A midwife is encouraging new mothers who have recently undergone a caesarean section to stand up straight in the days following their operation to aid their recovery. In the UK and Ireland, c-section rates have surged to nearly half of all births, with over half of those being planned procedures.
Midwife Victoria Holyoak, who shares advice on TikTok, said: 'I know this is hard, but I promise you standing up straight in those early weeks after your c-section recovery is going to help you. Because you will slowly be shortening all of the tissues, all of those fibres, if you are constantly hunched over.'
A c-section is a major surgical procedure where a surgeon cuts through six layers of tissue to deliver the baby. While the surface skin may heal within weeks, internal wounds can take up to two years to fully repair. Many mothers feel pressure to bounce back quickly, though it is normal not to feel like yourself for several weeks.
Mothers on social media supported the advice. One physiotherapist commented: 'Yes yes yes, shout it louder! There should be a much bigger element in antenatal classes about c-section considering what a high percentage of births it is.' Another mother added: 'The best thing I did was get up, walk and potter about from day one. I healed so quickly!'
