Mums need more support after Caesarean sections – I’m still recovering

A year on, Kyra has pelvic floor problems, bladder symptoms and is still dealing with pain around her scar, which she says took five months to fully close.

She adds: “My scar, especially on one side, is very pulled in. It affects day-to-day life; just walking, any physical activity that I do, even when I laugh there is a tug, there’s pulling. And also just the look of it, it’s a big change.”

Kyra felt she received “standard care” after her first two Caesarean sections for daughter Thea and son Elijah, but found her recovery from her most recent procedure “a lot worse”.

She is now backing a campaign calling for improvements to postnatal care for new mums whose children are delivered by Caesarean section.

A Caesarean section, or C-section, is a major operation to deliver a baby through a cut in the mother’s abdomen.

According to NHS data, about 45% of babies born in England are delivered by Caesarean.

The NHS website states, external most women can go home one or two days after having a Caesarean, if there are no complications, and that they may experience discomfort for the first few days.

It adds: “When you go home, you’ll need to take things easy at first.

“You may need to avoid some activities, such as driving, until you have had your postnatal check-up with the doctor at six weeks.”

Before leaving hospital following a Caesarean section, women may receive advice from a physiotherapy team about exercises and recovery after childbirth, depending on local hospital arrangements.

Women are encouraged to inform their midwife if they need stronger pain relief. Healthcare professionals should also assess each woman’s risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, as Caesarean sections increase the risk of blood clots.

Kyra and her baby, Tobiah, were discharged from hospital the day after the surgery and received routine visits from midwives and health visitors, and attended a six-week post-birth check-up with a GP, as is standard.