Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! You are now the proud parent of a new baby, and you’re a c-section recovery patient. For the next few weeks, you’ll be learning your new little one and also feel like you’re insides are going to fall out every time you stand up. But no worries, it’ll all be worth it and a distant memory before you know it. Until then, there are a few things that I found to be helpful when I had my c-section.
I am by no means a medical professional or an expert. I’ve had exactly one c-sections. I’m just sharing my experience and my opinions. Take them for what they’re worth.
Phone a Friend
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire had it right. The MOST helpful thing for me when I had my c-section was knowing I had a few friends who offered to answer my questions, no matter how gross or awkward. In fact, when my incision began coming apart (more on that in a minute), I had a friend from high school who had reached out when Grady was born who is a mother/baby nurse in Georgia and told me to reach out if I needed anything. I didn’t think I would, but late on a Friday night a week after we’d come home from the hospital, I called her and had to send her some pretty TMI pictures. She was so sweet and gave me instructions to get me through the weekend and go see my doctor on the next Monday.
I also had several friends who reached out and empathized with my literal pain. It was just really nice to know who had walked this road before and that I wasn’t alone.
Don’t, and I mean Don’t, overdo it
I’m 100% positive that my incision beginning to separate is because I overdid things when I got home. We were discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve (a day early because I was insistent on getting home to Brighten before Christmas). The next morning, I was still on pain medication, but striving to give Brighten a normal Christmas morning. She was only 2 years old and I should have just taken the day off. Hindsight is 20/20 though, and I can now see how I may have been trying to compensate for some things that only I was feeling (those pesky postpartum hormones).
Here’s the deal, you only have a few weeks that you need to really focus on healing. Sit, lay, do whatever is semi-comfortable. You do need to move some, movement is part of the healing process, but listen to your body and don’t overdo it.
Also, if you have older siblings at home, make sure to call in reinforcements to care for them. Spouse, mom, mother-in-law, sister, friend, all of the above, let people help you!! I’m not good at letting people help me, but it was absolutely necessary for recovery. Your older child(ren) either won’t remember or will understand.
Include Siblings
Speaking of your older child(ren), let them be a part of this whole process. Let them be helpers by bringing you a diaper for the baby or a glass of water. Seat yourself where you’re comfortable and then have them come sit next to you so you’re not lifting. Read books while baby is napping or cuddle up for a movie. You don’t have to ignore them, but rather let them become part of this unique time in your family.
Ask for everything from the hospital
So, I was told to take everything from the hospital about 1,839 times before we had Grady. I already knew this from Brighten though. I was kind of arrogant about it, and that came back to bite me. I knew to take all the diapers, formula, etc. for Grady, but I didn’t think about asking for more stuff for myself.
I so so so wish I’d ask for more of the mesh undies. But I didn’t and I was sad once I got home. They did offer me this thing (I have no idea what it’s called or even how to google it) that basically adhered to my tummy and lifted my extra skin off my incision. If you feel like you have extra skin, ask for it if it’s not offered to you! It helped me SO much. Also, ask for a few bandages to take home in case your incision does begin to separate a little. Basically ask if they have anything at all that they can send home with you and take whatever is offered!
Help at home
I already mentioned calling in reinforcements once you get home. This may mean asking someone to stay longer than originally planned or asking family members to take shifts. I wanted someone with me for about 2-3 weeks postpartum — at least until I could drive. I heard around the four week mark was when most people start feeling more like themselves, and I did find that to be true.
A few other things that helped me once I got home:
C-Panties — look them up on Amazon. They have all different price points
Good pillows and comfy clothes (I highly recommend a Casper pillow)
Ice packs (I recommend this one)
Lots of Tylenol and Advil (I tried to get off my prescription pain meds quickly, but I was downing my over the counter stuff)
Bland foods that are easy to prepare (my stomach couldn’t handle anything super strong)
A step stool to get into my bed — this may seem silly but I’m only 5’1” and I kind of have to climb into my bed. It was so painful at first and a little step stool really helped.
A few things that are totally normal but no one told me ahead of time:
Going to the bathroom could be very painful at first
There may be days when you don’t feel like you’re getting better
When your milk comes in, you may feel like you’re entire body is in this sort of sore-pain-like state. I described it as not having enough skin to cover my body. Get in the shower and stay in as long as you can. Take some Tylenol and lay down.
My scar felt like it had knots in it…apparently that’s normal.
It takes a full 6 weeks+ for the swelling to go down sometimes.
I got super nauseous for a while after surgery. I was able to call my doctor and they were able to call in something for me to help with the nausea..
I hope this has been helpful! Again, I am not a professional and I’ve only had one c-section, but I had some great people help me along the way and I hope this post can do the same for others!
