Cesarean Birth: a midwife's perspective
April marks Cesarean Section Awareness Month—a time to have more open, honest conversations about cesarean birth.
As a former midwife of 18 years, I’ve supported women through every kind of birth imaginable. And one thing I know for certain is this:
A cesarean birth can be both life-saving and emotionally complex.
For some women, it is calm, planned, and empowering.
For others, it comes unexpectedly—bringing feelings they weren’t prepared for.
This blog is here to gently hold all of those experiences.
The Emotional Impact of an Unplanned Cesarean Section (CS)
When birth doesn’t go the way you hoped, it can create a lot of varied emotions.
Many women I have cared for describe:
Feeling cheated out of a “normal” birth
A sense of failure or disappointment
Difficulty processing how quickly things changed
A feeling of panic and loss of control
These feelings can result in birth trauma which can impact your recovery and future births. Research from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) highlights that unexpected birth outcomes, including emergency cesarean, can increase the risk of postnatal emotional distress.
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises, that a woman’s experience of pregnancy and birth has a long lasting impact on their emotional wellbeing, especially if she feels unheard or a uninformed.
Sometimes we minimise the impact of an emergency CS by the reassuring 'at least you and baby are well', 'all that matters is a healthy mum and baby' but in reality you may still feel grief for not achieving the birth you dreamed of. This isn’t about being ungrateful, your feelings are valid and you may need support postnatally and with future pregnancies or births.
It’s about the gap between the birth you hoped for and the one you experienced.
You Didn’t Fail
If your birth didn’t go to plan…
If you’re holding onto difficult feelings…
If you’re unsure how you feel about it all…
Please hear this:
You did not fail.
Birth is unpredictable. But how you are supported—and how you process your experience—can shape how you move forward. Help and support is available, speak to your Health Visitor, Midwife or GP, support is also available online.
When a Cesarean Birth Feels Like the Right Choice
For some women, a cesarean is not a disappointment—it’s a deeply considered decision. For many years women could only choose this option if they paid privately or had medical grounds for CS, however society has changed and human rights within a medical world need to upheld.
Some women choose to have Cesarean Section due to
Experiencing a previous traumatic birth
Feel significant fear or anxiety about labour
Have medical or personal reasons for choosing surgery
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists support offering planned cesarean birth for women with severe fear of childbirth, recognising the importance of emotional safety as well as physical outcomes.
There is no one “right” way to give birth.
Everyone has the right to choose but it can be a difficult decision for some, its important to gather evidence based research, (not TikTok😉) understand the risks and long term effects of a CS. In my KG Hypnobirth course I recommend using the BRAIN acronym to help make your decisions.
What matters is that you make an informed decision that is right for you and you feel respected, supported and heard!
Main Risks of Cesarean Section
Mother: Post op Infection, blood loss, organ injury (rare), blood clots, Scar tissue (adhesions), placenta complications, repeat surgery risks, uterine rupture, fertility issues
Baby Breathing difficulties (especially before 39 weeks), delayed feeding, compromised immune system
Emotional & Recovery Birth trauma, feelings of loss, longer recovery, limits on driving/lifting, post-natal depression/anxiety
Cesarean Recovery: The Reality of Major Surgery
A cesarean section is major abdominal surgery—and recovery can be more challenging than many expect, however this is different for each woman.
In the early days and weeks, you may experience:
Pain when moving, coughing, or lifting
Limited mobility
Fatigue and slower physical recovery
Restrictions on driving (usually around 4–6 weeks in the UK)
If you have a toddler at home, recovery can feel even more intense:
Not being able to lift your older child
Balancing rest with caring responsibilities
Emotional guilt alongside physical limitations
These challenges are real—and they deserve to be acknowledged.
Support at home is essential, don't feel guilty and if your lucky to have people willing to help, accept it all! Take this time to rest and recover, have lots of skin to skin and enjoy those baby cuddles. This will release the hormone Oxytocin which will improve your mood and develop bonds with your baby, if your breastfeeding this will also help with milk supply.
Breastfeeding After a Cesarean
Breastfeeding after a cesarean can sometimes take a little longer to establish but it doesn't mean you wont be able to breastfeed.
Factors may include:
Delayed skin-to-skin contact
Post-surgical discomfort affecting positioning
Effects of medication
The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative recommends early and exclusive breastfeeding where possible, and highlights that support in the first hours and days after birth is key — which can sometimes be more challenging following a caesarean section.
However its important to understand some mothers feed straight away, others need time to recover first — both are completely valid. With the right support, many women go on to breastfeed successfully after a caesarean, even if the beginning doesn’t look how they expected.
If things feel overwhelming, reaching out early for feeding support can make a huge difference, and you do not have to navigate it alone. Most hospitals in the NHS will have specialist infant feeding Midwives and Health Visitors, along with peer support volunteers who can help you resolve any issues.
Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or combination feed—
support matters more than pressure.
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) : Making the Right Decision for You
After a cesarean, many women find themselves deliberating:
“What should I do next time?”
VBAC is a safe and appropriate option for many women—but it’s not the only option and it can be a difficult decision especially when you know you have another child at home to care for following birth.
VBAC may offer:
Faster recovery
Lower risk of surgical complications
A different birth experience
A planned repeat cesarean may offer:
Predictability
Reduced uncertainty
A sense of control
For some this is a perfect option, they can plan for childcare of their other child/children, family might book leave to help support recovery. This can also be a very calm and controlled experience, which in itself can be healing if they had an emergency CS last time.
Guidance from NICE and NHS recommends that women are given balanced, evidence-based information to support informed decision-making.
This decision isn’t just clinical.
It’s emotional, personal, and deeply individual.
How Hypnobirthing Can Support You (Even After a Cesarean)
KG Hypnobirthing isn’t just about breathing techniques, or a specific type of birth, its about giving you information so you can make informed choices that are right for YOU!
It’s about:
Understanding your options
Feeling calm and in control
Reducing fear around birth
Preparing for all possible outcomes
Whether you’re planning a normal delivery, VBAC or a repeat cesarean, hypnobirthing can help you approach your birth feeling informed and empowered, with the added benefit of releasing fears you may have and helping you feel relaxed, calm and in control.
Support for Your Journey
If you’re preparing for birth—or processing a previous experience—you don’t have to do it alone.
At Pregnancy Birth Beyond, I offer:
Hypnobirthing courses
Birth preparation support
Space to debrief and reflect on your past experiences.
Because every woman deserves to feel heard, supported, and confident in her choices.
Next Steps:
If you would like to find out more about how I can support you, please book your discovery call with me, I am happy to answer any of your questions.
Download your FREE Calm Birth Bundle to start preparing today.
Take 15 mins a day just for you to relax and connect with your baby.
Book your Hypnobirth Course with me.
Follow me on Instagram for information and updates on upcoming courses.
