The Quiet Before the Planned C-Section
I’ve now had two monitoring sessions with the CTG straps, and everything feels calm and stable in my belly. So there is nothing left to do but wait. This planned C-section waiting time is strange. On one hand, everything is under control. On the other, life around me feels anything but calm.
The anesthesiologist recommended that I come to the hospital the evening before the surgery. I will be the first one in the morning. Honestly, it makes sense. Trying to wake up the whole family at 6 AM, dress sleepy children, and get everyone into the car would be pure chaos.
And chaos is something we’ve had plenty of lately.
A Week of Fevers and Fear
Last week started quietly, but it quickly turned into something much heavier. My two-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, had a fever every night. Eventually, his ear started leaking something that clearly wasn’t right.
I called an ambulance. They told us to go to the emergency department.
So there I was, 38 weeks pregnant, driving an hour into the city.
The diagnosis was harsh. A severe ear infection in his only hearing ear. On top of that, a tight, closed cough. Since all pharmacies were closed, the hospital gave us medication for two days.
Now our days revolve around treatment. Seven times a day, I give him medicine. Two different inhalation suspensions with a steam inhaler, at least twice daily. Antibiotics three times a day with a syringe.
This planned C-section waiting time is not restful. It is full of responsibility and worry.
One More Appointment Before Everything Changes
The day before my C-section, we will go back to the city. My son has an appointment with an ear specialist. I truly hope things improve.
After that, my partner will return home with him, and I will stay in the hospital.
Our daughter will hopefully go to kindergarten, and my partner will manage life at home with a four-year-old and a two-year-old. Meals, hygiene, cleaning, routines. Everything must continue.
We are already planning how to survive the first days.
Small Rules Before Surgery
The doctor told me to eat something light in the evening. A banana and yogurt, for example. After that, no food or drink until morning.
I will also likely be monitored again with CTG.
Simple instructions, but they make everything feel very real.
A Moment of Normal Life
In the middle of all this, life still finds ways to surprise us.
Today, I took the kids outside in the morning. Later, we had nap time. My daughter refused to sleep, but stayed quietly drawing while my son and I rested.
Afterward, I spent half an hour convincing her to go outside again. Then my neighbor called. Her daughter was already outside.
If only she had called earlier.
The girls played for a long time and later came over to our place. Since my son is no longer contagious and has no fever, we still go outside.
Even during this planned C-section waiting time, these small, normal moments feel incredibly valuable.
No Time to Pause
Life doesn’t slow down.
I had to send emails to cancel swimming practice. We will only attend gymnastics for now.
Tomorrow, I have a beauty appointment. Over the weekend, my partner is working, so I will be alone with the children.
Next week is full. One last training session with my son, then the ear specialist, and then the C-section day arrives.
There is no empty space. No real pause.
Thoughts About Recovery
I don’t know how this recovery will go.
Experience tells me it will be hard.
I don’t tolerate pain well, so I will definitely rely on maximum pain relief. With my daughter, I stayed in the hospital for five days and couldn’t get out of bed at first. With my son, it was twelve days because of additional examinations and his difficulty regulating body temperature.
This time, everything feels unknown again.
Not Knowing, Yet Hoping
We don’t know much about this baby.
I only recently had my first ultrasound. From what they could see, everything looked fine. Arms and legs were there. But because the baby is already so big, it’s difficult to assess things like brain or heart structures in detail.
Still, I hold onto one thought.
If something serious had been detected, they likely wouldn’t have let me reach full term.
So we hope for the best.
Holding the Family Together
My partner will rely heavily on his parents and even our neighbor’s daughter to help manage everything at home.
Two small children still need proper meals, baths, clean clothes, and a clean home.
He will also take over therapies and training sessions with our son.
This phase of planned C-section waiting time is not just about me. It is about the whole family adjusting and preparing.
Exhaustion and Gratitude
Physically, pregnancy suits me well. I haven’t had complications with any of my children.
But mentally and emotionally, it is exhausting.
There is always something to do. Someone to care for. Some problem to solve.
Still, I find moments of gratitude.
My 4-year-old daughter is incredible. She helps clean, cooks with me daily, takes care of her brother, and manages her own dressing, eating, and hygiene.
My son needs much more support, but he is making progress in his own way.
A Proud Breakthrough
Yesterday, we had a consultation session for my son.
He was amazing.
For one and a half hours, he was happy, engaged, and cooperative. He interacted, followed instructions, and showed his bright personality. The specialists said his emotional and social development is strong. He is attentive, cheerful, and active.
His cognitive and motor development are delayed. He doesn’t walk independently yet and only says a few words and animal sounds at 2 years and 3 months.
We received helpful recommendations. I’ve been doing well by talking, singing, and offering proper nutrition. But I should encourage more independence. Potty training and self-feeding need more focus.
It’s not easy to let go of doing everything for him. But I understand why it matters.
First Steps at Last
And then something incredible happened.
When we came home, he stood up in the middle of the floor on his own.
He stood there for a long moment.
Then he took a few tiny steps. Just a couple. But real steps.
Later, he did it again near his climbing structure.
After eleven months of crawling, could this really be it?
His first steps.
We all clapped. His sister cheered. I felt overwhelming pride.
In the middle of this planned C-section waiting time, this moment meant everything.
Looking Ahead
Soon, I hope for quieter days.
Days of holding my newborn, breastfeeding in peace, and letting my partner focus more on the older children.
For now, we are in the middle of it all. Waiting, healing, hoping.
And somehow, moving forward. One small step at a time.
You are not alone.
If this story resonated with you and you’d like to go deeper, you can explore my e-book Our Journey – A Different Path. It offers honest reflections and lived experience beyond this post.
If you’re looking for practical support, I’ve created Routine Templates to help parents and children navigate daily life with more clarity, structure, and understanding.
You can also read my previous posts or follow along on Instagram @parentguidancehub, where I share everyday reflections on parenting, family life, and finding balance.
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