Nottingham families share stories to mark Caesarean Awareness Month | Latest news

As we reflect on International Caesarean Awareness Month , two Nottingham families have spoken about their positive elective c-section experiences at Nottingham University Hospitals.   

International Caesarean Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about C-sections by promoting the importance of informed decisions-making .  

Josh and Faye Hart, who had their baby Sofia, via elective c-section in March 2025 due to their baby being transverse, said the support and level of care received at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) during the whole process was excellent.   

Faye said: “ The c-section process was carefully explained to us and all our questions were answered fully . All  staff members were courteous and kept us up to date with information we requested . Everybody we came into contact with during our two - week stay was very helpful and caring. Three nights into my stay , I was allocated a private room as I was going to be staying some time, this made a huge difference to my experience whilst in hospital.  

“ Staff - cleaners, catering staff, midwives, care assistants, consultants, everybody offered a friendly and high level of care . We would like to thank everyone that cared for us and our newborn baby during our stay.”  

The theme of the awareness month i s making informed decisions, one new mum, who felt particularly informed and well cared for was Hannah, who had her baby girl , Hattie also in March, weighing 7lb 2oz.   

Hannah described her planned c-section experience as ‘amazing’ from start to finish. She said: “From discussing it with the consultant to the actual birth, I felt so listen to and so cared about.”  
 
Hannah and her partner Dan opted for a c-section due to the birth of their first daughter resulting in an emergency c-section and therefore being quite traumatic.   

Hannah said: “We were presented with all options for the birth and we felt really well informed and were given lots of information and plenty of time to make the decision.   

They made the decision to have their planned c-section at City Hospital, describing the staff as “so caring and being given the ‘personal touch ’. Hannah added “The staff just really cared and made it a really calm environment for us, which really helped.”  
 
When it came to the day of the c-section Hannah said: “All the staff were so caring and went above and beyond to make sure our experience was as positive as possible. They went through my birth plan with me and really paid attention to the details. It was like the little things I’d asked for such as my wound being checked regularly afterwards due to me being worried about it, they really listened and made sure that this happened.”  
 
After speaking to her consultant and seeking advice from C-Section UK, Hannah, decided to see if it was possible to incorporate elements of what is known as a ‘gentle c-section’ into her birth, such as the theatre lights down low when the baby is entering the world, music being played, skin to skin as soon as possible, delayed cord clamping and a calming atmosphere. This was all possible and “made all the difference” Hannah said. She was even given a mirror so she could see baby Hattie coming into the world, which Hannah described as a “really emotive and beautiful moment ”.    

Hannah added: “I felt like I had really good privacy and dignity both during and after my c-section too, everyone introduced themselves to me, asked me what I wanted and needed and made sure that even things like having my catheter removed were done in a really respectful and dignified way.   

“I would encourage anyone who is having a planned c-section to research the options available and to have that discussion with their consultant to see what is possible, as we were really able to create such a calm environment for Hattie to be born in, which made our experience really special.”   

Sharon Wallis, Director of Midwifery said: “We know it’s really important for families to feel as informed and supported as possible about their birth choices. Many caesarean sections are carried out in emergency circumstances, but some can be planned due to the positioning of the baby or if a vaginal birth poses a risk to the mother. In these circumstances we know how important it is to ensure that we create an environment where the whole family feels supported and well informed and we strive to do this as much as possible by talking them through each step and answering any questions they may have prior to the day they are booked in to have their c-section.”