No matter how you gave birth, you’re going to have a bit of a recovery period afterward. For moms who have a C-section, whether it was scheduled or unplanned, it’s important to remember that a C-section is a major surgery—so the recovery period should be treated as such!
That all sounds easier said than done, especially when you’re a new mom busy taking care of a newborn. If you’ve recently had a C-section, or have one scheduled in the near future, here are some C-section recovery tips and some dos and don’ts after a C-section to keep in mind while you recover.
Do: moisturize the scar
Since moisturizing can help curb the itchiness caused by nerve desensitization, moisturizing the incision site is an important C-section recovery tip. However, you need to make sure you’re moisturizing with an unscented lotion that doesn’t contain any artificial dyes, colors, parabens, glycerines, or lanolin, as these are unsafe for wounds.
Some new mamas use moisturizers containing vitamin E, as there’s some support for its role in the healing process, but defer to your doctor’s judgment on when you’re cleared to start moisturizing with vitamin E.
Don’t: let your scar be exposed to sunlight
It might seem like a good idea to get some sunshine after being cooped up in a recovery room for a few days, but if you do, avoid exposing your scar to direct sunlight for at least a year. Too much sun exposure can cause the scar to become pigmented and turn a darker color than the surrounding skin, which can have long-lasting effects. When you do let the scar out in the sun, be extra sure not to forget your sunscreen, and ensure that it’s healed enough to apply it. Again, check in with your doctor to see when that might be.
Do: be careful getting in and out of bed
After your C-section, try to avoid making any sudden movements so you don’t hinder the healing process. When you’re getting out of bed, try the log-roll technique. This technique minimizes any movement of your torso, preventing injury from occurring.
To log roll into bed:
- Start by sitting down on the bed. Make sure your hips are where you want them to be when you’re lying down.
- As steadily as possible, use your arms to guide you to your side. Lower slowly, while keeping your spine straight.
- Pull your legs up onto the bed, so you’re lying on your side.
- Keeping your knees bent, roll onto your back. Make sure you’re lying straight up and down on your back, then slowly lower your legs.
To log roll out, reverse these instructions, and be sure to sit at the edge of the bed for a moment to be sure you aren’t dizzy or disoriented before you get up and start moving.
Don’t: lift heavy items
Lifting heavy items after your C-section can cause increased pain levels or, even worse, can damage the surgical incisions while they are supposed to be healing. Not lifting too much is definitely easier said than done, especially if the heavy thing you want to lift is your new baby, or another babe at home.
Most of the time, mothers post-C-section are OK lifting their babies. Most doctors caution against lifting more than 10-15 pounds, so you should theoretically be fine lifting your newborn. But if it causes significant pain, be careful, and ask for help lifting your baby up. Be sure to listen to your doctors on this one: they really do know best. When you do lift things, practice safe lifting techniques. Lift with your legs, not your back, and be sure not to twist your torso.
Do: mobilize that scar!
First, don’t start this until you’re at least 12 weeks postpartum. But scar mobilization is important because the C-section site—your abdomen—plays such a critical part in your overall movement and health. Mobilizing the scar mobilizes the core muscles and helps return function underneath. Mobilization is what it sounds like: You want to get the area moving. Pinch the skin at and around your scar. Try to do this at least once a day.
Don’t: wear irritating clothing
You won’t want to wear clothes that dig into the incision site. Mostly because it’s uncomfortable, but also because it inhibits healing! Look for undergarments that are high-waisted and seamless.
Do: practice nerve desensitization techniques
If you know you’re going to have a C-section, you might want to pack a desensitization pack whenever you pack your hospital so you have it handy for when you get home. It’s a big surgery, and you may find that your skin is sensitive or itchy due to the impact on tissue and nerves. You’ll want to start desensitizing about a week after the C-section to encourage cell growth and also make that skin less sensitive. To do it, rub the incision area with different kinds of materials, for five minutes or more. Start with softer materials, like a tissue or cotton pad, and work your way up to rougher materials, like a piece of felt or a towel.
Do: take it all one day at a time!
When you’re taking care of a newborn, it’s easy to take yourself off the to-do list and ignore your C-section recovery tips, either from this list or your doctors. Don’t forget, though: Taking care of yourself is an important part of being a mom, and you don’t want to accidentally make things worse by injuring the incision site or exposing it to bacteria.
Motherfigure has great products for new mamas, including those who are recovering from a C-section. Be sure to check back often for more dos and don’ts after a C-section.