The C-Spot: A Podcast about C-Sections

Episode 14: Courtney's C-Section Journey

During this episode, I connected with Courtney - a Mama of three who has had 3 unplanned C-sections. Her first C-section was a result of being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. Although her doctors attempted to induce labor, the interventions to manage induction along with the side effects from HELLP syndrome resulted in a C-section under general anesthesia. She attempted a VBAC with her second baby - after an induction at 41 weeks pregnant, Courtney's birth experience also resulted in a C-section. With her third baby, we talked about doing "all the things" to prepare for a VBA2C, but she developed preeclampsia at 38 weeks, which led to her third C-section. Some of the topics discussed include HELLP syndrome, unplanned C-sections, general anesthesia, dealing with the ebbs and flows of not having the birth experience we hoped for, and the importance of doula support during a C-section, whether it is planned or unplanned, and the advantages of a birth plan. Courtney has now entered the birth world by becoming a doula. Courtney is dedicated to helping mamas find the balance between tapping into natural aspects of childbirth without dismissing the advantages of interventions (when necessary). She offers a package to families who have a planned C-section, as a doula can still be helpful in this instance. If you'd like to connect with Courtney to discuss her birth stories and mission to support other moms, feel free to follow her at @courtneydavella!

Episode 13: Becca's C-Section Journey

Episode 13 features Becca, an amazing Mama of three boys. Becca and I discovered that we had quite a bit in common - on top of both of us having three sons, we have also both had 3 C-sections. Becca's first C-section began as an induction at 42 weeks; her son was experiencing heart rate decels and labor was not progressing. After this C-section, her recovery was complicated due to needing wound care for several weeks. When Becca became pregnant with her second son, she was determined to achieve a VBAC. Halfway through her pregnancy, she discovered that she had complete placenta previa - which self corrected within a couple of months! After going into labor and dilating to 10 centimeters, her baby boy did not descend into the birth canal - she pushed for 6 hours before her medical team decided it was time for another C-section. Her third C-section, a planned surgery, resulted in an emergency Cesarean hysterectomy due to having placenta accreta. Some of the topics discussed in this episode include placenta previa, placenta accreta, hysterectomy, being informed of risks associated with C-sections, postpartum depression, birth trauma, and healing. Becca credits a lot of her healing to the work she did with a wound healing therapist. She learned that a lot of women tend to hold trauma and pain in their womb space, whether or not you've had a hysterectomy. Becca is the founder of Holistic Obsession. She is a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and a board-certified holistic health practitioner. She uses her knowledge about the body's physiology to educate women on the importance of hormone balance and gut health and how it relates to mood, brain function, inflammation, and chronic pain, just to name a few. If you'd like to chat more with Becca about hormone support + reversing burnout, please follow her on Instagram at @myholisticobsession.

Episode 12: Sara's C-Section Journey

Our guest for Episode 12 is Sara, a Mama of three beautiful babies. Sara experienced a vaginal birth with her first child, but, while she was in labor with her second child, she found out - at 8 centimeters dilated - that her baby was transverse. This resulted in her first unplanned C-section, with an internal vertical incision. Sara had a planned C-section for her third baby at 37 weeks due to the nature of the first C-section. While listening to Sara's story, you will discover that her two C-sections were completely different experiences. Her second C-section resulted in a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition where an artery in the lung is blocked by a blood clot. Some of the topics discussed in this episode include vaginal birth, NICU, planned vs. unplanned C-sections, the importance of self-advocacy, listening to your body's signs if you may be experiencing a medical emergency, the difference in medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unexpected outcomes in childbirth. If you'd like to learn more about Sara and her birth experiences, feel free to follow her at @heysaramakk!

Episode 11: Amy's C-Section Journey

This episode features a chat I had with Amy about her C-section experience in April 2021. Amy and I were both Science teachers at the same middle school, and I remember when she and her wife were expecting their daughter a few years ago. Amy talked about having her daughter at 32 weeks after being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. This podcast episode was recorded a couple of months after the death of Tori Bowie, an Olympic athlete who died from complications due to childbirth. It is suspected that Tori died from eclampsia and possibly even HELLP syndrome. Some of the topics discussed include the warning signs of HELLP syndrome, navigating pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, mourning the experiences that you may not get due to a preterm delivery + medical complication, an extended NICU stay, focusing on the positive moments in an unexpected situation, and learning that a C-section may not always be traumatizing or a negative event. One topic that resonated with me as I talked with Amy is the importance of knowing that so many factors of childbirth are not within our control. It is perfectly fine to plan the birth of your dreams, but it is also helpful to know that parts of your birth plan may change, but it does not mean that you are a failure. It is also okay to mourn the birth that you did not get as well. For Moms that would like to learn more about HELLP syndrome and Amy's C-section, feel free to follow Amy on Instagram at @amseybeth!

Episode 10: Elizabeth's C-Section Journey

Our guest for Episode 10 is Elizabeth, a Mama warrior who experienced two vaginal births before needing an emergency C-section at 38 weeks with her third child due to HELLP syndrome. HELLP syndrome, which stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets, is a rare, severe type of preeclampsia that affects the blood and liver. It can be life threatening for Mama and baby. Elizabeth discusses a whirlwind of emotions with this unexpected diagnosis during the COVID pandemic, from being sedated for her C-section to her baby needing a NICU stay. Some of the topics we talked about include traumatic birth, recovering from HELLP syndrome, juggling motherhood with other children in the midst of tending to a baby in the NICU, medical knowledge about labor and childbirth, changing your mindset after a traumatic experience, and relinquishing control and leaning into supportive loved ones. Elizabeth shared that her mindset shift was so important in her healing journey - she looks at this experience as a moment in time that does not define her as a mother or her relationship with her son. This conversation was truly eye-opening for me as I am healing from my traumatic birth experiences as well. Elizabeth is a certified manifestation + mindset coach and is the founder of Surreal Dawn. Her mission is to help moms who may have lost themselves to reclaim their power and use the art of manifestation to create a dream life. To find out more about Elizabeth and Surreal Dawn, go ahead and follow her at @thesurrealdawn!