Background: The mode of delivery significantly influences a mother’s postpartum recovery experience, shaping both her physical health and psychological well-being. Objective:To evaluate the psychological and physical impacts of caesarean section (C-section) versus vaginal delivery on mothers during postpartum recovery, focusing on recovery time, pain levels, psychological well-being, and quality of life.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with 230 mothers (115 in the C-section group and 115 in the vaginal delivery group) who delivered within the past six months. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, medical records, and in-depth interviews. Physical recovery was assessed through pain scores and recovery times, while psychological well-being was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Results:Mothers in the vaginal delivery group reported shorter recovery times (4.2 ± 1.1 weeks vs. 8.7 ± 2.3 weeks, p < 0.001) and lower pain scores (3.2 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 2.0, p < 0.001) compared to the C-section group. Postpartum depression prevalence was higher in the C-section group (35% vs. 18%, p < 0.05). Quality of life scores were significantly better among vaginal delivery mothers across all domains (82.4 ± 7.3 vs. 72.8 ± 8.1, p < 0.01). Qualitative analysis revealed that C-section mothers experienced feelings of inadequacy, while vaginal delivery mothers reported empowerment despite occasional labor stress.Conclusion:It is concluded that vaginal delivery is associated with faster recovery and better psychological outcomes compared to C-section.