Emotional Recovery After Your C-Section
Emotions run high when having a baby, regardless of how your baby is born, that’s just the nature of birth. It’s a beautiful and life changing event, so it’s natural to feel a rush of emotions.
However, having a c-section can sometimes bring on emotions that make us feel disappointed or sad. You may feel elated that your baby has been born but at the same time you may be feeling disappointment that you did not deliver your baby as expected.
This can make a woman feel disconnected from her baby, leaving her sad and depressed.
Not all women experience this, in fact some women are just happy to have the procedure over with and relieved they have a healthy, happy baby.
If you are feeling sad, disappointed or even feel cheated after having a c-section, don’t go it alone. Talk to your doctor and if needed seek additional help.
If you’re expecting to have a c-section or may encounter the possibility, here’s something that may help mothers avoid the disconnected feeling they sometimes experience after a c-section. After your incision has been made, ask your doctor if the sheet that blocks you from seeing your baby can be lowered. A mom that can see her baby coming out of her may be able to connect better to her birth.
If you are open to the idea you may want to discuss this with your doctor beforehand.
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I’m about to have my third c-section (my pelvic bones aren’t large enough for a vaginal birth). It makes me angry when I hear about moms that are upset because they had to have a c-section & feel cheated. Shouldn’t the fact that the baby is born healthy be the major concern? As for not feeling like you truly gave birth…Getting through major abdominal surgery and caring for a newborn is no smal feat. I don’t agree with elective c-sections. But for those of us that it is a medical necessity, I don’t think we should be looked down on.
Hey Shari,
I’m in complete agreement with you. Having a baby that is healthy and making it through the ordeal yourself, is plenty to be thankful for.
No woman really ‘wants’ a c-section, yes there are women who have their personal reasons for having a non-medical related c-sections, but for most, it’s not a preferred procedure, we do it for the safety and welfare of our dear babies. I think that those that look down on women for having a c-section sometimes don’t understand the situation. Every situation is different and there are a whole host of things that come into play.
Most women are directed by their doctors on whether a c-section is needed or not and I try to help educate women on what all the options are in case their doctor is not presentlng them all. But the fact of the matter is any woman who does what she feels is best for her baby is what makes her a great mom, c-section or vaginal birth, it doesn’t matter.
Thanks so much Shari for you great input
[...] It’s true, writing our inner most thoughts and emotions are therapeutic and help aid in the emotional recovery after a c-section, but it also clears your mind of the stresses and emotions that contribute to your feelings of [...]
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I speak for those of us that do feel cheated because our c-sections were a result of pressure from our doctors and labor and delivery team. There was no real reason for my procedure other than my failure to switch doctors and seek other advice, but like many I was scared and caught in the moment. There are many lies that medical professionals tell us that make it easy to convince women to have a c-section. Sometimes it is medically necessary, but most of the time it is because of medical intervention and the convenience of the doctors and hospitals.
Hey Stephanie,
It’s true, women can sometimes feel pressured into having a C-Section and when you are scared and caught up in the moment as you say, it’s hard to know exactly what to do. That’s why I wrote my C-Section guide, I want women to have a safe birth but I also want them to know what’s truly necessary and what isn’t.
Thanks so much for your great comment