Celebrating C-Section Awareness Month: 10 Key Questions and Expert Insights

April is named as the International C-Section Awareness Month, and we are celebrating all C-section journeys by answering your frequently asked questions so you feel informed before your baby arrives or supported as you begin to heal after surgery. C-Section Awareness Month highlights the incredible strength and healing process mothers experience.

Our in-house maternal expert, Dr Aura Pyykönen, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, shares her expertise to support women preparing for elective C-sections, as well as those who may need one unexpectedly. Whether planned or not, this shared knowledge will be an essential resource for mums and their partners to absorb in preparation for labour and the fourth trimester.

Understanding C-Sections

A C-section is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby. Mothers can choose to have an elective c-section, which means it is a pre-planned surgery before they go into labour. Other times, mothers have an emergency C-section due to complications during labour, and it is in the best interests of the mother and her baby for their health and a safe delivery. 

The rate of c-sections varies hugely from country to country, and some parts of the world do not encourage c-sections because of the impact on a mother’s recovery postpartum. The initial recovery period post-op for a C-section is 6-8 weeks, but your body can continue to heal and recover for up to a year after the birth. 

In the UK across 2023-2024, 23.7% of all births were emergency C-sections compared to 18.7% that were elective C-sections. This has increased from previous years. 

Some women choose to have an elective c-section because of information they have obtained through baby scans or because they have anxiety about labour. In your first appointment with the midwife, it’s important to disclose anything about your preferred method of delivery so they can support you with your choice and point you to resources that will help you prepare.

C-Section FAQs with Dr. Aura Pyykönen 

Can you choose to have a C-section?

In many countries, yes — the mode of delivery is chosen on maternal request.

In Finland, as in the other Nordic countries, maternal request C-sections aren’t technically an option without a medical indication. After counselling with an obstetrician, a diagnosis such as fear of childbirth may provide a clinical justification for surgery.

Can you request a C-section due to anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety is usually associated with or accompanied by fear of childbirth, i.e. tokophobia, and then a planned C-section can be medically justified and even the safest option. Multidisciplinary support (e.g. mental health care + obstetric team) is essential.

What to do night before a C-section?

Pre-op nutrition plays a crucial role in recovery. Your clinic may provide specific supplements — follow their advice.

Other tips:

• No food or drink 6–8 hours before surgery, unless otherwise instructed

• Shower to feel refreshed — it might be a while before your next one

• Remove nail polish and jewellery

• Do not shave the night before (risk of micro-injuries); if you want to, do it 3–4 days prior. Shaving is absolutely not needed!!

• Try to get some rest — even if anxious. Have your hospital bag and documents ready.

How long do you stay in hospital after C-section?

Typically 2–4 days, depending on your condition and local practices. Many clinics now use Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, aiming for discharge by day 2 after planned C-sections. The key factors: pain control, mobility, and absence of complications.

When can I have a bath after a C-section?

Showering is usually allowed 24–48 hours post-op, depending on the dressing. Full baths and swimming should wait until the incision is fully healed — usually after 4 weeks.

When can I start bending after C-section?

You can begin gentle movements — like bending slightly to pick up light objects — within the first few days, depending on the pain. Avoid heavy lifting or deep bending for 4–6 weeks to protect the healing incision and core muscles.

Rule of thumb: don’t lift anything heavier than your baby. When moving from lying to sitting, roll onto your side and push up with your arm. Always listen to your body.

What to eat after C-section for faster recovery?

Nutrition before surgery matters just as much as after — see the section “What to do the night before.”

Interestingly, chewing gum in the first 24 hours post-op has been shown to speed up bowel recovery and improve comfort.

Post-op, focus on:

• Preventing constipation with a fibre-rich diet and plenty of fluids

• Protein- and iron-rich foods (e.g. eggs, lentils, fish) for wound healing

• Vitamin C (from diet) may support healing — supplementation is likely unnecessary unless deficient

• Omega-3s: often recommended, but avoid supplements before birth due to increased bleeding risk. Resume only 2–3 weeks postpartum, if needed.

How to sleep after a C-section?

Whichever way feels good — no strict rules.

