Return of functional ability after childbirth.

Recovery of functional ability after childbirth was examined in a sample of 30 women who had vaginal deliveries and 40 who had cesarean births. Recovery of functional ability after childbirth was defined as the resumption of household, social and community, and occupational activities and assumption of infant care responsibilities. Only 51% of the women reported they had regained their usual level of energy by the end of the 6-week postpartum period; 72% of the vaginally delivered women reported regaining their physical energy within this period, but only 34% of the cesarean delivered women had done so. Differences were also noted between cesarean- and vaginally delivered women in the interval until assumption of infant care responsibilities and resumption of certain household tasks, socializing with friends, and participation in religious organizations. Recovery of functional ability was also found to be affected by maternal and neonatal complications, and their presence was associated with postponed return to employment. Findings suggest that the traditional 6-week recovery period from childbirth needs to be reconsidered, particularly for women experiencing cesarean deliveries or maternal or neonatal postdelivery complications.