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Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗
Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨ Footage shot by Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨

Footage shot by @jessicamicciophoto and beautifully put together by @filmsoflife_co, eternally grateful to you both for bringing this beautiful and priceless film to life!
Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @vi Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @victorinoxnorthamerica Swiss Army Huntsman knife has become my go-to tool for crafting stunning floral arrangements with ease and precision. It's versatile, reliable and always at hand, making it the ultimate gardening and floral companion.

I can’t even count the number of times I use it during my flower truck events — cutting stems, cutting paper, cutting ribbon, screwing loose screws on the 1961 vintage VW frame! The convenience and versatility of this compact knife truly amazes me each time I use it!

With my Swiss Army knife in hand, I'm ready to take on any floral challenge that comes my way. 🌻💐🌷 #myVictorinox #partner 

#SwissArmyKnife #flowertruck #FlowerArrangements #GardeningLife #BloomAndGrow #ToolOfTheTrade #ConvenientTools #FlowerPower #FlowerArrangementsMadeEasy #EfficiencyAtItsFinest
They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower t They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower timelapses!? Which flowers would you want to see next!?

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗
Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨ Footage shot by Our fourth babe, coming soon ✨

Footage shot by @jessicamicciophoto and beautifully put together by @filmsoflife_co, eternally grateful to you both for bringing this beautiful and priceless film to life!
Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @vi Who says you can't mix function and beauty? My @victorinoxnorthamerica Swiss Army Huntsman knife has become my go-to tool for crafting stunning floral arrangements with ease and precision. It's versatile, reliable and always at hand, making it the ultimate gardening and floral companion.

I can’t even count the number of times I use it during my flower truck events — cutting stems, cutting paper, cutting ribbon, screwing loose screws on the 1961 vintage VW frame! The convenience and versatility of this compact knife truly amazes me each time I use it!

With my Swiss Army knife in hand, I'm ready to take on any floral challenge that comes my way. 🌻💐🌷 #myVictorinox #partner 

#SwissArmyKnife #flowertruck #FlowerArrangements #GardeningLife #BloomAndGrow #ToolOfTheTrade #ConvenientTools #FlowerPower #FlowerArrangementsMadeEasy #EfficiencyAtItsFinest
They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower t They’re alive 🤩🌷 Should I do more flower timelapses!? Which flowers would you want to see next!?

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
Never running out of uses for my @victorinoxnortha Never running out of uses for my @victorinoxnorthamerica Huntsman Swiss Army Knife 🌼🌸🌺 As a lover of all things floral, this Swiss Army Knife is my go-to tool for gardening and creating beautiful arrangements 🌿 Whether I’m tending to my flower farm, fixing up my flower truck or crafting a centerpiece for an event, it always does the job 👌🏼 Not to mention, as a busy mom, its versatility comes in clutch on a daily basis! No matter what I’m doing she’s always within reach 💐 #myVictorinox #partner #SwissArmyKnife #FlowerArranging #GardeningLife #MomLife
‘Lotus Love’ tulips coming back to life 🌷 W ‘Lotus Love’ tulips coming back to life 🌷 We’ve been pulling tulips by the truckload daily at the farm, it’s the midst of tulip mania and very hard for me to slow down but this time lapse was calling my name today!

#timelapse #timelapsephotography #timelapsevideo #timelapseflower #flowertime #tulips #tulipsofinstagram #growflowers #cutflowergarden #gardeninglife #tulipseason #flowersofinstagram #flowertime #floraleducation #flowers #flowerphotography #localflowers #slowflowers #happyflowers #peacefulgarden #flowergarden #gardeningmakesmehappy #aflowerfilledlife #flowerfarm #flowerfarmer #farmerflorist #flowerfarmerflorist #slowfloralstyle #ayearinflowers
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Christine Covino

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C-Section Awareness Month

April 26, 2019 / Mom & Baby

C-Section Awareness Month

C-Section Awareness Month

April is C-section awareness month, so let’s talk C-sections. I had an unplanned cesarean with my son in February 2018.

There is too much shame and stigma attached to C-sections in our society and I hope to help break that. We should be proud of our bodies no matter which way we brought our babies into the world.

Belly birth is birth.

If you knew me while I was pregnant you know that I loved it, I was truly in my element. I felt great, felt beautiful, loved what my body was doing, loved feeling the life inside me, and was in awe of the power of women.

I was actually excited for labor (crazy, right?); I couldn’t wait to experience it and I couldn’t wait to experience a vaginal delivery. I watched birthing videos, took tons of classes, strengthened my body to prepare for birth, visualized my birthing experience, you name it I did it for the sake of preparation.

April is C-section awareness month and NY blogger, Christine Covino, is sharing her story and tips for battling the shame that comes with unplanned cesareans.

On average, 30% of births are C-sections in the US. I would love to see that number go down but my perspective is also forever changed and I am so grateful they exist.

Don’t get me wrong, I knew the stats on C-sections (approx. 30% of births in the US are C’s), and it was written into my birth plan (or “birth preferences” as I like to call it) as a decision we’d make if it became medically necessary. But, if you had asked me while I was pregnant it was the farthest thing from my mind. I focused on staying positive and preparing to give my child an easy welcome into this world.

