Healing after a C Section
Positively Birth Doula Services
Wound Care - Keep your incision clean and dry.
· The steri-strips can come off in the shower after day 7. Shower as normal, letting the warm soapy water run down onto the incision.
· To dry your incision, lie on your back and use a hair dryer on cool, or pat dry gentle with towels.
· To keep your incision dry and protected use a soft hand or dish towel against it, inside your underwear.
· If your incision is oozing or looking more red, puffy, warm, or sore, it may be a sign of infection. You can call 811 or visit emergency.
· Castile soap and colloidal silver are shown to reduce the risk of infection in healing wounds. They can be used on your incision as an extra step in cleaning and preventing infection each day.
Activities and Restrictions
· Your incision needs to heal on the inside as well as the outside. It’s recommended to avoid driving (even being a passenger), twisting, bending, and lifting for 3-6 weeks. The less you do at first the faster you will heal.
· It’s important to get up and walk a few times a day to help avoid gas and stiff muscles.
· Try not to bend – squat instead.
· NO – vacuuming, lifting more than your baby, laundry, sweeping, driving, dog walking or carrying groceries for at least 2 weeks. If you need to do chores do the dishes! Otherwise, stay in bed and take short walks. Enjoy the downtime and focus on bonding with your baby and feeding.
Diet
· Moms should try to eat when their babies eat, and sleep when their baby sleeps for the first 2 weeks. It’s not much sleep with a newborn.
· Eat healthy whole food. Avoid salt, grease, and high sugar, it may cause gas and constipation, which feels horrible. Check out the Dr. Brewer’s diet. Drink lots of water, eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Cereal 5 times a day is totally fine!
Pills and Supplements
· For pain you may choose Voltaren or Advil along with Tylenol or T3s. T3s can make you sleepy and constipated because of the codeine, so use sparingly. Keep on top of your pain, take pain meds on a schedule for the first week, then as needed.
· You may need iron supplements.
· You may choose to take stool softeners
· It’s recommended to take your prenatal vitamins, as well as B12, Omega 3, Vitamin D and magnesium.
As always, consult your health care provider to see if these tips are right for you. Seek medical attention right away if you suspect you have an infection. Remember, if you need medical advice, nurses are available at 811 24/7.