April is International Cesarean Awareness Month!  We have such an amazing community of mommas with differing birth experiences.  We asked our Copper Pearl family what advice they would give a mom going into a C-section.  Below, you will find words of encouragement, tips and tricks, and lessons learned from some of our C-section mommas.

What advice would you give a momma going into a c-section?

• Your body is STILL amazing.  You have accomplished something wonderful.  Don't be hard on yourself or your body after this miraculous thing you have done.  Squeeze a pillow hard and close to your abdomen if you have to cough, and walk, walk, walk!  Snuggle your baby and give thanks for this wonderful time, mama.
• As an emergency C-section mom, the hardest part was the emotional recovery.  Bodies heal amazingly quickly but sometimes replaying the events leading up to the c-section itself is painful for longer.  But one day, you'll tell your kid about how they were born and show them the scar and they'll think it is (and you are) amazing.  And you will too.
• Get up and walk as early and often as they advise.  My nurses were so surprised when I was up and walking like they told me to because most people don't follow that advice apparently - but I had the easiest recovery and I really feel like this was a BIG part of it!
• Give yourself grace.  Take time in healing and don't push yourself too hard.  You have to recover yourself before you can help baby.
• Just because it's not vaginal doesn't take a way from the fact that you are giving birth.  Don't let people make you feel like you had an easier route, it's all hard in its own way.
• Buy yourself the cutest and most comfortable robes (shop our Women's Everyday Robes here - so perfect for postpartum and beyond!)  You can thank me later.  And use the binder (stomach wrap) from the hospital.  It helped my stomach so much!
• You don't have to be superwoman - let yourself be scared, let yourself ask for help, let yourself talk about the experience as much as you need to process it if it doesn't go as planned, let yourself feel empowered if you chose it!
• Postpartum nurse here!  Walk walk walk!  The sooner the better.  Helps with recovery so much, especially gas pains!
• My first birth was a traumatic vaginal delivery.  My second was a beautiful planned C-section.  Everyone's birthing experience is different, but a C-section isn't bad, a failure, a cop-out, or truly anything negative.  You are strong, period!
• You absolutely got this.  You have a whole community of women behind you, supporting you.  Every mom goes through hard things to get their babies here.  It looks different for every mom.  Allow yourself to feel the emotions and ride the waves.  Your feelings about C-sections are valid.
• C-sections don't make your birth any less.  Sleep with your head a little raised.  Your stomach muscles will be sore!  Appreciate your body - the scar/stretch marks are just a reminder of what a beautiful gift you brought into this world.
• GO SLOW and remember this is a major abdominal surgery! Remember that your body is still beautiful and you were built for this.  Take your time to heal, and take care of you.  Also, disposable C-section / postpartum underwear is the BEST!
• Your birth story isn't any less miraculous than the one you hoped for.

We respect and honor every birth journey at Copper Pearl!  ♡  Check out our original discussion post on Instagram to learn even more C-section tips and advice.