But because of that pregnancy and birth, I thought I didn't want anymore kids. 6 years later we decided to try with my son and that pregnancy was worse. And I was supposed to deliver at a hospital almost 2 hours from us when I went in at my 38 week appointment for a non stress test and they told me I was not leaving. Because his heart rate keep dipping and going back up, they wanted to monitor him overnight. But things didn't get better, do we had to have a C-section. And I thought I was going to die the entire time. I felt so much pain and like I was going to pass out so all I remember is I was rubbing a nurse with my foot and singing my favorite song as loud as I could to keep myself awake. When my son was born and they wanted me to see him, I didn't even want to because I was honestly so focused on staying alive. It sounds so silly but it was so scary. And that was almost 3 years ago. It feels like yesterday.
You're so brave and strong mama. And I can't wait until you have all your babies home. ♥️♥️

A note for others getting csections, there are now "family friendly" csections with my daughter it was one of them. I got to see her come out. She was nursing within 30 mins and she was with me the whole time. THIS IS NOT BELITTLING COLLEENS MAJOR EMERGENCY. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS IN AN EMERGENCY! This was planned for days of me being in the hospital. So it was amazing with her birth.

I shivered uncontrollably during my emergency c-section and I felt nauseous. I felt so miserable that I wanted to not die, but still leave my body until it was over. I had been in labor for twenty six hours and it was the middle of the night when it was finally over, so once I got to see the babies and give them a little kiss, I immediately fell asleep. My twins were born at 38 weeks, but most twins are born earlier than that. I also had unbearable pain whenever I got out of bed. I'm five weeks post partum, and it's still a little sore.

I'm crying so bad. this gave me flashbacks to my own birth. It was vaginally but I had surgery and my baby had trouble breathing too. No one knows what it's like until you've lived it. ❤ you're so strong, thank you for sharing.

How has Flynn been during all of this? Has he asked questions? I’m sure he has seen pictures of the babies. What does he think about them?

I had a scheduled C-Section because my son was also breach and my blood pressure was high. He came out screaming at 37 weeks and 2 days, but they quickly noticed he was struggling to breathe on his own so he was whisked away to the NICU. He was there for 2 of the longest weeks of my life. I spent every day at the hospital drowning in guilt for things I felt like I should have done differently for this helpless little thing. I spent my nights at home full of guilt for not being there. It was right at the beginning of COVID so we weren’t seeing anyone and no one was allowed at the hospital besides my husband and myself. I felt so alone. I am still traumatized by my experience. All that horribleness aside, I have a happy healthy 19 month old son now and it was worth every struggle. Every alarm on that NICU monitor. Every day of non-stop crying. Your babies will be with you soon (even though it doesn’t feel soon)!

thank you for sharing so much about both of your childbirth journeys. you've helped me realize that i don't want to have kids of my own. i used to think i wanted them, but after hearing stories like yours and learning about how much trauma women go through, i have decided it's not what's best for me. i hope women can keep speaking out about their pregnancy/childbirth truth so that other women can make informed decisions about their future! appreciate you