Still, you’re going to need plenty of patience, rest, and support while you heal. Here’s an idea of what to expect as a C-section recovery timeline over the first hours, days, and weeks.

Just after delivery

After surgery, you’ll remain under close observation for a few hours. At this point, you still won’t have feeling in your lower body, and you may feel woozy or shaky because of the pain medication and the shifts in your hormones after giving birth. But, barring any complications, you’ll be able to cuddle and breastfeed your baby right away. You can have baby wrapped skin to skin with you in recovery just after getting out of the operating room. This will help baby regulate their body temperature, breathing, and heart rate, and prepare them for successful breastfeeding.

The first 24 hours after delivery

After the observation period is over, you’ll be moved to the postpartum recovery area. 

In many cases, the pain medication you were given for surgery will be effective for 18-24 hours to help you stay comfortable, as the regional anesthesia numbing your lower body will wear off after a few hours. Don’t be surprised when you’re encouraged to get out of bed soon after regaining feeling in your legs. Your care team hasn’t forgotten that you’ve just had major surgery. Movement is a critical part of the healing process and helps reduce the risk of blood clots. 

Soon after delivery, a nurse will usually massage your uterus to encourage it to contract to its usual size. The firm pressure stimulates contractions, which can be unpleasant. However, it’s important because it helps prevent heavy postpartum bleeding.

The day after delivery

The day after your C-section, your healthcare team will typically remove your catheter. Walking back and forth to the bathroom will now become part of your routine. Your doctors will also remove your bandages around this time and replace them with small, sticky bandages called Steri-Strips. These strips can get wet, so you’ll be able to shower. When you do, let the soapy water run over the incision area but don’t scrub. After your shower, gently pat the area dry. 

Expect to wear a pad for the first several weeks (no tampons while you heal). After birth, you’ll experience a completely normal vaginal discharge called lochia — a combination of red and white blood cells and mucus. The lochia will be red and heavier for the first few days after birth. Then it will transition to red-brown and then to pink/brown of lighter bleeding over the following 2-3 weeks. Eventually, it will become a paler, white discharge for the remaining 3-4 weeks before resolving altogether. 

Gas bubbles can be a real pain while you wait for your bowels to start moving normally again. All the walking you’re encouraged to do should help, as can a stool softener and anti-gas medication. 

Days 3-4

Most people will be cleared to go home around this time. If you have staples rather than dissolvable stitches, your doctor will usually remove them at this time. Don’t worry; the removal process shouldn’t be painful at all. 

Before leaving, you’ll be given the full rundown on incision care, plus all the dos and don’ts during your C-section recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask any lingering questions about your healing and life with your new baby. You’ve got direct access to a team of experts right now, and be sure you know who and what number to call once your home if you need to contact a provider urgently.

The first week at home

You’re going to need a lot of support after you leave the hospital. Round up your inner circle and get specific about exactly what you need. Try to rest as much as you can and delegate tasks like errands, cooking and housework wherever possible. If it’s an option for you, you could hire a postpartum doula to come to your home occasionally to give you a break from infant care, or to do some light cleaning, or food prep for you and your family. Some doulas also provide lactation support that can be crucial in the first couple of weeks.

Don’t try to lift anything heavier than your baby for now. If you have stairs in your home, consider asking someone to help you move your essentials to the first floor so you’re climbing them as little as possible. If you were sent home with prescription pain medication, know that it is perfectly acceptable to use it as directed by your provider. You have to take care of yourself in order to be present and able to care for your baby. As you near the end of your prescription medications, you may want to transition to an over the counter pain medication. Most, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are safe for breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about which is the best option for you.

A heating pad can help relieve cramping as your uterus continues to shrink. Drinking plenty of water and taking a stool softener as well as making sure you’re walking daily can help with constipation. You should also take care to nourish yourself often and well. Your body needs extra energy to heal and to produce breast milk for your baby if you are breastfeeding.

Two weeks out

Even though you still have much healing to look forward to, you can expect to feel much better at this stage. You might have a two-week incision checkup with your doctor. In the meantime, watch for signs of infection, which include warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing at the incision site, as well as fever. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms. 

Once you’re no longer taking prescription pain medication and can use the gas and brake pedals in a car without any pain, you may be cleared to get back behind the wheel. But expect that you won’t be driving for two weeks at the very least. 

One month after your C-section

By now, moving around will likely feel much more comfortable. And you should find that the vaginal bleeding stops between now and the six-week mark. Other good news: you can usually take a bath by now if you like. And your doctor might give you the go-ahead for some types of light exercise, especially if you were active before and during pregnancy. 

