Caesarean Birth. The Gentle Way. - Real Mum story on MoM

A Caesarean birth can be scary. But with your own permission, it can be gentle too.

We put so much pressure on ourselves as mums. Don’t you agree?

From before we even hold our little ones we change our lives, eating, exercising and homes to keep them safe. And we do everything within our power, and hope for the perfect birth. All of these are wonderful things to want!

But when we have so much pressure on ourselves, it can be hard when things don’t go to plan.

That was the case for me with the birth of my first child. 30+ hours of labour, every pain relief under the sun, a sick mum and a baby who got stuck and was in distress led to an emergency caesarean and weeks of antibiotics for me. Add to that I found I was mourning the birth I had always planned. The birth I had wanted.

With the birth of my second baby, I learned to be kinder on myself and my body. This time, I had a clearer perspective on my worth as a parent.

We spend so much time growing these little humans, and then even longer raising them. I had to learn that in the scheme of things, those hours birthing them are a drop in the ocean compared to everything else in our journeys as mothers.

I still didn’t get the “natural” birth that I had hoped for as I had to have another caesarean delivery. But this time, instead of feeling like I’d let myself down, I was proud of myself for carrying my baby, for making birthing decisions that kept us both safe and knew that our bond would be powerful and my love every bit as fierce as any other mother has for their baby.

His birth was magical! A gentle caesarean. I soaked in every second of it and most importantly, I was gentle on myself.

We’d love to hear your birth stories and whether you agree that as Mums we often feel pressure to have the “perfect” birth. Share your comments below to let this Mum know you’ve read her story and have heard her.

Posted anonymously, 1st July 2021

10 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 06 May 2024
    8:15 pm
I prayed like crazy that I wouldnt have to deal with one and thankfully I didnt

- - tessie said
  - 14 Jul 2021
    3:34 pm
I never realised there was such a thing as a gentle caesarean. Sounds like it would be better for Mum and Bub that’s for sure

- - mom80165 said
  - 11 Jul 2021
    3:00 am
I’ve never had one all mine were natural births but if you have to have a c section it’s for your babies and your best option

- - Frankiielot said
  - 09 Jul 2021
    9:02 pm
I had an emergency c section with my first bub. I was in labour for hours, trying so hard to push and screaming in pain. The doctor was yelling at me, asking me why I was screaming and in the end he said I had to have an emergency c section because baby’s heart rate was dropping and I wasn’t pushing properly!!!
It honestly scarred me but I went in for number two and opted for an elected c section in case I got the same doctor.

- - mom467577 said
  - 09 Jul 2021
    4:57 pm
I had an emergency c sec under GA and definitely feel the mourning of the peaceful water labour that I wanted. I hated my c sec recovery so am looking into everything I can to try and achieve a VBAC next time.

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 09 Jul 2021
    3:19 pm
I didn’t know there is the other way of it…less traumatic

- - mom348878 said
  - 09 Jul 2021
    11:47 am
My friend is having one today for baby number 9! Hoping everyone can pray for Leone. Thanks for sharing.
- Zmijka86 replied
  
  09 Jul 2021 , 3:17 pm
  Baby number 9 . Wow…someday i think I would love to have more kids…but most of the days my 2 are enough
- - Mrs.twinmama said
  - 09 Jul 2021
    10:30 am
Such a great concept. This how I would want to experience a C section should I need one.

- - mum300445 said
  - 08 Jul 2021
    11:33 pm
My sister had a gentle caesarean. They gently eased baby and let baby even come out a bit on their own. Both of mine were less gentle but maybe that’s because baby was breech and second was an emergency?