POST-SURGERY CARE & RECOVERY

C-Sections: What to Expect When You’re Recovering

One in every three babies in the United States is delivered by cesarean section—a surgical birth that requires an incision to the mother’s uterus and abdominal wall. So while a C-section is a common surgery, the healing and recovery process is not quick. It’s measured in weeks, not days, and recovery time can be different for everyone. Keeping that in mind can help ease anxiety about how slowly or quickly you’re recovering.

Baby Yourself: How to Heal from a C-Section Quickly

After a C-section, you’re recovering from both childbirth and abdominal surgery. Add in caring for a newborn infant, and getting anything accomplished is a huge feat. Recruit family members to assist, rest when you can, and follow these other tips to help you heal fast and get back on your feet.

Take It Easy

As with all abdominal surgeries, you should avoid stretching for several weeks. Make sure everything you need is always within a short arm’s reach. Sorry, but lifting anything over 5lbs is a no go. Have your baby placed in your arms by someone else as much as possible.

Support Your Abdomen

Hold your incision during any quick or sudden movements, like laughing, coughing, or sneezing. And maintain a good posture when sitting, walking, or standing.

Seek Pain Relief

Check with your doctor first, but most pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are generally okay to take while breastfeeding. A heating pad can help alleviate C-section pain as well.

Care for Your Incision

Instructions from your doctor will be specific to how your incision was sealed, so it’s best to follow those to the letter for fast healing. If you weren’t sent home with supplies, you’ll want gauze pads and medical tape on hand.

Watch for Signs of Infection

Up to 8% of C-section incisions become infected, so it’s just as important to take care of yourself as it is your wee one. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these signs of possible infection:

Swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing around your incision
Pain that’s worsening rather than improving
A fever
An odorous or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Burning or pain during urination or if urine is dark and/or bloody

Woman holding up and laughing with her baby

Never Fear, Your C-Section Scar Will Fade

C-section scarring is inevitable, but with proper care it will fade in time. The scar left behind after a C-section incision is typically 1/8” wide and from 4 to 6 inches long. At first, it’ll be raised slightly and may be darker and puffier than the skin around it. It will eventually heal to match your regular skin color and shrink to 1/16” in width. It’s normal for your scar to be itchy as it heals further, shrinks, and fades. If you find it excessively itchy, ask your healthcare provide to suggest itch relief remedies.

POST-SURGERY CARE AND RECOVERY

Two women hugging each other and smiling

Rest Up and Recover Well

Understanding how to properly care for your incision—and yourself—after surgery can help prevent infection so you can recover faster.

Female doctor smiling at a child as she checks their blood pressure.

POST-SURGERY CARE AND RECOVERYIncision Care

You’re on the road to recovery! While you’re healing from your surgery or stitches, plan on spending 10-20 minutes a day inspecting and caring for your incision. The healing and recovery process will be significantly faster if infection is avoided, so it’s worth following your home-care instructions.

A person carefully inspects and tends to a child's bandaged arm, emphasizing the importance of follow-up care after an injury.

FIRST AID BASICSFollow Up and Follow Through

You’ve had an injury, and it’s been treated. Now what? How you follow up with care is just as important as the initial treatment. Taking a few minutes each day to inspect your injury and care for it properly can help your wound heal faster.

C-Sections: What to Expect When You’re Recovering