C-Section Recovery -What to expect | Houston, Texas - Newborn Photographer
Houston, Texas Newborn Photographer Tiffany Daniel Photography
Click here to read part I of Preparing for a C-Section if you haven’t yet.
People always ask, “What should I expect during recovery for a C-section?” or “How long will it take for me to recover from my C-section?” Recovering from a C-section can feel overwhelming, especially when paired with the whirlwind of emotions and new responsibilities that come with caring for a newborn. As a c-section mom and a newborn photographer in Houston, Texas, I’ve learned firsthand that recovery is a journey, not a race.
When we were expecting our twins I felt overwhelmed and scared of the unknown that comes with a c-section. I’m sharing my experiences as well as tips from other c-sections moms in hopes that it helps you navigate your recovery with confidence.
What to Expect During Recovery
First 24-48 Hours Post-C-Section: Tips for Reducing Pain and Discomfort After a C-Section
You’ll stay in the hospital for close monitoring after the birth of your baby. You’ve just had a major surgery and you’ll need to be monitored to ensure you’re healthy enough to take your new baby home. The average hospital stay after a c-section is 2-4 days. Our stay was 3 days after the birth of our twins.
First 48 Hours and Tips and Essentials: Your pain will be managed with medications and light activity is encouraged. Get moving as soon as you can. The more you move around, the faster you’ll feel better. I made a massive mistake of not calling a nurse soon enough to go to the bathroom. My bladder filled and began to push on my incision and I was in tremendous pain. Learn from my mistake and don’t wait to call for help! Here are some more tips that I learned along the way:
Take the stool softeners! Out of pure precaution I took them and was so glad I did. Having a bowel movement can be scary after you’ve had major surgery! Make sure to keep hydrated and eat foods that are gentle to digest. Light foods are easier to digest and will help wake your digestive system up. You can find my favorite electrolyte replacement here on Amazon!
Stay ahead of your pain by taking your medication on schedule. Once you’re in pain it will take a while for the pain medication to take affect so avoid this my being proactive and taking the medication before you are in pain.
Tip: I set timers on my phone to keep me on track.
Tip: Staying hydrated will help you to not become constipated while on pain medication.
Take Gas-X or to drink peppermint tea to alleviate gas following abdominal surgery. Gas can build up and cause unnecessary pain beyond the pain of your incision so try to avoid it before it becomes an issue. My nurses brought me a cup of peppermint tea and it helped so much with the pain caused from built up gas.
Call for Assistance before getting out of bed. Once your catheter is removed you’ll want help to safety get out of bed to avoid a fall. The nurses are so patient and helpful when moving around after a c-section and there to help you!
Support your incision by wearing belly band or abdominal binder for support was a must. After I used the one that I was sent home from the hospital wearing I switched to this one with more support. My doctor placed one around my abdomen while I was still in the operating room.
Use a small pillow for your tummy for coughing AND for the car ride home. I placed this pillow in between my stomach and seat belt on the way home.
High-waisted underwear that don’t put pressure on your incision are essential. Here is our top recommendation from Amazon. I bought a size up to make sure everything wasn’t too tight.
Button up PJs for comfort and accessibility for breastfeeding. I loved these on Amazon.
Nursing bras or tops for breastfeeding and pumping. This is the one that I used and loved on Amazon. I also loved this bra for pumping.
First Week After C-Section:
You’ll feel soreness around your incision, experience fatigue, and have light vaginal bleeding that will last longer than you might think it should. Resting, hydrating and allowing yourself to heal will carry you through.
Your pain should have improved significantly enough for you to reduce or completely stop taking pain medication. Listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard.
Mobility improves gradually as you care for your baby and yourself, but rest is still critical. Sleep whenever you can and always when the baby does!
First Week After C-Section:
2-6 Weeks: Mobility improves; follow-up for incision checks. By day 6 I was able to stop taking all pain medication and was able to help with my newborn shoot by day 10.
You’ll notice itching as your incision heals. Resist the urge to scratch your incision and use scar cream instead. This was my favorite brand on Amazon.
Every doctor is different by mine used dissolvable stitches and I didn’t have to have mine removed.
Avoid heavy lifting (anything heavier than your baby) for 6 weeks. I didn’t take this one lightly and stayed on the cautious side to allow everything to heal properly.
6-12 Weeks: Return to light activities with your doctor’s approval. One surprising part of recovery that I did not anticipate was the weeks of bleeding that I had with a C-section. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect to take so long to heal! Your postpartum check up will ensure that your recovery is on the right track.
Plan for Emotional Well-Being
It’s not uncommon to have feelings of disappointment or guilt related to a C-section. Sometimes it’s beyond our control or choice and don’t hesitate to reach out to someone to talk about those emotions that you may be working through.
Prepare for hormonal changes and potential feelings of surprising emotions. Your body has been through so much and the hormonal changes that come with birthing a baby are enormous. Know that they could come and how to recognize them as your body tries to rebalance its new normal.
Self-care even if it’s a shower while someone else holds the baby can make you feel almost like a new human. Connecting with a support group helped me tremendously. Facebook is so helpful for connecting with moms who are going through what you have been through. There’s a group for everything so try to find one with likeminded people that will support you. I was able to find one for breastfeeding, a due date group for women who were having babies the same month as me and even a multiples group.
If you’re nursing or pumping I found Kellymom.com SO extremely helpful for all things breastfeeding.
Celebrate the Journey
Regardless of how your baby enters into this world the joy of welcoming a baby will overshadow any hardships that may come along with the birth of your baby.
Give yourself grace during this healing process. You have just created life and now it’s time to honor your body for the good that it has done. Love yourself, take care of yourself so you can be the best mom possible for your new baby.
Final Thoughts
C-section recovery is a special journey that requires patience, care, and support. While the process may feel challenging at times, each day brings progress and healing. Whether your C-section was planned or unexpected, it’s a testament to your strength and love as a mother.
Take the time you need to heal, lean on your support system, and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. You’ve got this!
***If you’re looking for a professional newborn photographer in Houston, Texas, I would love to help you capture these precious first moments with your baby. Contact us today to book your session!
