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A cesarean birth, or c-birth (also known as cesarean section) is the delivery of the baby through an abdominal incision and it is usually done to protect your and/or your baby's health. It is usually recommended that you stay in the hospital for about 2-3 days following the c-birth to monitor your health. You can expect at least four weeks for healing, although discomfort may sometimes occur for about 1 year. Avoiding excess strain on your abdomen is important. Being gentle with yourself and your body, and taking time to rest is important in recovery. See resources from HealthLink BC and the Mayo clinic for recommendations for showering, exercise and diet following cesarean birth.
- Mayo Clinic - C-Section Recovery: Looking after your incision and checking for signs of infection
- HealthLinkBC - What to expect after C-Section: activity, diet, incision care and when to call your provider
- Pregnancy Info - C-section recovery
- Baby Center - Recovering from a c-section
- The MotHERS Podcast - Vaginal Birth After C-Section (featuring Dr. Jessica Dy)
- Association of Ontario Midwives - Thinking about VBAC (Also available in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Simplified Chinese)