C-section recovery week 6 and beyond

Congratulations! By this point, many people feel nearly or fully recovered. Your incision will have healed, leaving a scar that will fade with time. However, you may continue to feel slight discomfort or numbness at the incision site for months to come.

At your six-week checkup, your doctor might let you know that it’s okay to have sex. Keep in mind that when you are physically ready and emotionally ready may follow different schedules. Don’t rush this step and when you do decide to go for it, take things slow and steady.

Remember, everyone has their own healing timeline. So it’s crucial to listen to your body and not rush your return to normal. You’ve made it through six weeks of recovery with your now six-week-old baby. There’s so much to look forward to as your timeline together continues.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources

• “Births – Method of Delivery.” National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.html
• “C-section.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. June 12, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655
• “Pain Management for C-Sections.” Yale Medicine. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/anesthesia-for-c-section
• “Cesarean Birth FAQs.” Acog.org. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth

Is home birth a good fit for your family 

The first thing you’ll want to know is if your state allows a provider to help you give birth at home. Laws vary from state to state, and there are a few states where it may be considered illegal for a provider to attend your birth at home. 

If it is a legal option in your area, you’ll then want to consider your own health and pregnancy risk factors. Home birth is generally not a good fit for those with a baby who’s not head-down, those who are having twins or a multiple pregnancy, or those who have had a C-section before. 

A lot of other health conditions or risk factors could also mean a home birth isn’t a good fit for you, like having a bleeding disorder, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or a history of preterm birth.

What do the experts say?

Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) believe that every person has the right to make an informed choice about the location for childbirth, but there is still some conflicting information. 

According to ACOG’s analysis and position statement, there are lower rates of interventions and perineal tears when birthing at home, but there are also higher risks of poor outcomes for babies born at home, like higher rates of seizures. 

In contrast, recent studies highlighted by ACNM suggest that planned home birth for those who are low-risk and working with a qualified provider is just as safe for both parents and babies. They suggest that in these circumstances, home birth might even lower some risks, like the risk of getting a hospital-acquired infection. This may be particularly significant for those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or living in a rural setting. 

Though ACNM and ACOG’s opinions differ on the overall safety of home births, both organizations believe that there are certain levels of care that should be in place to ensure the health and safety of the parent and baby. This means that the birth attendant should:

1. Be a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), certified midwife (CM), or physician who can provide the care you expect during pregnancy and birth.
2. Be able to access consultation with an appropriately licensed colleague when needed for problems that may come up during pregnancy and labor.
3. Have a plan for a transfer process if you do need to have your baby at the hospital or if you or your baby needs urgent care after birth.

Next steps 

If you’re thinking about choosing a home birth, here are some questions you may want to ask your potential provider to help you make the best and safest choice for you and your family:

1. Are you a CNM, CM, or physician who is licensed by the state to practice home birth?
2. How much experience do you have attending home births?
3. How close to the hospital should I live to be eligible for home birth?
4. Is my health and pregnancy low-risk enough to be safe for home birth?
5. What supplies do I need to have at home?
6. What supplies and medications do you bring with you?
7. How do you handle potential complications or emergencies, like excessive bleeding after birth or a newborn who’s having difficulty breathing?
8. How can you help manage my pain and comfort during labor and birth?
9. How often do people in your care transfer to the hospital, and why?
10. How do they get transferred, and are ambulances available near me?
11. Who will take care of me at the hospital if I do get transferred?
12. What is the cost of home birth care, what’s included, and is it covered by insurance?

Ultimately, you deserve to make the best possible choice for yourself, your baby, and your family. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Choosing where to deliver
• Building a birth plan

Sources

• Cheyney, Melissa, et al. “Outcomes of Care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009.” Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, vol. 59, no. 1, 30 Jan. 2014, pp. 17–27., https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12172. 
• Hutton, Eileen K., et al. “Perinatal or Neonatal Mortality among Women Who Intend at the Onset of Labour to Give Birth at Home Compared to Women of Low Obstetrical Risk Who Intend to Give Birth in Hospital: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.” EClinicalMedicine, vol. 14, 25 July 2019, pp. 59–70., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.07.005. 
• Committee on Obstetric Practice. “Planned Home Birth.” ACOG, ACOG, Apr. 2017, https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2017/04/planned-home-birth. 
• Schmidt, Samantha. “Pregnant Women Are Opting for Home Births as Hospitals Prepare for Coronavirus.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 22 Mar. 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/03/20/pregnant-women-worried-about-hospitals-amid-coronavirus-are-turning-home-births-an-alternative/. 
• Krebs, Natalie. “As Home Births Rise in Popularity, Some Midwives Operate in a Legal Gray Area.” NPR, NPR, 5 Apr. 2022, https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/04/05/1089927028/midwives-home-births. 
• Nethery, Elizabeth, et al. “Birth Outcomes for Planned Home and Licensed Freestanding Birth Center Births in Washington State.” Obstetrics & Gynecology, vol. 138, no. 5, 2021, pp. 693–702., https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000004578. 
• “Improving Our Maternity Care Now through Community Birth Settings.” National Partnership for Women & Families, National Partnership for Women & Families, https://www.nationalpartnership.org/our-work/health/maternity/community-birth-settings.html. 

