C-Section Tips

C-Section Recovery Tips

One of the biggest concerns women have when it comes to having a surgical birth is how to recover after a C-Section.  After all, a Cesarean birth is major abdominal surgery and recovery is a major part of the process.

How long it takes for you to recover depends on several things, your overall health, how prepared you are for the procedure and how well you've prepared for your recovery, but the single most important element to a quick recovery is your attitude. 

To help you maintain a positive attitude you should:

• Maintain fitness, both before and after your C-Section
• Eat Healthy
• Keep communications open with your doctor, family and friends.

In the first few days when you get home from the hospital, arrange for help if you need it.  Make healing a priority. You can't care for a baby if you don't start by caring for yourself first.

Top C-section Recovery Tips: 

-Get moving again as quickly as possible

Getting a move on is good but do take it slow. Those first few steps are going to be painful and will require assistance. Take tiny steps and don't rush yourself. Rushing and being too anxious can actually slow the process. Be sure you know what pace you should be moving at and don't try to do too much.  Doing so will only prolong your healing.

- It's the little things can count 

There are simple things that you can do to make like easier, so look around at how can you can simplify your daily routine.  

For example, use pillows or special comforts to help with positioning and breastfeeding at home and in the hospital.  When packing your hospital bag don't forget to bring them. Even something as trivial as a shower brush, special scents or foot massage can help. If you don't have one, you may want to buy one and put it in your hospital bag.  

-Find a comfy niche When you first get home from the hospital, find a place on the couch or your favorite chair, set things up so they are at arms reach.  Configure it as your baby corner.  Do your feedings and naps there each day.

- Make A list 

Keep a list handy of things you need done that you can give to people that offer to help out.  For example  things like meal preparation, housework and taking care of older kids.  Be ready with what you need when someone offers the help.

- Avoid the bodily movements that slow down your healing

Bending, stretching, pulling and bumping can cause your stitches to break open and expose you to infection.  Keep moving on a daily basis but don't overdue it with movements that can cause your scar to tear, this only slows down your healing.

If you're finding it hard to move without pain, try using a C-Section abdominal binder.  They're designed to help you move with less pain and having less pain can be a big help with extending your day helping out keep a positive attitude. 

- Pace Yourself 

There may be days where you feel energetic, but don't be tempted to overdo it.  Doing too much can cause fatigue and depression. Stay conscious of the fact that you are still healing and pace yourself. 

If you don't you could be setting yourself back with a greater dose of fatigue and possible depression.  

===>  For more tips, advice and C-Section news at our C-section birth and recovery blog.