SIDE NOTE: I feel so naive when I think back to my pre-C-section thoughts about C-sections. Previously, I had thought the majority of C-sections that happen in our country are not medically necessary (and I do still think a portion of them aren’t) however, my perspective is changed forever after my experience. I am so grateful I had an amazing team of doctors, nurses, my doula, and husband to aid in our decision, and I know many, many women are not that lucky. But after going through what I went through, I no longer think the majority are unnecessary, or that the mothers are having sections against their wills. I think most (note, I say most, not all) doctors today are making the best calls they possibly can to keep mom and baby safe and healthy, and for that I am grateful.

Luca had other plans…

After 36 hours of labor, little progression and his heart rate plummeting, the C-section became medically necessary for us (read Luca’s full birth story HERE).

At first, this was extremely hard to accept. Feelings of defeat, guilt, failure, frustration, jealousy, regret, you name it, consumed my first few days of motherhood. I didn’t have those initial elated moments of connection, it took me weeks to bond with my son. That guilt specifically has been one of the hardest things for me to overcome.

What was wrong with me? How could I not be immediately enamored with him? Where was that instant unconditional love??

Throw those emotions on top of being in intense physical pain (I could barely move), and I could have really gone down a deep, dark hole. I was a mess, and for those first days, I was in a very dark place. I was jealous of mothers who had the experience I longed for and was so disappointed in my body.

April is C-section awareness month and NY blogger, Christine Covino, is sharing her story and tips for battling the shame that comes with unplanned cesareans.

I am not telling you this so you can feel sympathetic, and I’m not telling this to scare you. On the contrary, I want to talk about my experience as a positive one.

A ‘not ideal” experience that I was able to turn around for the better and become SO thankful for and empowered by. My hope is that if it happens to you, you too can eventually feel the same positive feelings about your experience.

Here’s what helped me get through it…

WE LIVED.

We survived. I can’t even think about what could have happened had we not been in a time and place where C-sections exist. And I know that not all birth stories have a happy ending so again, I am deeply humbled and grateful that we were both ok.

It Was Out of My Hands

Finally understanding and accepting that I could not control every last part of my birthing experience really helped me get through the negative emotions and shame. This was meant to be, it was always the way Luca was going to enter this world and ultimately, it was in God’s hands. There is a certain peace in letting go, that’s just what I did.

I Mourned the Birth I Had Envisioned

Just like any ending or any death, I mourned the birth I thought I would have. I made my peace with it and I moved on, there was no use in clinging to that vision when the entire experience was out of my control.

I Listened to Other Women’s Positive C-Section Birth Stories

This is something I should have done during pregnancy when I was only watching/listening to vaginal births. I just wish I had known more about what to expect instead of being thrown in there cold turkey. C-Section birth prep should be just as much a part of vaginal birth prep classes. A few friends of mine did not prepare at all, and of course to each their own, but for me, the more I knew the more prepared and confident I felt.

I FORGAVE myself.

I forgave myself for feeling all the feelings and that led me to a place of acceptance and ultimately pride and empowerment. I am a badass freaking warrior woman – not because I had a C-section – but because I GAVE BIRTH. Created and brought new life into this world, my pride and joy to this day. Having a C-section makes you no less of a mother, it does not define you, it does not define your subsequent births, oh, and it’s definitely NOT THE EASY WAY OUT (to the person who said that to me🙄).

I Accepted Our Story

Finally, I got to that place of acceptance. I accepted that this was my destiny, that this was always the way Luca was going to be brought into this world. He was wrapped up so tightly in the umbilical cord, “tangled” as the doctor said. And it kills me to think that he was in pain during our labor, but I find peace in knowing the C-section saved both of our lives.

This is my story, this is Luca’s story, and I’m damn proud of it.

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times: I am thankful for my cesarean and PROUD of my body. You should be too, no matter how you gave birth!!

Vaginal

Induced

At home

Emergency C

Planned C

Unplanned C

Find your peace in the acceptance and know that you are a damn rockstar mama.

If you are recovering from a C-section, check out these posts below for tips on recovery!

The Ultimate Guide to C-section Recovery

Six Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section

April is C-section awareness month and NY blogger, Christine Covino, is sharing her story and tips for battling the shame that comes with unplanned cesareans.

{Not the prettiest but this was the reality of our first skin to skin moment. Hooked up to monitors with tons of wires all over me. Luca was amazing though and had a perfect latch from the beginning!}

Our birth story of how we brought our son into this world. 36 hours of labor, February 15, 2018, our little miracle rainbow baby was born.

Our birth story of how we brought our son into this world. 36 hours of labor, February 15, 2018, our little miracle rainbow baby was born.

newborn baby Luca wrapped in hospital blanket
{Luca Alexander Covino 02/15/18}

April is C-section awareness month and NY blogger, Christine Covino, is sharing her story and tips for battling the shame that comes with unplanned cesareans.

 

April is C-section awareness month and NY blogger, Christine Covino, is sharing her story and tips for battling the shame that comes with unplanned cesareans.

