Cut and Dry: How to Prepare for C-Sections with Janette Yee

What do a pregnant person and an athlete have in common? A lot, according to perinatal therapist, athlete, and mama herself, Janette Yee!

In this episode, we draw on the expertise of Janette Yee, a perinatal therapist and seasoned rugby player, who shares her approach on preparing for a cesarean section. Her insights offer valuable lessons for anyone anticipating a C-section or about to embark on the transformative journey of parenthood. Let's delve into how to best prepare your mind, body, and community for a C-section!

Preparing Your Mind

Preparing mentally for a C-section involves setting realistic expectations and understanding the process. Janette emphasizes that mental preparation is as crucial as physical readiness. Many expectant mothers overlook the possibility of a C-section, which can lead to unexpected stress and birth trauma. By understanding what a C-section entails and setting realistic expectations, you can decrease overwhelm and enhance your recovery. Familiarity with the procedure can help mitigate potential psychological impacts related to unmet birth expectations. This mental groundwork is essential - it aligns your expectations with potential realities, ensuring you're not caught off guard if plans change!

Preparing Your Body

Preparing physically for a C-section is all about strength and endurance. Janette advises maintaining physical fitness during pregnancy, which can vary from walks to more rigorous exercises, depending on individual capacity and comfort. Remember that the best kind of exercise regiment is one you enjoy and will stick to! This physical prowess not only eases pregnancy but also facilitates smoother recovery post-delivery. Key focus areas include core strength and breathing techniques, encapsulated in Janette's super handy ABC's:

1. Alignment
2. Breathing, and,
3. Core control.

Developing these during pregnancy establishes a foundation for recovery post-surgery. The idea is akin to 'prehabilitation,' building strength to help facilitate postoperative recovery!

Preparing Your Community

Support is pivotal in recovering from a C-section, much like an Olympic athlete relies on a team, so to do a pregnant people rely on community! Janette stresses the importance of building a robust support network. This includes partners, family, healthcare professionals, and friends. The team approach ensures that you have the necessary support for both childcare and personal recovery, whatever that means to you. This could mean preparing a list of tasks for friends and family, from groceries to childcare, and leveraging online communities for additional support. It's about inviting others into your world to share your load, creating time for your recovery and wellbeing.

A very helpful part of the recovery process can be seeing a physiotherapist, but that can often be prohibitively expensive and difficult to make the time for in the hectic period that is postpartum. Taking an online course like Janette's Cesarean Recovery Stage 1: Your Prenatal C-Section Preparation & Recovery Program is a fantastic, affordable, and accessible way to take recovery into your own hands, for just five minutes a day! 

For more details, visit Janette's website or her many online channels @AskJanette on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!

And don't forget to snag Your Complete C-Section Hospital Checklist, download the free PDF now!

Preparing for a C-section is a comprehensive process that involves much more than physical readiness. By tending to your mental and emotional health, physical conditioning, and community support, you can navigate the experience with resilience and clarity!