*This is a podcast interview in the series - Regular Moms | Regular Birthing Stories*
You want to memorize their face. the way their eyelashes flutter in their sleep, the way they smile in their sleep!
Your bundle of joy is here!
“You have had a major surgery, take rest you need it!”, your gynaecologist has said.
“Maybe your tolerance for pain is less, I was back to my normal self in a week!”, says your “well meaning” friend.
No one cared that your body has been cut open to pull your baby out. You held on to dear life as the smallest person you will ever know came into this world!
You are a mother who gave birth through a Caesarean Section.
Is this you mommy?
Read ahead to know the beauty of C-section births and tips to recover from real moms!
In today's episode of Hand that Rocks the Cradle we spoke to a zactive mom Arti Goyal, who is an Instagram influencer and a mother to a daughter on her birth story.
From giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic, to facing low amniotic fluid levels in pregnancy and the importance of rest after C-section delivery, Arti shines light on the raw beauty of giving birth!
Watch her entire Hindi video interview here:
A Cesarian section or C-section is a major surgical procedure to get your child into this world. It could be planned one or an emergency one. If you have a planned C- section, it will give you time to be mentally prepared and read up on what to expect. However if due to some complication, you need to go for an emergency C-section, you might not have time to prepare in advance as your doctor will go ahead with the surgery for the safety of your baby and you!
But in both these cases, recovery after C-section plays a critical role in how well you get back to yourself.
“I suffered from slip disc after C-section as i was not careful while lifting my daughter. I felt its been a month so I can do anything! It took me a year to feel better after the surgery.”, shares Arti in her interview.
You can also hear Arti in podcast (audio only) here :
How long does it take to recover after C-section?
According to NHS, it takes 6-8 weeks to recover after a C-section. This is however individual and you need to listen to your body.
If you feel like you need more time, take that time! This is not a race to see which mom recovers fastest! This is a journey which you have taken of being a parent and giving yourself grace.
Some studies have shown that 60 % women have reported pain at incision site even 24 weeks after delivery.
Quick Fact: According to the National Family Health Survey-4, the rate of C-section delivery in India has risen by 9% in last 10 years! You need not increase your maternity wear budget though when such stylish and affordable maternity clothes are here!
Here are top 5 tips to recover from C-section by zactive moms!
Take rest and take things slow!
Remember that to recover from a C-section takes longer than recovering from a normal delivery. No doubt, you will feel the strong urge to care for your newborn, but remember your body is your baby too! Dont be in a hurry to get back in shape or to do everything by yourself!
90% of all the moms we spoke to agreed that you need to rest as much as you need after your C-section. In India we have our parents or in-laws who come to stay and help out in the early days, Take that help! Hire a maid, ask husband to take a paternity leave from work to help around!
But take that rest, you will be so glad you did!
Take medicines on time!
Did you just laugh reading this?
Well you will be shocked to know that according to a report in WHO, 3 out of 10 women do not take the required care postpartum. Many women neglect taking prescribed medications and even miss the postnatal checkups.
Most gynecologists' will also advice you to continue taking the prenatal vitamins you were taking in pregnancy till you are breastfeeding.
Shilpa Rao, a new mother and a corporate employee says, “Yes i was advised to continue the calcium, iron and folic acid supplements but I got lazy. I took them for a month then discontinued. I have a constant back pain now, is it due to calcium deficiency? I will never know!”
Take care when you laugh/ cough/ sneeze!
Shalini Mishra, a new mother to a baby boy shares, “I had no idea that I will have to hold my abdomen every time I laughed!”
No one warns us but after a C-section, the scar needs time to heal. So take care when you sneeze, cough or laugh. Don't worry, the stitches wont come apart but many women report to feeling pain and discomfort at the incision site while doing the above activities.
So what can you do?
Just support your abdomen gently when you laugh/ cough or sneeze. You can also do the same when you get up from sitting. This is temporary inconvenience and as the incision heals you will feel more comfort!
Use more comfortable positions while breastfeeding after C-section!
It is a MYTH that you cannot breastfeed if you have a C-section!
You most certainly can!
However since you have the incision, it can be hard to hold the baby against it to breastfeed.
Don't get too stressed out about breastfeeding. It comes naturally to some mothers while some struggle with it.
So how can you breastfeed after C-section?
- Get feeding pillows to hold the baby.
- Nurse in reclining position with the baby in football hold.
- Nurse in sleeping position where you are lying on one side and feed the baby.
These will ensure that your stitches are not disturbed and you are able to breastfeed!
While taking a bath, be gentle on the incision site!
When you get discharged from the hospital, you will be having bandage covering the C-section incision.
Ask your doctor do's and don'ts of taking a bath after C-section. Some tips we have got from our Zactive mom community are:
- Its better to take a shower instead of using bucket.
- Do not scrub the incision site.
- Do not bend while taking a bath so its better to use a bodywash instead of a soap which can slip out of your hands,
- Keep everything ready at hand level before starting a bath.
Its also important to look at the postpartum clothing after C-section birth!
As a mother who has just undergone a C-section, its essential to invest in comfortable postpartum wear. This means that maternity wear will still continue to rule your wardrobe!
Here are a few wardrobe essentials that you will be using in the coming months!
- Bottomwear that covers the incision site if comfortable
- Flowing maternity Maxi.
- Nursing friendly Kurti and dresses.
Flowing maternity maxi like these will go a long way on ensuring your comfort postpartum!
What should you avoid after C-section?
According to the American Pregnancy Association these are a few things to avoid after a C-section surgery:
- Sexual intercourse until your doctor tells you that it is safe
- Taking baths until your incision is healed and you are no longer bleeding
- Public pools and hot baths.
- Lifting anything heavier than your baby
- Repeatedly using stairs
- Exercise, at least until your doctor gives you the go-ahead
Reasons to call your doctor immediately!
If you notice any of the below signs, go to your doctor immediately!
- Fever of over 100.4° F
- Severe headache that begins right after birth and does not let up in intensity
- Sudden onset of pain in the abdominal area, such as tenderness to touch or burning sensation
- Foul odor from vaginal discharge
- Sudden onset of pain in the incision area that can include a pus discharge
- A sore, red, painful area on the breasts that may be accompanied by flu like symptoms.
- Feelings of anxiety, panic, and/or depression
Remember you have taken 9 months to make a human being! Ultimately the support of friends, family and other moms online will go a long way in helping you recover from C-section. If you want someone to talk to join our supportive Zactive mom community of mothers online! You are not alone!
References :
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/labor-and-birth/cesarean-aftercare/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK115312/
What to do next?
- Share this article with your friends and family!
- Subscribe to our channel on you tube for more content on pregnancy and motherhood.
- Drop a comment below and share your experience with fellow moms!
Want your birthing story to be featured?
Drop me an email at mayura@houseofzelena.com with the subject
“Hand that rocks the cradle”
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shikha
Informative blog. Why is csection so common now? Any way to prevent it? I am pregnant and want normal delivery but doc is saying I might have C section.
upasana
Such a useful blog. I have just had a C-section and i couldnt believe that it hurts to sneeze and cough. Moms reading this- do use the tips here. Very useful