Bonding with Your Baby
Moms who gave birth via c-section sometimes worry that they won't bond with their babies, particularly if they didn't get to see or hold the baby for some time after delivery. Even if you were able to see your baby right after birth, medication or pain may have kept you from being able to really enjoy the experience. Some moms feel disconnected from their babies after a c-section, and may feel guilty about that.
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If you don't fall in love with your baby immediately, don't worry that it will never happen. Bonding is a process that happens over days, weeks, and months, and it's normal to feel anxiety when it comes to your baby's health. But if you have obsessive thoughts about your baby or find that you take no interest in her at all, you may be suffering from a postpartum mood disorder, and should contact your doctor or midwife, or a therapist.
On the other hand, some moms find that the c-section actually spurs them to bond even more intensely with their babies to the point that they have a hard time allowing anyone else, including their partners, to care for the baby. Either reaction is normal, and with time, moms who don't feel a connection to their babies will forge a strong attachment, while mothers who may feel anxious about ever loosening their hold on their baby will be able to relax a little.
