To stand up after a C-section, you should roll onto your side, bring your knees up, then use your arms to push yourself up to a sitting position, keeping your core braced and avoiding pulling on your incision. When standing fully, aim for a tall, straight posture with your chin up and feet shoulder-width apart, and remember to do the reverse (log roll) to get back into bed to protect your abdomen.
Here are some tips for making movement easier in those first few hours after giving birth. Avoid sitting straight up in bed, as this strains your recovering abdominal muscles. Instead, roll to one side and let your legs dangle off the side of the bed. Use your arms to push yourself up into a sitting position.
Sleeping on your side is the best position after a C-section as it takes pressure off your incision site. Use pillows to support your hips and abdomen, and a pillow between your knees can help with spine alignment.
We aim to help you get out of bed and moving about 6 to 8 hours after your surgery. By this time, you should have recovered the feeling in your legs after the anaesthetic. It can be uncomfortable when you first get out of bed. We give you painkillers before you try to do this.
Discomfort is expected after a C-section, especially around the incision and abdomen. Pain typically peaks in the first few days and improves over several weeks.
Listen To Your Body
You will become more mobile each day, but be sure to listen to your body, if you over-do it you may experience more pain or swelling around your incision, take that as your cue to take a break.
Recovery and Outlook
Make sure an adult is there to help you get up from bed the first several days following C-section surgery. Most people stay in the hospital between two and three days. A full recovery can take between four and six weeks. Ask your healthcare provider what you can expect during recovery.
It's important to keep moving after a C-section, but you also need to get enough rest. If family and friends can help you with daily tasks, let them. Rest when your baby sleeps. For the first couple of weeks, don't lift anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds.
Keep an eye on your scar.
Once you can visualize the incision, you can start keeping an eye on how it's healing. The coloration of the c-section scar should start to fade from red to pink, and it should look pretty uniform. The c-section scar should become less tender to the touch as this happens.
Top 5 Tips for Immediate C-Section Recovery
After Going Home:
Initially, you should avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby, and avoid most housework. Your lochia bleeding will change over time and can increase with activity and position changes. Use your bleeding as a way of making sure that you are not involved in too much activity.
The 5-5-5 rule for postpartum C-section recovery is a guideline for the first 15 days, emphasizing 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, and 5 days around the bed, focusing on rest, gradual movement, bonding, and healing by limiting activity and staying near a resting spot for essential needs only. It's a structured way to encourage vital rest and set boundaries with visitors, preventing overexertion during the critical initial healing phase after major surgery.
Manage your pain safely: A heating pad may help relieve discomfort. Your doctor may also prescribe you with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Protect your ab muscles: For the first 12 weeks after a C-section, avoid activities that make you breathe hard or strain your muscles.
How long do you bleed for after a c-section? You will have some vaginal bleeding (called lochia) for 2-6 weeks after the birth. This is the mucous, tissue and blood that is shed after birth as your womb (uterus) replaces its lining. Bleeding sometimes lasts longer than this, but it should have stopped by 12 weeks.
Getting adequate sleep after a C-section can be challenging as it can take some time to get comfortable and relieve abdominal discomfort and incisional pain. Postpartum depression and anxiety, which are often associated with C-sections, can also make it harder to sleep well.
One day after a C-section
Your incision will be sore, and your pain may increase as your anesthesia wears off. You'll receive pain medication as needed. Toradol is a non-narcotic medication that's given 24 to 48 hours after surgery through your IV.
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Sour fruits: starfruit, tamarind, persimmon, and unripe mangoes. Strong spices such as chili, pepper, and other intense spices. Inflammatory foods may interfere with wound healing, including sticky rice, water spinach, and egg whites. Oily and fried foods.
The first six to 12 hours after you give birth is considered the acute phase of postpartum recovery. Within this window parents are at their highest risk for conditions like postpartum eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and certain medical emergencies.
Is it safe to climb stairs after a C-section? Avoid frequent stair climbing for the first 2–3 weeks. If necessary, do it slowly and with support to prevent C-section healing mistakes.
heavy vaginal bleeding. your wound becomes more red, painful and swollen. a discharge of pus or foul-smelling fluid from your wound. a cough or shortness of breath.
Gentle exercise, such as walking, will help you recover from your c-section. But avoid anything more active until you have no pain and you feel ready. For example, avoid driving, carrying anything heavy, having sex or doing heavy housework, such as vacuuming, until you feel able to. This may not be for 6 weeks or so.
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). First, bend slowly up to a few inches and stand back up.