A C-Section does need more time to heal as compared to normal childbirth, but there is no reason why it should pull you down for an unusually longer period of time or depress you. With the right food, rest and exercise, recovery from a C-Section can be bearable and complete within a span shorter than what you expected.
1. Get over the shock
First of all get over the shock of the C-Section. Sure, you read about the benefits of normal childbirth, people you know probably even narrated the horrors of C-Section and so you are expecting the worst. You may also be disappointed with yourself, if you were looking to deliver your baby normally, but the sooner you accept your C-Section, the better it is. It is not natural, it is uncomfortable and it hurts, but it is not the end of this world! It is a surgery from which you have to recover and if you condition your mind accordingly, the road to recovery will be easier.
2. Get moving
This is the hardest part. Once the effects of anesthesia have worn off and you have had a good night’s sleep, aim to set foot on the floor and walk 10 steps. Aim for 10 and you will atleast walk 5. Take the nurse’s support or lean on your partner but cover that milestone that day. If you have no other complication, the doctor will encourage you to get on your feet the very next day and on your part you must gather the courage to do so. Once you are out of the hospital, practice the exercises suggested by your doctor to resume normal functioning of organs.
3. The correct position.
For starters, focus mainly on the incision. You will soon realize that all the pain centers in and around that C-Section incision, which is just a seal on a major cut and stitch in your body. Be careful of how you stand up, sit and sleep. Use a feeding pillow or get into a sideways sleeping position to feed the baby. Do not stand up with a jerk and avoid any kind of abrupt movements. At all costs, protect that line as if your life depended on it.
4. Food
C-Section is a major surgery though not of the stomach but one which affects the intestines and upsets the digestive tract. Your body has to heal itself deriving energy and nutrients from the food you eat. The first week, try eating foods that are light on the stomach. Increase the intake of liquids to as much as you can. Water, soups, juices, drink as much as possible. Milk is good too, but not as light as other liquids so don’t overdo on that one. Initially, eat smaller meals frequently and most importantly eat on time. Gas produced in the stomach can result in a lot of pain around the C-Section cut so stay away from foods that are likely to produce gas or are heavy to digest. Coughing or sneezing also sends severe pain through the body; do not eat foods that are likely to put you in danger of catching cold. Some foods like leafy vegetables have natural healing properties; include those in your diet. Oily and spicy food will not go well with your stomach so soon, better go bland for a couple of weeks.
5. Hygiene
Maintaining personal hygiene can be a crucial part of the recovery process after childbirth, more so after a C-Section. You have to be cautious enough not to do any damage to the incision and at the same time, that area has to be kept clean and infection free. Any kind of foul smell, swelling or discharge around it should be treated immediately. Take a bath everyday, clean yourself and take care of those stitches as instructed.
6. Rest
Hopefully, you will have some support at home immediately after childbirth. Devoid of the routine chores, take as much rest as your baby allows you to. Other than feeding and taking care of the baby, enjoy the treatment of being pampered. Our body knows when it is time to rest, listen to it and you will recover faster. Be aware of he signals your body sends and you will be amazed at how fresh you feel, sooner.
7. Painkillers help
If you need them, take them. Modern medicine has made C-Section so much safer and virtually painless. Take advantage of all the relief medicines have to offer. Getting addicted to medicines is one thing and using them after a surgery is another. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for any medicine which may be right for you, make you feel more comfortable and speed up your recovery.
8. Engage yourself positively
Reach out to friends and family who are likely to brighten your day rather than those who remind you of the pain. Let friends visit you whenever feasible, catch up on movies you always wanted to see, listen to music while feeding the baby and chatter away on the phone. All these will no doubt take away some of your energy but the distraction will be worth it.
9. Enjoy motherhood
Be a happy mom. Look at your sleeping baby and tell yourself, the joy has been more than the pain that followed.
Recovery from a C-Section is only a slightly more difficult alternative to recovery from a normal childbirth, look at it that way and you will already feel better. Don’t dread the C-Section for its un-naturalness; appreciate the technology for saving lives that used to be in danger earlier. Your baby arrived safe and sound in this world and that should matter the most
