Haldimand Family Health Team

PLEASE NOTE: The Hagersville Clinic is closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (March 12th-14th). To book services please contact the Caledonia Clinic @ 365-206-0303
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Cesarean Awareness Month

Cesarean Awareness Month

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April is cesarean awareness month. In Ontario about 31% of babies are born by c-section today. C-Section Awareness Month focuses on three main goals: lowering the number of unnecessary C-sections, helping people recover after having a C-section, and supporting the option of giving birth vaginally after a C-section (VBAC)

C-sections can be lifesaving surgery and are sometimes necessary, however, the necessary c-section rate is likely about 10-15% of births which is much lower than the current Ontario rate. Learning about why C-sections happen and getting ready for birth during pregnancy can help reduce the chance of having an unnecessary C-section. Other ways to maximize your chance of avoiding an unnecessary c-section include having a doula, having a midwife, and practicing skills for coping in labour.

Most people can have a vaginal birth after having a c-section. Knowing your options and talking with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of a repeat C-section or a vaginal birth can help you decide what’s best for you. The Association of Ontario Midwives has lots of information to help you consider your options. You can find there resources here

People who have cesareans often need extra support in recovery. Recovering from any birth is a long process and a cesarean adds a major surgery to recover from. Many people are still working on parts of their recovery for years after surgery. Some ways the Haldimand FHT team can help you recover after a c-section include:

  • Registered Dietitian – nutrition to help with healing, constipation, supporting your body in breastfeeding  
  • Registered Nurse – check on your healing progress in the first few days and weeks
  • Registered Kinesiologist – exercises and education to help the core muscles heal, rehab for diastasis recti (separated abs), scar mobility and desensitization
  • Mental Health Counsellors – explore feelings around c-sections, help with stress of having a new baby, talk about birth trauma

Having a baby is both exciting and stressful. No matter how you had your baby, you deserve to have support and feel empowered about your recovery and future choices.

Photo courtesy of https://www.preventaccreta.org/cam-social