Still, you’re going to need plenty of patience, rest, and support while you heal. Here’s an idea of what to expect as a C-section recovery timeline over the first hours, days, and weeks.

Just after delivery

After surgery, you’ll remain under close observation for a few hours. At this point, you still won’t have feeling in your lower body, and you may feel woozy or shaky because of the pain medication and the shifts in your hormones after giving birth. But, barring any complications, you’ll be able to cuddle and breastfeed your baby right away. You can have baby wrapped skin to skin with you in recovery just after getting out of the operating room. This will help baby regulate their body temperature, breathing, and heart rate, and prepare them for successful breastfeeding.

The first 24 hours after delivery

After the observation period is over, you’ll be moved to the postpartum recovery area. 

In many cases, the pain medication you were given for surgery will be effective for 18-24 hours to help you stay comfortable, as the regional anesthesia numbing your lower body will wear off after a few hours. Don’t be surprised when you’re encouraged to get out of bed soon after regaining feeling in your legs. Your care team hasn’t forgotten that you’ve just had major surgery. Movement is a critical part of the healing process and helps reduce the risk of blood clots. 

Soon after delivery, a nurse will usually massage your uterus to encourage it to contract to its usual size. The firm pressure stimulates contractions, which can be unpleasant. However, it’s important because it helps prevent heavy postpartum bleeding.

The day after delivery

The day after your C-section, your healthcare team will typically remove your catheter. Walking back and forth to the bathroom will now become part of your routine. Your doctors will also remove your bandages around this time and replace them with small, sticky bandages called Steri-Strips. These strips can get wet, so you’ll be able to shower. When you do, let the soapy water run over the incision area but don’t scrub. After your shower, gently pat the area dry. 

Expect to wear a pad for the first several weeks (no tampons while you heal). After birth, you’ll experience a completely normal vaginal discharge called lochia — a combination of red and white blood cells and mucus. The lochia will be red and heavier for the first few days after birth. Then it will transition to red-brown and then to pink/brown of lighter bleeding over the following 2-3 weeks. Eventually, it will become a paler, white discharge for the remaining 3-4 weeks before resolving altogether. 

Gas bubbles can be a real pain while you wait for your bowels to start moving normally again. All the walking you’re encouraged to do should help, as can a stool softener and anti-gas medication. 

Days 3-4

Most people will be cleared to go home around this time. If you have staples rather than dissolvable stitches, your doctor will usually remove them at this time. Don’t worry; the removal process shouldn’t be painful at all. 

Before leaving, you’ll be given the full rundown on incision care, plus all the dos and don’ts during your C-section recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask any lingering questions about your healing and life with your new baby. You’ve got direct access to a team of experts right now, and be sure you know who and what number to call once your home if you need to contact a provider urgently.

The first week at home

You’re going to need a lot of support after you leave the hospital. Round up your inner circle and get specific about exactly what you need. Try to rest as much as you can and delegate tasks like errands, cooking and housework wherever possible. If it’s an option for you, you could hire a postpartum doula to come to your home occasionally to give you a break from infant care, or to do some light cleaning, or food prep for you and your family. Some doulas also provide lactation support that can be crucial in the first couple of weeks.

Don’t try to lift anything heavier than your baby for now. If you have stairs in your home, consider asking someone to help you move your essentials to the first floor so you’re climbing them as little as possible. If you were sent home with prescription pain medication, know that it is perfectly acceptable to use it as directed by your provider. You have to take care of yourself in order to be present and able to care for your baby. As you near the end of your prescription medications, you may want to transition to an over the counter pain medication. Most, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are safe for breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about which is the best option for you.

A heating pad can help relieve cramping as your uterus continues to shrink. Drinking plenty of water and taking a stool softener as well as making sure you’re walking daily can help with constipation. You should also take care to nourish yourself often and well. Your body needs extra energy to heal and to produce breast milk for your baby if you are breastfeeding.

Two weeks out

Even though you still have much healing to look forward to, you can expect to feel much better at this stage. You might have a two-week incision checkup with your doctor. In the meantime, watch for signs of infection, which include warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing at the incision site, as well as fever. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms. 

