6. Birth gets hard to remember

As I was writing my last post, I realized how hard it was to remember the details of such a memorable day in my life. It feels like it was years ago!
Talking to other mums with babies the same age than mine (7 months), they said the same. Those who had a natural birth even said it's hard to remember the pain.
We all agree it must be nature's way of making us want to have more children in the future!

5. Cesarean recovery was harder than I imagined

I was told in details how the cesarean would be, from the moment of the anesthesia to having my baby in my arms, but no one told me a single thing about the recovery.
Silly me, I thought I would feel the scar a bit sore and it would be hard to walk the following day, and that would be it. 
When the nurses told me they were going to transfer me to the recovery room downstairs, I asked how would I get there as I couldn't feel my legs properly yet. Now I understand their faces when they told me they would transport me in my bed using the elevator. 
On the day of the birth of my child I couldn't feel much because of the spinal wearing off slowly, the painkillers they gave me and, obviously, the joy of seeing my baby for the first time. They put a catheter and only took it out the following day, so I didn't have to get up to go to the toilet. Funny thing is that the operation makes the woman pass a lot of wind afterwards, which is hilarious!
Talking about hilarious, I wasn't able to laugh or cough or do anything that involved the tummy muscles, as it was very painful. To get up for the first time and go to the loo the day after, my husband helped me getting out of bed and changing my maternity pad (it will bleed for weeks). It was very painful and a nurse told me I should have asked for her help because a lot of people pass out from the pain when they get up for the first time. The feeling is that all of my organs were going to fall from the cut in my belly. But it is important to get up and move to avoid blood clot.
Going back home in the car (not driving, obviously!) was painful as well. I was dependent on my husband to pick up our baby, give me food, give me a bath and brush my hair! I could only get up and have a shower on my own about a week later. It took a month for the stitches to stop hurting and 5 months down the line, I still had some parts that were numb and sensitive around the area.
Of course, I would do it all again for my son. It is incredible how this experience makes you a stronger person!

4. Nothing can prepare you to being a mum

There are lots of books, antenatal classes, TV shows such as Supernanny and plenty of information online. Believe me, I did almost all of these and thought I was prepared. 
I felt like I was full of knowledge, but nothing in this world can prepare you enough to being a mother. That's not a bad thing though.
The unconditional love, looking at your baby for the first time, bonding as a family with your husband, all of these can't be described. Add some exhaustion from sleepless nights and it all seems magical and surreal. And it is. 
It changes you as a human being, makes you a better person, less selfish. After all, your world isn't about you anymore. 
There are bumps in the road but it all pays off. Anything for your child's smile!

3. Spinal anaesthesia

When I heard that the anaesthesia used on my cesarean would be applied by an injection on my back, I was really scared!
Surprisingly, it was quick and it didn't hurt more than any regular injection. Maybe I was lucky to have a great professional with me,  I remember she was very friendly as well.
To check if it was working, just a minute or so later, they asked me to touch my belly - it was really weird, it felt like I was touching plastic, and not my own skin!
With the cesarean itself, I didn't feel any pain. But I could feel everything they were doing to me, which was a bit odd. It all lasted about 20 minutes and seeing my baby for the first time was amazing and faster than I imagined!

2. You can't plan your labor

When my midwife told me to do a birth plan, I was a bit surprised. 
I get the idea of deciding beforehand if you want pain relief or not, if your partner will cut the umbilical cord and if you desire to wait a bit longer for it to be cut or not. 
I suppose with the pain of the contractions a woman can't decide much at the last minute, so thinking before will make it easier. 
I didn't have any specific requests, so I didn't prepare one. And my midwife understood me. She actually said that the best plan is to keep your mind open to different options. You can't control how your labor will be. And how right she was!
Initially I wanted to use the birth pool at the hospital, but ended up having a c-section. 
All that matters in the end is to have a healthy baby in our arms!

1. Birth: every woman has a different experience

Being pregnant is a whole new world for first time mums, and how people like to tell stories about childbirth!
I attended antenatal classes, where I learned about labor and made 6 new friends. A few months down the line and on our first reunion after our babies were born, I realized we all had different stories to tell.
I was scared but looking forward to a natural birth, but with a breech baby, low amniotic fluid and a placenta that started to not work properly, I had to do a cesarean, 2 weeks before my due date. 
One of these friends had a natural labor, without using any pain killers (brave!). Another one had gestational diabetes and had to be induced at her due date. After some contractions and not much dilation, she had to do an emergency cesarean. 
Another one went for a heartbeat check of the baby (I don't remember why), which wasn't detected, and had to do a cesarean. Everything was fine with the baby, she was just in an awkward position.
You get the point. 
No matter how many stories we listen to, we will have, each mum-to-be, our own story to tell.