There are many things that can affect your recovery, such as the type of c-section you had. But all c-sections are major surgery. You will need help to lift your baby and get out of bed for at least the first day but possibly for much longer. You will need to stay in bed until the anaesthetic wears off.
Avoid pulling yourself up into sitting from laying flat on your back. Instead first roll onto your side with your knees bent up and together. Then allow your feet and lower legs to slid off the side on the bed while you use your hands/arms to push yourself into sitting on the edge on the bed.
Back sleeping is often recommended post-surgery, and it could be the most comfortable position as it doesn't put any pressure on your c-section wound. Try placing a pillow under your knees to keep your spine aligned.
C-section pain typically spikes 18 hours after delivery. "That's when the pain medication you were given with your spinal anesthesia wears off," says San Diego perinatologist Sean Daneshmand, MD.
Your activity level should be kept low until your health care provider suggests an increase in activity. 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.
Women should walk for about 20 minutes at a moderate pace to increase circulation and speed up healing. Fit mothers recover quickly and can be back on their feet in a matter of weeks. Walking after a cesarean delivery is regarded as an important part of recovery exercise.
Any pain should decrease after 2 or 3 days, but your cut will remain tender for up to 3 weeks or more. Most women need pain medicine for the first few days to 2 weeks. Ask your provider what is safe to take while breastfeeding.
Exercises To Avoid After C-Section
You should avoid planks, crunches, sit-ups, twisting movements, and push-ups in the first twelve weeks after starting to exercise again.
How long before I can exercise after a c-section? Most people are cleared for exercise at 6-8 weeks after delivery by their obstetrician provided there have been no complications. While you may be feeling more like yourself around week four remember to stick to your post-op guidelines. This is to ensure proper healing.
Say no to straining.
It's uncomfortable for one, and if a stitch were to possibly pop, intense straining is how it might happen. Straining can cause or worsen hemorrhoids too. Having to push hard or force are signs that your body isn't ready yet, so don't force it. Take a break and try again later.
When your wound dressing is removed, try to wear underwear that sits above your scar. This avoids the underwear rubbing against the scar and causing unnecessary pain. You can have a bath or shower as usual. It is common for your wound to be slightly red and feel uncomfortable for 1 to 2 weeks.
Side sleeping is a great choice when you're recovering from a C-section. Research shows that sleeping on your left side can help increase blood flow to vital organs, aiding healing. It's also the most common sleeping position – you're bound to find this one relaxing.
A c-section is major surgery, so it may have more complications for you than a vaginal birth, including: Your incision (cut), uterus and other parts of your body, like your belly and bladder, may get infected.
For example, it's always advised to avoid housework, heavy lifting, and other strenuous physical activity immediately after giving birth and during those first days and weeks postpartum.
“Stairs are fine as long as you take them slowly,” she says. “I don't tell people not to go upstairs. I don't want them running stairs as a workout. But most people have one to two flights of stairs, and as long as you take them slow, it's okay.
What is the best thing to wear after a C-section? Wear comfortable clothes that won't put too much pressure on your incision site, such as loose-fitting sweats, loose dresses, and oversized pajamas.
Soft shorts or pants with a wide waistband and drawstring make sense as postpartum wear for many reasons. Firstly they are super stretchy, to accommodate what's left of your baby belly. Then the wide waistband gives you extra comfort as you are recovering from your c-section.
The swelling typically peaks 3 or 4 days after delivery. The hand will be tight in the morning and the ankles will be swollen late in the day; and it can be WORSE than during pregnancy. Overall, you should just get better. Each day should be better than the day before.
The first 60 minutes after birth—often called “the Golden Hour”—is a magical period rife with bonding opportunities for mama and baby. Many mamas are able to experience this intensely wonderful first hour immediately following that final push or once the doctors have safely removed baby via C-section.
Use warm, soapy water to wash your incision daily (usually when you shower). Pat the area dry after cleaning. If your doctor used tape strips on your incision, let them fall off on their own. This usually takes about a week.
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 definitely need some help with any jobs that involve stretching upwards, lifting or bending, because of the strain these activities put on your caesarean wound. This means you'll need someone to hang washing on the line, do the vacuuming and help with any other strenuous household jobs.