By Danni Gillham, The Wellness Boutique Founder
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April is Caesarean Awareness Month, and as someone who’s had two C-sections (with baby number three arriving soon!), this one’s close to my heart.
C-sections often come with layers of emotion, expectation, and healing. Whether your Caesarean is planned or comes as a surprise, I want to remind you it’s not “just a surgery.” It’s still your birth experience. And you do get to have a say.
Being prepared helps you feel more confident going in and makes a big difference to how you recover, both physically and emotionally, afterwards.
Ready to get prepared? Let’s dive in!
You have more say than you think
One of the biggest myths about C-sections is that they’re cold, clinical, and completely out of your hands. Not true. Whether your Caesarean is scheduled or something you’d simply like to be ready for, you can absolutely shape the experience.
Some beautiful options to explore and consider for your caesarean birth plan:
- Skin to-skin in theatre
Most hospitals now encourage immediate skin-to-skin, even during a surgical birth. It helps with bonding and regulating baby’s temperature and heartbeat.
- Delayed cord clamping
You can request delayed clamping with a C-section — even 30–60 seconds can allow the baby to receive more blood from the placenta, which may support early development.
- Gentle lighting
Some obstetric teams are happy to dim the overhead lights or reduce unnecessary harsh lighting to help you relax. And if not during surgery, you could request it once the baby is safely out. - Your own playlist
Music can change the whole tone of the room. Whether you want calm, joyful, or meaningful, bring a playlist that makes you feel safe and strong. - Clear drapes or maternal-assisted delivery
A clear screen lets you see baby as they’re born (if that feels right for you). In a maternal-assisted Caesarean, you can even help lift your baby up onto your chest. Note that these options are most likely in a private hospital setting.
The more these ideas are discussed with your care team ahead of time, the more likely they are to happen.And even if you’re planning a vaginal delivery, note down your c-section preferences in case you need one.
Danni’s story: A maternal-assisted C-section
I chose a maternal-assisted Caesarean, which meant I reached down and helped lift my baby onto my chest as he was born. I can’t tell you how much it changed the way I felt about his birth. I was part of it in a way that felt very powerful and grounding.
I’m planning to do the same with our little girl in May. It’s not for everyone, but for me it turned a surgical birth into something really personal and deeply connected. Curious to learn more? Take a peek at the moment I met my son here.
How to Physically Prepare for a C-Section
A Caesarean is still major abdominal surgery, so prepping your body beforehand really does help. Here are some things that can help:
Physio and massage
Releasing tightness in the hips, pelvis and abdominal wall ahead of time can make a big difference post-birth. It also helps your body feel supported going into surgery.Breathwork and belly breathing
Learning how to breathe deeply into your diaphragm can calm the nervous system during surgery and aid recovery (especially with post-op pain or bloating).Pelvic floor exercises
Even if you’re not birthing vaginally, your pelvic floor is still affected by pregnancy, posture changes, and surgery. A gentle pre-birth routine supports recovery later.Gentle movement
Pilates or yoga can help build awareness, strength and mobility — especially around the core, pelvis and lower back.Relaxation and distraction techniques
Think guided meditations, visualisation, or simply having a playlist or breathing strategy to keep you grounded in theatre.
How to mentally prepare for a c-section
Mindset matters! Especially if you feel nervous or you’re in a situation when birth isn’t going the way you imagined. These things can help you prepare mentally:
- Document your birth plan
Include your preferences around theatre setup, post-birth contact, feeding, and support, even if some things may need to adapt on the day. - Work with a hypnobirthing educator
Hypnobirth isn’t just for those seeking a vaginal delivery. Kate from The Pregnancy Collective is amazing, and her work is tailored for all types of birth, including Caesarean. - Hire a doula
A doula can advocate for your needs and offer emotional support before, during and after birth — no matter the mode of delivery. - Seek out positive stories
Reading or hearing empowering C-section birth stories can really help shift your mindset and calm any nerves. We love the Australian Birth Stories podcast. - Ask all the questions
Knowledge is power. If something’s unclear, speak up. You deserve to feel informed.
Remember you have choices
If you’re preparing for a Caesarean (or want to be ready just in case), your birth can still feel incredibly empowering with a little planning and the right support crew around you.
At The Wellness Boutique, our signature Bump & Beyond program can support you from pregnancy through to postpartum. From movement and breathwork to birth debriefs and emotional care, we’ll be empowering you with knowledge and practical exercises every step of the way.
And if you’re reading this thinking of a mama who might need that kind of support? Gift vouchers are available too.
You don’t have to feel powerless in your C-section, and they certainly don’t make you any less of a mother. They make you strong in a different way. And if that is your path, we see you, and we’d love to support you through it.
