The scenario

Aletta Koetzee comes in to buy some newborn nappies. Technician Vicky asks how she is doing.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” answers Aletta. “But I saw the consultant yesterday and she has agreed that a caesarean is right for me after the awful time I had with Martin. It’s obviously great news, because I was so worried that they’d push me to try naturally, but what I hadn’t realised is that planned sections are done at 39 weeks and so I feel I’ve lost a couple of weeks to get everything organised.”

“You’re off work now, aren’t you?” says Vicky. 

“Yes, fortunately I had so much annual leave to take that I finished four weeks ahead of my due date,” Aletta replies. “It seemed like loads of time, but I’m actually booked in for the week after next. I haven’t really had time to get my head round it all – will I be in a lot of pain afterwards? Is there anything I won’t be able to do? I need to think about how I’m going to manage with a toddler and a newborn.”