Redemptive Maternal Assisted Cesarean Birth after Profound Incontinence Following Vaginal Birth

Nicole was supported by her healthcare team to have an empowering and redemptive elective maternal assisted cesarean birth with the birth of her second son, Harrison. The decision to pursue this option followed a traumatic first-time vaginal birth with several postpartum complications (planned homebirth turned into hospital transfer for prolonged rupture of membranes and prodromal labor after attempting a and home castor oil induction followed by several days of long labor once in the hospital. Nicole then experienced a retained placenta and cervical laceration with an attempt to manually remove the placenta followed by a cervical laceration that was not properly repaired and did not heal well. She ultimately required a D&C followed by insertion of a latex Foley catheter despite a known latex allergy listed in her chart. In the following months Nicole experienced profound postpartum incontinence in urine that required many interventions and procedures and finally an operation to correct at 6 months postpartum which thankfully worked. Nicole’s second pregnancy was complicated by a shortened cervix, ptsd, anxiety, and perinatal OCD but her maternal-assisted cesarean birth was the most empowering and redemptive experience she could have imagined.

Nicole Minghine Bio

Nicole is a registered nurse and certified nurse midwife. Currently, she is a stay at home mom to her 2 children. Nicole lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Josh and their 2 sons (Jude 2yo & Harrison 7w). Connect with her on Instagram @nminghine.

Resources

• Best pads for urinary incontinence: Poise Ultra Thin Incontinence Pads and Postpartum Incontinence Pads, 4 Drop Moderate Absorbency, Long Length, 144 Count (3 Packs of 48), Packaging May Vary https://a.co/d/iSfoF2R
• The CONfidence app enables people with bladder and bowel leakage to find useful information, self-care tips and links to support – all in one place. The app has been developed in collaboration between Expert Self Care Ltd and the Bristol Health Partners Bladder and Bowel Confidence (BABCON) Health Integration Team, and is co-produced with public contributors, subject matter experts, charities and other partners .
• PMSL: Or How I Literally Hate Myself With Laughter and Survived the Last Taboo Story https://a.co/d/0VknfCy
• Birth photography: Jennifer Mason
• Mother-assisted cesarean inspo: Empowered Motherhood Project Blog

Psychiatry support

• MC3 offers free psychiatry support in prescribing health care providers who treat behavioral/mental health in Michigan’s adolescent and perinatal population through same-day telephone consultations to offer guidance on diagnostic questions, safe medications, and appropriate psychotherapy. MC3 offers direct perinatal mental health services to patients of MC3-enrolled providers in select counties. This is a pilot program that includes free same-day access to behavioral health consultants who will provide virtual counseling, case management, and care coordination for your patients. The MC3 program offers psychiatry support to health care providers in Michigan who manage patients with behavioral/mental health concerns. This includes children, adolescents, young adults up to age 26, and women who are considering pregnancy, pregnant, or postpartum (up to one year). MC3 is part of Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry. It is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through general funds, Medicaid Administration funds, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) funds, and Flint Water Crisis funds.