Helpful Tips For Recovering From

...Your Guide & Resource To Caesareans

Helpful Tips For Recovering From A Caesaerean

I never pictured myself having a caesarean section. When I envisioned my labor and delivery, I thought only of panting and blowing through contractions and pushing my precious daughter into the world. The thought of having a C-section would pass through my thoughts on occasion, but never stayed long enough to sway me into researching the subject.

After a long and difficult labor, the thoughts of panting and pushing were the farthest thing from my mind. I had stayed in pain for such a length of time that when my doctor uttered the words C-section, I saw no other alternative. I wanted my daughter out, and I wanted her out QUICK.

My C-section took a matter of minutes, and in a moment of utter joy, my daughter came into the world with a loud wail. Feelings of relief, happiness, fear, and delight washed over me. My daughter had finally entered the world after nine (ten) long months. Finally, the baby I had so diligently prepared for had arrived.

What I did NOT prepare for however is what left me with an overwhelming amount of pain and moments of sheer panic. In all of my overzealous researching of pregnancy, labor and birth, I had not once researched C-sections. When I was being prepped for surgery, I did not realize that the days that would follow my surgery would leave me reeling.

First and foremost, whether you are planning for a C-section or not, do your research. Knowing what "could" be in store for you will help you tremendously. The actual C-section is the easiest part, it is the recovery that is the toughest. A C-section is a major surgery, and like any other major operation, the recovery period can be difficult and can take some time.

-Take It Slow- Don't expect to jump right out of the hospital bed the very next day after your operation. Those first few steps are going to be painful and will require assistance. Take baby steps and do not, above all, rush yourself.

-Take Your Pain Medications- Even if you are breast-feeding, your doctors and nurses will still urge you to take your medications. The actual amount of medications that will reach your breast milk and your baby are minimal. You will need those medications to help you during those first few weeks in order to walk, sleep, etc.

-Let Others Help You- Swallow your pride and let your spouse, family or friends help you with chores and caring for the baby. Even a simple task like climbing into bed will zap you of your energy those first few days.

-Keep Your Necessities Close- Having necessary items such as diapers, wipes, tissues, paper towels, remote control, pain medications, bottles, nipple cream etc. close at hand will help tremendously. Having them next to you will help keep you from having to continuously get up and down or move from room to room.

-Pulling To A Sitting Position- Those tummy muscles that you once took for granted will be of no use to you for the first few weeks following your operation. To pull yourself from a lying position to a sitting one, be sure to either have someone help you, or, use something like the back of the couch to gently pull yourself up. Another good trick is if you are lying on a couch or the bed, try gently rolling off of it (given that it is not too high off the ground)to the floor and then pull yourself up using a sturdy object such as a table or a night stand.

-Avoid Stairs- If at all possible, avoid climbing stairs for at least the first week. If your room is upstairs, set up camp downstairs on the couch.

-Create A Pillow Splint- Laughing, sneezing, coughing or taking deep breaths those first few days will be extremely painful. If you need to do any of those things, take a soft pillow and press it gently to your abdomen.

-Avoid Greasy Foods & Carbonated Drinks- Once your bowels begin working properly after surgery, you will be extremely gassy. Gas bubbles will wreak havoc on your sensitive insides. Be sure to avoid anything that will only irritate your bowels further.

-Keep Checking Your Incision- You might not want to look at it, but keep a constant check on your incision. Your doctor will advise you on what he/she would like you to do to keep the area clean. Report any inflammation, redness or discharge.

-Talk About Your Feelings- Depending on the circumstances of your C-section, you will most likely have conflicting emotions surrounding the event. Top it off with the normal post partum blues and you may feel like an emotional wreck. Talk to someone you trust about how you feel, or talk with other moms who have experienced the same things. Don't be afraid to cry and don't feel ashamed of your feelings. It is normal to feel angry, regretful or sad about having a C-section.

After delivering my daughter via C-section I have tried to absorb as much knowledge about the operation as I possibly can. I know that I, before having one, viewed a C-section in its simplest form. An operation. It was unfortunate for me that I did not realize how difficult recovering from one was until I was enduring each painful step from the hospital bed to the bathroom. I would be delighted to help anyone with any questions, or if you have another recovery tip, please let me know!

Silent Knife:
Cesarean Prevention & VBAC

Trust Your Body Trust Your Baby