Once you’re no longer taking prescription pain medication and can use the gas and brake pedals in a car without any pain, you may be cleared to get back behind the wheel. But expect that you won’t be driving for two weeks at the very least. 

One month after your C-section

By now, moving around will likely feel much more comfortable. And you should find that the vaginal bleeding stops between now and the six-week mark. Other good news: you can usually take a bath by now if you like. And your doctor might give you the go-ahead for some types of light exercise, especially if you were active before and during pregnancy. 

C-section recovery week 6 and beyond

Congratulations! By this point, many people feel nearly or fully recovered. Your incision will have healed, leaving a scar that will fade with time. However, you may continue to feel slight discomfort or numbness at the incision site for months to come.

At your six-week checkup, your doctor might let you know that it’s okay to have sex. Keep in mind that when you are physically ready and emotionally ready may follow different schedules. Don’t rush this step and when you do decide to go for it, take things slow and steady.

Remember, everyone has their own healing timeline. So it’s crucial to listen to your body and not rush your return to normal. You’ve made it through six weeks of recovery with your now six-week-old baby. There’s so much to look forward to as your timeline together continues.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• C-section incision area
• Mental health postpartum

Sources

• “Births – Method of Delivery.” National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.html
• “C-section.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. June 12, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655
• “Pain Management for C-Sections.” Yale Medicine. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/anesthesia-for-c-section
• “Cesarean Birth FAQs.” Acog.org. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth

Unplanned but not unprepared

A C-section may be planned ahead of time if you’ve had one previously or develop certain pregnancy complications. But sometimes, people find out they will need one once labor is already underway. In those cases, things can move quickly, and the sense of urgency may feel overwhelming and scary. Having an understanding of what a C-section entails — before, during, and after — can help you feel more in control. 

Rest assured, your medical team is highly experienced in delivering babies this way. They know every step they have to take to keep you and your baby as safe as possible. While they may look very busy and hurried, you should also know that it is always within your rights to ask questions. You aren’t inconveniencing them. This is your body and your baby and you deserve to understand your provider’s decisions.

In most cases, your partner or support person can be by your side for a cesarean birth. While they may have to wait outside as you’re getting situated in the operating room, as long as you’re awake for the procedure, they should be there right by the head of your bed with you.

Know that It’s completely normal to have some difficulty letting go of the birth you had envisioned. It may take time — like any grief process — to work through everything you feel afterwards. 

What will happen?

A C-section is a surgical procedure. This means that you’ll be moved into the operating room. It’s a very bright, sterile environment that can be intimidating and it’s often a little chilly in the operating room. You can ask for a warm blanket across your arms if that feels comforting. Because you’re having surgery, you will be given fluid and medication through your intravenous (IV) line. You’ll lay down on the operating table and your abdomen will be washed. Then, you’ll have a blood pressure cuff and a pulse oximeter (clip on your finger to measure your oxygen levels) placed for monitoring. If you don’t already have one, a nurse will likely insert a catheter to collect urine as well. 

Regional anesthesia vs. general anesthesia

In most cases, you’ll receive regional anesthesia — typically a spinal or epidural block — so you’ll remain awake during the procedure but you won’t feel any pain. This means you’ll still be able to experience the birth and be ready to greet your baby immediately after delivery. In rare situations or emergencies, general anesthesia may be required, which would mean you’d be in a sleep-like state for the delivery. Again, this is reserved for rare cases when there isn’t time to place the regional anesthesia and is only done when it’s in your and your baby’s best interests.

What will it feel like?

Before surgery, a curtain is drawn between your upper and lower body to help you stay relaxed. Your partner can sit behind this curtain at the head of your bed while you await your little one’s arrival. You’ll also have an anesthesia provider right there with you whose sole purpose is to make sure you are okay. They can answer your questions and help treat uncomfortable symptoms (like nausea) should they arise. Once your surgeon has made sure you’re completely numb, they’ll make a horizontal or vertical incision in your lower abdomen and then another in your uterus to deliver your baby. Next, they’ll cut the umbilical cord and remove the placenta. Then your medical team will stitch you back up. The entire process is usually done in about an hour. 

Will I really feel nothing?

The anesthesia will ensure there’s no pain at all. However, there may be other sensations. Some women report feeling tugging, pressure, or shortness of breath as their doctor presses on their uterus and eases the baby out. It’s also possible to experience light shaking or shivering, which can be a side effect of a spinal block and is no cause to worry. 

None of these sensations should hurt; however, they might feel strange or even frightening. Using a breath technique or relaxation practice can help you through it, as can leaning on your support person. Keep your doctor and anesthesiologist informed about how you feel so they can ensure you remain as comfortable as possible. 

