Molly McCarthy gave birth to her daughter Bridie in July 2025. At the start of her maternity leave, she declared to the internet that she was going to use the time to make herself an influencer. The internet said “where have you been all our lives?” and she now has over 200k followers – and counting.
Molly McCarthy is many things. A dive bar lover. A strong-but-milky-tea gal. Someone who uses Candy Crush to silence the tabs in her brain. A woman who speaks openly about mumming without her own mum. And now, the person who will tell you exactly what a C-section is actually like – because as she puts it, “it’s giving major surgery.”
Recently, Molly shared the things she wished she’d known before her C-section. We’re sharing them here because babes should help other babes out.
Babe to babe – this article contains affiliate links (it helps keep Birthbabe running). We only recommend the good stuff.
1. The surgery itself was fine
It was really weird to have a numb lower half, but not in a bad way. Just strange. Do you want to know what my actual worst part was? The blood pressure cuff on my arm. It kept tightening and I felt like I couldn’t move my hand.
That was it. That was my worst part.
Molly’s tip originally appeared as an article in Birthbabe Magazine, alongside Lydia’s gentle C-section story and Dr Sangeeta Mittal’s advice on C-section recovery. Subscribe below to read all that and more.
2. If you have a fear of vomit, listen to me very carefully
When they bring you in to sign the forms before surgery, ask for the anti-sickness medication there and then. They will tell you to wait until you’re in theatre and you feel queasy.
No. Ask for it then. Trust me on this one.
3. The stitches coming out
Mine were taken out within 24 hours. It didn’t hurt, but it did sting. And yes, it felt like my whole belly was going to fall out onto the floor.
It didn’t. It just stung.
4. The blood thinning injections, though
I have quite a high pain threshold. I want you to know that before I say this.
They hurt – they really, really hurt. Nobody told me that. I’m telling you now.
5. The first poo
I was terrified. I even bought a special stool. I was really, genuinely dreading it.
In the end it really wasn’t that bad. What I will say is this: you will talk about your bowel movements with your family and friends like you’re chatting about what you’re having for dinner. That’s just where you’ll be. Embrace it.
6. High-waisted everything
Everything you wear for at least the first six weeks needs to be high-waisted.
Everything.
Nothing touches the scar. This is not a suggestion.
7. Getting out of bed is a whole thing
It requires an actual strategy. I used a caddy so I didn’t have to make the trip up and down the stairs more than once a day. Get one of those. Getting up uses your core and you will feel every single bit of it, a caddy means you’re not doing it more than you have to.
8. The shower situation
The first shower was OK. Weird, I still felt numb, and I had the heebie-jeebies about my scar. Fine, manageable.
It was a shower a few days later that got me. I got out, nearly fainted, and burst into tears. Nothing was wrong, it just happened. I’m telling you so it doesn’t blindside you the way it blindsided me.
9. Your body will lie to you
You know you need to rest. But staying still takes actual work. Your body will absolutely convince you that you can do more than you can.
You cannot and then you’ll be completely done. Rest first, every time.
10. Honestly? I really loved it.
I know, after all of that. But I really did love my C-section experience and I really do recommend it if you’re thinking about it.
You are going to be fine, I promise.
You can follow Molly’s journey on Instagram at @molsmccarthy and get her merch at goodgriefshop.com.
Images: Instagram // Molly McCarthy
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