Recover from C-Section Delivery in 5 Easy Steps
If you have just delivered via c-section, you must be enjoying your first moments with your precious little one. She's cute, isn't she? I totally agree every time I look in picture above (that's my one and only baby girl :D). And yes, I too have been through an emergency c-section delivery last October so I perfectly understand that while being a new mother (or mommy again) is very overwhelming, dealing with your fresh incision can be as painful as hell (yes, literally).
I still remember my first day in the hospital after the operation. As much as I wanted to get up and move, I really can't because my bikini-cut incision seemed like it will fall apart, lol! So I spent more than 24 hours lying in the hospital bed; enduring the excruciating pain. During the second day, though, I was told that I should stand up or else my intestines will stick altogether (not sure if this is the exact thing that will happen though). So anxiously, what I did was work into it with my hubby. After a few tearful tries, I finally managed to sit down.
The succeeding days were still a challenge; but I fought those challenges with all the courage I could muster for the sake of my precious little girl.
After a week when I finally took a real shower, my incision got an infection. With this event, I did my research before consulting my obstetrician. I then realized that things would be easier if I was given a heads up before my delivery. From my research, I learned that there are loads of useful tips that we can use so to help my fellow moms and moms-to-be out there, let me share the most helpful pointers I have found.
Tip #1. Take it gently and slowly.
While it is very important that you start immediately with your baby care routine, it is more imperative that you prioritize yourself before anything else. Once you do this, your wounded abdomen will not only thank you, but will speed up its recovery as well. You wouldn't want to deal with infections (like I did) and doubled recovery time, would you? Take advantage of this opportunity to focus and care for your body since you will have plenty of time to take care of the baby and everything else once the wound is completely healed.
But how about the baby? Do not worry because it takes only more or less than 4 days of difficulties and you can breastfeed easier and hold the baby in your arms (based from my experience). During these days, get someone to assist you with everything you need to do. He/she may be your hubby, your mother, in-laws, or a very close friend that is willingly prepared to be there for you.
Personal tip: Breastfeeding can be very challenging even after the anesthesia has lost its effect on your system. One great way to make it easier is by holding the baby on top of your elbow so that he/she can reach and latch to your areola easily just like in the picture below.
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| Photo courtesy of Bellyfullbirth.com |
Tip #2. Be prepared for its physical and emotional effects.
Every woman's body has varying response to pain. However, most c-section patients feel bloated, dizzy, nauseous, exhausted, gassy, or even constipated right after the procedure (apart from the pain and vaginal bleeding, of course). These effects are totally normal; so basically, these are the physical problems you have to deal with.
Emotionally, you may feel a plethora of different emotions. I, myself, felt that I've been tricked by my OB and thought that I should have at least tried to go on a normal birth. In addition, I felt really upset for having to go through several medications and checkups after my delivery. Experts say that these are perfectly normal, especially if c-section is unplanned. However, you don't want to let these feelings overcome this wonderful event in your life. Ideally, you have to focus on the positive side of things. Keep in mind that what the doctor did was the best for you and your little one.
Personal tip: If you are feeling extreme depression or mood swings, you may be suffering from post-partum depression. If you think you are experiencing this condition, consult your doctor at once.
Tip #3. Perform light exercises as soon as you can.
With all the issues and changes happening to your body, it is very easy to entertain the desire of your body to lie down in bed all the time. But if you want a faster recovery and to get back to your normal self easily, you need to dismiss the idea and stretch out a bit. The best way to start is by walking. Move around, rotate your ankles, stand in your toes, and stretch your limbs so that you will not only recover fast, but will have a better blood circulation as well.
Personal tip: During this delicate moment, your body is still fragile and unstable. That being said, you will need to abstain from burdensome activities such as heavy lifting, driving, as well as sexual intercourse. In addition, having a full bath and strenuous exercises are a big no-no for you. Ideally, doctors recommend that you don't hold anything that is heavier than your baby's weight and to exercise lightly only 6 weeks after delivery.
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| Photo courtesy of Csectionrecoverykit.com |
Tip #4. Take extra care of your incision.
At the first few days of your recovery, it can be very difficult for you to get up from bed due to your painful incision. Here, it is very important to have someone to assist you on lifting yourself up. Do not hesitate to seek help if you feel that you need it.
The wound should be cleaned and dressed with gauze everyday. Always use povidone-iodine solution on sanitizing your incision; using alcohol is a no-no since it will only cause irritation.
Personal tip: After a week, your doctor will more likely recommend that you wash the incision with water and soap. I followed this instruction but unfortunately, the wound suddenly had a yellowish discharge. I think the reason behind this was the water that entered the wound. For this reason, I recommend that you check it thoroughly before taking a full shower (even if you feel very itchy already). If you see any cut or fresh opening in your incision, I suggest that you wait another week before wetting it.
Tip #5. Pay attention to your diet.
The final and most important aspect you need to concentrate on is your diet after the surgery. Usually, a patient is not allowed to take anything 24 hours after c-section. But once the doctor gives you the green light, you want to make sure that the food or beverage you consume will benefit you and your baby alike.
Once the body is ready, the doctor initially advises the patient to take lukewarm fluids to prevent gas and constipation. These can be water, chicken broth, or other kinds of soup. Milk is not yet recommended on the first week, simply because it can contain unsafe elements that may harm your sensitive body organs. 8 to 10 glasses of water is highly recommended to maintain proper hydration and smooth bowel movement.
Eat foods rich in protein, vitamin C, and iron. Protein is important in tissue repair and wound healing and can be acquired from fish, poultry, lean meat, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Vitamin C also assists in faster wound healing, as well as to prevent infection to take place. Excellent Vitamin C sources include citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, and cantaloupe. Iron, as we all know, is important for the blood and immune system enhancement. Normally, you can get iron from poultry, meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
Summary
There you have the five most important tips in recovering right after c section delivery. Paying extra attention to your body and incision is very essential, most especially during the first week. Along with these tips, do not forget to attend to your 6-week follow-up check ups as well. Additionally, watch out for warning signs in your incision. See your obstetrician immediately if you notice any abnormalities such as excessive vaginal bleeding, swelling, discharge, or pain.
The final and most important aspect you need to concentrate on is your diet after the surgery. Usually, a patient is not allowed to take anything 24 hours after c-section. But once the doctor gives you the green light, you want to make sure that the food or beverage you consume will benefit you and your baby alike.
Once the body is ready, the doctor initially advises the patient to take lukewarm fluids to prevent gas and constipation. These can be water, chicken broth, or other kinds of soup. Milk is not yet recommended on the first week, simply because it can contain unsafe elements that may harm your sensitive body organs. 8 to 10 glasses of water is highly recommended to maintain proper hydration and smooth bowel movement.
Eat foods rich in protein, vitamin C, and iron. Protein is important in tissue repair and wound healing and can be acquired from fish, poultry, lean meat, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Vitamin C also assists in faster wound healing, as well as to prevent infection to take place. Excellent Vitamin C sources include citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, and cantaloupe. Iron, as we all know, is important for the blood and immune system enhancement. Normally, you can get iron from poultry, meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
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| Photo courtesy of 4.bp.blogspot.com |
Summary
There you have the five most important tips in recovering right after c section delivery. Paying extra attention to your body and incision is very essential, most especially during the first week. Along with these tips, do not forget to attend to your 6-week follow-up check ups as well. Additionally, watch out for warning signs in your incision. See your obstetrician immediately if you notice any abnormalities such as excessive vaginal bleeding, swelling, discharge, or pain.
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