🌼 The Birth That Turned Everything Upside Down
Pregnancy is always full of surprises, and my second one was no different.
I was 25, five years after my first baby, and this time, I thought I had a better understanding of what birth would be like. Even though my first experience wasn’t perfect, I walked into this pregnancy feeling more confident… like I could prepare, plan, and maybe even do it better this time.
This birth didn’t unfold the way I had pictured.
My doctor had told me she was breech and wasn’t able to turn her, so we scheduled a C-section at 39 weeks. In that moment, it felt like everything had shifted and was suddenly out of my hands.
Even with that, I didn’t stress too much. I was curious, a little nervous about the surgery, but mostly just excited to meet her.
This pregnancy had its own challenges too. The gallbladder pain that crept up in my second and third trimesters made some nights almost unbearable. It felt like a tightening belt around my midsection that kept me awake. Still, I pushed through, trying to stay positive for my growing baby—while also feeling ready to have her in my arms and finally take care of the gallbladder issues.
At the Hospital
Before I knew it, the day of surgery had arrived. Surgery was scheduled early in the morning, around 6 a.m.
I remember lying there with a curtain in front of me, hearing the quiet buzz of the operating room. There was a mix of nerves and curiosity running through me. I kept wondering what the doctors and nurses were saying that I couldn’t quite make out… and part of me feared they might be saying something was wrong.
I could feel the tugging and stretching—sensations I couldn’t see—but I had to trust that everything was in good hands and that we would both be okay.
There’s something about walking into a situation you didn’t choose that feels different.
It’s not the same anticipation.
It’s not the same sense of control.
It felt more like surrender.
I was so thankful for one nurse in particular. She would come up, place her hand on my shoulder, and gently check in on me—telling me what was happening and what was coming next. She let me know my daughter was about to be born and that they would place her on my chest for a few moments.
And then suddenly—she was here.
I felt that same awe I had felt with my first baby.
I held her briefly while they finished closing me up, trying to soak in every second of those first moments before they took her. She needed a little time in the NICU to help with her breathing, and that part was hard.
Postpartum & First Days
Recovery from surgery was slower physically than my first birth.
The first time I had to get out of bed, I remember thinking how different my body felt. Every movement was slow and intentional, and even then, it hurt more than I expected.
I didn’t realize how much you use your core for everything until I couldn’t use mine the same way.
I pushed myself to get up and walk, knowing movement would help me heal—and also get me closer to visiting my little girl in the NICU.
Going home didn’t magically make it easier, but I was more comfortable in my own space.
I had a newborn who needed me, and a body that wasn’t fully ready to give the way I wanted to. That was hard.
But I wasn’t alone.
Having my first child at home—a helpful five-year-old—made a world of difference. Watching him interact with his baby sister, giving cuddles and trying to help in his own little ways, filled my heart in a way I didn’t expect.
What Helped Me During C-Section Recovery
Looking back, there were a few things that made those early days a little easier for me.
Some I figured out as I went, and some I wish I had known ahead of time.
💛 Getting up and moving (slowly)
As hard as it was, getting up and walking helped more than I expected.
💛 Having support nearby
Whether it was help with my baby, meals, or just someone checking in, those small moments meant everything while healing.
💛 Comfortable, loose clothing
Anything that didn’t press against my incision was a must.
👉 Postpartum clothing
💛 Abdominal support
Having something to support my core made standing and walking feel more manageable.
👉 Belly band
💛 Extra pillows for support or a wedge pillow
Getting in and out of bed was much easier with added support.
👉 Wedge Pillow
💛 Keeping things close
Having baby essentials within reach helped me avoid unnecessary strain.👉 Baby Diaper Caddy
💛 Giving myself time
Healing wasn’t instant, and learning to slow down was something I truly needed.
💛 Incision care & the unexpected itching
One thing I wasn’t prepared for was the itching as everything healed.
It wasn’t just surface-level—it felt deeper, like the nerves were waking back up, and it could get pretty uncomfortable at times.
Keeping the area clean and dry helped, and wearing loose clothing made a big difference so nothing rubbed against it.
As I looked back and read more—especially through places like Evidence Based Birth and Cleveland Clinic—I started to see how common these recovery experiences are, and how important it is to give your body time and support while it heals.
What I Learned After
After everything, I found myself wanting to understand it all a little more.
Not in a heavy way—just enough to make sense of what I had experienced.
I came to see that breech babies and birth situations aren’t always as straightforward as I once thought. There’s a lot that can influence how things unfold, and sometimes those decisions are made in ways we don’t fully see in the moment.
As I looked into it more, resources like Spinning Babies helped me understand how much positioning and alignment can play a role in pregnancy and birth.
It didn’t change what happened—but it helped me look back on it with a little more understanding.
And somehow, that made it easier to process.
What This Birth Taught Me
Looking back, this birth really did turn things upside down for me.
Not in a dramatic way—but in how I understood everything going into it.
I walked in feeling prepared, thinking I had a sense of how things would go… and it still took a different direction.
And in those moments, you just keep moving forward, one step at a time.
It wasn’t what I had planned, but it still became part of my story in a way that mattered.
✨ Thank you for letting me share this part of my story. If you’ve experienced a breech baby or C-section, I’d truly love to hear what surprised you the most. And if you’re still waiting for your baby—however your story unfolds, it will be yours… and that is more than enough.
With love,
Rachel (RaiRai 💛)
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