Top Ways to Prep and Recover After A C-section
Image from my second csection.
Top Ways to Prep and Recover After A C-section
Many expectant mothers may find themselves unprepared for what comes with having a C-section birth and the recovery process. Your healthcare provider will provide you with information for prepping and post-op like: how to move safely, options to bottle and breast feed and so on.
Having had three C-sections myself, here are some of the top things I wish I had known for my own c-sections:
Accept Help: Recognize that a C-section is a major surgery, and the recovery demands assistance. For the initial two weeks, lifting anything heavier than your baby is discouraged. Seek support from your partner, friends, or family to handle daily tasks, such as watching the baby, cooking meals (no shame in DoorDash), grocery shopping (I love that delivery is now an option) , house cleaning (ask for help with laundry and cleaning toilets 😉), and babysitting toddlers. Embracing help minimizes stress on you mentally and physically. And taking time off your feet will decrease the stress on the abdominal tissue.
Prioritize Preparation: A little preparation can go long way. The same way we prep for going to the hospital or prep for a marathon, you can prep for your c-section recovery. My sister is currently 37 weeks pregnant and, just in case, she ends up with a c-section, these are things I have for her for her recovery:
-a peri bottle for perineum care. Yes even through you delivered via c-section, you will still have bleeding vaginally. This is key to have when cleaning up after using the restroom.
-pads for the vaginal bleeding
-silicone scar pads: you can apply to the scar ONCE it is healed. Make sure you speak to your healthcare provider before using.
-ice packs and pain meds: for your c-section incision to reduce swelling and pain
- compression pants or undies. I’m a huge fan of Bao Bei Bloomers for the first few weeks postpartum compared to abdominal binders. You can use code empoweryourpelvis for a discount.
Control Your C-section Experience:
-Discuss concerns about your scar's appearance beforehand with your doctor. You can’t control what it will look like, but it help me ease nerves prior to surgery.
-Opt for a clear drape if you want to see the baby lifted up. I couldn’t not see much due to my big belly taking up my visual field. This also gives you the chance to chat it up with the staff in the room.
-Request to be the first to hold your baby or ask to have your partner do skin to skin for you while you are being sewn up.
Prioritize Pain Management:
Take your prescribed pain meds regularly. I tried to get off the meds with my first c-section because I was scared of getting addicted to them and I ended up causing myself way more pain and swelling than I needed too. Inadequate pain management can lead to increased reliance on opioids, prolonged recovery, and a higher risk of chronic pain and postpartum depression. So talk to your provider and develop a plan to keep you on the right healing path.
Walk To Get Your Ice In the Hospital: Once you can feel your legs and can safely stand and walk, make your self move in small distances. I did this by making myself walk to get my own ice in the hospital or prune juice to help with bowel movements. Walking can help with healing as long as it is in short distances in the beginning.
Master Proper Movement During Recovery: After my c-sections, every single movement hurt. Rolling in bed. Painful. Getting out of bed (remember you don’t have a core). Painful. Moving from sit to stand and stand to sit. Painful. I noticed with the pain, I started holding my breaath. When we hold our breath, it causes an increase pressure in the belly and the pelvic floor. It does not allow stability and support. So…when you feel pain (and practice this ahead of time), BLOW OUT to take the pressure off your pelvic floor and belly.
-Get out of bed: blow out as you log roll and use your arms to help get you to sitting up. This takes the tension off the scar if you just tried to sit up (difficult to do after a c-section with lack of core muscles).
-Getting out of a chair or off the bed: Scoot your butt forward on the chair or bed, think tits over toes and blow out as you stand up.
-Breastfeeding and bottle feeding: hold baby in a football hold and use pillows to take the pressure off the incision.
-Gentle movement: like short distance walking and small pelvic movements like the ones in your Body After Birth program, are so helpful and can be started day 1 after delivery.
Facing a C-section can be scary without knowing what to expect. I know, because that was me. Nervous Nelly. . By reading this, hopefully it eases your mind and gives you a little peace as you head towards your delivery. You've got this!!