Regardless of whether you are planning a cesarean section or not when it’s time to deliver your baby, the recovery time may come as a bit of a surprise to you. Some women are not prepared to the length in which their body needs to recover after a C-section, but the good news is that there are several ways in which you can get back on your feet faster. Here are a few tips that you might want to consider.
Get moving
You might not believe this, but moving as soon as possible, even if it’s just a short while, can contribute to your faster recovery. Aside from making you feel physically better it can also contribute to your emotional well-being. Have someone help you up from time to time, until you are able to stand and move on your own. This will take some time, but don’t worry, you’ll build strength as you continue moving.
Maternity pads
You will need to prepare some maternity pads for the next few weeks since you will be experiencing postpartum bleeding. This can be similar to a heavy period after you have given birth. Whether you are using disposable maternity pads or cloth-based ones, you need to make sure that you have enough to ensure that you’re ready for your bleeding.
Use a small pillow
It would be a good idea to use a small pillow to help splint the incision on your stomach when you are standing, laughing, or coughing even. The light pressure that you are putting on your incision can reduce the pain that you are feeling and even help you become more stable too. Also, you can use the pillow to angle your baby during breastfeeding.
High-waisted underwear
The problem with regular undies is that it can chafe the incision in your belly which can slow down the recovery time. That said, the best approach here is to go for high-waisted underwear which protects your incision. Go for the cotton type which is more comfortable to wear and can accommodate your maternity pads too.
Compression boots
Another way to help speed up your recovery after a c-section is to wear compression boots. Basically, this is a plastic sleeve that is worn in your lower legs to squeeze them in order for the blood to go back faster to your heart. This is typically recommended to those who undergone C-section to minimize deep vein thrombosis or DVT. You can stop wearing them when you are able to move around more often.
Stool softeners
Don’t dismiss taking stool softeners especially when you had C-section because doing your business can be painful after giving birth. Make sure that you follow the instructions of your doctor as to how often you should be taking stool softeners and when exactly to get the most out of it and to alleviate the pain that you have to endure when you are in the bathroom.
Pain medications help
Some women stop taking pain medications earlier than normal. Unfortunately, this leaves them in more pain. This can become a vicious cycle which can be easily prevented if you follow the required pain medications. After a few days after giving birth, you can change the frequency of your pain medication until you wean yourself off of it.
Keep in mind that the recovery time for a C-section varies from one person to the next. By following these tips, you’ll be able to help yourself prepare for postpartum recovery so that you will be able to care for your little one.
