Kindly suggest some useful exercises that can help me to give a normal delivery after a C-section has been done 4 years back. Currently I am not pregnant but I am eager to have a second child the natural way. The first C-section was done due to fetal distress.
There is no reason why you cannot deliver normally the second time, as your first caesarian was fetal related(i.e. to save of the baby). And you can prepare for natural birth by keeping fit. Regular exercises like walking or yoga helps. After your 4th month of pregnancy, with your doctor’s okay, you can start ante natal exercises, which include Kegels to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle. Swimming is very good — yes, even when you are pregnant; also water aerobics. When you are beginning the ninth month you should start squatting and sitting cross legged on the floor. For more advice on exercise and diet during your pregnancy join an ante natal program. Be very positive that all will be well and you will deliver normally. But keep an open mind, too. Be aware that ultimately your doctor will decide what mode of delivery is best for you and the baby.

Question: Is breast feeding absolutely essential? Can one give top milk or powder formula available in tins, immediately after birth?
The newborn babe must be breast fed. Mother and child who have to turn to any other milk are unfortunate indeed. Mother’s milk is custom-designed by Nature for her child, just as cow and buffalo milk is meant for their respective young ones. Providing food and nourishment is not the only function of breast feeding. It is advantageous to both mother and child. The child feels secure and fulfilled. The touch is as comforting as the food is nourishing. The mother is similarly affected. Physical proximity lays the foundation for a unique bond. A mother who can feed her child acquires confidence. Not only this, she is also gratified about the success of her motherhood. This feeling of satisfaction plays a positive role in moulding the future mental make-up of the child. Breast milk is not just a mixture of protein, sugar and fat but contains the same percentage of white blood cells as is present in the blood. This reduces the danger from infection and viruses and helps to ward off diarrhea, cough, fever and other illnesses. A suckling child is less likely to suffer from ailments like skin diseases, allergies and breathlessness (asthma). The warmth of bodily contact and the magic touch help to create the bond of intimacy between mother and child.