Recovering From A Cesarean Birth

Whether planned or unplanned, a cesarean birth requires a different approach to recovery. Your belly birth is a major abdominal surgery, and in addition to a longer hospital stay in postpartum recovery, there are other considerations for care that arise once you return home. 

Below is a list of Doulas of North County’s top tips for cesarean recovery once you are home. 

• Consider wearing a belly binder, like these ones from Belly Bandit. You may have been given one at the hospital, but you can also purchase one that may be a bit more comfortable. You can wear the binder for weeks to help reduce discomfort while also giving you support.
• For extra support at your incision site, try pressing a pillow into it. This is especially useful when you need to sneeze/cough/laugh.
• Recovery from cesarean requires a lot of rest. Take it slow (mentally and physically). Ask for help. 
• Eat easily digestible foods (think: warm, slow cooked foods like lentils, soups, and stews) and lots of protein. Bone broths and teas are very supportive for your recovery. 
• Get up and walk a little bit around the house every hour or so during the day.
• If you are constipated, consider taking a stool softener and focus on fiber rich foods like beans and legumes. 
• Do not lift anything heavier than your baby until fully recovered.
• Traditional breastfeeding positions, like crosscradle, can put unnecessary pressure on your incision and create discomfort. Consider the football hold with a lot of supportive pillows as a more comfortable option. 
• Look out for signs of infection: bleeding from the incision, foul odor/discharge, redness/swelling/warmth, fever. Call the doctor ASAP if you see any of these signs.
• Lots of skin to skin with your baby, it helps to balance hormones and increase oxytocin.
• Consider booking a session with a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help with cesarean birth recovery.

Recovery from cesarean birth requires patience, support, and gentleness. With each milestone reached remember to celebrate and acknowledge the win! With this approach you will be well on your way to a full recovery. 

If you don’t already have postpartum doula support, it may not be too late to reach out. Here at Doulas of North County we pride ourselves on being able to meet last minute requests for postpartum care. Consider bringing a doula into your home for a few sessions to help support you and your family through this transition. Book a call with us here.