You'll also want to wait for at least four to six weeks to take a bath if you delivered via c-section – immersing your c-section scar in water could lead to an infection at the incision site.
You may remove your wound dressing and take showers if stitches, staples, or glue were used to close your skin. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your provider tells you it is OK. In most cases, this is not until 3 weeks after surgery.
You'll have to wait until your incision has healed and your doctor tells you it's okay, before taking your first bath post-birth. Generally speaking, this can take around three weeks.
Two weeks after a C-section
You're probably feeling much better! You might enjoy some light exercise such as yoga or walking. But don't push your body too hard, as you're still recovering. You may be able to drive a car now, as long as you're not taking narcotic pain medication or still feeling weak.
During the first six weeks after having your baby, you can gradually increase activity at a pace that suits you. You could start with a five-minute walk, and gradually extend this time when you feel able. Ask your midwife or health visitor if you're unsure about what's best to do.
After a caesarean, you are not advised to sleep on your front. Your incision is across your abdomen, so putting pressure on it will be painful and risk interfering with healing. Usually, doctors recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach for six weeks post-C-section or until you no longer have any pain.
When Can I Start Bending After C -Section? As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6).
Increased bleeding after your lochia starts to decrease can be a sign you're overdoing it and need more rest. Seeing ongoing clots could mean your uterus is having trouble getting back to its pre-pregnancy size. In either case, it's always best to call.
If you still look pregnant or experience abdominal pain weeks or months after giving birth, you might be suffering from a condition called diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation.
In most cases, the pain is attributed to the body trying to heal injured tissues. This type of pain usually resolves after a few weeks. We all expect this to occur. In other instances, however, pain with surgery may not improve quickly or may develop weeks after the incisions are healed.
Hold off from having intercourse at least until you have been to your six-week postpartum checkup. Rushing into things too quickly and even sex four weeks after a C-section can lead to complications such as infection.
Before immersing your body in a bathtub, you should hold off for at least 3 to 4 weeks. Dr Vijayakumar says, “Regardless of the type of delivery you had, your cervix will still be dilated for the first few weeks following giving birth to the child.
After delivery, the perineum and the vulva can be swollen and sore. Stitches and tears can also make the perineum tender. Warm sitz baths can help with pain and soothe the skin. However, some studies suggest cold sitz baths may be more effective for perineum care.
Once your dressing is removed, clean and dry your wound thoroughly every day with plain water (no soaps or oils), do not have a bath i.e. submerge your wound fully in water for two weeks, you may shower and allow the water to run on your wound, do not scrub or massage.
You should have a shower or bath daily and keep your wound clean and dry. You should also change your sanitary towel frequently. Your vaginal blood or fluid loss should gradually decrease with time but if you have any concerns then please discuss these with your midwife or GP.
6 weeks postpartum belly
Your uterus has contracted down quite a bit, and at six weeks postpartum, Bhagwandass says that many women “feel like their bellies are now back to their pre-pregnancy shapes.” Of course, all bodies are different, and this isn't the case for every new mom.
It often takes six to nine months to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. But it can take a lot longer, even 10 months to two years, especially if a woman gained 35 pounds or more during her pregnancy.
Q: Can I still belly bind if I have a c-section? A: You can still receive belly binding if you have a c-section. We will wait until 4 – 6 weeks postpartum, based on your healing and recovery. The belly bind still has many benefits within the first three months.
Exercise after C-section delivery usually needs to be postponed for longer than after a vaginal delivery. It's also important not to push yourself too hard after a C-section: doing so can elevate the risk of infection and other complications that can prolong your recovery.
In most cases, there are no restrictions on walking at a casual pace, but it's best to avoid any power walking until you get that all clear from your ob-gyn or midwife.
If you had a vaginal birth with little complications, you could lift your toddler within one to two weeks after delivery. With a cesarean or c-section birth, you must wait six weeks to lift your toddler or anything heavier than ten pounds. This is critical to your recovery.
Most women experience some discomfort for the first few days after a caesarean, and for some women the pain can last several weeks. You should make sure you have regular painkillers to take at home for as long as you need them, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The first few days after surgery is painful, which is why loose-fitting clothes are ideal for postpartum. I recommend finding loose pants or leggings, oversize t-shirts, and flowy dresses.