Since my release from the hospital, we had weekly appointments with Dr. Whitney, our last one being the day before. I was already two centimeters dilated, and she suggested I could go into labor at any time. I had worried it was too early, but she assured both me and Nicholas that our son was full-term and healthy. It was a difficult decision, but I had agreed to have a C-section. It was scheduled to happen in another week and half... if I didn't go into labor before that time.

When she explained the intracranial pressure from bearing down and possible complications from my recent concussion and ensuing brain swelling,...