Recovering from any surgery takes time and patience. Despite the popular opinion that recovery from a cesarean section takes only 6 – 8 weeks, most mothers find themselves still on the path to recovery months later. Remember that each individual heals differently, and the best way to care for your new baby, is to care for yourself.
Recovering From a Cesarean – White Paper
C-Section Recovery
It’s OK to feel disappointed after a cesarean delivery. It is alright to cry and mourn the loss of a vaginal birth. If your c-section was an emergency or unexpected, you may still be dealing with what happened and why. ICAN of Louisville meetings are open to new mothers and we are here to give you support and to listen. You are not alone. Contact one of our chapter leaders for post-cesarean support. We’ve been there, and we know how you feel.
ICAN of Louisville's 2008 Support Meetings
*Meetings run from 7 – 8:30pm and are open to all women who are seeking a safe and supportive environment to process a traumatic or disappointing birth experience.
- Monday, January 14
- Monday, March 10
- Monday, May 12
- Monday, July 14
- Monday, September 8
- Monday, November 10
Postpartum Support International
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a traumatic birth
Consider joining ICAN’s online support group. This Yahoo group has over a thousand members, and has women of all stages of their childbearing life. This group is a wealth of information, support, and advice.
There is also a local online group whose goal of uniting VBACing women in the greater-Louisville area. The group is open to local women in their childbearing years and the birth professionals who support them. All posts on the topic of birth, cesarean prevention and recovery, and VBAC are welcome.
Understanding Your Cesarean Surgery
One step on the journey to recovery might be finding out what happened. Many mothers who had a c-section leave the hospital not knowing exactly what happened during the surgery or in the days following. Obtaining your hospital and surgical records is a good idea for several reasons:
- Knowing the details may help bring closure.
- It is good to know what procedures were performed and what medications were taken so that you can understand why you physically feel the way you do
- If you intend on switching to a different OB or midwife for a future pregnancy, he/she will want a copy of your records, and will discuss your operation and recovery with you during your consultation. You will want to be informed before your meeting.
To obtain your records from the following Louisville-area hospitals, visit these websites or call the numbers listed:
Norton Suburban or Norton Downtown: Click here and download the PDF file on the page. Fill it out, and mail it with a picture ID to the address given.
Baptist East Hospital: Click here and download the Microsoft Word file on the page. Follow the directions and mail it to the address given.
Clark Memorial: Call 812-283-2275; you will have to go to the records department in person and request your records.
University Hospital: Call 502-562-3062.
Baptist Hospital Northeast: Click here and download the Word file on the page. Follow the directions and mail it to the address given.