This book has become a bible in my practice of dula specializing in cesarean delivery. On less than 130 pages, this relatively short and well-illustrated volume brilliantly offers advice and hope to moms who give birth to a cesarean section. First published in 2004 and updated in 2006, this book can be easily found on Amazon or eBay if your local bookstore does not carry it.
As the name suggests, the main task of the book is to accelerate the healing process after surgical birth. It is organized in chronological order, starting with the prehistory of the actual procedure and what can be expected in the first 24 hours, including excellent recommendations regarding breastfeeding provisions that are most convenient after a cesarean section. The second section covers the first week after surgery, including home care and psychological adjustments. Section 3 discusses in more detail what is considered the traditional postpartum recovery period, weeks 2-12, including the care of your incision. Because a cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery, the recovery period is much longer, so Section 4 deals with weeks 13 to 24 with a special focus on exercises that will help your body recover fully. The last section is called “Return to Normal”. He looks at your pelvic floor, posture and repeats a cesarean section.
What I love most about this book is that it allows women to actively solve the problems of their recovery. For many women, the most traumatic part of cesarean section is loss of control. This book offers them a roadmap for restoring a sense of control over their recovery. It contains simple exercises, some of which can be started immediately after birth and gradually work on complete recovery, and, as they say, return to normal.
This book is one of the most simple and clear readings of any of my libraries of pregnancy. It presents impressive illustrations that clearly demonstrate the exercises and positions. She also makes good use of text fields to highlight and focus on important information. The book also contains inspirational stories from real women who have had one or more cesarean sections.
I wish I knew about this book when I had a cesarean section. This is a must read for all my clients. If you have a cesarean birth or someone knows who is, get this book!