What happens with my baby?

Just like with vaginal delivery, unless there is an immediate medical need, you’ll be able to see your baby right away. As long as you’re feeling well enough, after the umbilical cord is cut and your baby is dried gently, they can be placed on your bare chest for skin-to-skin contact. Depending on your hospital and how you’re feeling, you may even be able to try breastfeeding in the operating room or recovery area. If you’re not up for having baby on your chest, you can have your partner hold baby cheek to cheek with you to get that skin to skin contact and feel the soothing presence of your baby near to you.

How will I feel after?

After birth of any type, you’ll probably feel sore, elated, and exhausted. However, a C-section is a major surgery, so the healing timeline may be longer than with vaginal birth, and you will likely be in the hospital for an extra day or two. 

In the hours after birth, you will receive pain medication to help you remain comfortable as the anesthesia wears off. You can spend time skin to skin with baby, start to breastfeed, and check out all their little fingers and toes. You may also feel really sleepy so this might be a good time for your partner to do some bonding while you rest.

When can I eat?

At this point you’ll be able to slowly start to eat some ice chips and drink some fluids. Once you’re feeling well enough, you’ll be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and eat your first meal. Usually the day of your C-section or the morning after (depending on what time of day your surgery was), you’ll get up to walk around with the help of your nurse. You’ll gradually get better at this and will be encouraged to get up several times a day, which will help prevent constipation and reduce the risk of blood clots in your lower extremities.

In the days following the birth, your care team will keep a close eye on your incision to watch for bleeding or any signs of infection. During this time, you’ll most likely experience cramping in your uterus and vaginal bleeding as you would after a vaginal birth.

The first weeks

Over the first few weeks of recovery, it’s important to rest as much as possible and avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. So get ready for plenty of snuggling and cuddling as you heal. Expect that movement may be uncomfortable and deep bending is off the table until usually four to six weeks after delivery. It is still important to continue doing several short walks a day, which over time you’ll be able to slowly increase in length. The physical limitations can be extremely challenging and frustrating as a new parent, so lean on your support system wherever possible. Full recovery typically takes about six weeks, so it may make sense to consider how you would handle this recovery period now, just in case. 

You’ve got this

(And we’ve got you.) Ovia’s goal is to help you have your healthiest pregnancy and most empowered birth experience. Part of that is feeling ready to make decisions with your healthcare provider that prioritize your and your baby’s safety and wellbeing. This information is meant to help you feel prepared and reassure you that birth can still be beautiful, even when it doesn’t go exactly as planned. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• C-section incision area
• Mental health postpartum

Sources

• “Births – Method of Delivery.” National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 2, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.html
• “C-section.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. June 12, 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/about/pac-20393655
• “Pain Management for C-Sections.” Yale Medicine. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/anesthesia-for-c-section
• “Cesarean Birth FAQs.” Acog.org. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth

1. Prepare for uncertainty 

While we can probably all agree that accepting “uncertainty as the only certainty” is easier said than done, most of us worry less about uncertainty when we feel prepared. Writing a birth plan helps channel any anxious energy into something productive. Use your sense of accomplishment from creating your rock-star birth plan to help you conquer your fear of childbirth.

2. A birth plan helps you get to know your provider better

Talking early (anytime after 25-30 weeks) and often about your childbirth and postpartum plan helps you confirm that you have chosen the right provider for you. The right provider for you is someone who listens to you and who you can trust. When you trust your provider (or provider team), you can feel more confident that they have your best interest at heart.

3. Choose who should attend the main event

Just as you need to know that your provider has your back, you want to make sure the right people are around you when contractions start for real. (Who knows, maybe you have always been waiting for the chance to be able to tell your MIL to take a hike?) A birth plan can be a tactful way to have these difficult conversations before you’re in labor. Nobody wants family drama in their delivery room!

4. Birth plan = partner’s prep

Even if your partner is an OB/GYN, that doesn’t mean they know exactly how to support you in the delivery room. Every birth partner needs to prepare, regardless of who they are. Researching, writing, and talking about a birth plan together can help ease your birth partner’s worries too. The last thing you want to be worrying about in labor is your partner worrying about you.

5. Let your knowledge help you reclaim your power

Learn about what is and isn’t normal during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. There is a reason why What to Expect When You’re Expecting was such a blockbuster success — expectant parents need information to prepare. So geek out all you want on crafting the mother-of-all birth plans — doing so will help you prepare for the main event. You’ll feel more confident, powerful, and in control because less will be new, unfamiliar, or unknown during your delivery and postpartum.

