How I Almost Died During Childbirth

I almost died during the birth of my third child. When my second child was two years old, I discovered I was pregnant again.

We welcomed the idea as my husband and I have always wanted more children. We were both surprised and excited to know that I was pregnant with my third baby. Not knowing the things that await us in the course of this pregnancy.

It all started during the 20 week of my pregnancy. I was told by my gyna during a regular check-up that I had placenta previa, which may be as a result of my previous caesarian births.

I was warned to be very careful not to carry anything heavy or go for long hours of shopping. But how can I not move anything heavy or move around much when I have two kids who can’t even wear their clothes properly by themselves?

I tried to reduce my workload and with time, my husband and I were enthusiastic that the placenta will slowly move up. To our dismay, it didn’t, it, in fact, went further down. and covered my entire cervix area.

At this stage, it was sure that the only way out is caesarian section. We didn’t care one bit about that as long as both myself and the baby are fine. We scheduled August 12 for the operation, a few days to my due date.

I was also advised my by gynae that if I were to start bleeding, I should come to the hospital immediately because it’s dangerous if that happens.

When I was 31 weeks gone, I started bleeding and I was rushed to the hospital. On getting to the hospital, I was admitted for a night. When the bleeding had reduced before morning I was discharged from the hospital, my doctor ordered complete bed rest.

At home, my husband had a tough time taking care of the children and the house, but he did fine with the help of my mum who came in to help because I was bound to the bed 24/7.

I wasn’t allowed to come out of bed, everything I did including brushing my teeth and food was given to me while I was in bed.

After two weeks, the bleeding had stopped totally, and I was able to walk around the house a little. Then it happened when I was in my 33rd week.

One night after everyone had gone to sleep,  I started feeling cramps in my tummy, at first I thought it was Braxton Hicks contraction, but when I started timing it, the duration between each cramp wasn’t normal so I called my gynae who told me to head to the hospital immediately, thankfully, my husband was home.

 

When we got to the hospital, I was given some medications to stop it, by which time the contraction was so intense and I thought I would give birth any time.

The contractions subsided shortly after I was given the medication. But when I started reacting to the medication, they stopped administering it to me. When I stopped the medications, the contraction started again. That was when my gynae told me that my baby may come early.

“Baby is too young to come out now,” I thought. Our plan was to try our best to keep baby in there a little longer. But the contraction became painful and kept coming every minute, despite all what the doctors did. I started bleeding again, the second day.

“We can’t wait any longer” The doctor announced to us. “The operation has to be done to get the baby out.” And when we asked what complications could arise because of the condition of my placenta. And she told us “Worst case scenario, the placenta might get stuck to the uterus and can’t be removed (placenta accreta). If that happens, you will bleed heavily and we will have to remove your uterus” She concluded. I moaned “My uterus? No!” My husband tried to comfort me. They got blood from the blood bank in case I need a blood transfusion.

 

My husband held my hand and together we prayed for a smooth operation. When the doctor noticed me crying she tried to assure us “we’ll try our best to stop the bleeding so you can keep your womb, but if the bleeding is too much, removing your womb will be the last resort”

I went into the operation with courage, supported by my husband and seeing my poor mum praying on one side. I was encouraged. I was given a partial anaesthesia so I was half awake when the operation started.

 

I was lying there, feeling the doctor tug at my inside, all the time waiting to hear the cry of my baby as he’s taken out of me. When the operation was over, I found myself lying on a hospital bed in ICU.

“What happened?” I asked my husband. “You lost a lot of blood (4 big coke bottles!) during the operation, you had placenta accreta and the doctors had to give you full anaesthesia.”

“They told me what they have to do, and requested my approval to remove your womb” I was wide-eyed, “Did you grant…” “Yes I did” he replied.

“I had no choice, they said if I don’t, you will lose your life, the rate at which you were losing blood” He looked so worried and I can imagine how hard that would have been for him, poor him! I can only imagine how confused he must have been.

It’s okay, though, I know if I were to choose between life and my womb, I’ll choose life. I just wish I didn’t have to choose between the two. My baby and I are fine, by God’s grace. And even though he’s tinier than other kids his age, he’s strong and healthy; a bundle of happiness.

 

Instead of having regrets, I cherish life more than ever, and I count my blessings, I have three children and I pray God doesn’t take any of them away from me. I almost died during childbirth but I didn’t, what more can I ask for?

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