Dear Reader, I’d like to preface this by saying that my experience is my own. Let it be just that.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard that c-sections are “the easy way out.” Let me debunk that myth: it’s simply not true. I know some people still believe it, but no, cesareans are not easy.
Whew, chile, they are not!
As a refresher to my birth story, I had to receive spinal anesthesia not once, but twice, because my body just wouldn’t go numb. Under normal circumstances, I was supposed to be walking within hours, but of course, with my luck, I remained completely numb and passed out from being drugged up.
The pain afterward was overwhelming, and everything became a struggle—standing up, sitting down. And don’t even get me started on my first trip to the bathroom post-catheter removal. The entire thing felt almost surreal, like an out-of-body experience.
Fast forward four months… not much has changed. I’m still healing, and I can confidently tell you the famous “six weeks” recovery time doesn’t apply to all of us. My cousin, who also had a c-section, told me her experience was completely different from mine, but she agrees: healing within six weeks is an absolute myth.
For me, my scar didn’t get sore during winter as many warned it might. But the closest I can describe it is that odd numbness you feel after walking in snow for 30 minutes—being painfully aware of the numbness itself. It was unsettling.
During early pregnancy, I lost the ability to walk unsupported due to hyperemesis, a condition that wreaked havoc on my body. I felt torn between wanting to tell everybody and their momma about this horrible condition from the rooftops and wanting to bury the memory of it. It’s not common, and my terrible pregnancy wasn’t normal. I know it traumatized those closest to me. At one point, I needed assistance with everything—even basic tasks like bathing and brushing my teeth—because of the sheer exhaustion. All while my pelvis felt like it was splitting in two.
Even though I regained the ability to walk, I don’t think I ever fully healed. I say this because I still can’t walk long distances without my pelvic floor giving out, often ending in tears. I used to be a fast walker, but now, it takes me twice as long to get anywhere. I’ve had to learn to slow down in the most painful way.
I know I’m not the person I used to be, mentally or physically. And I’ve never tried to go back to who I was—it seems like a pointless endeavor. However, my stubbornness remains intact. I continue to push myself in ways that are clearly detrimental to my well-being, something I’m actively trying to unlearn.
Not too long ago, when I tried testing my physical limits, my pelvic floor went numb for a few moments. It was just long enough for me to realize that I was endangering myself. My cousin (well, my cousin-who’s-not-my-cousin) once told me that delivery, no matter the method, is the easy part. The real challenge is in the aftermath—the recovery, both mentally and physically.
My truth is, I never thought I’d have a c-section, because I didn’t want one. When I was in the hospital waiting for the specialist, I thought they’d induce me, and I’d still have a “normal” delivery. Naturally, I didn’t bother to read about c-sections or what recovery would be like. If you’re planning to have a baby, do not, under any circumstances, follow my example.
Don’t even entertain it. For your sake.
One thing that has become abundantly clear to me is that there’s a lot of misinformation and misconceptions out there about cesarean deliveries. These misconceptions are dangerous because not everyone takes the time to do their research. Not everybody can. Yet everyone has opinions. It’s easy to believe what’s commonly said, but the reality of a c-section—of any birth—can be far more complex and difficult than the myths suggest.
In conclusion, cesareans are not the easy way out. They come with their own set of challenges—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every birth is unique, and every recovery is different. It’s crucial that we approach these conversations with care and avoid perpetuating harmful misconceptions. Your body goes through so much, regardless of how you give birth, and that deserves acknowledgment, not dismissal.
Also… google is free! Just saying.
All the love,
N.
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