6. Establish open lines of communication

Many people who are afraid of childbirth worry that they will not have a voice in decision-making. When it comes to a good birth, over communication is the name of the game. Talking about your birth preferences early and often with as many people as possible will likely help reduce your anxiety. Think of your birth plan as your opportunity to tell your doctor and labor and delivery nurses what you do and don’t want to happen at your delivery. The more practice you get talking about complicated health information with healthcare providers, the more your self-confidence and power will grow. It is time to claim your seat at the table (or birthing stool in the delivery room as the case may be).

Worrying less during pregnancy is good for you and your baby. A June 2013 review in ​Obstetric Medicine​ also found that prenatal stress — like fears about childbirth — can have lasting physical consequences for both expecting parents and their babies, including low birth weight, premature delivery, and gestational diabetes. Writing your birth plan can help you meet uncertainty with acceptance, not anxiety. When your birth plan is flexible and comprehensive, both you and your birth team can turn to it as a good birth wishlist — a guide to what matters most to you as you enter the next chapter of your life as an expectant parent.

Read more

• Building a birth plan
• Finding an OB/GYN or midwife

Ever heard of hypno birth? Well, it’s one of many awesome ways to cope and work through your labor and birth. As you learn more about the process of giving birth, you may be interested in all of the options out there. You have control over how you prepare and welcome the Baby into the world, so having a flexible birth plan and goals can make all the difference for a positive birthing experience.

First off, you want to be in an environment where you feel comfortable when giving birth. Some options are:

• Hospital birth: If you feel safer with access to medical technology and excellent resources in emergencies, a hospital birth may be best for you.
• Home birth: Although only 1.3% of people in the US give birth at home, it is an option in some areas for low-risk pregnancies. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends discussing the risks and benefits of home birth with a healthcare provider before making a final decision. Curious? Read more details here.
• Birth center: This option provides more personalized attention from a group of midwives or nurse-midwives and is a setting for vaginal births only. Birth centers are generally only for low-risk pregnancies, and be prepared to get transported to a hospital if complications occur.

Labor and birth can also look very different depending on what coping methods you use and how baby is born:

• Vaginal birth:  Most babies are born vaginally, sometimes with the help of forceps or a vacuum applied to baby’s head. Vaginal birth is generally considered to have lower overall risks for low-risk parents and their babies. It also typically has the shortest recovery time. Many people are concerned about coping with pain, but you can address this before or during labor with your healthcare provider.
• Water birth: Giving birth in a tub of warm water can be a more relaxing and less painful delivery option. ACOG states that immersion in water in the first part of labor can decrease pain or use of anesthesia but advises against the second stage of labor (pushing the baby out) underwater. More studies are underway on the safety and effectiveness of giving birth in water.
• Hypnobirth: This method is mostly a coping mechanism for pain since it helps with breathing exercises and the psychological effects of contractions. It can be done with a trained practitioner or be self-taught. Many people also use similar coping techniques like Lamaze or Bradley.
• Cesarean Section/birth: There are many medical reasons your provider may suggest a cesarean, either before you start labor or while labor is underway. Some people opt for a planned cesarean as well. Because a cesarean section is a major surgery, it’s important that the benefits of this type of birth outweigh the risks for you and your Baby. Cesareans can only be done in a hospital due to the increased risks and need for specialized equipment.

As always, your labor and birth should be a personalized process. The best thing you can do to prepare is to weigh the pros and cons of each method and location. Flexibility is always key, and a great birth plan has many additional options to choose from when or if you need them.

Read more

• What does natural birth feel like?
• Home births: what you need to know

Sources

• “Cesarean Section.” U.S National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus, n.d. Web.
• Committee on Obstetric Practice. “Committee Opinion: Immersion in Water During Labor and Delivery.” ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Pediatrics, 4/2014. Web.
• Madison Park. “HypnoBirthing: Relax while giving birth?” CNN. CNN, 8/12/2011. Web.

Everyone experiences labor differently, with pain ranging from mild to severe.

It’ll start with waves of contractions. Some people describe the feeling as being like intense period cramps, others say it feels like a tightening or pounding feeling in your uterus or across your belly, others describe the feeling as being like very intense muscle cramps, while still other people describe contractions as being like the sort of wrenching intestinal cramps or gas pains that you might have a stomach virus. Sometimes you can even see these contractions across your belly as the uterus tightens. Some people might also have cramping, pressure, or pain that affects the lower back (called “back labor”), depending on how a baby is positioned, and this can be particularly intense. And some people feel these feelings of cramping, pressure, tightness, or pain in localized areas – the uterus, belly, torso, or back – and others feel it throughout their body. It’s very different for everyone, and different with every pregnancy.

