Many women need medical care after having a baby. With cesarean birth so common, it is almost a given that a new mother could spend up to a week in the hospital, and up to another eight weeks with postnatal care. The result is a tired mommy that has yet to really dive into being a mother. This is a good opportunity for other family members to step up, and help with the new baby.
What makes a cesarean so difficult for new moms is that it is very invasive surgery. It takes a long time to recover from, and the process of recovery does not include gaining physical strength back. It is a two fold process, healing from delivering a baby, and all of the aspects that go along with that, including blood loss, and then the recovery from invasive surgery. Doctors say that most women should not pick anything up over 10 pounds for approximately eight weeks, and that bed rest is mandatory for the first two. If there are other children in the home, this could be a difficult situation.
For those that are able to help, such as the father, the U.S. government has put together the family leave and medical act which allows parents to take off six weeks of work, and not be penalized through pay or job loss. This way new moms can have the much needed help they deserve, and those that help them are not suffering for their help and effort by having a negative reputation with their workplace. The other valuable incentive for this is that if there are doctors appointments that are needed for the baby, new moms know they can have help making sure their new little ones are getting the care they need, while mom can stay hope and rest.