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Comments

  1. Brittany Mann says

    April 26, 2019 at 5:47 pm

    I too loved being pregnant. I felt like a badass. I felt ready to rock my labor. I had worked with my doula to do a natural vaginal birth but my son had other ideas.

    He refused to flip head down. I did everything under the son including daily exercises for a month. So we as a last result tried manual inversion and that caused my blood pressure to skyrocket and never return to normal.
    So for his safety and mine I had a c-section.

    My doula at my request had previously walked me thru the procedure but I was so disappointed that I didn’t get to try vaginal labor.

    I made the rare decision to have my doula in my delivery room vs a spouse and it was the best choose ever. She kept me calm and breathing and explained everything they were doing behind the curtain. Due to my calmness, i needed less meds and they were able to sew me back together in record time.

    I am so thankful for modern medical technology as it saved both our lives. Yeah for c-sections!

    Reply
    • christinemcovino says

      April 26, 2019 at 10:55 pm

      Wow our stories are so similar, at least in how we handled our pregnancy and birth experiences! I actually used the techniques I learned for hypnobirthing during my c-section and a few times during some hard recovery and breastfeeding moments! I am so so thankful for modern medicine, it saved our lives too!

      Reply
  2. Melizz says

    May 7, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    This posts just totally resonates with me ! I was in the exact same place as you … dreaming of a vaginal birth and only reading vaginal birth experiences before… I prepped as much as I could to have a natural, w/o epidural birth. Of course, it did not go as planned, and I got an emergency C-section. I’ve come to accept it, and I am so grateful people are here to practice those interventions too. I only wish I wasn’t so stubborn and blindsided before ^^. No matter how you gave birth, you are a rockstar like you said. And for nothing in the world would I change the birth of my son Lucas ( yes I also have one ;)).
    Thank you for saying those things out loud :).

    Reply
    • Christine Covino says

      May 14, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      How crazy that our experiences were so similar and our boys’ names too!? At the end of the day having a healthy baby and mom is all that matters, I understand that now and am so so insanely grateful!! Thank you for reading and sharing your story <3

      Reply

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Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth Baby SISTER is here!! Best surprise ever and worth the wait to find out! Everyone say hi to our littlest love, Layla Marie 💕💕 She came into this world making us laugh + cry the happiest tears. Weighing 7lb 3oz with the cutest cheeks and darkest hair, 20in long! Layla girl, you are everything our family needed and more 😭 IT'S A GIRL! Ahhhhh!!! Still can't believe it 🫶
09.18.23 🤍 09.18.23 🤍
Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your be Feeling ready to meet this babe!!! Give us your best guesses for baby’s gender — it’s a surprise and I’ve had zero “feelings” this whole time 🤣 I love hearing everyone’s predictions and reasonings though! Also throw your best name choices at us for both boys and girls because we still haven’t narrowed anything down, third child energy, no time to think 🤪✌️#herewegoagain
Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered Happy Anniversary to my guy 💕✨ We remembered this is actually our 20th year together (yes, high school sweethearts 💗), but 8 years married. Adding kids to the mix has tested us in ways I never imagined (& turned your beard gray 🤣) AND also deepened and strengthened our love and relationship in ways I never knew possible. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, being the best partner to me and sharing equally in the raising our family, you’re also the second best flower farmer I know 😉 Cheers to us!!
Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️ Still in summer mode over here ☀️✌️
8 months of growing you little love 💕 Pregnanc 8 months of growing you little love 💕

Pregnancy insomnia is getting the best of me lately, but the right words about this experience finally came to me in the middle of the night so here ya go —

Hopeful to bring our third living babe home this fall and complete our family. Hopeful (not absolutely certain) because I know nothing is guaranteed. When you have been through losses like we have, or infertility, you unfortunately understand that the reality is not all rainbows and butterflies.

That a positive pregnancy test does not guarantee a baby in your arms.

That hearing a heartbeat once, or even a few times, does not equal a living baby 9 months later.

That “making it” to an arbitrary amount of weeks does not mean you’re “safe.”

That one good scan does not guarantee a healthy baby that will survive outside the womb.

That making an announcement, having a gender reveal, decorating a nursery, choosing a name, having a shower, still does not promise a thing.

If this sounds harsh or extreme to you that’s because it is. There’s nothing  NOT harsh or extreme about losing a baby or going through infertility.

The truth is there are no guarantees, and as loss and infertility moms we know this and understand it better than anyone. No one can tell you with 100% certainty how your journey is going to go or that it will end with a healthy, living baby in your arms. All we can do is take it day by day, and hold on to slivers of hope, which I will say is possible, and really freaking hard.

If you are in the thick of loss or infertility or pregnancy after loss I see you, I am you. It sucks and the isolation can be crippling. The only thing I can offer is do what you need to do for YOU and give zero f**ks to anyone who can’t comprehend the magnitude of this experience.

Be kind to yourself, be ruthless in your search for answers, be fierce in protecting your heart and be all around unapologetic. This is a part of your story and it sucks and however you choose to navigate it is valid AF 💪

Here’s to us, the worst girl gang ever, with the best and strongest (not by choice) members 💗

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