Postpartum C-Section Recovery Items - Belly Bandit

It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different.

After your C-section, you might look like you're still pregnant, which is normal. During your recovery, you'll drop more weight as your body gets rid of excess fluids. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in the lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. The uterus, abdominal wall, and skin need to heal after a C-section, and during that time, it's recommended to avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.

Every C-section is different, and recovery may take longer with an emergency procedure than one that was planned. Infections, problems with the incision, and underlying health problems may also make recovery times longer. The most important thing a person can do to recover more quickly is to talk to their healthcare provider to get advice tailored to their experience.

An abdominal binder like the B.F.F. Belly Wrap provides the support and stability women need and makes women feel more comfortable. You must keep your C-section incision clean and dry at first while it heals. After several months, you will notice that your incision will heal into a scar. Many women say that their scars are still tender to the touch for months after surgery, and some say it is still numb for up to a year. This is normal but immediately consult with your doctor if you feel any pain. If you’d like to help avoid having a noticeable scar use a skin salve or scar sheets. Our Belly Shield can help protect your scar and your belly wrap.

In general, yes. It is major abdominal surgery and it will take you a while to heal. Pain following a C-section is typically the strongest the first few days and subsides as you continue to heal over the course of a few weeks. Your wound will feel sore and bruised for a few weeks, and you will need to take pain relief for at least 7–10 days after your c-section.

Some women use a postpartum belly wrap after having a baby to help support weakened muscles. Studies show that wraps or binders might also help with pain and healing after a Cesarean section, and help support your organs and muscles as they move back into place after having a baby. The Postpartum Luxe Belly Wrap is a great wrap to start with.

It is up to your doctor’s discretion on when you can start wearing your belly wrap depending on your incision and how it's healing. You could start wearing your Original Postpartum Belly Wrap anywhere from immediately to 2-4 weeks after a C-section with your doctor's signoff.

You can wear a belly wrap for as long as you need to each day to feel comfortable. However, experts recommend that you only wear them for 2 to 12 weeks, since extended wear can have adverse effects.

It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in the lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. The uterus, abdominal wall, and skin need to heal after a C-section, and during that time, it's recommended to avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.

Most women are awake for the C-section, and should be able to hold your baby right away. You’ll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing and keep an eye on you. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication that’s going through a thin tube into your veins. After your C-section, you might look like you're still pregnant, which is normal. Most women lose around 13 pounds during birth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During your recovery, you'll drop more weight as your body gets rid of excess fluids.

Self-care, setting reasonable expectations, and having a supportive medical team can make the recovery from a cesarean section easier. Every C-section is different, and recovery may take longer with an emergency procedure than one that was planned. Infections, problems with the incision, and underlying health problems may also make recovery times longer. The most important thing a person can do to recover more quickly is to talk to their healthcare provider to get advice tailored to their experience. However, you can speed up their recovery from a C-section with the following methods:

• Get plenty of rest –– Rest is vital for recovery from any surgery yet, for many new parents, rest is nearly impossible with a newborn in the home.
• Ask for help –– Newborns are demanding. Caring for a baby after major surgery can be exhausting. Ask for help from a partner, a neighbor, family, or a trusted friend. Consider llining up a meal train or a schedule of visitors who can watch the baby while they rest or take a shower.
• Process your emotions –– Giving birth can be an emotional experience for all involved. Women who experience emergency deliveries or traumatic births, as well as those who have cesarean deliveries they hoped to avoid, may have to process difficult emotions about the birth. Talk to a partner, friend, or therapist. Getting early support may help reduce the risk of postpartum depression and can help women experiencing postpartum depression to get quicker treatment.
• Take regular walks –– Lifting and intense aerobic exercise are out for the first few weeks of recovery. As an alternative, walking can help with staying fit and maintaining good mental health. Taking a walk also reduces the risk of blood clots and other heart or blood vessel issues.
• Manage pain –– There is no need to be in pain while struggling with all the other demands of new parenting. Take the pain relievers prescribed by your doctor, and always contact a healthcare provider for advice.
• Watch for signs of infection –– Some doctors will ask new parents to take their own temperature every 24 hours to monitor for signs of infection. People can consult with their doctor or midwife to ask if this is a good strategy. Be mindful of other signs of infection, such as swelling, intense pain, red streaks coming from the incision, or chills. Contact a doctor or go to the emergency room if these symptoms appear.
• Fight constipation –– The combination of hormonal shifts, weaker stomach muscles, and spending lots of time lying down can lead to constipation. Severe constipation can be painful, and straining can injure the C-section incision. Drink plenty of water and ask a doctor about taking a stool softener. Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as fruit and vegetables, can help to prevent constipation.

• Abdominal Binder –– An abdominal binder provides the support and stability women need and makes women feel more comfortable.
• Pain Relief –– Controlling your pain after surgery is crucial because it makes it easier for you to take care of yourself and your baby. Taking the medication that your doctor prescribes you on schedule to stay on top of your pain relief is important. Some doctors will prescribe you an opioid painkiller (like Norco) for the first week or two and then recommend taking an Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) and or acetaminophen (Tylenol). As always, consult with your doctor before taking any medication.
• Stool Softeners –– Many physicians give their C-section patients a laxative for the first few days after surgery. This helps make that first poop less scary and more tolerable. Stool softeners also help prevent you from straining, which could irritate your incision. And if you’ve been prescribed an opioid painkiller post-cesarean, it’s especially important to take a stool softener because opioid painkillers can cause constipation. Consult with your doctor before taking any stool softeners at home.
• Postpartum Pads –– Even if you’ve not given birth vaginally, you will still experience postpartum bleeding. This bleeding will first look like a heavy period that will gradually get lighter and darker in color over the next two weeks so you’ll want large postpartum pads, free of chemicals. The bleeding will eventually taper off like a regular period, so having different absorbances on hand is helpful.
• Skin Salve –– You must keep your C-section incision clean and dry at first while it heals. After several months, you will notice that your incision will heal into a scar. Many women say that their scars are still tender to the touch for months after surgery, and some say it is still numb for up to a year. This is normal but immediately consult with your doctor if you feel any pain. If you’d like to help avoid having a noticeable scar use a skin salve or scar sheets.