C-Sections and Family Centered Birth

Try to take everything easy. Although walking as soon as possible is very helpful in your recovery. Doing as little else as possible is important. The rule of thumb is to not lift anything heavier than your baby. When you get home, take the steps only once a day (if at all). Make a nest on the couch and nap there during the day. Get as much help as you can with your cleaning, food preparations, and other children. Make a list and keep it handy, when someone offers to help it is easier to read off a list than to think of something you need done. It also prevents you from feeling like you are begging for help. You will need help. (I recommend this for anyone having a baby.)

You can start doing breathing and kegel exercises the first day in the hospital, someone will show you how. Then each day you can gradually find small exercises to do to get back into shape. Do not return to your previous exercise routine without permission of your care provider. Overdoing it will only slow your recovery.

By the end of six weeks, some people say they are feeling pretty good, although still dealing with some pain and sleeplessness. After this period you can usually resume most activities (Some doctors will allow you to drive after about 2 weeks, others request that you wait the entire 6.). Let your body be your guide.

Some women, not all, will need more help with emotional recovery after a surgical birth. While it is very important that you and your baby had a healthy delivery, you may still have emotions that need to be dealt with surrounding the experience. It maybe that you feel left out of the decision-making process, or that you would have preferred a different type of birth. Whatever the reason, please do not ignore these feelings or let anyone belittle you for experiencing them. There are many organizations that you can contact for support, like ICAN.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Make sure stop by and let us know all about it.

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