“These emotions can be part of processing your birth experience and it is totally OK to feel this way. Feelingsįor those who undergo an unplanned C-section and whose plan for birth changes with little time to process this change, the effect on their emotions can be significant explains Lesley. Plan for transport in the weeks following a C-section or know your options if you are unexpectedly unable to drive for a period of time.” 5. Check your insurance policy for your cover after surgery and do not drive if you feel your body hasn’t sufficiently recovered, even if you are legally allowed to do so. “Driving may be difficult in the weeks following a C-section because using foot pedals requires significant involvement of your lower abdomen. Preparing in advance, or delegating tasks like shopping, cooking, cleaning and looking after other children or pets to partners, friends or family members can allow the mother to rest, heal and focus on bonding with and feeding their new baby. “During the first two weeks after the birth, arrange for as much help from friends, family and your birth partner as possible so your recovery can be prioritised. Lesley said “If the C-section is planned, putting measures in place to allow the mother to rest up will help aid recovery and, even for those planning a vaginal birth, having a ‘plan B’ may be reassuring. RecoveryĪ C-section is major abdominal surgery, so planning and prioritising recovery is important. Women who have C-sections tend to have longer stays in hospital than women who have vaginal births, so consider packing some extra clothes, pads and nappies for you and baby.” 4. A small cushion can be useful to hold over the wound when moving and to help support the baby when breastfeeding. “When packing clothing for labour and beyond, think about underwear that will cover but not rub the incision and short sleeved, button-up tops that might make dressing with a drip or canula easier. “As mobility will be affected following the surgery, an extra-long phone cable can make sure mum doesn’t need to reach for her phone to stay in touch, whilst a long, bendy straw means she can stay hydrated without struggling to sit up," suggests Lesley. The hospital bagĪ few tweaks to the hospital bag can help women be more comfortable after a C-section. Swabbing your baby with the friendly bacteria from your vagina and perineum is thought to colonise your baby’s skin and gut, helping to promote a healthy start to life. This is a relatively new practice after research discovered that babies born via caesarean section were more susceptible to infections than those born vaginally. So long as the baby does not need any immediate interventions when it is born, then the parents should be able to have skin-to-skin contact immediately.Consider options surrounding delaying clamping of the umbilical cord - advice from The World Health Organisation is to leave the cord unclamped for between 3-5 minutes to maximise benefits like the increased transfer of stem cells and prevention of anaemia.If a couple would like to see their baby being born, they can ask for the surgical drape to be lowered. ![]() ![]() ![]() A playlist of music to be played during the birth - most hospitals will have the facilities to play music in the operating theatre.A birth partner who is familiar with the birth plan and a team who is up to speed with it (printing several copies for everyone is a good tip) means a greater chance that the woman’s preferences will be respected and fulfilled.” “Even in the event of an emergency C-section, it can still be possible for some decisions and wishes to be honoured. Adaptations can take place in an operating theatre to help enable a calmer birth experience and make the experience more personal. The birth planĪ birth plan is as important for women who are having a planned C-section as it is for those who are planning on giving birth vaginally, also known as 'natural birth' by some. Women and couples can feel more empowered and at ease once they understand why a C-section may become necessary and learn about what happens during and after one.” 2. “There are many different reasons why an unplanned C-section may be the safest birth choice and requiring one should never be seen as a ‘failure’. "By finding out what happens during C-section and understanding the choices and options available, women and their partners can feel more prepared and in control of their birth experience if a C-section was to become the necessary or chosen way to birth their baby, whether this is planned or unplanned," says Lesley.
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