7 C-Section Recovery Tips (from a seasoned pro!)

Having a C-section is like having a tummy tuck… minus the tuck part. It isn’t particularly the easiest surgery to recover from, but I have compiled a list of things that helped me recover from 2 within 2 ½ years and I know they can help you, too!

1. WALK. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. (Are you singing Rhianna’s “Work” in your head now? You’re welcome.) My first C-section was extremely easy for me to recover from because of this. Granted, my one and only child was in the NICU and I was up and moving within 12 hours of having him (was 24 hours with my 2^nd), but I was walking normally and basically recovered and was off of all pain meds 3 DAYS after having my son. The nurses told me NICU moms tend to recover faster from a c-section because we have to get up and walk or move to our babies since they aren’t in their little bed next to us in our room. And I can attest to that- my daughter was a planned c-section and didn’t require the NICU; therefore, I did not have to get up and walk near as much, took me 2 weeks to feel somewhat recovered.
2. Water is still your best friend! Staying hydrated helps your body heal faster, just like putting lotion on cuts after they scab over helps them heal faster, so does water to the body. Hydration is KEY. Especially if you’re trying to breastfeed. Water also helps reduce inflammation which helps your body heal faster!
3. A belly band! I didn’t have one of these with my son, but they gave me one after having my daughter and I was shocked how much it helps. It holds things in (which also helps for your tummy going back down!!) and gives you pressure, which gives you support! It’s also like compression leggings- they help because the pressure increases blood flow, suppressing lactic acid, for a faster recovery- the same goes with a belly band. It helps your body heal faster by increasing blood flow to that particular area. It can also help decrease inflammation, which comes with the territory when having any surgery. Here is one similar to the one I used the second go-around!
4. Take it easy. I know, that’s extremely hard being a new mom or already being a mom with a newborn. It is so hard, but for your healing it is so, SO necessary. Don’t overdo it, your recovery will take longer and you risk the possibility of your incision opening (speaking from experience). This last time around was so hard for me- you’re not supposed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 6 weeks after surgery. Try telling that to my, at the time, 2 ½ year old son. There were 2 times that I thought “oh it’s been 3 weeks, I’m sure it’s fine to pick him up…”. I was wrong. That night my incision opened up and I immediately called my sister, who is a nurse, to ensure I did the right thing trying to get it to close. (I also called my OB the next morning and saw him that afternoon to ensure it was fine-it had actually closed back up already.) Then it happened again at 5 weeks PP and was shocked it opened again, being 1 week away from “normal”. Just do what your doctor says- don’t overdo it, don’t life heavy things, let people help you. And SLEEP! Sure, sure, you have a newborn and think you need to do things around the house… those things can wait. When the baby sleeps, sleep. When you’re on your second child that is basically impossible, so do it while you can! I also partially attribute my son being in the NICU to a faster recovery in this way, I was able to rest at night in the women’s ward other than waking up every 3 hours to pump and run it down to the NICU. I would stay there for a while and see him, but I was in a room upstairs sleeping and wasn’t woken up by every little noise he made.
5. Mira-lax and tucks pads. Sure, you didn’t push out a child, but you will still need help in that area. Since you were just cut open you don’t need to push very hard when going No. 2, plus if you’re like me, it took a couple days for my digestive system to wake back up after the spinal block. Tucks pads will be your best friend. I was recovering from a c-section and had a newborn so I wasn’t going to the store, my husband was embarrassed and wouldn’t get them for me (even with self checkout…), but my amazing mom got me some and let me tell you- they saved my booty. Literally! If you didn’t use mira-lax during pregnancy, first of all I am amazed, but go get some for recovery! It is gentle and helps soften things up to keep you from needing the tucks pads for weeks on end. Trust me on this.
6. The pads that are as large as a twin-size mattress. Ok, maybe I’m over exaggerating a little, but I never knew these things existed until I had a child. Even though you didn’t push out a child, you will still bleed from the internal incisions. I also leaked when I would get up out of bed or a chair, sneeze, cough, laugh… all of the above. I knew women that had babies vaginally leaked with those things, after all, they just pushed so hard to deliver a child, but I didn’t know that would happen with me, too. The night-time pads will be your best bet. And change them each time you go to the bathroom- keep up good hygiene! (BONUS: if you’re still in the hospital reading this ask for extras to take home!)
7. Pain meds your doctor has prescribed. I personally cannot take narcotics- they make me extremely sick, like first trimester on steroids. I took ibuprofen and sometimes Tylenol, but make sure to take your meds if you need them. Don’t try to be super woman. And always, always, ALWAYS consult your doctor before taking different medication, or before adding one into the mix.

These tips are solely from experience. Reader discretion advised. ALWAYS consult your physician prior to any physical activity and/or taking medications other than what was prescribed, follow his/her postpartum recovery instructions to ensure your safety and the safety of your baby.

Top photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels