While most women don’t set out with the intention to have a cesarean (or C-) section, an estimated one in three women delivering babies in the United States gives birth this way¹. This major abdominal surgery can be challenging to undergo, especially if you didn’t plan or prepare for it.

“Giving birth by C-section when it wasn't the plan can feel disappointing or overwhelming for some women,” says Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician-gynecologist. “It's important to know those feelings are valid. Understanding why you need to birth this way, and knowing if a vaginal birth is an option for you in the future, can help many process this experience.”

Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about having, and recovering from, a C-section.

First, there are several types of C-sections:

• Scheduled: Typically performed around 39 weeks to avoid labor, most commonly when your baby is “breech” (with feet or bottom closest to the birth canal), or if you have a history of uterine surgery or prior C-section. Being pregnant with multiples, or having a medical condition where the stress of labor should be avoided, may also lead to a scheduled C-section.
• Medically indicated during labor: This is any C-section that is done while in labor, and it can be recommended for a variety of reasons. Some reasons include labor that is not progressing despite trying different things to help move it along, your baby is not fitting through the pelvis, signs of fetal distress, or you are sick and need to give birth sooner than waiting for a vaginal birth allows.
• Emergency: Thankfully rare, an emergency C-section can be performed before or during labor and is done for truly emergent issues such as life-threatening bleeding or a fetal heart rate that is dangerously low and not sustainable. In rare cases, this procedure is done with you asleep rather than via epidural. This type of C-section can take a large emotional toll, given how quickly it often escalates, so making sure that you are able to process this afterwards with your team is important.

How best to heal postpartum: Your recovery timeline

Healing from a C-section often takes longer than from a vaginal birth. You can expect the healing process to take a minimum of six weeks, which will likely mark your last follow-up appointment with your practitioner. Here’s a look at what you can expect during that time and how best to recover.

Weeks 1 to 2

Most hospitals recommend mothers who have delivered via C-section to stay at the hospital for between two and four days. This gives you a chance to get the help you can from the nursing staff while you rest and manage your recovery.

You will likely have a catheter draining your bladder for the first 12 to 24 hours following surgery, giving time for your spinal or epidural injection to wear off.

The majority of your discomfort in the first few days will be around your incision and abdomen. If you labored and pushed before the C-section, you may also experience vaginal or perineal discomfort. You will likely be offered pain- and inflammation-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as well as narcotics such as oxycodone, and you may be discharged from the hospital with a short course of narcotic medication. Narcotics in small doses and short duration are safe for you and minimally excreted in breastmilk, so they are deemed safe for breastfeeding as well.

Vaginal bleeding is to be expected but is often lighter after C-section than after vaginal delivery, particularly if you did not dilate before delivery. Continued vaginal bleeding for up to six weeks is normal.

During the first two weeks, you can shower and pat dry your incision. Your incision will likely be puffy, and the area around it may be pink. If you notice an increasing area of redness or drainage from the incision, reach out to your doctor.

Within the first few days following delivery, you may be experiencing what’s known as the baby blues. These mild fluctuations in mood are the result of your ever-changing hormones. If you feel sad or down, reach out to your doctor, who can talk with you about how you are feeling and potentially recommend a therapist.

Most practitioners will see you for a follow-up appointment around week 2, when you can ask any questions and discuss how your healing is going. Be sure to mention if you’re experiencing heavy bleeding or signs of infection, such as fever or swelling. Do not lift anything heavier than your newborn in the carseat, and avoid using tampons or having sex until your six-week checkup.

Weeks 3 to 4

You might feel the most exhausted one month after your C-section. Not only have you been recovering physically for weeks, but you’re likely running on very little sleep.

Around this time, you may also start feeling physically better. You may even be comfortable taking short walks with your baby, but be sure not to overexert yourself. If you experience an increase in bleeding or pain, this is a sign to back off a little.

Weeks 5 to 6

Many women report feeling more like themselves at this point, though you can still expect pain around your incision site and may still be experiencing cramps from your uterus shrinking back to its pre-baby size.

It’s important to continue to care for your incision by wearing loose clothes, keeping the area clean and dry, and watching for signs of infection such as fever, pain, or oozing.

Numbness around your incision site is normal and should resolve over the next several months. Your scar, too, should start fading into a less noticeable pale line after about six months.