C-section Moms: Major Surgery, No Postnatal Support

Mothers are reporting a significant lack of support following caesarean sections, a major surgical procedure for childbirth that has reached its highest rate on record. In Wales, 42% of births were by C-section in 2025, with a concerning portion of these being emergencies. Women like Carys Louise Brandon describe feeling "thrown in at the deep end" with little guidance on recovery, including managing surgical wounds and the physical demands of caring for a newborn alongside their own healing.

The Royal College of Midwives highlights that the rise in caesarean births has increased demands on maternity services, which have not kept pace. Staffing pressures are a major factor, with 94% of surveyed midwives in Wales unable to provide the desired level of care. This strain affects postnatal support, wound care, pain management, and general recovery assistance for mothers recovering from abdominal surgery.

Reports indicate that postnatal care is inadequately staffed and supported, leaving mothers to navigate complex recoveries with insufficient help. The Welsh government has committed to improvements, but concerns persist about the evaluation of consequences from the rapid increase in C-sections and inductions. Mothers emphasize the need for accessible information and support beyond private services or social media.

One mother, Ceri Ann Roberts, recounted a traumatic experience after an emergency C-section where she was separated from her newborn for seven hours, highlighting critical failures in immediate postnatal care. While health boards state they support mothers in special care and facilitate contact, such instances underscore the urgent need for better-resourced and more responsive maternity services.