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"Here's what I wish I knew before having a c-section"

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Having a baby is an undeniably exciting yet equally nerve-wracking time. While there are countless things to look forward to as a new parent, like seeing your baby's smile for the first time, there are plenty of things that can trigger feelings of anxiety, too. One of those, is giving birth, particularly for mums who are expecting to have (or end up needing an emergency) caesarean section.

But, having a c-section needn't be so worrisome, as body confidence influencer, new mum and doula Chessie King explains. Sharing a clip with her 787k followers on Instagram, Chessie points out that by knowing exactly what to expect from a caesarean, you can be "armed with knowledge going into it."

"I wish I’d seen this before I had my caesarean," she wrote alongside a video. "You've just had a caesarean, this is what you're recovering from," reads the text over the clip. "Visually seeing this helped me to understand the healing that my body had to go through."

In the video, Chessie peels back several layers of fabric that demonstrate the layers of the body ⁣that doctors go through to get baby out safely. This includes: Skin, fat, fascia, abdominal muscle (although she points out, surgeons rarely cut through this and instead go in between), peritoneum, uterus, bladder and finally the amniotic fluid.

Speaking about the importance of sharing videos like this, Chessie explained to Cosmopolitan UK that the more parents know about having a c-section, the more prepared they feel when the time comes.

As for how to get ready, Chessie has plenty of other tips too – having had a c-section herself when she welcomed her first child, with partner Mat, last year. "You may have been given a time slot for when you’ll be meeting your tiny bundle of deliciousness but relinquish all expectations as you have no control over that," she told us. "I kept repeating 'you’ve waited 40 weeks, you can wait a few extra hours'."

If your c-section does get delayed, the influencer stresses the importance of keeping your mind busy. "Instead of clock watching whilst your tummy is rumbling, do whatever you need to do to laugh through the hunger and anticipation," she suggests.

Then, when you do make your way into the surgery room, Chessie says try to avoid letting yourself get too overwhelmed by your surroundings. "When you get into your surgery room, it may feel like there are a lot of people but just think every single person is there to look after you – they are your army of support," she says, adding that: "No one told me my face would feel itchy and tingly [from the anaesthetic], it’s a strange sensation but if you’re ready for it, you’re ready to embrace it."

Another tip Chessie recommends is having your partner take as many videos as possible (if allowed, and if you're comfortable with the idea). "I underestimated how drugged up I was going to be and the whole experience is scrambled in my brain," she recalls. "So I watch them back and cry every single time. They are indescribably special and you will treasure them forever."

Most importantly though, the influencer reminds us that: "You are allowed to mourn that 'dream birth' you created in your brain. But, you are absolutely not allowed to think for one second that you are less of a champion than your friends who have given birth vaginally."

Hear, hear!

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