Emma is our third new mother in the series. Living in Amsterdam she is had gone full circle with her decision from planning an elective C -section to wanting a waterbirth in the hospital. However, after discovering she had placenta previa as the pregnancy progressed, this took away her choice meaning the doctors were now advising how best to deliver her baby, an elective c-section. An elective section assumes that it was a choice but, in this instance, Emma had no option over how to deliver her baby. This took some getting used to.

We talk about coming to terms with the decision, gaining information about placenta previa and elective caesareans. Choices you have when having a very medicalised birth. Managing anxiety with mediation and becoming informed. Home preparations and understanding how a section will affect you in the postpartum phase.

Resources:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/a-low-lying-placenta-after-20-weeks-placenta-praevia/

Information about placenta previa from the royal college of obstetricians and gyaenacologists.

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/diabetes/antenatal-hand-expressing-from-37-weeks.pdf

Leaflet about how and why to hand express.