5 C-SECTIONS

I have been pregnant every year for five years. Each of my deliveries have been a Cesarean. With each pregnancy the risk increases. So I am going to admit that I am terrified. As a Black Woman going to have her 5th C-Section the risks are incredibly high. 

Last year when I was pregnant with Biggie, fear didn’t set in until I got closer to my delivery day. I was delivering at a new hospital with a new doctor so naturally there was some apprehension. This time all of the risks and factors are weighing on me. 

Black women delivering have the highest death rate in this country. So the fact that I am a Black woman already poses a threat. This being my fifth C-Section puts me at higher risk for uterine rupture. Let’s be honest surgery is scary in general. When I went to speak with the hospital closest to me and explained my situation they labeled me y“high risk”. Now I understand that is a term that doctors use to assess their situations and their patients. However that alone evokes fear. 

For our family, a new baby is a reason to celebrate. At first I did — which is my natural reaction. As the reality set in so did the fear. So did the statistics and the risks. I consider myself confident and I like to make moves with confidence. I currently live an hour away from the hospital that my doctor delivers at. I love my doctor and hate the hospital. There is only one hospital that delivers babies near me. With that hospital, the doctor that does prenatal care isn’t guaranteed to deliver the baby. That is not an option for me if I can help it. I do not feel confident with my birth plan right now. Luckily I do have some time to plan and figure out what is best for me and my family. I also plan on asking a lot of questions.