Back-sleeping with a pillow under the knees or side-sleeping with one between the legs is often the most comfortable. Avoid stomach-sleeping until the incision is well-healed. Use extra pillows to support your body when turning in bed.

How to treat an infected C-section incision at home?

If you see redness, swelling, discharge, or have a fever — don’t self-treat. Contact your care provider.

In general:

• Keep the incision clean and dry

• Avoid tight clothes or friction

• Don’t apply creams or oils unless prescribed

How long after a C-section can you have sex?

Most guidelines (e.g. ACOG) suggest waiting around 6 weeks before resuming intercourse, or until bleeding stops and the incision feels healed.

That said, there’s much more to sex after C-section than intercourse. Skin-to-skin contact and intimacy with your partner are just as important as with your newborn. If you feel emotionally ready, it’s usually physically safe. Be patient with yourself — libido often returns gradually.

Explore more FAQs about C-section recovery:

• When can I drive after a C-section?
• How many C-sections can you have?

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

As well as the helpful tips we’ve shared above, here are some other practical tips to bear in mind as you heal from the surgery. 

Exercise

After a c-section, working out post-op is unsafe until you have been checked and cleared by your doctor. Although you are encouraged to stay mobile, this means gentle and slow movements as your incision heals post-op. Targeted exercises, especially for your core, will cause damage to the incision if it hasn’t fully healed and you could cause further injury to the surrounding muscles. 

Do

• Gentle and slow movements

• Rest when you need to

• Have someone accompany you for a short walk when you feel ready

• Wear a postpartum support belt to support movements

Don’t

• Curl your core (e.g. bending down or crunching your stomach)

• Over stretch

• Resume exercise routines without clearance from your doctor

Nutrition and Diet

Your body is healing in so many ways postpartum, and getting your diet right is essential to helping you recover. In the first couple of weeks, you won’t be able to be as active as before, so keeping your energy levels up through nutrition is key, especially if you are breastfeeding. 

Do

• Eat fibre-rich foods to keep your bowels moving without straining

• Focus on adding a variety of protein to your diet to promote tissue repair

• Take supplements if needed to bridge the gaps in your nutrition to support healing and energy levels

Don’t

• Refrain from eating sugary, processed, and fatty foods, as these can slow down healing and may lead to complications

• Drink high amounts of caffeine, especially if you are breastfeeding (can lead to energy crashes)

• Avoid foods that are high in salt, as these can lead to an increase in swelling

Skincare

Something not often talked about during C-Section Awareness Month is a mother’s skincare routine postpartum. We talk a lot about skincare during pregnancy to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and hydrate the skin. When your incision has healed, you can gently massage the skin around it to break down any scar tissues and reduce the appearance of a c-section overhang. 

Do

• Stay hydrated throughout the day so your skin doesn’t get dry

• Use a postpartum moisturiser to support skin recovery

• Gently massage the skin around your incision to break any adhesions (scar tissue)

Don’t

• Soak yourself in the bath until your incision has fully healed (usually after 4 weeks)

• Keep your incision dressing clean and dry

• Fragranced creams, lotions, and wipes may cause irritation

Pain Relief

When you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will advise you on pain relief options that are compatible with breastfeeding and/or bottle feeding. Most mums experience back pain after a C-section because of the anaesthetic they use before the operation. You can use over-the-counter medication to relieve any pain, and if you are still struggling, seek advice from your doctor.

Do

• Ask for medical advice if you need stronger pain relief

• Remember to take pain relief each day following the operation until you feel more comfortable

• Wear a postpartum support belt to stabilise your core and protect the incision wound

• Rest as much as you need to, listen to your body

Don’t

• Overdo daily activities and do too much too soon

• Think you can go without pain relief too soon post-op, wean yourself slowly

If you are ever in any doubt about your health or recovery, seek advice from your doctor. No question is a silly one, and it’s important that you receive the care you need to heal. 

Final Thoughts

Cesarean Awareness Month brings together all the support, tools, and resources to help families plan or manage the after-care that comes with c-section recovery. Although a C-section is major surgery, and recovery is to be taken seriously, your healthcare professional will be able to guide you through each phase of the journey. As always, we are here to support you every step of the way.