Birth and life as a new mom are challenging as is, add to that recovering from a major abdominal surgery and you are bound to feel down on yourself.
Remember, this is how your baby chose to come on Earth. Your body did a great job nurturing this new life and bringing it to Earthside. You are stronger than what you give yourself credit for. Take time now to rest and recuperate and soon you will be back to your daily routine. It will happen. Believe me.
In today’s post, I will share a few tips to help with a quick C-section recovery. Simple things I did to heal faster and get my body moving.
QUICK C-SECTION RECOVERY TIPS
- Walk
That first time getting out of bed and trying to walk is painful but necessary to help you stretch muscles, keep circulation going, and prevent blood clots.
Keep up with walking every day, as much as you can, it can be as simple as a small walk around the room and back to bed. But this will help you recover quickly.
Once you have more strength try incorporating short walks with your partner and baby to encourage movement. This gentle exercise will not only lift your spirits but also help prevent constipation.
Related reading : 4th trimester truths no one talks about.
2. Hydrate
Don’t forget to drink water. It helps with establishing milk supply, reduces any gas and bloating, and keeps bowels moving.
3. Rest
This is not the time to do chores. Get as much help as you can. Let your partner handle baby tasks as you rest and get someone to cook you hot nutritious meals and maintain the house.
Don’t try and carry anything heavy around the house right now, it’s recommended that you only carry your baby until after the stitches heal.
4. Protect incision
In the initial days, the area around the incision can be sore, and slightly painful to touch or move. Place a pillow on your incision to protect it when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. Support the abdomen with high-waisted underwear, leggings, or an abdominal wrap to decrease pain when you get in and out of bed or when you walk.
To get in and out of bed try the log roll, where you roll onto your side, bend your knees, and push up with your arm as you keep the abdomen area relaxed. Similarly, when getting into bed, start by sitting on the side of the bed and then lying on your side first before moving onto your back.
5. Get help with breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a challenge, especially after a C-section. Use a U-shaped pillow that supports your abdomen when breastfeeding. Get help from your partner to bring the baby to you, don’t bend over to pick the baby up. Similarly, ask your partner to help burp the baby as you rest.
There are many breastfeeding positions for a C-section mom to try that ease some of the discomfort during long breastfeeding sessions especially when your new baby starts cluster feeding. Take a breastfeeding class before your birth to prepare yourself for breastfeeding. I found Milkology, an online self-paced breastfeeding class very helpful.
My first was a natural birth and with my second, breastfeeding after a C-section was a completely new ball game. I am glad I had taken the class to better prepare myself on what to expect and how to get the help I needed in the early weeks. Check this comprehensive beginner breastfeeding course here.
6. Scar massage
Once the stitches are out and the scar has healed get a go-ahead from your doctor to start scar massage. A scar massage can help prevent adhesions, slowly bring back circulation and reduce numbness in that area. Learn the correct technique to massage your scar here.
7. Don’t forget about your mental health
Most importantly, don’t forget about your mental well-being. As is birth and life as a new mom is quite challenging for mothers add to that recovering from a major surgery, can make you feel quite down on yourself. Take time out for yourself to do things that bring you joy. Wear special comfy pajamas and slippers, indulge in some of your favorite foods, and watch your favorite comedy shows or movies to cheer you up through the recovery.
Related reading : Best Foods For Quick Postpartum Recovery
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I hope these C-section recovery tips help you through the early postpartum and set you up for a successful fourth trimester.
For more on pregnancy and postpartum read the articles written here.