Caesarean Awareness Month – My C Section Story

April is Caesarean Awareness Month and in months gone by, this event would have missed me by in blissful ignorance. But, as lots of you well know, my gorgeous little baby boy was born in February via an emergency C section. While I don’t feel comfortable sharing my own personal birth story with the world, I do want to share some content to help raise awareness for C sections, for the incredible mamas who go through it (whether it’s elective or emergency), and the beautiful sunroof babies of the world!

Here are my tips, tricks, and gems of advice for those mamas and those supporting them during this wild time!

Caesarians are no joke – they are often described as the easy way out and I’ve personally been made fun of and been asked if I’m too posh to push. C Sections are serious abdominal surgery and it’s the only serious operation where you’re sent home with someone else to look after along with your recovery.

It will take any C Section mama a little while to get back to herself and patience, support and cuddles are the best things you can give her. As with any surgery, there will be down days and days where you feel like you can conquer the world – the most important thing to remember is to be kind to yourself and your body.

During your labour, here are my top tips:

Take The Pain Relief!

As I mentioned above, a C Section was not in my birth plan and even though I did plenty of research and an NCT course, I didn’t ever imagine that my labour would end in the surgical unit. I was dead into hypnobirthing and had imagined a peaceful birth in a pool with affirmations playing, twinkly lights around us, and calm voices.

Because of this, I refused any pain relief for over 17 hours. Midwives aren’t allowed to be pushy or influence you in any way so you’ll probably only receive a gentle prompt. This was enough for me to point blank refuse – and my only advice is: do NOT do this!

No one receives a medal for birthing their baby with zero pain relief. If you need relief from a long road of contractions, surges, and sleepless nights, TAKE IT!

If you go down the caesarian route, you will be given an epidural and you will feel the sweet relief within forty minutes. Let me tell you, that relief was much welcomed by me and my long-suffering husband!

Do NOT Feel Like You’ve Let Yourself or Anyone Else Down

I was guilty of this. I remember getting the consent forms in my hands and all I could think was: “I’ve let everyone down because I can’t do this”.

Luckily, I do not feel remotely like this now weeks later.

Labour is a rollercoaster and adding in a C Section adds a few extra loops to the ride. By the time I had mine, I was exhausted and devastated at the lack of progression. I was frightened of what was ahead and whether my tired body would be able to cope. I was worried about how my baby was coping with such a long birth. I felt sad that my dream birth was now definitely not happening. The fear of post-surgery recovery was a sobering thought. Thinking of how I’d look after my baby once they’d arrived while also trying to look after myself was overwhelming.

The Hormones

Add these feelings and then a crushing guilt over my body’s inability to do it “naturally”, I was a mess. In those early days, I cried at the mention of my birth, I feared discussing it with anyone and I was in genuine shock at how quickly it all moved around me.

But, do you know what? No one walks up to you with your pushchair and asks how your baby was born. You won’t walk up the street with your newborn with a label above your head saying “Caesarian” and, ultimately, no one cares!

Talk through your feelings with your birth partner: they may remember and recall more of the day than you and be able to give you a fuller perspective. Be patient with yourself, your emotions, and your hormones, and remember that you’re doing an incredible job!

During your recovery, remember these tips:

Be Kind To Yourself

You’ve just been through quite a major surgery, you’re now a new mummy, you’ve got a newborn to get to know and take care of and you’re trying to navigate a new relationship with yourself and those around you.

That’s a lot to take on and it’s ok to admit that it’s all a bit much at times.

It’s so important to be kind to yourself even if you find it hard.

You need to recover physically but also mentally and emotionally.

If you need a good cry, let it all out. You may only want to eat chocolate and hibernate at home – you got for it. Potentially, you’ll want to stay in your pajamas for a few weeks and enjoy snuggles alone with your baby. It’s totally your prerogative how you recover – just remember to be kind to yourself!

Sleep When The Baby Sleeps

Honestly, I don’t think anything can prepare you for those first few weeks with a newborn – and add to that you’re recovering from surgery, it’s a lot!

As soon as your baby has settled to sleep, get yourself into bed or down on the sofa and get some shut eye. Try to get some of that sleep back and let your body recover.

Don’t worry about the state of the house, the piles of washing and the plates piling up. Lock the front door, shut the blinds and sleep.

I refused this at the start (like an idiot) and then was forced to sleep by my amazing mother in law. After a huge chunk of sleep in the day over consecutive days, I started to feel like a new woman and, for the first time, like I might just be able to do this!

Get Some Fresh Air & Potter

I know that I’ve just said to sleep when you can but don’t forget the power of good old fresh air.

Even just strolling around the garden at a slow pace can make the world of difference. For me, it was important to remember that there is a world out there and life will continue and get better.

I used to get my outside slippers on with my dressing gown and just wander around the garden in the sunshine and dry weather. Just a ten minute potter while the kettle boiled was enough for me.

Staying mobile when I had support around me was great for my recovery. A simple walk around the garden, a quick walk around the block with my husband pushing the baby in the pushchair or a nip to the corner shop in my PJs helped my body move gently and recover well.

Allow Yourself To Be Emotional

During your pregnancy, you’ve spent nine months growing a human and an organ to keep it alive and healthy in your womb. During birth, both of these things are removed from your body. The hormones are also removed along with it. So, naturally your body, hormones and emotions will feel out of sorts for a while.

All of this, along with sleep deprivation, exhaustion and recovery is a recipe for tears, crying and bouts of sadness. But this is totally normal!

Let yourself feel these emotions, these feelings and the odd shock of despair. It’s a lot and it’s ok to admit that.

Ask For Help If You Need It

Whether it’s help loading the dishwasher, support getting out of bed at night or someone to listen to you while you sob over an advert, ask for help if and when you need it.

Your mobility will be affected so take advantage of not making cups of tea when visitors arrive; enjoy having your baby passed to you and plant yourself on the sofa with a boxset – only pausing to ask for snacks and cuddles!

People will want to help you but may not understand your recovery. Be open and honest about what you need – whether it’s 20 minutes to shower, help washing your hair, a snuggle with your husband or some much-needed shut eye.

Remember mama, you’ve GOT this!

LoveRosiee
xxx