C-Section Recovery Tips
Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares tips for C-section recovery:
“One out of every three infants born in Massachusetts in 2006 was delivered by caesarean section, according to a state report released on February 13, 2008. This increase can be attributed to many factors, such as advanced maternal age, increases in obesity and diabetes, obstetrician’s fear of lawsuits, and parental desire to schedule the delivery to plan around older children. Whether you have a planned or unexpected C-section, here are some practical tips to aid your recovery post-surgery.
Organize. Organize your home in the week prior to your delivery date. Stock up on essentials that you will need for the first two weeks. Buy groceries and prepare a few meals ahead of time to put in your freezer. Create a space on the first floor where you will be spending most of your time, including a small table where you can keep a few books, telephone, water bottle, and a plate for snacks. Do not plan to walk up and down stairs for a while.
Breastfeeding. Call for assistance from either your nurse or a lactation consultant to help you breastfeed your baby comfortably. Most often the football hold position works best. If possible, take a class or read a book so you can become familiar with comfortable breastfeeding positions.
Bottle feeding. Plan to let dad, partner, a family member, or a nurse help with some of the feeds so you can get some much needed rest.
Nutrition. Avoid ice cold beverages, carbonated beverages, and heavy foods after the surgery. Drink plenty of water and hot teas and other natural fluids. Eat foods that are high in protein and fiber.
Clothing. Wear loose fitting clothing and larger underwear so the waistband does not press on the surgery scar.
Manage pain. After surgery it is very important to use the pain medication that is offered to you. Consult with your doctor if you are concerned about breastfeeding and pain medications; most pain medications offered in the hospitals are safe for breastfeeding moms. It will be much easier to feed the baby when you are a bit more comfortable.
Physical activity. Limit strenuous activity and support your abdomen when coughing, laughing, sneezing, or if you must use the stairs. Plan to get up and move around as soon as the nurse and doctor give you the green light. Movement helps alleviate some uncomfortable gas pain you may experience after the surgery. Even rocking in a chair will help your body eliminate some of the gas. Gradually increase your efforts and try to take regular walks. Abdominal exercises can begin around the sixth week postpartum, as can sexual activity.
Set limits and accept help. Many people will want to visit when your baby arrives, but limit visitors to short windows so you can sleep when the baby sleeps. Also, don't be afraid to accept or ask for help from a visiting friend or family member. Something as simple and easy as a friend or family member picking up orange juice for you on their way to visit can be an onerous task post-surgery with a newborn in tow.
Follow up. Schedule a follow up OB/GYN appointment for the six week mark from delivery.”
Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Comments
These are useful tips -- there isn't a lot of information out there.
The introduction:
This increase can be attributed to many factors, such as advanced maternal age, increases in obesity and diabetes, obstetrician’s fear of lawsuits, and parental desire to schedule the delivery to plan around older children.
made me feel like I failed somehow by having a C-section. I am not all that advanced in age, not obese or ill or scheduling, and my obstetrician recommended the C-section because my baby was genuinely in danger -- I could see his heartbeat dropping on the monitor. I understand that we should be concerned about the rise in C-sections for preventable reasons, but I think anyone who's looking for advice about recovery doesn't need to hear that they did something wrong.
That said, I think it's great that you are providing advice for recovery.
Posted by: CM | November 20, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply to this comment
Dear CM,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Carole was referring to a handful of factors commonly cited as having contributed to the rise in C-sections -- certainly not intending to suggest that those are the only factors involved. The etiology of C-sections that don't fall into those more common categories can be more challenging to parse out.
In fact, I completely understand where you are coming from -- I was planning on natural childbirth and ended up having an emergency C-section, following a nasty bout of food poisoning + a mystery fever that sent my daughter into fetal distress. I was not progressing naturally at all (even just shy of 42 weeks) and there was no choice but to proceed with the C. It was hard to not feel as if I had - as you say, actually - failed in some way... I felt as if I had done everything to the letter up to that point and I cried through the whole (short) procedure even though I couldn't feel a thing.
At any rate, I'm glad you found the tips useful. Wherever you are postpartum, I hope you are recovering well!
best wishes, Christine Koh
Posted by: Christine Koh - Editor | November 20, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply to this comment
This has to be the best article that I have ever read. I had to have an emergecny c-section with my son and was woefully unprepared for the recovery period. Having a newborn is hard enough, but can be doubly hard when you're recovering from major surgery at the same time. Thanks for the article!
Posted by: Melissa | November 21, 2008 6:43 AM | Reply to this comment
Dear Melissa,
Thanks for commenting in; I'm glad you enjoyed the article and I hope you are recovering well.
I'm particularly grateful to Carole for writing this article because if there are moms out there who are like me and tried to push too hard following the C, they need a reminder that it's OK - and necessary! - to slow down and remember that they have undergone major surgery. I remember an acupuncturist I visited a few months postpartum being shocked that I forgot to list the C-section on my intake form in the surgery section. I could have used this article back then!
best wishes,
Christine Koh
Posted by: Christine Koh - Editor | November 21, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply to this comment
This is an excellent article, but doesn't go far enough. Engage family and friends in helping out. Also, limit visits. One good way to do this is to arrange in advance for a visitor to bring lunch or dinner with them and to prepare it so mother and other can relax and then just eat.
An absolute rule, advertised in advance, is that no "horror stories" or even "when I had my birth/C-section" are allowed.
Posted by: Catherine D | November 21, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply to this comment
Post-partum doulas are also an incredible resource. They can be extremely helpful to new families, especially when the Mom has just had major abdominal surgery (c-section).
ICAN (the International Cesarean Awareness Network) also offers a wealth of information and support about cesarean prevention and recovery, including monthly support groups in Quincy:
http://www.ican-online.org/
Posted by: Cathleen | November 22, 2008 10:20 AM | Reply to this comment
Love this article. Had two c-sections and through it all, the only thing that helped was rest, rest, rest. Do whatever you need to do to get some sleep! Don't feel sorry for your hubby b/c he had to get up to go to work -- you need that recovery rest more than he needs sleep! And don't be like me and feel like you need to entertain whoever comes to help you. This is NOT the time for riveting stories and sightseeing outings! Take care of yourself.
Posted by: Barbara | November 23, 2008 9:59 PM | Reply to this comment
Happy to see a reminder to manage pain. Previously unfamiliar with prescription drugs, I feared taking them too much would make me either weak or a bad person in some way. I would have been much happier if I was dealing with less pain in those first challenging days. With my VBAC, I was a little more sensible, yet still hard on myself. Meds are for pain, ladies! Use them!
Posted by: RookieMom Whitney | December 22, 2009 2:21 PM | Reply to this comment