Since a cesarean birth is major surgery, the recovery period will take longer than a vaginal birth. If you were not expecting the procedure, you may have feelings of disappointment; so you may have some emotional healing as well. Please remember that this is still a birth, and you are not a failure as a mother. The labor support person may also feel some disappointment; this is normal. As her support person, you may have just watched the one person you care so deeply for go through 12 hours of labor. Feeling so proud of how she has handled this hard job of labor, the decision to do a cesarean somehow robs you and the laboring woman from this most natural process. It is important to communicate with one another and talk through feelings of guilt and anxiety. Do not lose sight of the fact that you have accomplished and received the most beautiful gift-your baby!