April is Cesarean Awareness Month, which aims to teach and support women as well as raise awareness of the issues that come with cesarean sections; both planned and unplanned.This topic is so important to talk about and raise awareness of. Not just because I had to have a cesarean section with Aoife, but importantly to raise awareness of how it affects women both physically and mentally.
I won't lie; I never wanted to have a cesarean, it was the last thing I wanted. I was so terrified when I was told I had to have a cesarean. Aoife decided to turn into a breech position at the last minute. You can read about Aoife's birth story here. You get told about all the mechanics of having a cesarean but they never discussed with me how I may feel mentally afterwards.
Recovering physically didn't phase me, I'm used to post-operative recovery and the kind of complications you can get. Mentally, it was a little harder. My hormones were bouncing around everywhere already, and on top of that I had a little resentment of my body. I was really looking forward to experiencing labour and a vaginal birth but I missed out on both of them. I was also in pain, couldn't pick up my own baby and watched all the other mums looking after their babies whilst I struggled.
You ask yourself - Did I really give birth? I didn't do anything. Does it count as giving birth if she came out of my stomach? It also upsets you because you're not able to look after your baby without needing help. After a little while I came to realise that having a cesarean was the only way to make sure my daughter was born safely. There were no other options.
With my next pregnancy I will definitely try to have a VBAC but if I have to have another cesarean then I will feel a lot more content and informed as I've already had one. To all of the mums who have had a planned or an emergency cesarean - never feel that you're any less of a mum! Being a mum means loving your baby and keeping them safe and you did that by giving birth in the safest way for your baby. Cesareans are by no means the 'easy way out.'
I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this topic. Have you raised any awareness for Cesarean Awareness Month?
Thanks for sharing, I too had a c-section and share many of your thoughts and experience. I've blogged about mine too for Cesarean Awareness Month x
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll have to pop to your blog and have a read x
DeleteThanks for sharing your story on #FridayFabulous, it's always interesting to hear birth stories, however they happen. I was just talking yesterday to a friend who has had two amazing, successful VBACs. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story on #FridayFabulous, it's always interesting to hear birth stories, however they happen. I was just talking yesterday to a friend who has had two amazing, successful VBACs. You can do it.
ReplyDelete