Getting ready to have a c section and wondering what to expect? These are the best tips and essentials to help you navigate c section recovery pain while taking care of a newborn!
If you are anything like me, then you are doing ALL the research in anticipation of your scheduled c section. It can be scary thinking about the major surgery you are about to have! But rest assured that but knowing what to expect from the surgery and c section scar pain will put your mind at ease.
In this post, you are going to learn about c section scar pain, c section recovery timeline, c section recovery essentials and the tried and true c section recovery tips.
By the end, you will feel so much more prepared for your c section and type of c section recovery pain you can expect. Above all, you will feel more confident walking into the hospital ready to meet your baby!
This post is all about how to navigate c section recovery pain while taking care of a newborn.
C Section Recover Pain
C Section Scar Pain
C section scar healing doesn’t happen overnight but it will happen. With the proper rest, recovery and attention from your doctor, you will be back doing all the things you love in a few months’ time.
You can expect to be fairly sore in the first few weeks after your c section. It is important to stay on top of the pain medicine that your doctor prescribes, especially in the first few days to week.
Your c section scar will also be very sensitive at first. It is helpful to rest a pad on your incision to protect anything from sticking to it. You won’t pull the backing off of it but it provides much needed comfort in the first few days as your incision starts to heal.
Coughing and laughing can cause c section scar pain too. If you feel a laugh or cough coming on, try putting light pressure on the incision with a pillow. This should provide a surprising amount of relief.
As part of your c section scar healing, you may also experience numbness near your incision or even on one specific side. This is normal and not a complication. The doctor had to cut through nerves to deliver your baby, which can lead to numbness and even itching as your incision heals. For some, the numbness is a temporary feeling and for others it’s permanent.
One type of c section scar pain you should not be experiencing is shooting pain. If you feel this type of pain then you should reach out to your doctor.
Possible Signs Of Infection:
- Fever
- Drainage or pus coming from the incision
- Increased pain, redness or swelling
Depending on the type and severity of the infection, it could require oral or intravenous antibiotics.
C Section Recovery Essentials
There are so many c section recovery essentials and postpartum must haves I could talk about but these are the most important (in my opinion :))
- Skin and scar balm. A skin and scar balm can really help with c section scar healing. There are so many out there to choose from but I personally used and loved this one. Make sure you clear it with your doctor before using it.
- Caddy. A caddy is KEY to a smooth c section recovery. I can guarantee that you will not want to be walking up and down the stairs multiple times a day in the early postpartum period so getting something to organize the diapers, wipes, blankets and spare outfits on the first floor of the house during the day will be a game changer for your recovery.
- Pack ‘n play with changing pad and bassinet. This makes diaper changes and naps on the first floor of your house infinitely easier in those first few weeks. Again, you will want to avoid climbing the stairs multiple times a day to avoid any unnecessary c section recovery pain so this type of setup on the first floor is so helpful. There are so many to choose from but this is a good example of what I am referring to with the changing pad and bassinet attached.
- Loose and flowy clothing.
- Pre-prepped freezer meals or food from family.
- A few good Netflix shows to binge 🙂
RELATED: What To Wear After A C Section In The Hospital
C Section Recovery Timeline
The c section recovery timeline will vary for each person but six weeks is a good initial timeline to assume.
At two weeks postpartum, you can expect to have your first doctor’s appointment two weeks to check the incision and assess how you are doing.
You will then have another appointment at the six week mark, which is usually the appointment where your doctor will clear you to work out. If everything is healing well then you will only see your doctor at your typical annual visits.
A big difference with a c section recovery compared to recovery from a vaginal birth is you cannot lift anything heavier than your baby. Lifting a heavy object could put you at risk to tear your stitches or cause harm. This means you can’t lift your baby’s carseat into the car or pediatrician’s office, you can’t carry a laundry basket and you certainly can’t be exerting a lot of effort in the initial days of c section recovery.
C Section Recovery Tips
- Pain management. One of the biggest c section recovery tips I can give you is to stay on top of your pain medicine the first few days to week or two. C section pain management can make or break your recovery time.
- Rest as much as you can. You will want to rest and recover as much as possible so let someone else take care of laundry and dishes. Accept any and all help from your spouse, family, friends and neighbors!
- Go on short and slow walks. This might seem contradictory to the previous tip but I’m not talking about rushing back into workouts. It’s so so easy to get sore and stiff from sitting around all day so when you feel comfortable, start with a verrrry slow walk. This will not only help with stiffness but it will be good for you (and baby) to get some fresh air.
- Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby. Doing things like carrying a full laundry basket or car seat with your baby in it will not only be very uncomfortable but you run the risk of popping a stitch and/or causing a tear. This will only set you back in terms of recovery time.
- Wear flowy clothes. We talked about this in the C Section Recovery Essentials Section above. Loose, flowy clothing will be key to a comfortable recovery!
- Ask for help. Things you can ask for help are: watch the baby while you nap or shower, do a load of laundry, cook dinner or pick up takeout, come over for support or a quick grocery store run for essentials.
- Do something for YOU each day. This will look different for everyone but it’s important to carve out a little time when you’re not in mom mode. It might be watching a new Netflix show, taking a shower in the morning, getting your nails done, talking with a friend or just getting outside for some fresh air and a short walk.
- Recognize this is a phase. It’s going to feel challenging at first but it’s good to remember it will pass and you will recover. You will also get into a groove with your newborn and things will start to feel a little easier.
C section recovery can feel challenging at times and you might try to put a timeline on it without even realizing it. But know that this too shall pass.
You will recover, you will get back to harder workouts. You will establish a routine. And you most definitely will get more sleep. This is just a phase and in a few weeks it will all be a memory.
This post is all about how to navigate c section recovery pain while taking care of a newborn.
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