10 TIPS FOR A FASTER RECOVERY AFTER A C-SECTION 

December 20, 2020 /

Written by Feba Maryann 

What is a C-Section? 

A C-section or Caesarean Delivery is a method to deliver babies with the help of surgical procedures. A C-section is usually used when normal birthing is risky due to a variety of reasons like: 

  • Abnormal position of the baby in the uterus. 
  • Obstructed labour which means the baby cannot come out of the pelvis 
  • Posthumous birth, that is, when the child is delivered after the mother dies. 
  • In cases where labour Induction has failed. 
  • When there is an umbilical cord prolapse. 
  • Foetal distress or when the foetus may not be well. 

In short, C-section is used in cases where the health of mother or child may be at risk. 

Tips for a faster recovery after a C-Section 

A C-section could be a very stressful ordeal especially if you were planning to have a normal delivery. Recovering from a C-section takes at least about 6 weeks and may increase depending on if you developed any complications during the surgery. 

Here are a few tips which will ensure a faster recovery. 

Get Some Quality Rest 

This may sound obvious but the role of rest is very crucial in your recovery process. After any surgical procedure, your body’s immune system and muscles are weakened. Good rest ensures that these muscles are repaired which helps you strengthen your immune system. 

After your C-Section, don’t immediately run around doing errands, give your body some time to get acclimated to the new normal. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. Make sure you don’t lift anything heavy for at least a few weeks. 

Eat Healthy 

Your body just delivered a new human being; in order to recover it is vital that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Apart from your own recovery you also have to breastfeed your baby. 

Studies show that the food you eat may influence the flavour of your breast milk, this increases the chance of your child enjoying the food you eat during lactation in the future. 

Treating Constipation 

Constipation is a very common problem in women who have recently delivered a baby. This may be caused due to the supplements and drugs you’ve had during or before the delivery or due to hormonal shifts. It is imperative that you treat constipation as it may put strain on your body and could possibly injure the incision.  

To tackle constipation, ensure that you stay hydrated and eat fibre rich foods. Drinking warm fluids may also help. In severe cases your doctor may suggest a stool softener to help treat the condition. 

Take Help From Others 

You won’t be able to recover without the help of your friends or family. A C-section can take a toll on your mental and physical health.Never hesitate from asking for extra help.  

Your family and friends can complete your errands for you and can babysit the baby. This allows you to rest and relax and enjoy some alone time. Apart from this, they may also be able to provide you with the emotional support through this difficult phase.  

Take your medications and supplements as prescribed by your doctor 

Doctors often prescribe painkillers to help you cope with the pain you may experience. Do not stop taking the prescribed medications even if you stop feeling the pain. 

Despite eating healthy, you may not receive ample amounts of nutrition that your body needs. Supplements are a great way to fix this problem. 

Taking Care Of Your Incision 

Your doctor will remove the stitches or clips a few days after your surgery. Once this is done, ensure that you keep the wound clean and dry. The site of incision may get infected if proper precautions aren’t taken. Using a good quality ointment to cover the site. Wear loose clothes to prevent fabric from causing any friction on the site and allow air to flow freely over it. 

When To Contact Your Doctor. 

If you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible 

  • If you develop redness, swelling or start oozing pus from the incision. 
  • Experience very high fever. 
  • Heavy bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina. 
  • Breathing issues 
  • Chest pain 

Generally, it is a good practice to keep your doctor updated about your health or your baby’s health. Make sure you schedule regular appointments and don’t miss any. 

Embrace Your Emotions 

Pregnancy and giving birth can take a toll on your mental health. It is common to experience mood swings, loss of interest and fatigue in the first couple of weeks after giving birth. However, if the problem seems to persist, contact your doctor.  

Do try to stay away from social media as it may lead to you comparing yourself to other people who’ve had a c-section. Every c-section is different, and it is better and healthier to focus on your body now. 

Preventing Blood Clots

In the first few weeks you may experience bleeding as well as blood clots. It is not possible to prevent this but you can still reduce it by staying hydrated and taking any medications prescribed by your doctor.  

Light Exercising 

In the postpartum period, it is recommended to abstain from high intensity exercises. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean no exercises, you can still do very light exercises like walking or Kegel exercises. These light exercises improve blood flow and help with a faster recovery.