Planned or unplanned, c-section recovery requires a different level of care after this major surgery. Add these c-section recovery must haves, tips and essentials to your postpartum journey to heal better, faster.
C-Section Recovery Must Haves That I Wish I Had
When I left the hospital, after my son was born by an unplanned cesarean, I was so ill prepared for what was in store. I was given very little instruction beyond wound care. In hindsight, the first few weeks of my recovery would have been so much better if only I had known a little bit more about what was needed.
If you are asking “How can I make c-section recovery easier?”, this post is for you! Here are some c-section recovery must haves, tips and products that will help you along your journey so you may heal a little faster.
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Get Moving
Begin walking as soon as you are able. Due to COVID I could not leave my hospital room so the nurse told me to walk around the room, which of course was tiny! Trust me when I say, at the time walking any distance was the last thing I wanted to do. But it is so important.
Once home, walking to the corner of the block was a successful mission. Sometimes it would take 5 minutes to go the half block. Eventually, I worked up to around the block, then two times around and so on.
Walking will be the very last thing you want to do but it is soooooo important. Trust me, you will heal faster the sooner get moving.
Abdominal Binder
The c-section surgery messes with your organs and cuts into your muscles. The aftermath will leave you feeling like everything is loose and you have no control the muscles. An abdominal binder is an essential item in your c-section recovery must haves!
An Abdominal Binder (Belly Wrap or Belly Binder), when worn throughout the day, supports your muscles during recovery. It also helps the stitches stay in place. Wearing a binder will allow you to move more freely, stand up a little straighter and feel more supported.
Focus on Diet
Adjust your diet to include foods that will provide your body with the nutrients and energy needed to heal.
- Fruits – Vitamins A, C, carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants which help the body repair damage
- Healthy fats – Avocados, nuts, seeds, oils, fish
- Dark Leafy Greens are full of vitamins A,C, and E
- Iron and Protein- Meats and legumes. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. Bone broth is a great way to increase collagen or you can add Collagen Powder to smoothies or coffee.
Disposable Underwear
TMI doesn’t exist when discussing c-section recovery amongst fellow moms. You will bleed vaginally for a few weeks. While at the hospital, stock up on the mesh underwear. As much as you can!
Once that supply is gone, having these disposable underwear on hand will be your go to.
Protective Underwear
Some call them Granny Panties, I call them lifesavers. Pregnancy underwear that sits low, below the stomach won’t cut it for c-section recovery. Once you are past the disposable underwear stage, you will be much more comfortable with High Waisted Underwear that pulls up above your scar so you can move without the underwear slipping.
Scar Cream
Scar cream not only helps aid the scar in the healing process but also can help diminish the appearance of scar.
Two great creams are this Skin & Scar Balm and Scar Gel which you can start using once your incision is healed. These Silicone Scar Sheets help reduce the appearance of the scar as well as redness and itching.
Managing Your Pain
Once some of the pain subsides you can move from the narcotics (if taking) to over the counter pain medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin). Both are safe for breastfeeding.
Managing your pain will help with swelling, soreness and aide your overall comfort.
Ice Packs
Ice packs will help not only with the swelling but also the burning sensation that you may experience. Be sure to always have a thin towel between the pack and your incision.
Feeding Pillow
Lighten the load while feeding with a Feeding Pillow. You will be told, “Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby”. Your core will not be able to support you as it did before the surgery. A feeding pillow will bring you SO much comfort while you feed your baby.
Comfort Pillow
Laughing, sneezing, coughing are every day things we don’t normally think about. Normally, I say laugh through the pain– DON’T do that here. After a c-section, simple things like laughing will bring huge levels of discomfort.
Have a throw pillow at the ready to hold onto your stomach as you laugh, sneeze or cough. The pressure you apply will help “hold things in” as you do these simple things that we all take for granted when healthy.
Stool Softener
Constipation is very common after surgery as it slows down your digestion. It is also a side effect of many narcotics. You will most like go days without passing a bowel movement. In my experience, the hospital would not discharge me until I did pass a bowel movement.
Having a stool softener on hand at home will make bowel movements easier and prevent straining your incision.
Drink a Lot of Water
Hydration is so vital to healing. Our bodies are made up of 55-65% water. When we are dehydrated our bodies do not function at its greatest potential. In addition, if you are breastfeeding you will need to increase your water intake too.
Hydrating will help with your constipation and overall healing. Be sure to have a big water bottle with you at all times. If it is in your sight, you will be reminded to drink up!
Need some water inspiration? Check out this post on Tips to Drink More Water
C-Section Scar Tissue Massage
Why doesn’t anyone talk about the importance of scar tissue massage? It takes 5 minutes a day and can save you years of pain in the future.
Scar tissue is the fibrous tissue that forms after normal tissue is damaged by significant injury or surgery. This can happen almost immediately after surgery and increases over time.
Normal, undamaged fibers are naturally smooth and straight. Once damaged, the scar tissue grows back in all directions like a tree root or spider web, forming adhesions. Adhesions are fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs connecting tissues that are not normally connected. This latching can cause pain and disrupt the normal movement of muscles and the proper functioning of organs.
Years later one can experience low back pain, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, bladder frequency, poor posture and more. Learn how to do a c-section scar tissue massage here.
Scar tissue massage is quick and simple and when done regularly for a period of time helps release the tension in the abdominal area.
RELATED: C-Section Scar Massage: How To Do It and Why You Should
Taking Care of Your Mental State IS a C-Section Recovery Must Haves
It is okay to grieve and feel all of the feels if your birth story did not go as planned. A c-section not only takes its toll on the body but can also be taxing on the mind. Allow yourself to grieve. You do not love your baby any less by admitting you don’t love your birth story.
Postpartum often speaks to physical recovery, but it is so important to include emotional recovery as well. You can check out some tips here to help your emotional healing from a c-section.
RELATED: Emotional Healing After C-section: Tips to Help Your Recovery
Ask for Help
It is crucial to allow yourself to receive help. Life with a newborn is all encompassing. Life with a newborn while recovering from a c-section can be taxing. Now is the time to lean on your circle. Sometimes the simple tasks are what are needed the most- meal prep like chopping vegetables, laundry, cleaning.
Your loved ones want to help any way they can. Don’t be shy about asking for it!
Get Rest
“Sleep when you baby sleeps”… I know, not as easy as it sounds. But, getting rest during this time is so important in c-section recovery must haves list. Your body does amazing things while you are sleeping. The more rest you can get early on, the better.
Take it Slow
This is a major surgery coupled with the exhaustion of caring for a newborn. Take it easy and don’t try to do too much. The laundry can wait. The chores can wait. Now is your time to take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby.
Grant Yourself Grace
As always, be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that you are doing the very best you can with where you are. Every day gets better. You are not only learning your baby but you are also learning the new you.
Any major surgery requires a lot from your body to properly heal. Time will be your saving grace during all of this.
Now You Have Your C-Section Recovery Must Haves
Everything here are things that I learned along the way and wish I had known before. I truly hope these c-section recovery must haves and tips are helpful for you.
If you have some tips to add or share if any of these have helped you, drop a whisper below, I’d love to know what works for you!