Whether it was scheduled or unplanned, recovery from a cesarean delivery (c-section) looks a little different from a vaginal delivery. 

Here are 6 tips for recovering from a cesarean delivery.

1. Take The Pain Meds

Congratulations! You now have a sweet new baby that is relying on you to take care of them. Let’s not make this adjustment period harder by adding significant amounts of pain to the mix. You just had major abdominal surgery; it’s completely normal to experience some pain and discomfort during the healing process. So, take the pain meds (always as directed by your doctor). Soon you won’t need them, and the current pain or discomfort you’re feeling will be a thing of the past.

2. Drink (A LOT) of Water And Eat All The Things That Start With P

Due to the nature of cesarean delivery, most people experience difficulty with regular bowel movements at first. Add in hormones, lying flat for long periods of time during recovery, and weakened stomach muscles, and constipation is incredibly likely to occur. Severe constipation can be incredibly painful, and straining may lead to injuring your c-section incision. 

You can fight constipation by increasing your water intake, using a stool softener, and eating all the foods that start with P (plums, prunes, peaches, etc.). While most providers would like to see at least one bowel movement before discharging from the hospital, sometimes it may take a few days before things get moving. It’s important to contact your provider if you still haven’t had a bowel movement after a few days at home because not only is severe constipation painful, but straining may lead to injuring your c-section incision. 

3. The Pillow Is Your Friend

You might notice almost right away that not only does your belly feel softer, but that your entire core feels weak and unsupported. This is where a pillow can really help you out. Clutching a pillow to your abdomen before sneezing, coughing, or laughing, can help provide support (and reduce discomfort) while your body heals from surgery. 

Pillows also make a great support while feeding your baby. You may find that your body doesn’t like certain positions during that first week (or two or three). If you choose to breastfeed, pillows can help support your baby in various positions, taking some of the strain and weight off of you. Pillows are also great for support during bottle feeding, as you may find that your core strength doesn’t quite feel up to holding both your baby and a bottle at the same time (at least not without support).

4. Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself
You just had major abdominal surgery. It would be crazy to expect that you should immediately return to normal activity upon returning home. It’s perfectly normal (and expected) to need extra help and support at this time, even for little things like filling your water bottle or walking down the hallway to use the restroom. Adding a postpartum doula to your support team may be ideal in this situation. It won’t be like this forever; soon you’ll be back to your normal routine and doing all things. You know your body best, so make sure to check in with yourself frequently during those first few weeks. Accepting the help now will aid in a quicker recovery.

5. Find The Balance Between Rest and Movement

It’s likely that your provider or nurse set a goal for walking before being discharged from the hospital. Research shows that incorporating movement is incredibly important to the recovery process after a cesarean. 

And also, you just had a baby. You just had a major abdominal surgery. Rest is vital to recovering from not only the delivery, but ensuring that you have the energy available to care for your little one. If napping while your baby naps isn’t your thing, finding a comfortable position to binge your favorite show or read an interesting book can also count as rest. 

Just like parenting, recovering from this c-section will be all about balance. Until you’ve been cleared for more intense or weight bearing exercise, taking regular walks is likely the best form of movement. Research supports how important walking is for our health, but it is especially helpful during recovery from a c-section because it reduces the likelihood of blood clots or other heart and blood vessel issues. 

6. Keep An Eye On The Incision Site
Like all surgeries, there is always the risk of infection following a cesarean delivery. Your provider will cover the most important signs to watch out for before discharge, as well as send you home with literature that covers the dos and don’ts for the recovery period. 

If you notice that your incision site is red, swollen, leaking fluid, or if you develop a fever, it is imperative that you contact your provider. 

Interested in learning more about how a postpartum doula can support you in recovering from a cesarean delivery? Click HERE.