Scarred by childbirth

I WAS saddened by the retired obstetrician and gynaecologist saying the only way to avoid lifelong misery from childbirth complications is to have a Caesarean section (Let- ters). I had no choice but to have my two children by C-section.

I would have liked to have experienced a normal childbirth watching my babies come into the world instead of being under an anaesthetic. I was poorly after both births and have a scar from hip to hip. Surgery is not an easy option.

JEAN KING, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. OUR maternity hospitals were teaching pelvic floor exercises years before the French (Mail).

In the Seventies, you stayed in hospital for four to eight days after giving birth to make sure you and your baby were healthy and you were equipped with the skills needed, such as bathing and feeding.

On the day after giving birth, a physiotherapist would visit your bedside to give you instructions on pelvic floor exercises to help you get your figure back quickly and to prevent incontinence.

We could still give this support, but it would have to be before mums are sent home between 12 and 24 hours after giving birth. Times don’t always change for the better. MARCIA KEMPSTON,

Farnborough, Hants.