8 Tips For a Fast And Smooth Recovery From a C-Section

There is no greater joy than giving birth to a baby. The experience rivals no other and the role of motherhood is one you will keep with you for the rest of your life. There are certain times when a natural birth is not possible and you are faced with having to deliver your child through C-section. It is major surgery that entails making an incision into the abdomen muscles and the uterus in order to deliver a baby.

A C-section is a surgery that is done under special circumstances. It occurs when the baby is in the breech position and can not be delivered naturally. It is also performed when the life of the mother or the baby is at risk. An example of this is when the mother develops pre-eclampsia and the blood pressure of the mother hits dangerous levels. Having a C-section has its challenges. Proper self care, both physically and mentally, will help reduce pain and discomfort, as well as promote healing. Here are 8 tips for a fast and smooth recovery from a C section:

1. Get as Much Rest as Possible

A C-section is considered a major surgery. Try to get as much rest as you can throughout the day. This will ensure that your body heals properly. It takes a minimum of 6 weeks to fully heal from a C-section. It is recommended to stay in bed and rest for the first 2 to 3 weeks in order to allow your incisions to heal.

2. Sleep as Much as Possible

Sleep is important in the healing process. A lot of energy is needed to repair the tissues surrounding your incisions. A good way to conserve energy is to get as much sleep as you can. Taking naps when you feel tired and sleepy helps your body heal faster and your immune system to stay strong. Sleep at the same time your baby sleeps.

3. Get Others to Help You Whenever Possible

Try to stay off your feet for at least the first few weeks of your recovery. It is important to allow relatives and friends to help you perform household duties, caring for your baby and caring for you. Most of your attention should be on healing so you can become strong to care for your baby.

4. Manage Your Pain with Prescribed Medication

Pain management is important for a smooth recovery. Your doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the inflammation around the incision site. NSAIDs such as Advil and Motrin, at higher doses, will be prescribed to you while you are in the hospital and to take home with you. Take these medications regularly, as prescribed, by your doctor.

5. Yoga Meditation Can Help with Fear, Anxiety, and Pain Management

Yoga meditation is a great way to reduce the fear and anxiety that you may feel both before and after a C-section surgery. Meditation can help you focus positively on the surgery, as well as on your healing and ability to care for yourself and your new baby. It will also assist you in dramatically decreasing the amount of time you spend feeling negative emotions such as fear, worry, and anxiety about undergoing a major surgery.

Yoga meditation also helps reduce pain after the surgery. By training yourself to think positively, the neurons within your brain release endorphins that improve your mood and help you feel good. Endorphins also help to reduce the amount of pain that you feel.

6. Protein is Key to a Fast Recovery

Tissue repair requires you to eat well. Food that is nutrient rich will help your body recover faster. Muscle tissue is created from cells. Muscle cells are made from a high quantity of protein, which is a group of amino acids attached together in a specific structure. To ensure that muscle tissue repairs itself as efficiently as possible, eat more than your daily recommended allowance of protein or take a supplement of essential amino acids.

7. Take Short Walks as Soon as You are Able To

As soon as you are strong enough, get out of bed and take a short walk. In the hospital, doctors recommend that you get out of bed as soon as you are able to, and walk. They recommend this to get your body used to moving again. This has also been proven to speed up recovery. The nurses will assist you in getting out of bed and helping you walk around your hospital room and down the hallways as soon as you are strong enough.