Childbirth is an amazing and memorable time for your family, but the process is tough on your body—whether you have a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section. Recovery from a C-section encompasses significant physical and emotional changes that are complicated by the fact you’ll be recovering from surgery as well as caring for a newborn. It’s a time to lean on your support system, focus on healing and bond with your little one.
Do: Rest and listen to your body.
Pain control and getting to know your baby are top priorities during the first few days. You’ll gradually incorporate more movement and activity as you heal, but it’s OK to take a break when things feel overwhelming.
Don’t: Try to be a superhero.
If you do too much too fast, you may delay healing and cause long-term health problems. Let your support system do the dishes, laundry and dinner preparation. You should focus on gradual increases in activity and caring for your new bundle of joy.
Do: Care for your incision.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions to properly care for your incision, which will help prevent complications.
- Avoid baths, hot tubs and pools until the incision is completely healed.
- Gentle cleansing with soap and water is recommended.
- Wear comfy clothing that doesn’t dig into the incision.
- A postpartum belly band or binder stabilizes and provides a gentle amount of compression.
- Place a pillow on your stomach when you sit or stand up, cough, sneeze or laugh.
- Silicone scar sheets help promote healing and can minimize the scar.
Don’t: Ignore signs of infection.
The last thing you want after a C-section is an infected incision. Call your health care provider if you notice any of the following:
- Redness, swelling or the incision feels hot to touch.
- Bleeding or other drainage.
- You develop a fever.
- Pain that was improving suddenly worsens.
- Separation or opening of the incision.
Do: Drink water and take a stool softener.
Avoid constipation after giving birth like your life depends on it! Drink plenty of water, take stool softeners and increase the fiber in your diet, so your first bowel movements are soft and easy to pass.
Don’t: immediately dive back into your favorite foods.
Start with bland, easy-to-digest foods and slowly advance your diet as tolerated. Avoid fried and greasy foods, at least for the first few days.
Do: Breastfeed with care.
Invest in a Boppy or similar nursing pillow; they make life easier while figuring out the best breastfeeding positions. Your nurses and breastfeeding consultants will help you find comfortable positions like the football hold that don’t place extra pressure on your incision.
Don’t: Give up without asking for help and support.
Take advantage of breastfeeding clinics even after hospital discharge. Breastfeeding is hard, and no one knows how to do it at first. The nurses and staff are just as invested in your success as you.
Do: Talk about your feelings.
Childbirth is one of the most transformative experiences in life, with emotional changes you’ve likely never experienced. Joy and all-consuming love are often mixed with fear, exhaustion and frustration—sometimes all simultaneously.
Don’t: Think you’re alone.
The emotional upheaval of new motherhood is normal. Connect with your loved ones and contact your health care provider if you’re struggling. Sometimes, just “getting it out” is enough to feel better. But if not, it’s also OK to accept help from professionals.
Do: Expect recovery to take time.
A C-section is a major abdominal surgery. You wouldn’t expect anyone else who just had major surgery to be up doing all the things, so don’t expect it of yourself either. You’ll gradually feel more like yourself about four to six weeks after surgery.
Typical recovery symptoms include:
- Mild to moderate cramping.
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge for up to six weeks.
- Pain, tenderness and numbness at the incision site.
Don’t: Ignore the post-op instructions.
These instructions are meant to promote optimal healing after delivery.
● Don't have sex or put anything in your vagina, including tampons, until cleared by your health care provider.
● Call if you notice worsening pain, shortness of breath, leg pain, or develop a fever and chills.
Finally,
Do: Give yourself grace.
If the laundry is in piles or bottles and pump parts are strewn across the counter, don’t fret. Give yourself the grace to accept this season and find joy in the little moments.
Don’t: Feel guilty.
Embrace the chaos, ask for help from your support system and get to know the newest member of your family!
Sources:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Cesarean Birth: Frequently Asked Questions”
The Mayo Clinic, “C-section recovery: What to expect”