• About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
Pregged.com
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Am I Pregnant?
    • Unplanned Pregnancy
    • Miscarriage
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Health
    • Mental Health
    • 1st Trimester
    • 2nd Trimester
    • 3rd Trimester
  • Week by Week
  • Relationships
    • Dads
  • Getting Ready
    • Labor
    • Birth
    • Postpartum
    • Baby
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Astrology
    • Breastfeeding
  • Shop
    • Pregnancy Products
    • Maternity Wear
    • Baby Gear
    • Diapers
    • Postpartum Products
    • Gift Ideas
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Am I Pregnant?
    • Unplanned Pregnancy
    • Miscarriage
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Health
    • Mental Health
    • 1st Trimester
    • 2nd Trimester
    • 3rd Trimester
  • Week by Week
  • Relationships
    • Dads
  • Getting Ready
    • Labor
    • Birth
    • Postpartum
    • Baby
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Astrology
    • Breastfeeding
  • Shop
    • Pregnancy Products
    • Maternity Wear
    • Baby Gear
    • Diapers
    • Postpartum Products
    • Gift Ideas
Home » Pregnancy » Getting Ready » 8 Helpful C-section Recovery Tips

8 Helpful C-section Recovery Tips

  Written by Feature Editor
   Medically reviewed by Kristy June Dinampo MD
  Updated on January 16th, 2020
8 Helpful C-section Recovery Tips

Because C-sections are so common we tend to gloss over the fact that it is an extremely invasive surgery.

The trauma and pain which comes after a C-section shouldn’t be underestimated.

The good news is that there are many ways to reduce the amount pain and the length of recovery time, and get back up on your feet, enjoying life with your newborn bundle of joy as quickly as possible.

If you have been told that you are going to need a c-section, you’ve recently had a c-section, or you’re simply wondering about your delivery options, it’s vital be informed about what you may experience.

So, let’s check out eight helpful tips for your c-section recovery.

Tip 1 – Take Painkillers

It’s completely normal to have some degree of pain for around two weeks after a C-section.

You’ll probably be prescribed painkillers by your doctor after the procedure and you should take them as prescribed to help aid your recovery.

Some new mothers, especially those who have chosen to breastfeed, avoid taking pain killers after giving birth.

Make sure your doctor knows your feeding choice, assure that any medications won’t adversely affect the baby, and then take whatever he or she prescribes!  

Tip 2 – Try Probiotics to Help With Gut Health

You may be prescribed antibiotics after your C-section to help prevent infection.

Unfortunately for some mothers, these may cause upset stomach and other digestive issues.

Probiotics are a great way to boost your both your gut health and immune system.

You can take them in a supplement, either as a pill or a yogurt-based drink, or you can boost the amount of probiotics in your diet by enjoying probiotic-rich foods.

Whichever option you choose, probiotics can help to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea which is never fun, especially after a C-section.

Tip 3 – Look After Your Wound

The key to recovering quickly after a C-section is in how well your wound heals.

An infected incision is going to extend your recovery time and make you feel awful.

Keep your wound clean, check with your health-care provider often, and follow the post-operative instructions.

You’ll be back to fighting fit in no time.

Keep your wound dry and check it often. You need to be on the look out for pain, redness, heat, or any oozing.

You will either have stitches that will dissolve on their own over time, or surgical staples which will need to be removed by your doctor at a set time.

Be sure to keep any scheduled appointments so that your doctor or midwife can keep an eye on the wound and make sure it’s healing properly.

Tip 4 – Do Some (Very) Gentle Exercise

The key word in that sentence is ‘gentle’.

Don’t over do it!

You can start with very light walking as soon as you’ve been given the go ahead by your doctor and slowly rebuild your endurance.

This will help you get out and about with your baby, which helps to reduce the chances of postpartum depression.

It also boosts your circulation and reduces the chances of a blood clot, a possible side effect after a C-section.

Tip 5 – Watch Your Diet

If you want to get back to full health, you need to give your body the nutrients and vitamins it needs.

Your body relies upon good nutrition for overall health and well-being and a healthy diet can reduce your recovery time after a C-Section.

Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The addition of anti-inflammatory foods, such as nuts and seeds, chicken, broccoli, and berries can also help reduce swelling and pain.

Another diet-related consideration is getting enough fiber in your diet.

Hormonal changes can cause constipation for new mothers, whether they had vaginal birth or a C-section.

Straining is going to put pressure on your wound, and could lead to tearing and pain.

By avoiding constipation in the first place, you can avoid that potential problem.

Tip 6 – Avoid Heavy Lifting

You have total permission to get someone else to do the manual labor around the house, because you’re sworn off heavy lifting after your C-section!

Lifting anything heavier than your newborn puts pressure on your wound and may cause healing issues.

It’s not great for you back, either.

This restriction will likely last for at least the first two weeks or more depending on your doctor’s recommendations.

Of course you will need to lift your baby, but you should even do that with caution.

When nursing prop yourself up on pillows.

Finally, no matter how much you want your old body back, you shouldn’t be doing crunches or any other kind of abdominal exercises at this point.

Tip 7 – Take Your Time With Sex

Sex may be the very last thing on your mind, but perhaps not.

If you do find that you want to get back into it make sure you clear it with your doctor. After that, take your time and stop if you feel pain.

