Nifty Tips to Recover Well from a Caesarion

A caesarean isn’t the ‘easy way out’ of birth…..

It is a major operation, and thus it is completely natural to be in a lot of pain afterwards. And caesarions take time for recovery – and you have a newborn to look after on top of that – so it can be a lot!

So we have some tips on preparing for a caesarean to make life a bit easier afterwards, how to look after yourself and your new baby whilst in recovery, and how to take care of your wound so it heals beautifully.

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Hospital Recovery from a Caesarean

Once your caesarean procedure has been completed and hopefully you and your baby are well, you will go into a recovery suite where the nurses and midwives will keep an eye on you before you will be transferred to the maternity ward.

Medical staff will monitor you for pain, will check your wound regularly for excessive bleeding, and will monitor your temperature to ensure you don’t have an infection.

You won’t get a whole lot of sleep for the first 24 hours. Not only will your baby need you for feeding, but you will be closely monitored by medical staff. You may have a catheter which is usually removed within 24 hours of your caesarean. Medical staff will help you have a shower when you are ready.

You can expect to remain in the hospital for up to one week afterwards so that a doctor or midwife can ensure that everything is healing the way it should. However, what happens when you leave the hospital and are left to your own devices? We have accumulated ten of the best tips on recovering from a C-Section.

Items to Pack if Your KNOW You Are Having a Caesarean Birth

If you are booked a caesarean, there are certain items you can pack in your maternity bag to make the recovery easier. They are:

Large Roomy Black Undies

Undies that are really easy to get on and off (because that will be difficult) – and undies you can turn when you are finished with them. Nothing expensive – but grab a packet of 10.

Maternity Pads

Just because you aren’t having a baby come out of your vagina, doesn’t mean you won’t bleed – you will. So pack at least 3 packets of maternity pads for the hospital visit.

Very Soft Wipes for Your Butt

Yes we know they are bad for the environment and the plumbing, but trust us, these will be invaluable for your first post-baby poo. You want something that is soft.

Soft Front Opening Pyjamas

You want easy access for breastfeeding and comfy clothing for bed.

A Light Dressing Gown

If you have visitors – a dressing gown is a great easy way to cover up if you need a bit of extra privacy.

Bendy Straws

After a caesarian, it can be hard to sit up enough to bend over for a drink. Bendy straws make things much easier.

Make Sure You Accept the Help That Is Offered

First and foremost, you are going to have to slow down and accept that, for the next couple of weeks, your only two jobs are caring for the baby and caring for yourself. What this means is that housework and cooking will often be pushed aside. It can be very easy to overdo it even with everyday tasks like folding laundry or mopping. So, for the first couple of weeks, don’t even try!

Heat and Ice

Keep hot packs handy to place on your stomach when breastfeeding to help with the after pains as well as ice packs to help with any vaginal pain if you needed to labour before having the C-section.

Stay Regular

Everyone has a different way to deal with constipation, whether you use Metamucil, stool softeners, prune or pear juice or a laxative. Whatever works for you, start using it right away to help keep you regular. When you need to go, don’t hesitate as waiting will make it worse and even harder to do that first bowel movement.

Keep a Pillow With You

Anytime you sneeze, cough or laugh, it can hurt your incision. One way to minimize the pressure around this area is to place a pillow on your stomach to stop the pressure.

Lay Low

If you are used to going out every day or if you are normally quite active, it can be difficult to lay low during the first few days or weeks after a c section. Your mind want to take bub for a walk, to clean or to go out and get coffee with friends but your body may not be up to it. Take this time to relax. Even if you can’t sleep when bubs is sleeping during the day, read a magazine in bed or simply close your eyes and zone out for twenty minutes.

Take the Pain Meds

Many women are concerned about taking pain medication and rightfully so. However, trying to be a hero is not a good idea at this stage. If you are experiencing pain, give in and take the medication.

Stay Positive

Any major operation comes with complications and you cannot expect to walk away from a C-section with a minor scar and nothing more. However, keep positive and remember that every day that passes, it will get better.

Watch What you Eat

There are certain things that new mums should avoid when recovering from a C-section. Ask your doctor about what to eat and what to stay away from. Carbonated beverages, for example, can cause gas and more pain than you need when already suffering from C-section pain.

Keep your Incision Clean and Dry

When in hospital the doctor or midwife will teach you how to do this and how to follow up and avoid infection at home. However, if you do feel like your incision may be infected, then talk to a doctor sooner rather than later.

 Know the Warning Signs

The last thing you need when recovering from a C-section is an infection or complication that can make you sick. This is why you need to know the signs of infection, post-natal depression and other common concerns that come with having a baby. Knowing these warning signs can ensure you get the help you need now before it gets any worse.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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