Two C-sections, 19 months apart...

One unexpected, and one beautifully empowering.

Emily’s story is one of contrast, growth, and perspective. 

I hope you'll love reading her words, as she shares so openly about the realities of recovery, motherhood, and what she wishes more women knew...

Thanks a million Em for sharing with us! 

🌿 Life Before Babies:

I’m an accountant and worked full-time before becoming a mum. I also really like structure and routine… which, as you can imagine, was a big adjustment once I had kids!

I used to think I was SO busy pre-kids... and now I honestly wonder what I did with all of that extra time, haha!

I live with my husband and our two children, and life these days is a lot fuller (and a lot busier!).

🌿 Pregnancy:

I was very anxious about birth throughout both pregnancies.

During birthing classes, I remember feeling really scared when they talked about vaginal birth. But, when they spoke about C-section, that also terrified me... So I felt like I was in a bit of a predicament!

Towards the end of both pregnancies though, the anxiety shifted more into excitement.

I was just so ready to meet my babies.

🌿 The Birth

My first birth ended in an unexpected C-section after 18 hours of labour that wasn’t progressing.

Although it was scary, it was also incredibly exciting. We had chosen not to find out the gender, so meeting our baby for the first time and discovering we had a little boy was such a special moment.

My second birth was a planned C-section, as my babies were only 19 months apart and there was a risk of uterine rupture.

This experience was completely different.

My obstetrician suggested a maternal assisted C-section, and it ended up being one of the most empowering and incredible experiences of my life.

Being able to help deliver my baby and feel involved in the birth was amazing.

Again, we didn’t know the gender, and it was such a beautiful surprise to meet our little girl!

Those moments, seeing your baby for the first time, hearing that cry, finding out who they are... Honestly it bring tears to my eyes even now!

🌿 Early Days After the Birth

The early days after both births were challenging in different ways.

Physically, I felt very sore and quite scared to move, especially the first time. Learning how to breastfeed and care for a newborn while recovering from major surgery is incredibly difficult.

I was lucky to stay in hospital for five nights, which gave me time and support to begin recovering and establish feeding.

The second time around brought a different challenge: having a toddler at home!

Not being able to pick him up for six weeks was really heartbreaking, especially when he was so young and didn’t understand why Mum couldn’t lift him.

🌿 The Positives!

Despite everything, there were so many positives.

My second birth, in particular, was such an empowering experience. Being involved in the delivery of my baby made me feel strong and capable in a way I hadn’t expected.

I also felt incredibly supported throughout both pregnancies and recoveries, by my healthcare team, my family, and my wider support network.

🌱 The Physical Recovery

Recovery was tough, especially in those early days.

I remember feeling like I hated how my body looked and felt.

Everything hurt… laughing, coughing, sneezing. It was unlike anything I had experienced before.

Over time, though, things improved.

I worked with a physio, had massage therapy, and gradually returned to Pilates, which made such a difference to how I felt in my body again.

I also stayed active during my pregnancies, which I think really helped my recovery overall.

🌿 Any tips for other mums?

Don’t listen to anyone who says a C-section is the “easy way out”!

The recovery is intense, especially when you’re also learning how to be a mum.

Accept the help.

People genuinely want to support you, but they often don’t know how. Having a list of practical things (like groceries, meals, washing) made it so much easier when people asked what they could do.

And something that really stayed with me:

You don’t have to explain or justify your C-section to anyone.

You can simply say: I had a C-section.

Be kind to yourself. Your body and mind have been through so much. Give yourself time and space to recover.