Very few mothers expect to have a C-section. Some are warned in advance, yes, and are booked in on a day of their choosing so that they can avoid a complicated and even dangerous birth. Others are surprised when their medical staff come in and recommend the C-section. Typically, when C-sections are unplanned, they only come after many hours of painful and difficult labor.
Regardless of whether you went straight into the operating room, or tried to give birth naturally first, however, it is critical that you invest in your post-recovery. At the end of the day a C-section is major surgery, and you need to be gentle with your body.
Yes, you need to take care of your infant, and your baby takes priority, but if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be your best self. That’s why you need to follow all of these recovery tips, so you can heal as fast and as effectively as you can from your C-section.
Rest as Much as Possible
It goes without saying, but you need rest after surgery. This can be very hard with a newborn, but that’s where your support network comes into play. It is hard to let go of your baby, yes, but you need as much sleep as possible. If you can manage a nap with your newborn on your chest, great, but do make sure your partner is spotting you to make sure nobody shifts out of place.
Try Out Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Get HBOT therapy in NYC, and you can speed up your wound recovery. What is HBOT, you may ask? It’s a very simple, non-invasive, and painless treatment option. All you need to do is get into a pressurized chamber. Once you’re inside, the air pressure is increased by 1.5 to 3 times the usual amount. Doing this works to help your lungs take in more oxygen, which then feeds your cells with the fuel they need to work efficiently. The increase in oxygen can also help reduce any inflammation while improving your immune response, which can cut down on the risk of infections.
HBOT’s effectiveness on C-section recovery is well documented. You may even be able to get your treatment covered by your insurance, so remember to call up and ask.
Keep the Swelling Down
You’ll want to invest in other options to keep the swelling down. This can be done by eating more anti-inflammatory foods, using ice packs, or even using ibuprofen as your pain killer. The goal is to prevent painful swelling, so your white blood cells can quickly and easily get to your wound.
Keep Your Wound Clean and Dry
You need to be very careful that following your C-section the incision doesn’t get infected. To do this, clean it regularly and redress it. Try to keep it completely dry as well. Getting an infection can hurt both you and your baby, so monitor your wound carefully.
Slowly Work Your Way Back Up to Your Routine
As you get better it’s important to not push yourself too quickly. Start very, very small. Listen to every little twinge and follow it. Your body will tell you when you are pushing yourself too far, so follow its lead. Once the wound is closed, you can then start light exercises and stretches to build back strength and flexibility.
Leave a Reply