Let’s talk about birth, or more specifically caesarean births seems as though April is Caesarean section awareness month It seems appropriate.

C.sections aren’t always the result of an emergency in pregnancy or labour; which can be extremely frightening and traumatic for many. Mothers often feel they lose control of their birth and robbed of the experience of watching and feeling their baby emerge into the world which can have a detrimental impact in the postpartum period. Emotional distress, feeling disconnected, difficulties with bonding and fear for the next birth are common.

But not all caesarean births are traumatic, they can be planned, welcomed, calm and gentle. However you plan to birth your baby, you still have choices and can still be in control and all births should be respected and celebrated equally.

A ‘Gentle C.Section’ or ‘Maternal Assisted C.Section’ can feel less clinical and less frightening and involves mums more in their birth. Immediate skin to skin contact can be initiated, which has so many known benefits. Many maternity units offer this as standard and if there are no

contraindications why this can’t be facilitated ask your midwife or obstetrician about it.

There are probably many examples of photos of gentle and maternal assisted c.sections available online but I thought I’d share my favourites with you all. Not only because this is my beautiful Daughter giving birth to my beautiful new Grandson but also because before his birth my Daughter was so nervous after having a traumatic and completely different experience of c.section with her 1st birth, the difference this time all round is remarkable.

Seeing my baby helping birth her own baby and having a much more positive experience just makes my heart burst with love and pride 🥰