C-Section Recovery: Things You Need To Prepare For Your Aftercare
There are a lot of things I wish I had known or looked into before I had my C-section. This was my 5th son and I had never had one before. I also had a few challenges when going through my recovery because I had not properly looked into aftercare and tools as I should have.
However, as I was recovering, I learned and discovered more helpful tips and tools that made things much easier for me. I will share them in this post below in hopes it will help you without it being overwhelming.
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Please keep in mind I am not a doctor, I am just a mom sharing what helped me. So please don’t replace what your doctor has told you for my advice. This is just a guide I am just sharing of what helped me as I was recovering.
A Simple List of Do’s and Dont’s
A Cesarean section, or C-section, is a major surgery that requires proper care and attention during the recovery period. Here are some essential tips to help new mothers heal and recover after a C-section:
Do’s
- Rest as much as possible, especially in the first few weeks. Sleep when the baby sleeps to regain your strength.
- Ask for help from family and friends with household chores, caring for older children, and other tasks to allow your body to heal
- Keep the incision area clean and dry by gently patting it with a clean towel after showering and avoid scrubbing the incision
- Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor to manage discomfort and aid in the healing process
- Walk around as soon as you can, typically within 24 hours after the surgery. Walking helps prevent blood clots and constipation
- Wear an abdominal binder or support garment to provide compression and support to the incision area.
- Drink plenty of water
Don’ts
- Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby until your doctor gives you clearance, typically after 6–8 weeks.
- Don’t climb stairs excessively or engage in strenuous activities until your doctor approves it.
- Don’t submerge the incision in water (bathtubs, pools, hot tubs) until it has fully healed, usually after 6 weeks.
- Don’t ignore signs of infection, such as fever, increased redness or swelling around the incision, or foul-smelling discharge. Contact your doctor immediately, if any of this occurs
- Don’t compare your recovery timeline with others, as every woman’s healing process is unique.
- Don’t drive too soon, your core will be very weak so you need to wait before driving
Items that help aid in your comfort and recovery
So I want to share with you some items that really helped me in my recovery and made things more comfortable. Some I got early during my recovery and other items I got a little later into my recovery you can click on any of the underlined words below to see these exact items and take the guesswork out of what you need.
- A bed chair– this was a must for me as I needed the extra support in addition to having extra pillows, this made getting in and out of the bed easier. I liked this one because it was adjustable and you can use it on the floor as well. It is much harder to sit up and get out of bed especially the first two weeks after your recovery
- Comfortable clothing is a must, I recommend high-waisted pants and underwear that cover your incision.
- Have a nice pillow to hold against your incision for when you laugh or cough, trust me, being able to hold a pillow gently on your stomach (not the incision) is very comforting.
- Get you some postpartum pads, the hospital will give you some but you will need more that are better, you will still bleed vaginally for 2–6 weeks. Here are some pads that are discreet and give you the help you need. I also want to share these pads which were my favorite, they are a little more pricey but I loved them.
- C-section underwear- remember when I mentioned wearing high-waisted underwear and clothing? Here are some options for comfortable underwear that won’t bother your incision. I liked these as well and had several pairs.
- High-waisted pants and joggers are something I highly recommend to have with you at the hospital and wear at home
- C-section scar sheets- will help your incision not rub against your clothes, I recommend these, these also come in different skin tones from light to dark. Make sure you check with your doctor before wearing these because you may need to wait a few days
- Also, drink a lot of fluids. Drink a lot of water, it will help you flush out toxins and alleviate some of the trapped gas. Getting a good water bottle that will set up reminders to keep you on track is a good option
- I highly recommend wearing a postpartum stomach wrap. I used this one, not only does it help with your swelling but it helps a lot with your core and back support. I’ve also heard many say they help you get back in shape and heal faster. I wore them after all my kids.
- Pain medication can use Motrin or whatever your doctor prescribes. I personally like more natural or homeopathic pain relief so I recommend trying this more natural option to see if you like it.
Additional Tips
Engage in gentle exercises like deep breathing, shoulder rolls, and light stretching to improve circulation and flexibility. Stay hydrated and consume a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to support the healing process. Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your recovery and address any concerns.Be patient and kind to yourself during this recovery period. Healing takes time, and it’s essential to listen to your body’s needs. Recovery is different from woman to woman. Also on top of getting proper rest, that can be difficult, especially with a new baby however, its good early on to start getting your baby on a sleep training schedule that is perfect for babies and will help you rest more.
You have to keep in mind that a C-section is a major surgery, and proper care and rest are crucial for a smooth and successful recovery. Follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you have any concerns or complications.
