Wellbeing
Over 80% of the 240,000 women who had a c-section birth last year reported that they didn’t feel that they had access to enough information or received enough support for their birth and recovery. That’s over 192,000 women feeling lost, and unsure what to do next.
C-sectionUK are an organisation dedicated to changing the landscape for c-section mums. Their founder, Midwife Vic shares “My journey to c-sectionUK started a number of years ago, as a Midwife, on a busy postnatal ward. I spotted a woman from across the way. She has blood running down her legs, tears running down her cheeks, and she was trying to stand up for the first time after her c-section birth.
I headed over to her to help and she turned to me and asked – why did nobody, in the whole nine months, tell me something as basic as how to stand up after my c-section birth. That moment hit me hard and I knew I needed to make a change to help as many women as I could.”
Fast forward three years, and c-sectionUK are helping thousands of women birth and recover from c-section birth. This C-Section Awareness Month, we’ve teamed up with them to share these practical, evidence-based recovery tips every c-section mum deserves to know.
Massage your scar
Nearly 10% of women report feeling scar pain at nearly 3 months postpartum.
Yet research shows that just two sessions of scar massage can start to reduce pain.
Our bodies are made up of layers of soft tissue that normally glide past one another smoothly. But after a c-section, scar tissue forms in a web-like structure that can become rigid. These adhesions can tug on surrounding structures like the bladder, bowel, or pelvic floor — causing pain, discomfort, or restricted movement.
Regular scar massage can help soften and stretch these adhesions, prevent tightness, and reduce the risk of chronic pain from the deeper layers of the scar. It’s a simple tool, but it can make a huge difference.
Silicone for scars
If your scar feels raised, red, or itchy, you’re not alone. These are common complaints for many c-section mums.
Research shows that using silicone products on healing scars can lead to an 86% improvement in scar texture. That’s huge.
Silicone works by creating a protective barrier over the scar that helps to hydrate the area, flatten raised tissue, and reduce redness and itchiness over time. From silicone sheets to gels, it’s one of the most well-researched and effective treatments for scar appearance — and something many women never hear about.
Educate yourself with specific c-section information
Here’s a stat that says it all:
42% of women had a c-section birth last year — and 42% also reported they didn’t receive enough information about their recovery.
That’s not a coincidence.
What this tells us is that the current maternity system isn’t meeting the needs of nearly half of birthing women.
And when the system doesn’t give you what you need, it’s time to go looking for it.
C-section recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. You deserve guidance that’s specific to your birth type: how to move, heal, sleep, feed, and recover confidently after abdominal birth.
The more you understand what’s happening in your body, the more empowered and less overwhelmed you’ll feel. That’s why education is at the heart of everything that C-sectionUK do.
Birth trauma therapy sessions
Up to 34% of women experience symptoms of birth trauma. That’s more than 1 in 3 — and c-section births are statistically more likely to be associated with symptoms of birth trauma, especially if they were unplanned or emergency procedures.
Yet many women are told they should “just be grateful” or that their birth experience doesn’t matter as long as the baby is safe. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Birth trauma can affect sleep, bonding, feeding, relationships, and your own sense of self.
The good news? Birth trauma therapy sessions — including trauma-focused CBT or EMDR — can make a significant difference in how you feel, process your experience, and move forward.
Every woman should have access to this kind of care, and c-sectionUK are campaigning for more trauma-informed resources and referrals to be part of every postnatal care pathway.
You’re not alone in this. You’re not weak. And you’re not expected to figure it all out by yourself.
If you’ve had a c-section — whether planned or emergency — your recovery matters. Your feelings matter. Your body deserves time, support, and care.
To explore everything c-sectionUK has to offer, from recovery courses to online support sessions with midwives, head to csectionuk.com. Whether you’re preparing for your birth or navigating the weeks and months afterward, there’s a whole community and a wealth of expert support waiting for you.
c-sectionUK have also created an immersive audio experience as a dress rehearsal to download ahead of your c-section birth. It’s free to download here.
Research sources
Persistent pain after childbirth, H.S. Tan1 and B.L. Sng1,2,*BJA Education, 22(1): 33e37 (2022)
Exploring the Effects of Standardized Soft Tissue Mobilization on the Viscoelastic Properties, Pressure Pain Thresholds, and Tactile Pressure Thresholds of the Cesarean Section Scar, Isabelle Gilbert, MSc, Ost. DO,1,2 Nathaly Gaudreault, PT, PhD,1 and Isabelle Gaboury, PhD2,JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 28, Number 4, 2022, pp. 355–362
The Efficacy of Silicone Gel for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids, Neerja Puri, Ashutosh Talwar, J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009 Jul-Dec;2(2):104–106. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.58527
Maternity survey 2024,28 November 2024, Care Quality Commission
