C-Section Postpartum Care: Do's And Don'ts For The New Mom

If all goes well after a Caesarean Section (C-section), the average hospital stay of a new mother is between 2-4 days. The postpartum period, which is the days following the delivery of the baby, is usually one of the most challenging time for a C-Section delivery. When the anesthesia wears off, even coughing or laughing can be excruciating. The incision feels agonizingly sore and will feel that way for a few more days until the pain gradually decreases through time.

At the hospital, prompt monitoring of your well-being is provided under the care of your attending nurse and physician. But when it’s time to finally come home, we already probably know that C-section recovery takes a bit more time than vaginal birth. So, how do you safeguard your path to healing and recovery?

Don’t worry, mama. Here are a few tips just for you:

Do's and Don'ts of Postpartum Care after a C-Section

Do's

Ambulate. At the hospital you will be asked to move around as soon as Day 1 post-op to speed up recovery. At home, continue walking at a comfortable pace to heal faster, rebuild your stamina, and avoid blood clots. Slowly increase your activities and make sure you start with light housework so your body can gradually regain strength.

Care for your wound. As much as possible, seek help in disinfecting your wound daily. This way, you can prevent pain from contracting your abdominal muscles that may still feel sore while you try to reach and clean your wound if you're doing it on your own. Also, make sure to follow your physician’s discharge instructions, especially how to cover the wound when taking a shower or when it is finally safe to remove the gauze dressings and stop keeping the wound covered. Your doctor may also prescribe a belly wrap or a belly binder so make sure you don't skip on these things. You can also ask a dermatologist for a suitable cream or ointment for your scar. Notice the signs of wound infection: let your doctor know if the incision is found to be either red, swollen, or leaking with discharge.  

Related Articles:

• Cesarean Section Wound Care: 7 Paraan Para Mapangalagaan At Maghilom Ang Sugat
• 7 Posibleng Complications Dulot Ng Cesarean Section Dahil Isa Itong Major Operation

Find a good breastfeeding position. If you are breastfeeding, find a comfortable position to nurse your baby. Note that you are also caring for your CS wound, and breastfeeding should be a nice, bonding session with your newborn—not an added pain point. Now, if you are taking medication besides what’s prescribed upon discharge, always consult your attending physician if it’s safe for a breastfeeding mom like you!

Discuss contraception options with your OB-Gyne. Consider discussing contraception options with your OB-Gyne on your first postpartum visit if you do not want to get pregnant again right away. Remember that you need your scars to have completely healed before you deliver another baby. Depending on your labor and delivery experience, along with your current health condition, having too short intervals in between operations can pose risks and possible complications. 

Talk about your mental health. Contact your healthcare provider if you find yourself with loss of appetite, or if you are mostly sad and withdrawn—especially if you are harboring suicidal thoughts or notions of harming your own baby. These feelings and intrusive thoughts should not be shoved under the rug. Do not discount the possibility that you might have postpartum depression. Read more about it here.

READ ALSO: 'Naaawa Ako Sa Anak Ko'—A Mom's Letter To The Baby She Neglected Because Of Postpartum Depression

Find a support system. It is imperative to find a strong support system that you can rely on and ask for help when needed. Motherhood in general can be overwhelming and exhausting so make sure that you do not conquer this battle alone. You and your partner are welcome to join the Facebook group, Smart Parenting Village.

Hold off major hair salon services. During pregnancy, hormones are elevated causing a head full of hair. Postpartum, the hair naturally starts to shed beginning on approximately four to six months after delivery. Until then, or when your hormones start to finally stabilize, maybe it is best to hold off some major hair salon services that use chemicals and could further aggravate hair loss. Although it is tempting to feel beautiful again and have that self-esteem boost by managing your locks, but then again, if you are already experiencing hair loss, you might need to re-think your self-care options. 

RELATED: Puwede Ba Ang Hair Treatment Sa Breastfeeding Moms? May Paliwanag Ang Lactation Expert

Wait before it's safe to have sex again. Ask your doctor when’s the safe time for sexy time! According to a previous Smart Parenting article, it usually takes four to six weeks before you can resume sexual activities. This is assuming there were no other complications, pain, or bleeding during childbirth. But of course, even with the set timeline, you know your body best and your body will tell you when it's ready.  

READ ALSO: 'People Need To Stop Thinking That Cesarean Delivery Is No Big Deal'

Don’ts

Avoid lifting heavy items as much as possible. If you have other kids at home, especially toddlers, who would like to be cuddled and carried,  it might probably be best to stick to hugs and kisses for the time being. The last thing you would want to have is stitches popping up open even before they’re dissolved.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and rest as much as you can. Your body has gone through a lot and it can easily succumb to fatigue, constipation, and dehydration. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby. 

Don’t miss your postpartum appointments. Watch out for any unusual changes like swelling, fever, puffiness, or severe pain that doesn’t improve with pain-relieving medication and raise those concerns. Likewise, if your discharge becomes heavy or develops a foul odor, contact your health provider as well.

Don't ignore pain when breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, do not ignore pain, redness, and tenderness of breasts—it could also be a sign of infection. Always ask your doctor. Additionally, you may seek advice from a lactation consultant to avoid breast engorgement or learn techniques on how to ease breast discomfort. It might also be a great idea to join breastfeeding support groups/forums and learn from each other’s experiences. 

Don't rush to get your prenatal body back. I know that hanging belly pooch can trigger you to get that pre-pregnancy body back fast, but do not rush to participate in rigorous activities or heavy core exercises as this may further delay your healing and recovery. Know that the mom’s stomach wall and the wall of the uterus had to be divided in order to get the baby! The cuts on the stomach to the uterus are reason enough to slowly ease your way back to intense exercises. Focus on your healing first and the rest shall follow.

Why self-care after C-section is important

While C-section delivery is generally a safe procedure and the rate of complications is very low, it is still a major surgical operation and therefore, you deserve utmost care and support.

Caring of a newborn is the obvious priority following childbirth but your well-being as a mother is just as important. Even what you think may be of little significance like a dull pain that comes and goes for example or perhaps a light discharge leaking from the incision--these will always be worth mentioning to your doctor. This is not to cause undue panic especially for a first time mother, but being the primary caregiver of your newborn, you should be in perfect shape to provide that love and care. 

Sources: The Filipino Doctor, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai