C-Section Awareness Month

April was Caesarean Section Awareness Month, and we’re sharing some of our favourite posts from #csectionawarenessmonth with our NAYDAYA Army. 

Having a C-section is a bad-ass move. It might not be something you wanted or planned, but it is something that unites an army of warrior mums. We’ve loved reading open conversations about C-sections this month. Thank you to all the mums who shared their stories to help other women get better informed. Here’s some of our favourites:


Jamie-Leigh, Warrior Mum to Eliora and Olivia

Instagram handle: @eliora_and_me

“From September 2017, I knew that any future pregnancies would result in a c-section.
A c-section was something that I never wanted. I hated the idea of being cut open whilst being awake and of course being left with a horrible scar. I had my planned c-section booked for Valentine’s Day however my body had other plans. I was taken in for an emergency on February 3rd due to placenta abruption.

The whole process was amazing, I honestly enjoyed every part. Considering it was an emergency section, the doctors, theatre staff and midwives were lovely and relaxed and quickly put my mind at ease.

In my opinion the pain wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. By the second day I was up and walking down to the NICU unaided. As for the scar, the scar is getting lighter and smaller by the day. Pretty soon it will be so small and light in colour that i will just forget about it.”


Lucy Jane, Warrior Mum to Frankie 

Instagram handle: @frankiesmammy_studentnurse

I was very lucky as I had quite a positive c-section experience. Frankie was meant to be born small at 5lb 5oz ( although he was born 6lb 6oz) as well as being breech and having lack of fluid surrounding him, so I was advised to have a section. 

I walked into theatre and walked out of hospital within 24 hours of his birth. I was lucky to have such good support at home with the healing process. Pain post section was so horrific, however it was manageable and was outweighed by the love I had for our little man. 

It wasn’t what I would have chosen, however it was necessary and I wouldn’t change a thing 💜 Everyone’s circumstances are different..However if any one tells you “you’re too posh to push” kick them in the ankles 👏🏼

 

Shila, Warrior Mum to Noah

Instagram handle: @baby_noahs_adventures

I had an emergency C- Section when Noah was born.
After three (long, exhausting & painful) days of going through the induction process I had to be taken down for the
C -Section as it was no longer safe for Noah and
I. I won’t bore you all with the details but the one thing I’d like this month to have achieved is changing the narrative around C-Sections.

Having a C-Section does NOT mean you are: ‘Too posh to push’ (whatever the hell that means); Any less of a mother; Weak; Lazy.

I celebrate the fact that I now have a battle scar, or more commonly known as the C-Section scar.


No stigma, no one right way to give birth.

Every story we’ve read this month has been a bit different. That’s because there’s no correct way to bring a person into the world. One in four women in the UK deliver via c-section. So please, let’s be done with this crazy idea of giving birth ‘properly’. 

If you and your baby are healthy, you gave birth the right way, no matter what medical intervention that involved.


Expert advice on C-section recovery

Mums that are about to have C-sections, or want to understand more about recovery, we’re bringing you some advice from resident NESSpert Clare Bourne. Clare is a pelvic health physio and a wealth of knowledge on all things relating to postnatal recovery. Check out Clare’s Instagram @clarebournephysio for more long-term advice.


EARLY MOBILISATION: is recommended, so if you have your baby in the morning try and get up that afternoon for a short walk or out into the chair (with guidance from your medical team.) I know it sounds a bit mad but getting out of bed is actually helpful for managing swelling, and therefore pain.

BED TRANSFERS: to get out of bed roll onto your side and push up with your arms like you would have done towards the end of pregnancy.

SCAR SUPPORT: if you need to cough, sneeze and laugh then have a blanket or towel at the ready over your scar and apply pressure to support the wound. 

SLEEPING: pop a pillow under your knees if you are lying on your back or under your tummy if lying on your side to prevent any pulling or dragging on the scar in the early days.

BOWELS: trapped wind can be more painful than the scar, so movement can help this and peppermint tea. Make sure when you feel the urge to do a poo you don't put it off. 

PAIN RELIEF: keep taking the pain relief for as long as you need, this can be for a few weeks, so don't worry.

LIFTING: the advice is to try and aim not to lift anything heavier than your baby for around 6 weeks...not easy if you have older children, or with car seats etc but it's a helpful guide. 

PELVIC FLOOR: always a good idea once the catheter is out and you have done your first wee.

HELP: accept all the help you can get, especially if it's your second time and you have an older child. Sometimes planning in childcare or a postnatal doula if you have no help can be a really good idea.


Did you share or learn anything new this month? Comment below what C-section Awareness Month means to you.