C Section Recovery Tips – 3 Weeks Post-op

Today I’m sharing my c section recovery tips, and how my recovery has been going after my c section with Aria on September 29th.

As I write this, it’s Sunday, 10/22, and I’m actually 3 weeks, 2 days postpartum, and Aria is 23 days old (HOW?!) I thought it’d be a good time to also recap how life has been with a newborn, including the joy she’s brought into our home, as well as with what we’ve struggled. However, then I realized this post would be way too long with that included, so I’ll write that recap in a separate post later this week or weekend :)last

C Section Recovery Tips

I have to admit that all in all, recovery has been fairly easy. Clearly I’ve never experienced recovery from a vaginal birth, but I’ve been quite happy with how I’ve felt after my c section delivery.

It seems recovery has happened in stages, so that’s how I’m going to structure this post.

The First Two Days

I say the first two days here because that’s how long we stayed in the hospital. These two days were obviously the worst in terms of how I felt, however, they were also the only two days I was on pain killers, so it wasn’t that bad.

On the day I delivered, I was walking to the bathroom in my room by 6p that night (still hooked up to a catheter at this point, so it also went with me.) Since I was pretty much bed-ridden, Shane did all of the diaper changes this day.

On day 2, the catheter was removed, and I was encouraged to get up and walk the halls at the hospital. For some reason after a c section, you have quite a bit of gas, which can be uncomfortable in the abdominal region. Walking helps to work these gas bubbles out, and it became so much more comfortable.

I also took my first shower on day 2, which was quite the experience. After having major surgery, you’d think I’d get a print out of instructions on what to do and what not to do. However, all I was told was to remove the dressing over the stitches before showering, and just let the water and soap run over the incision, then pat dry.

I also slept in a somewhat reclined position at the hospital (and a few days after,) as I was afraid to lie fully stretched out on my back.

The Rest of the First Week

Once home, I ended up taking one more pain pill, and then moved to basic over the counter ibprofen. I was still in some pain, and slept on the couch for the next two nights at home, but was fine walking around the house, and tending to Aria.

One thing I did notice is swollen I was for a week after the surgery. They pump you full of saline before, during, and after the surgery to make sure you stay hydrated, and it leaves you swollen for a week (up to three weeks for some) post- csection. I didn’t experience any swelling at all during my pregnancy, but it took a week after my csection to see my foot veins again!

I also couldn’t use my abs at all, and had to “log roll” any time I wanted to get in or out of bed for about the first week.

Week 2

After the first week (actually, the first 4-5 days,) I went on my first walk around the neighborhood.

It was very slow, and only around the block once, but it felt so good to get some sunshine and fresh air. At this point I was still only getting 3 or so hours of sleep a night, so it did wonders for my mental state.

Pain was WAY down at this point, and by the end of week 2, I was going on longer walks at a quicker pace, but still experienced some tightness toward the end of each walk. I noticed I wasn’t having to log roll, and could use my abs to sit up now, too.

At the end of week 2, I had my post-op follow up appointment, and the stitches had fallen out and the incision was closed. My OB said I was healing nicely, and to start massaging vitamin E oil onto the incision.

Week 3

Toward the start of week 3, I’m starting to feel pretty much normal. I’m now going on brisk, 1.5 mile walks, wearing clothes I wore pre-pregnancy, and feeling well. I can still feel tenderness if I flex my abs, and am not going to push it by running or lifting or really doing any exercise other than walking for now, but I feel good.

I’ll likely meet with a pelvic floor specialist who has experience with csections before I resume any formal exercise, just to cover my bases. People say pregnancy takes a toll on your body, but I think new mom-ing gives your body even more of a beating. From breastfeeding hunched over to carrying the baby to leaning over that blasted bassinet trying to calm her in the middle of the night, my posture and alignment is a little pissed off at me right now.

C section Recovery Tips

At the hospital:

Stay on top of your meds (or rather, make sure your nurses do.) 

Everyone told me to do this, and they were right. I’m not one to take pain pills (or any pills — I didn’t even ever take a tylenol during pregnancy!) but having just gone through major surgery, now is not the time to be a hero.

Get up and walk around.

As soon as you’re cleared to walk around, do it! This helped so much with relieving gas, and it’s also very helpful in speeding up the recovery process.

SLEEP when you can.

I had a horrible time sleeping at the hospital. Every time Aria made a peep, I was wide awake. The nurse offered to take her with her for a couple of hours so I could get some sleep, and at first I said no, but then I changed my mind. Getting sleep is so important to help recovery.

Stay at the hospital for enough days

I left after two days, wanting the comfort of my own home, but I honestly could have stayed that extra day. I felt a little lost coming home after only two days, and had I’d stayed the third, I would have been able to meet with a lactation consultant there at the hospital (I was there over the weekend.)

At Home:

Sleep

Again, try to take at least one nap during the day, and sleep when you can.

Take your vitamins

Whichever vitamins you and your doctor agree for you to take, take them. I’m a big believer in fish oil, probiotics, and vitamin D for myself, to name a few,

I’ve also been massaging vitamin E oil onto my scar, at my doctor’s recommendation. It’s still pretty pink, but it’s super low (right above my pubic bone.) Regardless, I’m fine if there’s a visible scar — it serves as a reminder of Aria’s entrance into this world on 9/29/17!

Walk around

Again, this helps to recovery faster, get your blood flowing, get swelling down, and relieve gas pains.

Enlist help

I couldn’t believe the thoughtfulness of our friends after we got home from the hospital. Not only are you a sleep-deprived zombie caring for a newborn, but you’re also recovering from major surgery. When a friend offers to cook you dinner and drop it off, take them up on the offer.

But — just say no to long visits

While of course I wanted to see my friends, the last thing you’ll be up for the week you have a baby and major surgery is lengthy visits. I was SO tired, nursing around the clock, uncomfortable, and bleeding. We had quite a few friends stop by for a couple minutes, quickly say hello, and drop off food for us, which was perfect. Lengthy visits are much more appropriate after week 3 or 4. Not to mention, you do not want your baby catching anything the first month. If she gets a fever within the first four weeks, it’s considered an emergency.

Put together a little basket of necessities if you live in a two story house

Our bedroom is upstairs, but the kitchen is downstairs. The first week Shane made me a little basket with water and quick snacks, and was my go-to water refill guy. This came in super handy, and I actually still have KIND bars in my little nursing basket next to the glider. I’m hungry all the time while nursing, but the last thing I want to do in the middle of the night is go all the way downstairs for a snack.

Have you ever had a c section or major surgery? What did you find the most helpful in your recovery?