A close friend I prefer to call Elina had a C-section while giving birth but she always laments that it is one of the worst moments ever in her life.
‘I do not like the fact that I had a C-section. I only wish I had the ability to push my baby normally. But I failed to get contractions and the only solution was for me to be operated on, I feel bad because it means I stand other chances of facing the CS for the other future kids I do anticipate to give birth to’. Elina, further adds that, ‘since that operation my lower abdomen hurts, yet it is 4 years down the road’. Elina is not the only one that complains about this but I have had many cases crying out loud on such issues after operations’.
Cindy one of the victims to this CS occurrence also recalls her ordeal. Lowering her big eyes that give the impression of being alleviated with joy and regret she says,
‘it seemed like the operation had gone on well, after two days the pain intensified and things were not okay for me. I could barely walk, sit, eat or even breast feed my baby. Little did I know, I was rotting inside. In me there was that bad, irritating smell. I was told I had to undergo an operation again so that they see what had gone wrong. This was very painful since it was re-opening an old wound. They got to realize that they had forgotten cotton inside. This was so awful. She narrated as tears flowed down her cheeks’.
According to the Pan African Medical Journal Report 2021, there has been an increasing rate of caesarean section CS in Uganda, stating that, ‘Uganda’s facility rate is expected to rise to 36% by the end of this year. Nevertheless, some of the increase may not be obstetrically justifiable, some cases could be due to the commercialization of obstetrics practice in some parts of the country’. But then again, there is also an issue of desired CS. I know many people who have so opted for CS despite having no complication of any kind, their only worry being they don’t want to experience labor pain.
Some indeed have complications that compel them to undergo CS. Concern today goes to the ladies who I will regard a ‘little bit stubborn humans’. Perhaps lazy. Oh, yes. Women today are quit lazy, but why anyway? Because CS disadvantages are more compared to the advantages experts say.
If you make sense of what I am trying to put forward, then You can change your attitude and you will have a safe normal delivery, putting effort together to also decrease the increasing numbers of CS cases in the country. Together with the medical experts who encourage expectant mother to push normally if found with no complexities. We advocate for this too. Matters concerning CS can be reduced in our country. Putting in practice these recommendations.
See a medical expert immediately and often
Immediately you conceive, see a doctor, midwife or gynecologist’ for what they call antenatal care. This helps the expectant mother to know how the unborn baby’s health is like in the womb; that is to say, the position in which the baby is lying is it okay or not, then health status of the baby and also see whether the mother is healthy enough to carry on with the pregnancy plus other medications to prevent the mother from acquiring diseases and infections that my affect the two lives.
Build a positive attitude in and on yourself
There is nothing as brave as a positive attitude in one’s personality. Being a mother who has been there before, I usually tell people that a positive mind does wonders. It all starts with a positive mind. By the same token, as the next expectant mother you should be more positive about having a safe and good delivery all the time. With just the positivity that I will make it through it all mind set, may be all that you need to push that baby out. But every time you remain negative, holding unto the idea that you will not make it, indeed, you will get it that way. Believe in yourself that you can push that baby and soon all that hustle will be over.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
Labor and delivery are physically demanding, and you need to be able to meet those challenges. Eating a health and balanced diet with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates will help you to be in the best shape possible when the times comes. Geraldine Bulage midwife at Kisenyi KCCA advises. Also, there are those who are not well with certain foods when they are pregnant so it’s good you ask your doctor or midwife for specific advice. If you have gestational diabetes and other complications, you will need to follow additional, specific dietary guidelines. Be closer to your doctor!
Exercise often
Throw away laziness, it is this time round that you ought to walk, ran, involve
yourself in house work activities, find time to stretch your bones, do rope skipping, and much more, do not let your body feel lazy at any one time, because if you do, it will mean that you are most likely to carry on that laziness to the delivery bed. However, make sure that as you do exercise do not overdo it just do what is enough for you. As long as your doctor or midwife approves. Moderate exercises will also help you stay fit and ready to meet the demands of childbirth. Avoid exercises where you lie flat on your back after your first trimester, as well as activities that pose a risk of falling says Geraldine.
MEN support your women
Men it’s time to support your women. Experts further advise that this is a time when women are most likely to be unpredictable, not all though. Some are more demanding and some are less demanding. Now this becomes tricky. This is the time to be more understanding than ever, give her what she wants, go for antenatal together, support her when she needs you, and attend to all the cravings. Encourage her by telling her those beautiful things that will keep her positive and wanting to push that baby of yours, words like “you’re the most strongest lady I have ever seen, so I want you to use the same strength to push our baby or one of the best gifts you will give me is you pushing our baby and much more.” those simple ‘flutters ions’ really do magic to women.
Prayer
We very well know that with GOD everything is possible. Everyone needs to seek the lord’s intervention in these matters on a serious note. You will be surprised on what the lord can do even when you feel the best of you is gone and perhaps you feel you have no strength to carry on. This should be for both partners (man and woman) plus those who love and wish them well.
Rest enough
This is very important; a pregnant woman needs more rest than anyone else. Do not over work the baby inside let you both have that rest. Restful expectant mother is able to contain, store and retain strength that will be needed to push out the baby.