Regardless of how it feels for you, these contractions will grow in intensity as you move through labor, and many people find that as things intensify, they prefer to move their bodies around in particular ways to try and find some relief – sitting on an exercise ball, getting on all fours, laboring in a tub if possible – or ask their care providers for help with relief. Throughout, some people report that they feel in control and empowered; others feel disconnected, like their bodies take control and do what needs to be done; and some feel a mix of in charge and out-of-body.

When it eventually comes time to push, many people say that they feel a great pressure in the rectal area, as if they need to have a bowel movement. For many people the act of bearing down and pushing also feels like having an intense bowel movement. (In fact, it’s pretty common to actually have a bowel movement during labor, as you use the same pelvic floor muscles to deliver vaginally.) Pushing itself can be extremely tiring physically, like an incredibly physically demanding workout requiring intense focus. And despite the great deal of discomfort many people experience before getting ready to push, often the pushing can feel like it brings some relief.

Once your baby’s head starts to emerge, or crown, the physical sensation may feel intense in a new way. The crowning can feel like burning, stabbing, stretching, tearing, or intense pressure on your groin area, vagina, and rectum as your baby gets ready to make their way out into the world.

Once Baby is finally delivered, with a great rush, you’ll likely feel a strong sense of relief and even euphoria – brought on by a big release of the calming hormone oxytocin and also because your baby is finally here and you’re mostly done pushing. (You may, however, still need to push out the placenta. For most people, the uterus will continue to contract for some time to help things along, but it’s important that all of the placenta comes out after birth. Following this, you may need to get some stitches down below if you experienced any tearing as your baby was born.) This relief and euphoria will likely last about an hour before beginning to fade, which is when you’ll really start to feel all that your body’s been through. At this point, you’ll have been through a lot. Soreness and pain throughout your body – most notably in your groin, vagina, rectum, and your uterus – is common, as is bleeding from your vagina.

One thing’s certain: you’ll be exhausted by the end, but it’ll all be worthwhile once Baby arrives.

Read more

• The Bradley method of childbirth
• Midwives: what they do and what you need to know

Sources

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Signs of labor: Know what to expect.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 7/18/2013. Web.
• Shannon K. Laughlin-Tommaso. “Does back labor really happen?” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 3/14/2015. Web.
• “Hormones Driving Labor and Birth.” Childbirth Connection. Childbirth Connection, 4/11/2011. Web.

The Lamaze method of childbirth is a method of childbirth developed in the 1940s by obstetrician Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze that strives to encourage women to be confident in their ability to give birth. The Lamaze method is an alternative to the Bradley method of natural childbirth.

What does the Lamaze method teach?

Although it mainly focused on breathing in its early days, the Lamaze method now seeks to empower women to feel confident in their ability to give birth by helping them develop a number of coping strategies, and while breathing strategies are certainly covered, Lamaze classes go far beyond that. Lamaze classes will generally also include information about the entire labor and post-labor process, informing women about all of the pain medication options available so that women know they have choices – Lamaze educators will likely not take as hardline a stance against labor pain medication as Bradley teachers do, though they still believe that an unmedicated, vaginal delivery, or delivery with limited medication, is healthiest in many situations. Lamaze classes will also cover the early days of being a parent, including breastfeeding.

The Lamaze method is significantly less intense than the Bradley method, and really seeks to empower women to have confidence in their ability to give birth, and provide them with all of the information they’ll need to make the best labor-decisions for them and their babies.

How do I learn the Lamaze method?

The Lamaze method is generally taught in 12-week classes with no more than 12 couples total in a class. If women elect to use the Lamaze method, teachers suggest enrolling at or near the start of the seventh month of pregnancy.

If you’re interested in taking Lamaze classes, you can do more research online to find a class in your area. You may also want to talk to your healthcare provider about his or her opinion on the effectiveness of the Lamaze method of childbirth.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• The Bradley method of childbirth
• Delivery options: finding the perfect one

Sources

• “About Lamaze.” Lamaze International. Lamaze International, n.d. Web.

Hospital

• Pros: Planned hospital births are absolutely the safest choice for deliveries that are expected to face complications, even if they’re planned as vaginal deliveries. They’re also the only choice for delivery through a medically necessary, planned C-section. Hospital births make many women feel safer and more secure. They also offer epidurals and other medications for pain relief, and most also support natural pain relief strategies. Since hospitals are a center for medical care in other parts of life, women who choose hospital births may be able to choose hospitals they’re already familiar and comfortable with, as well. Some hospitals have midwives on-staff, and work closely with them, though others have policies and norms that are very different.
• Cons: Hospital births tend to be among the most expensive, and depending on the hospital, they can also be less supportive of a mom-to-be’s birth plan, especially a birth plan involving different or alternative labor and pain relief strategies. Different hospitals have different practices, but in general, women who deliver in hospitals are more likely to receive C-sections that may not be medically necessary, and are much more likely to experience certain interventions like induced labor, forceps or vacuum extraction, and episiotomies.

