C-Section Recovery: How to Heal Well After a Belly Birth
Many of the beautiful mamas I’ve supported over the last few years gave birth via c-section. Some of these cesareans were planned, and others happened as a last-minute decision to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the mother and the baby.
While our postpartum bodies all go through similar things during the first few days after birth, regardless of whether we’ve had a vaginal birth or a cesarean (like lactation, hormonal adjustment and postpartum bleeding), there’s a couple of particularities that are specific to c-sections.
Here’s what I usually recommend in my postpartum doula practice for mamas who’ve had a belly birth.
1. Emotional & Mental Health
In many cases, having a c-section comes with a lot of strong emotions.
Going through surgery in itself is a huge event in our lives, and belly births can truly shake a new mama. You may be experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and feel disappointed, overwhelmed, sad or proud and accomplished.
Whatever you may feel, try to be gentle with yourself and welcome your range of feelings without judgement. Remember that you are the best mama to your baby, no matter how baby came into the world.
I also recommend surrounding yourself with people who are compassionate, empathetic and good listeners, such as your partner, a good friend or your postpartum doula.
If you’re feeling “low” for longer periods of time, please consult a perinatal psychologist/ psychotherapist, sign up for a free virtual support group of Postpartum Support International or schedule a session with a birth story listener/ somatic experiencing practitioner to process your birth experience.
I have referred quite a few of my clients to get extra support, and it’s always made a difference.
Related post: 10 Postpartum Self-Care Tips for New Mothers
2. Wound Care & Healing
Your c-section scar will need special attention to heal properly, especially during the first few weeks postpartum. As your wound heals, you will notice that the incision colour will become dark red, pink or darker brown, depending on your complexion.
Keep the scar as dry and clean as possible.
You can also apply pure Aloe Vera gel on the scar to accelerate wound healing naturally.
Internally, echinacea tea can help fight infections.
Once your scar has healed (usually around 6-8 weeks), you could start gentle abdominal self massages to prevent scarring and have stimulate your muscle tissue and internal organs. Ask your postpartum doula/ midwife to teach you how to do a c-section scar massage or google the term.
3. Movement & Pain Management
Rest is crucial after birth to allow our postpartum bodies to recover, and this applies especially after a c-section. Our bodies go through a whole array of physical changes after birth, and being aware of how our bodies recover after a belly birth can really make all the difference.
In general, healing may take 6 weeks or longer, so patience is key. It’s a good idea to wear loose clothing and avoid anything tight or uncomfortable.
While gentle movement such as walking may be encouraged, please limit rapid and intense movement as much as possible.
If you’re experiencing lots of pain, ask your partner/ postpartum doula to give you hand and foot massages for pain relief. You can try also arnica gel or tablets to reduce inflammation.
If pain is very strong, consult your medical provider about appropriate painkillers.
4. A Note on Breastfeeding
If you are planning to breastfeed your baby, keep in mind that you may want to experiment with different positions to avoid direct pressure on your c-section scar.
La Leche League International recommends these 2 positions to be most comfortable after a belly birth: the side-lying position and the football hold.
Side-lying position: Both mother and baby lie on their sides facing each other. For extra comfort, use pillow behind her back or between your knees. Place your nipple close to your baby’s mouth and ensure that baby’s feet are close to your body.
Football hold: During the underarm hold, you will tuck your baby’s body along your side under your arm, and support your breast with your other hand. The baby’s body should be supported so that it’s high enough and the nose is, once again, aligned with your nipple. If you’re breastfeeding on the right, you can use your left hand to support your right breast
If you are experiencing challenges during breastfeeding, please consult your postpartum doula or reach out to a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) for troubleshooting.
Would you like gentle support during your postpartum journey? Get in touch with me to learn about how I support families during the fourth trimester and beyond.
