Hi Rachel

I had a c-section last week. Chloe arrived 3 weeks early and in breech position and as I was in labour, waters broken and contractions every 5 mins we had no choice! It was not as scary as it could have been, because I had researched it and knew that while she was breech there was always a chance I would have to have one. I think if you are prepared and know about what will happen it's not as scary. I also had a lot of confidence in my doctors and midwives which helped.

The part of a c-section that had always terrified me was something being put into my spine. In saying that, it wasn't that bad - just a little sting and then I couldn't feel anything after a couple of minutes. I didn't feel the cutting, and the only reason I knew they'd started was the nurse came to tell me what was going on. I felt tugging when they pulled Chloe out and heard her cry. DH was with me the whole time (he couldn't see anything either), and they gave her straight to him after she was cleaned up and then I got a cuddle as well.

This was definitely not my preference - my whole pregnancy I've wanted a vaginal birth, but things didn't work out that way. I still have a beautiful baby girl who is healthy, so it really doesn't matter how she got here.

My recovery was pretty quick - I was up and around the next day and was holding Chloe. The second day I took a shower by myself and was walking around the ward. The third day I was walking downstairs to the hot chocolate machine. Next time I'm hoping for a vaginal birth because I would like to experience that, but I definitely wouldn't get yourself worried over the possibility of a c-section. Just make sure you know what to expect.