You can reduce the chances of this happening by using plenty of lubricant and making sure that you are sufficiently aroused beforehand.

This is the same advice as for women who have had a vaginal delivery, but women who have had a C-section have a wound to think about too.

Avoid any positions that cause excess friction around your incision.

Tip 8 – Don’t Try And Do Everything Yourself

Finally, remember that your body has just gone through a traumatic experience. You are also probably pretty emotionally drained.

Do not try and do everything yourself.

You are now a mother, and that means you have a million responsibilities going through your mind while also healing from a major operation.

Don’t be afraid to ask your partner, friends, family, or anyone who you trust for help.

This is a time to focus on yourself and your baby, not to be running around trying to be Superwoman.

These eight tips should help you recover from your C-section must faster, and have you feeling much better as a result.

8 C-section Recovery Tips to help you recover faster and have less pain after delivery. The postpartum period can be challenging enough so make sure you look after yourself properly. Medically reviewed by Dr June.... #postpartum #cesarean #delivery #pregnancy

Sources:

  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-012-2384-5
  2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/recovery/
  3. https://www.babycenter.com/0_recovering-from-a-c-section_221.bc
  4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/c-section-recovery/art-20047310
  5. https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/cesarean-aftercare/
  6. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth
  7. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000624.htm

Related Posts

  • What does a Labor Support Doula Actually Do?
  • 10 Ways to Make Sure You Have a Healthy Bond with Your Baby
  • 100 Old-Fashioned English Baby Girl Names
Trending Now
6 Ways to Deal With the Fear of Miscarriage

6 Ways to Deal With the Fear of Miscarriage

Written by Psychologist, Nikolina Miljus You may not realize but the fear of miscarriage haunts every woman during the early stages of pregnancy. Whether it’s our

3 Ways to Get Pregnant as a Lesbian (without IVF)

3 Ways to Get Pregnant as a Lesbian (without IVF)

Choosing to have a baby is a monumental step at any time, but as a lesbian getting pregnant, the “How” can be far more complicated

Read more...
What Does Labor REALLY Feel Like?

What Does Labor REALLY Feel Like?

When you ask women what their greatest fears are about childbirth, the pain of labor is at the top of the list. The catch is

Read more...
60 Really Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

60 Really Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

We all know that pregnancy comes with its own set of quirks that stem from changing hormones and the fact that you’re growing a brand

Read more...
9 Freaky Things That Can Happen to Your VJ During Pregnancy

9 Freaky Things That Can Happen to Your VJ During Pregnancy

The female body can do some seriously freaky things during pregnancy and sadly, your lady bits are NOT immune. Not only do most bodily parts

Read more...
11 Gentle Ways to Start Labor Naturally

11 Gentle Ways to Start Labor Naturally

Picture the scene – you’re somewhere between 38 – 42 weeks pregnant and nothing seems to be happening. Not even getting any pre-labor symptoms. You’re

Read more...
How Long Does Induction of Labor Take From Start to Finish?

How Long Does Induction of Labor Take From Start to Finish?

For many first time moms, induction of labor is one of those mysterious possibilities which causes worry and anxiety. We wonder what induction really means;

Read more...
What Does it Feel Like To Be Pregnant?

What Does it Feel Like To Be Pregnant?

When most women talk about what does it feel like to be pregnant they focus on the early physical symptoms. Nausea, the cramps, the tiredness, the

Read more...
Strep B Infection in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Strep B Infection in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms, Testing & Treatment

Strep B. Heard of it? Possibly not—until you’re pregnant. Here’s the lowdown on what Strep B is, why it’s important, and how it is treated.

Read more...
The Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar – A Guide

The Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar – A Guide

One of the most common questions we have when we discover we’re pregnant is “will my baby be a boy or a girl?“. The Chinese

Read more...
9 Ways to Have a Baby on a Tight Budget

9 Ways to Have a Baby on a Tight Budget

Sadly a money tree has yet to be discovered which means that more and more of us are on tight budgets. Couples who have dreams

Read more...
Preventing and Treating Yeast Infections in Pregnancy

Preventing and Treating Yeast Infections in Pregnancy

If you have never experienced a vaginal yeast infection then you are a very lucky woman.  A yeast infection in pregnancy isn’t anything serious but

Read more...
Craving Weird Smells – The Pregnancy Super Power No-one Wants!

Craving Weird Smells – The Pregnancy Super Power No-one Wants!

You might have heard of having strange food cravings during pregnancy, but have you ever heard of craving smells too? The sense of smell can

Read more...
Fear of Pregnancy – Understanding Tokophobia

Fear of Pregnancy – Understanding Tokophobia

Fear of pregnancy and the fear of childbirth, isn’t crazy, weird or strange. In fact it’s very common. Some reports suggest that up to 25%

Read more...
What Does My Cervix Look and Feel Like During Pregnancy?

What Does My Cervix Look and Feel Like During Pregnancy?

So you’ve started reading about what happens to your body when you’re pregnant. Perhaps you’re already pregnant, and you’ve been to an appointment or two

Read more...
Join the Pregged Community
Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
Disclosure

Some of the links on Pregged lead to sites we are affiliated with, such as Amazon, and we may earn revenue from them.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Links
  • About
  • Contact
  • T & C’s
  • Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Pregged.com. All rights reserved