We commonly focus a lot on the physical parts of recovering from a cesarean, this article will take a look at the psychological dimensions of   c-section recovery .

It is not uncommon for some mothers to feel psychological grief after a c-section, whether they had planned or needed to have a cesarean section childbirth or because their labor ended up as an emergency cesarean. In fact it isn’t unconventional for mothers who gave birth vaginally to experience postpartum depression, so we shouldn’t be perplexed that cesarean mums need emotional consideration and support.

Quite often in the case of moms who planed vaginal delivery but ended up with a cesarean section, we hear that the most crucial thing is the baby and mother are wholesome. While this is if course true it doesn’t serve as a cure all for all the mental responses to the experience that a mom may have.

The truth is that as a culture, we are not so at ease with feelings. Ever more the approach to uncomfortable emotions is to medicate them away. Could be some of this is to do with the patriarchal false impression that emotions are female and consequently inferior … I don’t know.

We all ought to understand that psychological distress is common, giving birth is an amazing event, and women need their feelings in connection to it to be respected. All new mothers need support and understanding after the birth, especially when it didn’t go the way they had expected.

Because of the predominantly cold and patient disempowering nature of our medical system and therefore the process of   cesarean delivery, no end of women feel a degree of disassociation from the actual birth. It’s not hard to comprehend when their feet and lower legs are strapped down so they can’t move and a drape stops them from seeing nearly anything that’s transpiring!

Add to this the fact that sometimes the baby is quickly taken away from them while they lie weak having the cut closed up and it’s not too difficult to recognize there will be some fairly mixed feelings about the experience. This effect is even more heightened when a woman was planning and anticipating a vaginal delivery and even more so if it was to be a home delivery.

The feelings of anger, betrayal, hurt, disappointment, shame, need space to be comprehended, recognized and named. Holding such feelings within ourselves engenders depression through inner talks of self recrimination and powerlessness.

It’s important to talk through your feelings to someone you trust or even a qualified counselor. Put into words what you were feeling and experiencing throughout the birth process, so that you can bring out any negative feelings you may have. In some cases we aren’t even clear on what we are feeling before we start to speak about it.

Don’t be embarrassed at allowing these emotions   after c-section,  and encourage the one you talk to to simply listen closely, or even better yet to do reflective paying attention where they let you know that you have been heard by reflecting back to you what you have said with awareness and empathy.

It’s also essential to give yourself time, during pregnancy and following the birth your body is inundated with endocrines which can improve feelings and feelings. Remind yourself regularly that it’s natural to have feelings and discover ways to engage in self care. A good way to do this is the time you spend every single day holding your newborn and connecting with them. Let the love you experience when you look into your little one’s eyes replenish your entire body.

There is room for both the appreciation for a wholesome newborn, the love you feel for them, and any other feelings you may have from the birthing. They are all aspect of life an they all have their function.