While a cesarean section may be medically-necessary in some cases, most experts recommend vaginal delivery because this method has a quick recovery time and does not require major surgery.

After a woman delivers her baby vaginally, she can expect her body to go through several things, says Beth Smathers, RN, a mother/baby nurse and clinical educator at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.   

• The uterus will take about six weeks to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. During this time, you may experience contractions that feel like menstrual cramps.
• Your body will still think it is pregnant for a period of time, so your hormones may cause hot flashes and mood swings.
• It will take time for the fluid buildup from pregnancy to flush out of your system. Your wrists and ankles may remain temporarily swollen.
• Discomfort and swelling in the perineum area. If you had an episiotomy, it will also take some time to heal.
• Tender breasts and nipples. Whether or not you plan to breastfeed, your body will still produce milk.

“The bottom line is, having a baby and giving birth is just the most natural thing there is,” Smathers says. “Your body is going to go through a lot of changes, but in the end, it’s all worth it when you have a beautiful, healthy baby.”  

For more information on childbirth at Piedmont, visit Piedmont Women’s Services.  

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