So you just had a C-Section. Maybe you weren’t expecting a C-Section at all, and you spent hours in labor and things didn’t go as planned. Maybe you scheduled your C-Section for a specific reason and you want to be prepared for recovery as best as possible. Whatever the reason that brought you to having your c-section, having the best recovery possible is likely important to you. C-Section recovery is very different than vaginal birth, and there are few things that you will want to be prepared for on your journey. C-Section recovery doesn’t have to be worse than a vaginal birth, it’s just different.

C-Section Recovery Tips:

Walk. Walk. Walk. This is one of the best tips for C-Section recovery to get you on your feet fast…literally. The more you walk, the more you will strengthen the muscles in you abdomen. The first time you stand up is going to be brutal, and it won’t be easy. But the more you push through, the better you will feel. The earlier you can get up and walk, the better. With my first two C-Section, you walked the next day. But by my third C-Section the rule had changed and you were supposed to walk 12 hours after surgery. I remember being extremely nervous about this, but it was hands down ten times easier to walk earlier than it was waiting overnight.

Drink all the water. Staying hydrated is super important. The more water you drink, the better your recovery. Being hydrated will help prevent constipation, it will help your body heal, it will help with the medication, and if you are breastfeeding it will help your milk supply. You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces, if not more. So drink up. Try to limit your caffeine during this time as well!

Stay on top of your pain medication. I had a HORRIBLE experience with my first c-section. No one stressed the importance of pain medication to me. They woke me up at 6am and told me it was time to walk, and I had a little pain, sure. I thought that as normal, but then I tried to sit up and it was horrible. Then they wanted me to stand up and I literally fell back down crying. I had zero pain medication since the epidural wore off and I had never experienced so much pain. The next baby, I knew better. I told the nurse right from the beginning that I wanted to take the pain medication on the clock. I didn’t want to miss a single dose. With my second c-section, the heavier pain medication made me too dizzy to walk, so I ended up with just Ibuprofen during the day, and the heavier pill at night. I did this with my third c-section too and it worked really well.

Rest. You need all the rest. So rest with the baby as much as you can. Take advantage of all the moments in between feedings…

And accept help. You need rest to heal, and the more you rest, the faster you will heal. So accept help when people offer it. If you need to have someone snuggle the baby so you can get one good nap in, take it.

Wear a postpartum binder. No one told me about this my first c-section, and with my second the hospital put it on right away and it was life changing. The postpartum binder helps to hold your muscles in tight when you are walking around. It makes a huge difference in helping you get on your feet more.

C-Section recovery doesn’t have to feel impossible.

When you’re feeling discouraged, remember that you just had surgery and healing takes time. Some amazing C-Section mama’s have pulled together to offer you advice for healing:

“Ensure you get plenty of rest, but make sure to move a little bit each day too. Also, stay up on your pain meds, even if you’re not in pain at the time. And I found sleeping in a recliner most comfortable for me and moved to the bed after two weeks.” Nicole at Our Tiny Nest

“Take it easy and take things slow. Give yourself rest and grace. Your body just underwent major trauma. Allow yourself to heal and accept help from others.” Shannon at Mama Shan Loves

“Hang in there, have patience, and take it easy! Your body needs to heal and you will be back on your feet soon.” Paula at Thanks Mommy