A planned caesarean birth is still an amazing day. It is the day you finally meet your baby and there are ways you can make it individual and special.

Bring in your own play list, have the tunes that are special for you.

Talk to your maternity team about skin to skin as soon as possible. This may look like a mother assisted caesarean being handed your baby directly, or it might involve the midwife bringing the baby to you in a cot as soon as they are born and going straight onto your chest. ( this is dependent on your baby being fit and healthy obviously.)

Breast feeding in theatre is also an option, talk to your maternity team.

Take your phone and get lots of photos, this is an incredibly exciting day, it is your baby’s birthday.

You have spent 9 months growing your baby, it is important to be excited about their birthday, regardless of how this looks.

The important thing is to make this a special day that you will look back on with true pleasure.

Photo by Sam Schroder Photography