Cesarean Awareness Month
Childbirth is an exciting time. You finally get to meet the baby who’s been sharing your body for the last nine months! However, it’s also difficult on your body, especially if you’ve had a cesarean delivery. Though it is a common surgery (according to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2019, 31.7% of US births were via C-section), it is still surgery, and you need to give your body time to heal. That’s easier said than done when you’re caring for a newborn!
If you had any other surgery, there is a standard recovery protocol post-op, but for C-sections, many women are left to DIY their post-care. Just in time for Cesarean Awareness Month, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations that will allow you heal and enjoy bonding with your newborn.
Get plenty of rest and take it easy
As with any surgery, your body needs time to heal after a C-section. Expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days after your delivery (longer if there are complications), and give your body up to six weeks to fully heal. The advice to rest when your baby rests has never been truer than when healing post-C-section, so make every effort to sleep whenever your baby naps. Take extra care getting around while you heal; avoid going up and down stairs as much as possible, don’t lift anything heavier than your baby, and, whenever you have to sneeze or cough, hold your abdomen to protect the incision.
Get comfortable while breastfeeding
It is important to sit (or lie) in a comfortable position while feeding. Avoid bending while feeding, as that posture can lead to chronic backache. Also, try a pillow or breastfeeding pillow to find a comfortable position for nursing. Lastly, talk to a lactation consultant in the hospital; she can prepare you for any challenges that you may have to address. You may also be interested in our blog, Is Your Nursing Position Triggering a Stress Response?
Manage your pain
Ask your doctor what pain medicines you can take, especially if you’re breastfeeding. Depending on the level of your discomfort, the doctor might prescribe a pain reliever or advise you to take over-the-counter pain medication. In addition to pain medicine, using a heating pad may help to relieve discomfort at the surgical site.
Focus on good nutrition
Good nutrition is just as important in the months after you deliver as it was while you were pregnant. Eating a variety of foods, especially fruits, vegetables and lean meats, will help you get stronger. Also, drink plenty of water; the extra fluids will boost your breast milk supply while helping avoid constipation.
Get some exercise
Avoid strenuous exercise, but do take gentle walks as often as you can. The movement will help your body heal and can prevent blood clots.
Don’t ignore your mental health
As you take care of your physical health, don’t forget about your emotional health. Postpartum depression is real. Having a baby can bring up feelings you never expected. If you feel exhausted, sad, or disappointed, don’t ignore it. Call your doctor if you feel sad and your mood never seems to lift, especially if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby. Talk about your emotions with a friend, your partner, your doctor, or a counselor.
Watch for signs of infection
You’ll probably feel some soreness in the incision, and you may have bleeding or discharge for up to six weeks after the C-section. That’s normal, but the following symptoms warrant a call to your doctor as they could signal an infection:
Redness, swelling, or pus oozing from the incision site
Pain around the site
Fever of more than 100.4°F
Bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Redness or swelling in your leg
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Pain in your breasts
Most importantly, try not to compare your recovery to others you know who’ve experienced a C-section. Just as every pregnancy is different, so is every recovery.
Focus on your own healing, and give your body the time it needs to get back to normal. As the saying goes, don’t be a hero. There’s no shame in asking for help, particularly if it means a shorter healing time and a faster road to quality family time.
Related: Fourth Trimester: Planning for your Postpartum Recovery
Here at Inspire Chiropractic, there are so many options to help you recover - in conjunction with a chiropractor who works with postpartum women, we work with some of the best pelvic floor physical therapists, lactation consultants, and women health coaches. Our goal is to help you heal and move intentionally with purpose.
Contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment.