", "Being sent home with your first baby and told not to do anything is really difficult, but you really do need to rest. There are some things you can try yourself, such as: Pregnancy and childbirth change the way your body looks and feels. My husband took six weeks off work and my mother moved in with us for a couple of weeks. After this visit, you will usually see the health visitor in a clinic at key points in your babys development. Ok, Im going to get super real here, the second 24 hours (so 48 hours post c section delivery) were the hardest for me. Caesarean section - NHS Something that I highly recommend to c section moms is to invest in a good pair of c section recovery underwear. Following your surgery, nurses will massage your uterus to encourage it to contract and shrink to its normal size. And even though youll probably miss the bed that adjusts with the touch of a button and the 24/7 room service theres nothing better than being in your own home with your newborn baby. If youre looking for panties that protect your C-section incision but are still soft like buttah, this pair from Belly Bandit is a good choice. Do C-section Scars Go Away? - MedicineNet Get plenty of rest. C Section recovery impacts every area of your life. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. A C-section is major abdominal surgery. He was the first baby in our family in over 20 years, so it was a huge deal for everyone in my life. Finally, there's growing recognition that while C-sections are very safe, they're still major surgery, which isnt risk-free. Whatever the reason, it can help to talk through what happened with your midwife and obstetrician and this can usually be arranged very simply by contacting your hospital. They can refer you to a counselling or support service, which can help you cope with your feelings. Depending on the hospital, you might encouraged to get out of your bed, if possible, on the same day. A gentle walk and a few pelvic floor exercises will suffice until you're fighting fit again. Laura. This care should include: Do: Keeping the area dry and clean. In fact, youve probably been feeling more like yourself for a week or two now and slowly enjoying laughing and sneezing without being in pain. Maybe if you were wearing a pair of pants that would show a panty line, you might have opted for a thong. Sometimes it's harder to get breastfeeding started after a c-section because your milk is slower to come in. Or if you had your period, you searched your underwear drawer for those lived-in undies that offered extra room and stretch. You dont know how much pain is normal or when it will go away. Second, if youre home taking care of a newborn and cant bother to put on pants, you dont have to, since these mesh undies look like boy shorts. Find out more about postnatal depression. Second the arnica & peppermint water/tea. Badr HA, Zauszniewski JA (2017). Your physician might recommend taking simethicone tablets (such as Gas-X), which can help alleviate gas and bloating. Big time. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Take the drugs. Its high rise design with velvet compression bands give your belly the support it needs. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. My other leg was twice the size. The operating room staff will insert a catheter into your bladder and place sterile drapes over your tummy. An outer pocket means you can place an ice or heat pack anywhere you need it. Whether you want to call it a girdle or not, its all a wrap with this pair of panties from Leonisa. These adjustable undies from Motherhood allow you to pull them up over your bump during pregnancy, and keep them there to help your incision heal once your baby is born. If you use a flannel for this make sure it's fresh out of the wash each time so it definitely isn't harbouring any germs. If your experience was anything like mine, your first C-section sucked. "I had a difficult and long labour, which resulted in an emergency c-section. A cesarean delivery (C-section) is major surgery. Read more about PTSD. Immediately after the c section, lets say the first 4-6 hours, youll probably be feeling pretty good! They should pass within a week, once your bowels are moving normally again (abdominal surgery causes them to "shut down" temporarily, so pooping after a C-section might not come easy). A few of the common reasons for an unplanned C-section include: Most hospitals strive to make a cesarean delivery as family-friendly as possible, with Mom awake (but appropriately numb), her partner in the room and a chance to meet, greet, cuddle and possibly breastfeed baby (if you so choose) right after delivery if there's no medical reason not to. As the panties protect your incision area, they can also help reduce swelling and the achy feeling you might experience after surgery. After that you'll need to very carefully wash and dry the area to keep it super clean. All of the C Section Recovery Essentials & Resources you NEED in One Place Click here! This is most often temporary and it usually heals during the six-week recovery phase. You may experience a range of emotions after your caesarean section (c-section). How Long Should You Wait to Conceive After a C-Section? However, I was pleasantly surprised. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. But if you've had a c-section, you really do need to behave as you would if you'd gone into hospital to have any other type of surgery. It has a double layer of stretchy, soft fabric that sits at the waist and not by your incision. You can try gentle exercises a few days after the C-section: Deep breathing: Take 2 or 3 slow, deep breaths . That could be donor milk, formula, or milk you have already pumped yourself. The nurse suctioned her out, and she spent a couple of hours in the nursery so that the nurses could observe her most closely. You'll have ample time to bond later (and your baby won't notice). C SECTION YEAST INFECTION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! For women, these can include reactions to medications or anesthesia used during the procedure, blood loss and infection (which is why its so important to carefully follow your doctors post-op care instructions). One-third of babies in the U.S. are born via C-section. All About Vaginal Birth After C-Section, C-Section Scar Care: Your Guide to Helping It Heal, One Mom's Experience with Vaginal Birth After C-Section, Postpartum Timeline: What You Can Do When After Giving Birth, Emergency C-Sections: A Guide for Moms-To-Be, Reasons for a C-Section: Planned and Emergency, 7 Things I Wish I'd Known About C-Section Recovery, Waiting for Baby: 8 Reasons to Wait Until Your Due Date, If Possible. Jane. Cesarean section incisions are made very close to the bladder, so there can be some trauma as the baby is born. Depression - antenatal and postnatal. Turns out, her stomach and lungs were full of amniotic fluid. What Causes Pain with Urination after c Section? This doesn't happen in a c-section, for which I am very grateful! 1. If the birth didnt go the way you expected, you may feel that you werent in control of what was happening or that you didnt do it right. The airy fabric allows for healing, and since the underwear doesnt have an elastic waistband, you wont have to worry about it rubbing up against your incision. Body image after a c-section Pregnancy and childbirth change the way your body looks and feels. As the epidural continues to wear off you will become more and more aware of the tenderness in your abdomen. Read more about recovering from a c-section at home. And the undies have a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 25,000 reviews. How to Recover from a C-section (as quickly as possible) It takes time to recover emotionally from giving birth, even if it goes smoothly. Its not serious, but it can be scary if youre not expecting it. How to Build Your Own C Section Recovery Kit. Other potential benefits of a gentle C-section include: You may feel like you were able to have an active versus passive role in birth. The Do's and Don'ts of Healing from a C-Section - Intermountain Healthcare Are you a Black or Black-Mixed Heritage woman living in the UK? 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. PLANNED C section stories | Mumsnet Although you will most likely be healed by the two month mark, continue to listen to your body and adjust your activities accordingly. Each time you see your midwife or health visitor, they should ask you how you are coping and what help you have at home. It can take close to 24 hours for the epidural to fully wear off (although you will probably be able to get up and walk efore the 24 hour mark). Inducing Labor: What Happens When Youre Induced? I personally didn't feel like myself again until around six months postpartum. The C Section Recovery Timeline will give you a guide about how long an average c section recovery might be. Your nurse will likely continuer to measure you urine ouput for a while by placing a bowl in the toilet to catch & measure your urine. I dont want to scare you, but you need to be prepared. The first time around, a C-section is a walk into the unknown. The scar will be 10-20cm long and will be at the top of your bikini area. I was given IV fluids, which took about an hour. 2022. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Youll have enough room to put on a pad, and can be used up to 3-5 times with the proper care. And remember, the type of birth you have is secondary to the most important thing of all: a safe and healthy outcome for both you and your baby. I have been looking for an article like this for months!!!! While the condition sounds frightening, it usually only lasts for a day after delivery and then goes away on its own. C-section Recovery: 6 Things No One Tells You | SELF The complete downloadable C Section Recovery Timeline will help you focus on taking care of your baby by answering all of your c section recover questions in one place. You'll also be instructed not to lift anything heavier than your baby, and to avoid anything in the vagina, including penetrative sex (both partnered or solo), menstrual products, and douche products (which should generally be avoided regardless) until after your six-week check-up. In fact, some parents schedule a c-section after a previous vaginal birth, due to birth trauma they had experienced in the past. These disposable boy shorts offer enough coverage to keep everything, well, in place, while protecting your C-section. If you spot it getting redder, more swollen or oozing any pus, tell your midwives or GP straight away as this can be a sign of infection and needs treating quickly. If you decide to go for it right after the birth, you might want to ask for help to breastfeed. Be sure to discuss plans to conceive with your doctor before your conceive. Because the excess mucus in her respiratory tract wasn't squeezed out during a journey through the birth canal, some extra suctioning is needed to clear those little lungs before you hear that first cry. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE (2020) Clinical Knowledge Summary. Remember, slow and steady wins this race! When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Period. I am sharing anecdotal advice based off of my personal experience and the research I have performed. How to recover from a c-section at home | Tommy's Plain and simple. To start with, I found that I was justifying my decision to have a c-section, even though it was needed for health reasons. Before you do, ask yourself the following questions and talk with your practitioner so you can decide what's right for you and your baby. Book your 1:1 call now with a Tommy's midwife to talk about any aspect of pregnancy. While its well known that for every C-section you have, the associated complications increase. It is important to have a good bond with your baby right after birth so you might want to request that you can hold your little one and start breastfeeding as soon as possible. The number one question I see from c section moms is about pregnancy after a c section. Add message Save Share Report Bookmark Advertisement If your urinary catheter is not out yet, medical staff will remove it the day after your C-section. And woot, its machine washable, too. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here), Stand up straight as soon as you can - it'll hurt like a bitch but the longer you leave it (and hobble round bent over), the worse it will hurt. And thats why I wrote a complete C Section Recovery Timeline to share with as many moms as I can. It might be useful to talk to your midwife, health visitor, friends, family or parent groups about how youre feeling. Belly Bandit c-section postpartum panties, seamless mesh C-section postpartum panties. It might be that the birth was problematic or traumatic, which is what led to the c-section, or it could just be that you felt a loss of control once things went down the assisted delivery route. While any surgery is a proposition that should be taken seriously, with some mental and emotional preparation, you can feel empowered if a C-section seems to be in the cards. This content should not be taken as medical advice; if you have medical questions please seek the advice of a medical professional. Occasionally, the cut is made vertically instead but this is unusual these days. If you can't walk long distances yet, ask your nurse if you can rock in the glider in your room; sometimes the rocking motion can help relieve built-up gas too. But when you deliver a baby via C-section, underwear takes on a totally new meaning. C-section scars do not go away completely. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends not placing anything in the vagina for several weeks to prevent infection. Depending on the reason for the revision, it may be possible to get this operation done on the NHS however, if the cause is purely cosmetic you should be prepared to have to pay to go privately. There will probably be a few small road bumps here and there, but for the most part youve survived the worst! Postnatal depression affects more than 1 in 10 women in the first year after giving birth. Prepare yourself mentally, ask visitors not to come on this day, communicate with your spouse and medical team. We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. It was a very difficult time for me but having the support from the right people helped me greatly. asking for support if you're recovering from a difficult birth. Because your C-section incision needs a gentle touch. It can hold a whopping four tablespoons of blood, sweat, or pee, making it pretty leakproof. Giving birth It offers a constant amount of compression (which can be adjusted so you can breathe) and without cutting into your incision site. Every milestone comes with several actionable tips to help you heal better and faster. C-section recovery | Recovering after a caesarean | Mumsnet Most maternity units have a birth reflections or birth after thoughts service. Being rested going in and knowing what to expect physically made a huge difference in my recovery. And they can be much gentler as well good luck! The advice after a c-section is not to lift anything heavier than your baby, and that includes toddlers. The mesh panties you get from the hospital might be super comfy, but since most of them come either in white or nude, theyre not the best at hiding leaks. Over time, the scar will fade to a thin line and your pubic hair may cover it. During this time, you should be able to have top-ups so you'll be virtually pain-free. You can wash and wear them a few times, or toss them into the trash if they get soiled. Except in extremem circumstances, most women will be able to conceive and safely carry a pregnancy after a c section. C-section scar recovery. You might find that some activities you found to be easy before your c section are now more challenging. C-section recovery varies greatly from woman to woman and there's no point suffering in silence. Read more about handling birth disappointment after a c section by clicking here. About one-third of all babies are born via Cesarean section in the United States today. BREASTFEEDING AFTER A C SECTION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW! Although I did think longingly of the days after my first was born. (more on that later). 6 misconceptions about C-sections, debunked by an OBGYN If youre a mom-to-be with your heart set on a vaginal birth, the news that your baby needs (or may need) to be delivered by cesarean section might feel disappointing. Sometimes a mum is left with a scar that causes considerable discomfort or that she feels unhappy with. While youre healing, you should probably avoid bikini-cut panties. If you had the original caesarean for a medical reason, that may persist into subsequent pregnancies, but the majority of women will be able to have a vaginal birth next time, if they want one. You can still expect to look pregnant at this stage (and much longer, for many people) due to laxity of the abdominal wall. Some women, particularly if they hadn't planned a caesarean, feel disappointed or that they didn't get birth right. The disposable ones from Frida Mom make recovery a lot easier (and less messy), thanks to this 8-pack. Although you're only two weeks out from a major abdominal surgery, you should expect to feel tremendously better by this stage. It will help protect your C-section and protects from panty lines, too. C-section Scars: Care Basics During and After Healing, A Population-based Cohort Study of the Effect of Caesarean Section on Subsequent Fertility, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. You wont be able to lift more than the baby or run 5 miles, but youll most likely be feeling a whole lot better than you were two weeks ago! making myself walk as much and as quickly as possible (DP had to shuffle after me carrying the baby!). With my first pregnancy, I felt like the first woman to ever give birth in the entire world. Quick note: if you are still having moderate to severe pain be sure to contact your doctor. Coping with emotions after a c-section | Tommy's I was so nervous because given it was baby number 3 labour progressed very quickly I was worried we wouldn't get to theatre. If you're nursing, consider holding your baby like a football. The scar will be 10-20cm long and will be at the top of your bikini area. C-Section Recovery Tip #4 Avoid Doing Too Much. Some women feel ok, but some may feel depressed or have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). C-Section Procedure: What Happens During a Cesarean Delivery? If you had an emergency c-section or if there were complications, it can help to talk to your doctor or midwife about your experience. You should never suffer in silence, and help is always a phone call away. Usually, uterine contractions squeeze some of the fluid out of the baby while they are still in the womb. Preeclampsia: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatments. Are Anti-Assault Gadgets Actually Effective For Protecting Against Sexual Assault? Theres usually something the nurses and doctros can do to help you manage your pain. "C-section" is the commonly used shorthand for cesarean section, also known as cesarean delivery. Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) is growing in popularity. Simply size up to get the best fit for your postpartum body. A C-section is typically only recommended in medically necessary cases, such as in some high-risk pregnancies or when thebabyis in the breech position and can't be flipped before labor begins. They sit above your incision and are made from super stretchy fabric, so youll feel comfortable as you recover. 4. It is a MAJOR abdominal surgery so don't expect to be back in tip-top shape right away. Being overtired and overwrought never left anyone feeling well-balanced. Yet a C-section deliveryand the recovery that followsis not covered in much depth in many childbirth classes, if at all. Some women feel upset and others feel more positive. C-Section Recovery - What to Expect: Walking, Blood Clots, & Pain - WebMD What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Being rushed into major surgery after enduring hours of physically exhausting labor is nobodys idea of a good time. Knowledge is power, and when you know what to expect you can be proactive in your recovery. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. After a c-section, you'll probably feel both euphoric about and overwhelmed by the new person in your arms. At this point in your recovery you will likely be settled into your own home. Stacey. You might also find that the muscles around your incision are still tender and will need more time to fully heal. My scar still felt odd and pulled for at least six months, but I think I would have healed sooner if I had acted like I'd just had major surgery instead of trying to be supermum. But they havent been through your experience. Well, the waistband on your underwear might irritate your incision, and the last thing you want is for extra friction to hamper your healing. It doesnt matter how long ago you had your baby its never too late to ask for support. Resting a heating pad or hot-water bottle on your belly can helpand so can over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. VBAC vs Repeat C-Section: Which is Right for You? - The VBAC Link (If you see these signs, or are running a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor.) And then you'll probably have time to get to know the newest person in your life. It was a traumatic experience but when I was ready I talked through my notes with a midwife and was able to ask lots of questions. Unlike other drawers that droop, these will sit right at your waist, and away from your incision. Theyre super stretchy, conforming to your body without losing their shape while helping you to keep yours. remember, I am not a medical professional. Myth #3: All C-sections are necessary. If you're holding a baby in your arms, you can count the birth a huge success, no matter which exit she took to get here. And because you aren't preoccupied with pushing or pain, you're often able to relax and marvel at the birth. And as a general rule of thumb, if at any point in the postpartum process you start to feel worse, not better, call your doctor. I think this holds true for all second babies, not just those born via C-section. And thats a good thing! In a matter of weeks, youll be well on your way to full-steam-ahead mommyhood. Its a very common way to feel but try not to let these thoughts take over. Caesarean birth: NICE guideline 192. Silver-infused fibers work to reduce bacteria (and a possible infection) from forming. Your midwife will visit you the day after you get home. It is by far one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life. Click here for great tips on facing a c section alone. These hours can be incredibly painful. You just want all of this to be over so you can focus on what really matters: taking care of your baby. Great question! The undies can be worn well past your postpartum days, too, especially when Aunt Flo comes to town again. Talking to other women who have had c-sections can help to reassure you youre not alone, however you feel. The entire thing took maybe 20 minutes start to finish, and then I was wheeled into recovery with a beautiful baby girl. The guideline is broken down into three sections covering your for weeks 0-2, weeks 2-4 and weeks 4-6. Fourteen C-Section Recovery Must-Haves - Baby Chick National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE (2021) Postnatal care: NICE guideline 194. Once you've had a C-section, ACOG adds, you're more likely to require another in the future. C-Section Recovery: 6 Tips on Sleep, Pain, Diet, and Much More - Healthline Silveira ML et al (2015). 8 Genius C Section Recovery Tips That NOBODY Else Will Tell You! For both incisions, two options are possible (and your two may not be the same): Next,the amniotic fluid will be suctioned outand right after that your baby will be brought into the world. Plus, youll be on a high from snuggling your sweet newborn! High-waisted underwear will be more comfortable for most people since they wont irritate the scar.. We have updated our Terms of Use and encourage you to read them by clicking here. My planned c section story is that I was booked in for an ELCS at 39 weeks but he decided to arrive a week early. They offer compression on the tummy without crushing your scar. Even if you don't want to see the cut, you may want to catch a glimpse of your baby as she emerges, so ask your practitioner to lift the little cutie up for a quick peek after delivery. Your body has been through so, so much after a C-section. It can be hard to ignore comments from other people. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. But do you know what makes c section recovery easier? My c-section is scheduled for April and Im kind of terrified. If it was planned, things should be fairly straightforward, but if you had an emergency caesarean, the delivery team may have tried ventouse and forceps first, which can leave you feeling a bit battered and you may even have stitches. C-section scars do not go away completely, but you can minimize their appearance with nonsurgical and surgical methods. But, you also know that you can handle it. You feel completely out of control. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. And that makes it totally worth it. Alternatively, if you have to have an elective caesarean with a subsequent pregnancy, you should flag up any problems with your old scar as your consultant can try to address them during the delivery. A C-section, or cesarean section, is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. Who better to design a pair of C-section panties than a mom, amiright? These panties offer not one, but two areas of compression so that you feel protected. You know what your incision should look like, you know how much it will hurt to get in and out of bed, and you know that it will all feel better sooner than you would expect. We had a little scare when our baby was a few hours old. You have to give yourself time to heal and get back to your old self (if that's possible). Read more about my personal c section stories here. But keep your expectations in check. The group also suggests that other labor interventions be delayed or avoided if possible in women with low-risk pregnancies where Mom and baby are progressing normally. Now that you have made it to the one week mark youve made it through the most difficultpart of recovery! If your partner can take a few weeks off that will be helpful, otherwise get a rota together and get friends and family to volunteer their time. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Don't forget to take painkillers. A nursing cushion can also help to take the pressure off your tummy area. If your caesarean was planned and all went as hoped you'll probably feel absolutely fine, though it can be hard to get enough rest with a newborn to care for.