5 Tips for a Faster Cesarean Recovery

This past weekend I was privileged to teach at Nashville's 3rd annual Empower Your Birth Conference. Here's a quick recap from the class I taught on Cesarean Recovery tips. 

Did you know that C-Sections are the most commonly performed surgical procedure in America? It's true. One in three women will experience a surgical delivery. This routine procedure is not without risks. Because it has become so commonplace, the recovery experience is often swept under the rug. If you had any other major abdominal surgery, you would be sent home with strict instructions on how to rest and recover.  With a C-Section, you are sent home with a tiny human to nourish and care for instead. These tips in 5 different areas can help you heal faster. 

1. SCAR CARE

• Keep your scar moist to prevent scarring. Not wet. Just moist. We don't want it to dry out and become crusty.  Earth Mama Angel Baby Healing Salve is a great product to use.  Apply several times a day. 
• Epsom Salt Baths. Yes, you can submerse your incision. We do it for perineal tears all the time and call them Sitz baths. Your incision should not be open or oozing and you should limit the bath to 10 minutes. The epsom salt will help to decrease inflammation and it can be relaxing for mom. 
• Scar Massage. There is a wonderful C-Section Scar Massage video that shows you quick and easy ways to massage your scar to promote elasticity and prevent adhesions. 
• Essential Oils. These can be mixed to create an amazing oil for scar massage with added medicinal benefits. 
  • 4 ounces coconut oil
  • 10 drops Helichrysum - Wound healing
  • 10 drops Lavender - Antibacterial
  • 10 drops Sandalwood - Promotes healing
  • 10 drops Neroli - Helps create new skin cells
• Mayan Abdominal Massage. Once your scar is completely healed (6 months) this technique can help to break up any underlying adhesions and reposition any organs that may have been displaced during the surgery. In our area, Kari Jenkins & Lyle Harvey both provide this service at Blooma Nashville. 

2. EXERCISE

• Movement. You will want to get up and about immediately postpartum to help move trapped air that entered your body during surgery and also to help get the bowels moving again. 
• Belly Binding. Abdomend, Belly Bandit or a hospital-grade binder can help to provide support to your muscles and internal organs which make it easier to move around. 
• Rectus Diastasis. Separation of the abdominal muscles can be very common in any pregnancy but especially after a Cesarean because they cut through the abdominal wall to reach the uterus. This self-check video can help you to determine the level of separation. 
• Initial Exercise. Breaking Muscle offers a week-by-week guide to help you heal both physically and mentally. 

3. MEDICATIONS

•  Prescriptions. You will most likely be sent home with a narcotic pain medication and an anti-inflammatory. Try to wean off the narcotic as soon as you feel able. A very common side effect is constipation, which is already problematic after abdominal surgery. Stick with the anti-inflammatory medication (usually 600 or 800 mg Ibuprofen) to reduce swelling.
• Arnica. This is available in both homeopathic tablets and gel form. Both are wonderful for reducing pain and swelling naturally.
• Probiotic. With any surgery you automatically receive IV antibiotics and, in some cases, they send you home with an oral medication for 5-10 days. Help to replace the good bacteria in your gut with a probiotic. This can also be helpful in restoring normal bowel function. 
• Vitamin C. This is a natural way to prevent infection and it is recommended to take 1000 mg per day. 

4. NUTRITION

• Soft Foods. You might want to start preparing your body 24-48 hours prior to surgery with soft foods and liquids and continue these for 48-72 hours after surgery. Soft foods are easier to digest and your intestinal track with thank you.  Soups are a great solution here! 
• Bone Broth. This stuff is packed with nutrients and protein, which are crucial for healing. It's also super easy to digest. The Wellness Mama Recipe is my favorite. 
• Protein. This is a key ingredient for healing your body. The most popular sources are meat, yogurt, eggs, beans, peas, milk and cheese (save these last two for once normal bowel function has returned). 
• Iron. Foods high in iron can help to replace blood stores that may have been lost during surgery. You can find these sources in meat, seafood, beans, raisins, spinach, dried fruits, and molasses. 
• Vitamin C. As mentioned above, this can help prevent infection. Natural sources include oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, and melons. 

5. REST

• Sleep. You must give your body rest. It is easiest for your body to repair itself when you are sleeping. 
• Lying In. This is a common practice in other countries but seems to be a lost art in the US. Women are given a set period of days where they are waited on hand and foot. I would encourage you to stay in and around the bed for at least a week and then in and around the house for another week. Allow yourself to focus only on bonding with and feeding your baby. The rest can wait!
• Get help. It is so nice to have family around but make sure you put them to work taking care of the things you can't get to (and shouldn't be). If you do not have family available, we have so many wonderful postpartum doulas in Middle TN who are trained and skilled in caring for families during the postpartum period. 

I hope you have found these tips helpful whether you are just collecting information or you've recently been through a Cesarean Section. Hugs to you mama! 

Contact Staci Today!

​Staci Bishop is a certified doula in Nashville, TN and she has been a birth & postpartum doula for 4 years. Her passion is helping women understand their options and become empowered to make the choices that are the best fit for their family. Staci understands that each birth is unique and each family has their own set of goals. She brings a variety of skills, comfort measures, and experience to help guide you and your partner through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, all while honoring your preferences to achieve a positive birth experience. 

*affiliate links included