/ The Daisy Foundation with Ellie Schurer-Lewis
Posted on by Ellie Schurer-Lewis

A Line for Love – Guest Post

April is Caesarean section awareness month.

There has been many misconceptions regarding Caesarean births, from being the ‘easy way out’ or for those who are ‘too posh to push’. However for those who have either elected for a Caesarean section or have had it in an emergency situation, it is doubtful they would agree with these misconceptions. This lovely guest post is by published author Rebecca Karadag to share her experience from October 2021.

…

Welcoming a little love of your own into the world is nothing but magical yet childbirth is no mean feat by any means. Natural births stand tall – a goddess earth mother – while caesareans are inferior. And this view couldn’t be further from the truth. Childbirth is incredible.

Why does it matter how a baby enters the world? Romeo, my first son, was delivered via a pain-free natural birth. Paris, my second son, was delivered via an emergency caesarean. The stigma around c-section births is disheartening. ‘At least you don’t have to push’ was just one of the comments I heard. A c-section is classed as major abdominal surgery and we, as mothers, are expected to be on the move almost immediately afterwards. To me, that makes all cesarean mothers goddesses too.

Every mother envisages how her birth will be. For some, the labour and delivery goes to plan but this is not always the case. Whatever your birth plan, be sure to be familiar with every type of birth. I was not prepared which lead to unnecessary anxiety during delivery and a longer recovery postpartum. Perhaps this is not your planned journey but, regardless, it will be the most magical journey to welcome your little one.

Words of wisdom for both planned and unplanned cesarean mothers-to-be:

• It may seem daunting to walk after surgery but be sure to do so as much as possible within the first 24 hours. This can ease gas pain and prevent blood clots.
• Wear comfortable underwear. I wore larger underwear for comfort and to reduce swelling around the incision.
• Elevate your legs as often as possible and avoid certain foods, including salt and caffeine, to avoid water retention.
• Hold a small pillow over your incision when laughing or coughing.
• Take the prescribed pain relief.
• Rest as much as possible for a faster recovery.

A line of love will always be with me to tell the story of how my son came to be in this world. And that is just incredible.

…

With 28.5% of births being a Caesarean birth (16.2% elective and 12.3% emergency) at my local hospital in 2021; awareness spread around the subject, particularly regarding our language choices, recovery aids and an informed preparation for all birth pathways can only help change the perspective of the Caesarean section and realise it can also be both a positive and confident experience.

For more information regarding Caesarean births, you can see the below links: –

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/caesarean-section/c-sections-everything-you-need-know

Your right to a caesarean birth

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192

Ellie x

 

07841380975
ellie-schurer-lewis@thediasyfoundation.com