Birthing center

• Pros: Birthing centers are often connected to or are part of hospitals, and if they’re not, they do have established relationships with a nearby hospital, and an established system for transferring deliveries there in the event of complications. On the other hand, birthing centers tend to have a more welcoming environment than the hustle and bustle of a busy hospital, and to follow midwifery practice models instead of hospital models of delivery. This means that delivering in a birthing center reduces the chances of interventions like induced labor and forceps or vacuum extraction, as well as a decreased chance of C-section. Birthing centers often offer options like birthing pools and birthing balls for dealing with pain during labor, and have staff who are familiar with and supportive of alternative birthing styles and pain management techniques. Delivery at a birthing center is more likely to be covered by insurance in the U.S. than a homebirth with a midwife, and may end up costing less than a hospital birth, depending on your insurance.
• Cons: Like planned home births, deliveries that look likely to have complications generally aren’t recommended for birthing centers, and deliveries that do end up having complications that lead to medical interventions need to be transferred to the hospital. Similarly, birthing centers don’t tend to offer epidurals for pain relief. And while birthing centers tend to be more prepared for complications than in planned home births, it still takes time to transfer from a free-standing birthing center to a hospital. Birthing centers that are attached to or within hospitals don’t have this problem in the same way.

A note about home births

Home births with midwives generally aren’t covered by insurance in the U.S., and home births aren’t considered a safe choice by many physicians, and especially not for anyone who looks likely to have complications during delivery. Midwives also often won’t perform deliveries at home in areas that don’t have quick access to a hospital in case of an emergency, which means that home births aren’t always an option, even to those who have healthy, uncomplicated-looking pregnancies. Planned home births that do encounter complications will end up taking a quicker and more unexpected trip to the hospital than would happen in a planned hospital birth.

The location where you give birth doesn’t define what your delivery experience will be like, and whichever one you choose, you’ll want to advocate for the type of delivery you’re hoping for. What choosing a delivery location does mean is that the likelihood of certain experiences can go up or down, and knowing what those trends are will give you a better understanding of how to ask for the type of delivery experience you want.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Finding the delivery location that is right for you
• Building a birth plan

Read more

• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Home birth: Know the pros and cons.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, July 7 2017. Retrieved November 1 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/home-birth/art-20046878.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. “Labor and Delivery.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, September 1 2016. Retrieved November 1 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/basics/labor-and-delivery/hlv-20049465.
• “Labor & Delivery.” Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, July 26 2016. Retrieved November 1 2017. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/labor-and-delivery.

Leaving the hospital

When leaving the hospital, you’ll want to make sure that Baby is dressed comfortably, so while cute matters for those keepsake photos of you leaving the hospital, it’s most important to make sure that they are dressed properly for the temperature. Babies should only wear one layer under their car seat straps, so be prepared with a way to keep Baby snug and warm if it’s chilly out. 

You should also be sure you’re confident in any specific information your healthcare provider gave you about Baby. If you want written instructions, it’s always okay to ask for those. It’s tough to remember it all in these moments! Most birthing parents are not able to transport themselves home alone, so make sure your partner or other support is there to help you on this exciting day.

Baby‘s room

It probably goes without saying, but you’ll want to make sure that Baby has a cozy place to sleep. This can be a crib, bassinet or other safe and separate surface. This sleep space may be in your room to start, as having your baby in your room is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A changing table, a space to keep their clothes, a nursery light, and a rocker or glider are all great parts of a nursery, too.

Car seat

Because you won’t be able to carry Baby around in your womb forever, you’ll need a car seat for them to ride in. Car seats for newborns should always be rear-facing and always situated in the back seat, the safest place for the Baby. When installing a car seat, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the seat is installed properly. You can search for a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near you to help you with the perfect installation.

Baby-proofing

Before you bring Baby home, you’ll want to make sure that your home is as baby-safe as possible. It may feel early to take care of these items before Baby is mobile, but it never hurts to get a head start. This may mean buying covers for your power outlets, cushioning any sharp corners, and finding a safe way to manage the behavior of any large, curious or excitable excitable pets. Don’t forget some general safety for the home, like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Car seat safety
• Lanugo: baby’s monkey hair

Sources

• “New car seat research shows rear-facing longer is better.” ConsumerReports.org. Consumer Reports, 6/9/2015. Web.