We have all seen those celebrity birthing programmes or read about those “A” listers that are said to be too posh to push. Well we have set out below some of the facts that we really think you need to know and
ignore some of the porkies you hear. Either way we think this is a subject that you must know about.

Sure you and your partner may be totally against the idea, hey, it doesn’t even figure in the birth plan but when the time comes, if it’s an unplanned emergency and recommended by medical advice, or your partner has asked for a c-section, here are some things to help guide you through. It is worth noting that approximately 63% of c-sections are organised during the labour and only some 37% planned in advance.

It is worth you talking with your GP, midwife or hospital where you will be having your baby. Rates for c-sections vary from place to place. The general trend however is that they are on the increase, indeed 
c-sections have doubled in the last 12 years.

We have come across more rubbish written about c-sections than nearly any other topic. Let’s be clear a c-section is major surgery and the risks therefore can be significant. This is not something to enter into lightly. Your partner’s recovery time after a c-section delivery is often a lot greater than with a vaginal birth. It was once described to us by a midwife who said that if you had just had your appendix out you wouldn’t be expected to sit up and lift a small child. We sense you are ahead of us here but this is what a new mum is asked to do.

Tip number one therefore is making sure that you have plenty of help and support for when your wife goes home. Recovery times vary significantly from person to person. The writer’s wife has had 2 c-sections, one by emergency and one “elected” (i.e.  for the second birth, she chose to have a c-section on a particular date if the baby had not been born naturally by a certain date, after her due date.)

Why have a Caesarean section?

Whilst not exhaustive the vast majority of c-sections seem to be for 4 specific reasons, namely:

- a repeat c-section (with a 2nd or subsequent child);
- there is foetal distress, and by that we mean that the baby is in distress whilst still in the womb;
- the baby is in the breech position i.e. not a favourable position for giving birth via the vagina; or
- the labour is not progressing as it should. (This maybe that your partner is simply not dilating as she should be and there could be a whole host of reasons for this.)

C-Sections Fact and Fiction

We have said above that there is a lot of rubbish that you hear when discussing c-sections. We have set out below some of the fiction that you hear and applied a bit of fact:

Fiction 1 - c-sections are easier than natural birth
Whoever says this we suspect has never been in theatre for a c-section, seen what goes on and seen how it can affect the women afterwards. As we have said this is major surgery and all that goes with it. Pain - yep, and plenty of it. Mums will be on pretty heavy duty pain relief for a while. If taken properly and as directed the pain will be greatly reduced but again this varies from person to person. She will be in hospital for longer 2-4 days at least. Just making a cuppa will seem a huge struggle assuming she is up to walking to the kettle...we did mention that it was major surgery, didn’t we?  You have the point.

There is also the pain relief in surgery the epidural or spinal or perhaps a general anaesthetic. Both carry risks. Anybody that thinks it’s the easy option is, in our view, probably a fella.
                                                                               
Fiction 2 - You can’t drive for 6 weeks after a c-section.
Rubbish - each case is individual. Check with your insurance company before you want to drive and explain to them that you have had surgery. First of all if your partner is not very mobile and feels very sore still is she really fit to drive? If she crashes the car and the air bags go off or she hits the steering wheel, would she be ok? Equally, if she has to break hard would she still be ok? Just use common sense here. Your baby is far more valuable than your partner not having wheels for a while. If this is going to be a real issue than do some forward planning. (Our tip No.2)

Fiction 3 - You can’t have a natural birth once your partner has already had a c-section.
There is more risk of having a vaginal birth than there is to having a repeat c-section. The risk that everyone talks about on a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean) is whether the old scar would tear during labour but the risk is extremely small. These are all questions that you should speak to your midwife about. We are huge supporters of midwifes and their knowledge is of massive benefit to both mums and their partners throughout the birthing journey. In short, our tip 3 is if in doubt or if you simply have no idea ask your midwife.

Fiction 4 - Shouldn’t get pregnant within a year of c-section.
There is no magic rule as to when you can try for number two. If you are “allowed” we salute you. Seriously if you are thinking about a second child and your partner has had a c-section then speak to your medical advisers. Much can depend, as with many things to do with the birthing process depending on your partner’s age, health, previous experience with the birth of your first child and perhaps most importantly whether she feels ready to try for another England striker to play alongside the English captain you have already produced!

In short the pros of a c-section are that:

- You “maintain” the undercarriage for future fatherhood attempts!
- You will know exactly when your partner will be having the baby (if elective)
- No stitches for your partner down there!

The cons are that:

- It’s major surgery with risks
- Pain afterwards
- Simple everyday tasks can be very difficult for a while afterwards
- May not be able to drive
- Plenty of stitches or soluble staples which will need to be removed or looked after for a while
- A scar, albeit these days it tends to be on the bikini line.

There are many other “gems” of useless information out there and if you would like more detail on this or any other article or something that is concerning you then please let us know at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it