Ten Tips On How To Recover After Having a Cesarean Section Surgery (Part One)

Mark Wealth

Having a Cesarean section surgery comes with its own set of complexities, slightly different from vaginal delivery. One thing is clear though, to recover fully and properly, you must be equipped with the right knowledge.

Sometimes you don’t plan for a C-section but circumstances make it so that you have no choice. Whether you plan for it or not, let’s take a look at what you have to go through to recover from delivering your baby through a C-section.

1. Get Rest.

Let your doctor or nurse tell you if it’s okay to get up and let them help you. You will be feeling nauseated so you have to be careful not to risk a fall. Your caregivers want you to move around soon enough but let them give the go ahead first. Mostly they will assist you because you don’t want to be straining yourself right now. You should be able to walk the halls of your birthing place in a day or two.

Even when you get discharged, you have to get as much rest as possible. Ask for help from your partner, friends or family members, or get paid help. Yes, your rest is that important to your quick and holistic recovery.

2. Take Your Meds

They, doctor or nurses will give you the necessary medications you’ll need. There’ll be pills for the nausea and pain; an anti-inflammatory pain killer like ibuprofen with a narcotic. They’ll also give you probiotics to replace those healthy bacteria that were killed by the antibiotics administered during the procedure. Do not take aspirin if you’re breastfeeding though. It could cause baby to fall ill and also reduce platelet count in baby’s blood.

The experts say that all the narcotic painkillers and anaesthetics you take for the surgery will cause constipation. Now you know that your stitches could come undone if you strain your abdominal muscles so constipation is a no no. The nurse will most probably give you something to soften your stool. It’s important to take your meds exactly how they prescribe. Missing a dose will affect the time your body takes to recover.

3. Bleeding & Discharges

Interestingly, there will be some vaginal bleeding and discharge even though you didn’t get to have a vaginal delivery. The bleeding will last about a month and a half so be prepared for that. There’ll be some lochia (vaginal discharge) that will be bright red at first. As time goes on, it will turn pink and then yellowish white before it stops.

If you’re still bleeding heavily after 4 or 5 days or bleeding starts/increases after its stopped/dropped, you’ll need to call the doctor. You should also call the doctor if you notice that the lochia is giving off a foul smell.

4. What to Eat

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Well, you’ll need to replenish the energy and body fluids and all that was lost during the procedure but you have to eat the right foods that are good for you and baby at this recuperating period. Veggies for their anti-inflammatory properties help the healing properties. Foods rich in Vitamin C, mostly colorful fruits and veggies, help in the production of collagen that’s also very important in building tissue and aiding the healing process. Berries, nuts & seeds and white meat like fish and Turkey are rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also good for tissue building and strengthening. Stay away from red meat because it’s inflammatory and could irritate your bowels.

5. Strenuous Movement

Climbing up and down a flight of stairs is advisable to help your transverse abdominal muscles pull back together but do not over do.

Avoid lifting up anything heavier than your baby and always remember to enagage your core when carrying your baby. Even instinctive actions that involve sudden, jerky movements and cause tension in your abdomen, actions like laughing, sneezing and coughing could put a strain on your stitches. Doctors advice that you support or hold the incision site with your hand or a soft pillow when you cough, sneeze or laugh.

If you want to start exercising, start gradually with light exercises then progress to more difficult routines organically. Some people start as early as 3 weeks after delivery while some may need to wait longer. This depends on your body.