Life after pregnancy changes in many ways, and these changes vary from person to person. After a C-section, your body needs time to recover, heal, and get back on its feet. After all, it’s been through a lot, Mom. Life after a C-section isn’t always easy, but it gets better with time and the right care.
Getting Around After a C-Section
One of the first and most important things to keep in mind is that any movement will feel incredibly difficult after a C-section. To make things more comfortable for yourself, bring your own pillows from home. Hospital pillows tend to be fairly flat, and you’ll want good pillows to help you get into the most comfortable positions possible.
Accept any help from family and friends to make it easier to get through the first few days. Take advantage of the different chairs in the hospital room to help you get into different positions. Now’s not the time to be shy; ask the nurses for help getting around. The sooner you can get moving, the faster your body will begin to heal, so try to take a short walk within 24 hours of the surgery if you can.
Recovering
Recovering from an unplanned C-section can be extremely difficult. When a C-section is planned, you have more time to prepare and learn what to expect. With an unexpected C-section, your muscles and body may have been straining for hours before those same muscles are cut open. Ouch. There is no physical strain before the surgery when a C-section is planned, so recovery is easier to manage.
Your Incision
After your surgery, dissolvable stitches will be used on the inner layer of muscle and fat. They are expected to dissolve within the first month or two after surgery. Staples are used for the layers of skin and are removed around the time you’re ready to leave the hospital. In some cases, the staples need to stay in a little longer. Your incision site will begin to fade within four to six weeks, resembling a typical flat scar. If you develop a keloid on your scar, don’t worry—it can be reduced or removed.
The area around the incision site may feel tingly or numb for weeks, sometimes even months, after surgery. Some women never lose that strange numb sensation around their incision, and that’s normal, too.
Getting Back in Shape
The recovery time for a C-section is about the same as for a vaginal birth. After a cesarean delivery, you should wait six weeks and get the green light from your doctor before you start exercising. Your first workout after a C-section will require much more core strength than you might expect. This includes walking, so take it slow and hold off on abdominal exercises until you’re back to feeling 100%. There’s no need to rush!
Life Between the Sheets
The first time you have sex after giving birth (whether by C-section or vaginal delivery), you’ll experience some discomfort. After delivery, your hormones go haywire, which can sometimes lead to severe vaginal dryness. Even if your partner is great at foreplay, have some lubricant on hand to make sure things go smoothly. You may also need to get creative with positions to avoid putting too much pressure on your incision site.
Over time, your body will return to normal. The same can’t be said for your life, since you now have a little bundle of joy to take care of. Give your body the time it needs to heal. Please don’t push yourself too hard or rush things that aren’t necessary!
