Are you currently recovering from a C -section and looking for ways to find relief from the pain? Find these super useful csection recovery tips and tricks that can help you heal faster!

C-section, whether it is planned or unplanned, can be a painful experience to get through. After a c-section, you will find yourself dependent on others for help as well as encounter a few physical challenges that will only go away with time. I had an unplanned c- section because my daughter was nowhere ready to come out of me. I still remember when I found out that I was going to have a c-section, I was scared as I had no idea what I was going to go through.

To my limited experience, I was worried about the c-section haha.. well that was the easy part, the challenges lay ahead in the recovery phase. Post c-section I found myself bedridden, unable to move and had to reach out to my husband for every little thing that I needed. Also, I was extremely emotional during my recovery phase which was so unlike me and I had no idea what was going on. Luckily, I did pass through that phase really well, recovered quickly, joined back work and I am absolutely enjoying my motherhood now.

In this blog post, I will share with you all the c-section recovery tips that were helpful to me for my fast recovery after my surgery and a few great products and resources that were very helpful in relieving pain.

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c section recovery tips

Before we go further into the blog post if you are struggling to help your baby sleep through the night, here are a few great resources you can check out. Baby Sleep Made Simple is a baby and toddler sleep program for babies 5-24 months, designed by a baby nurse and lactation consultant.  This course is designed to help exhausted parents to get their babies and toddlers to sleep well, so they can get their energy back, feel like themselves again and start enjoying all the little thingsBaby Sleep Made Simple is the ultimate resource for tired moms!

How long is the C-Section?

C-section is usually a small procedure that can take anywhere between 15-20 minutes, with a further 45 minutes needed to stitch up the uterus and abdominal incision.

How long does the pain last after a C-Section?

Your wound will continue to feel sore and bruised for a few weeks and you will need to take pain relief for at least 7-10 days after your c-section. In my case, it took me six complete weeks to heal and be able to move around easily.

CSection recovery tips

C-section recovery will differ from women to women and on many factors like the amount of rest and help you can get. It is very important to not get overwhelmed but take one step at a time as you will mostly be sleep deprived while taking care of a brand-new baby and everything around you might feel extremely exhausting. Here are a few practical and helpful c-section recovery tips from a mom who has gone through one!

Note: All these below mentioned csection recovery tips are from my own personal experience of recovering after a c-section. But I would still recommend you to talk to your doctor prior to using these tips as I am not a trained medical professional.

1. Get as much help as you can

Once you are back from the hospital with your baby, it’s going to be really tiring as you will find yourself mostly feeding and taking care of the baby and trying to recover from the c-section pain. At that time trying to get done with household work will feel next to impossible. Try and get as much help as you can get, like your family or friends helping you with the meals or hiring a cleaning service for the first few weeks to clean your home. If you do not have family or friends that can help you out, then look for a doula. They are slightly on the expensive side but can help you a lot in taking care of the baby, also help you with cleaning your home, cooking and many other things.

2. Be aware of your limitations

C-section is a major abdominal surgery that will take you some time to recover from. You will find yourself in pain and unable to do many things. At that time, instead of feeling depressed it is best to be aware of your limitations and plan ahead. Some of the limitations that a c-section mom faces are as follows.

  • Don’t lift anything heavy – It is very important to avoid lifting anything heavy in the first few weeks as it can put pressure on your incision which can be very painful. Also, if possible, ask your partner to lift the baby and place it in your arm during feeding.
  • Avoid stairs – Going up and down the stairs can be really difficult after a fresh abdominal surgery. For the initial few weeks, you will find it difficult to walk and hence try and limit yourself to a single spot where you can rest and take care of your baby.
  • Hard to sit up – One of my biggest shock after the c -section was my inability to sit up for a few weeks. I found it impossible to sit up straight and had to ask for support from my husband all the time.
  • It can hurt when you sneeze or cough – Post c-section it hurts a lot if you sneeze or cough, so try and be away from infections as much as you can. I had developed a bad cough after my c-section and every time I coughed it was so painful.
  • Sex will be painful – The incision takes around 6-8 weeks to heal and the stitches dissolve themselves through the healing process. Although you can start having sex after your incision is healed, it will still be painful for the first few times. For some moms, it can take up to 12-16 months to find relief from pain during sex.
  • Cannot drive (at least for 2 weeks) – You will be asked not to drive by your doctor for at least two weeks as you must avoid putting any form of pressure on the incision.

Related: 20 breastfeeding hacks every mom should know about

3. Be on top of your pain killers

After your C-section, your doctor will recommend you, pain killers, with which you will be able to manage your pain. It is very important to be at the top of it as the medicines really help in keeping the pain frequency low. I remember my time when I used to accidentally forget taking my meds and the pain would then suddenly creep up and feel very intense. You will mostly be subscribed Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for the pain. Make sure that you are aware of the intervals that these medicines need to be taken in. If you are going to breastfeed your baby, then you need to be extra cautious as some of these meds can transfer to your breastmilk.