C-Section Recovery
βπΎπΆπΎ, ππππ πππ πππππ πππππππ!β a friend said when she saw my cesarean scar.
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Yes, yes it was. During a c-section, the skin and many layers of tissue below are cut horizontally. At the abdominal muscles, the surgeon parts them vertically down the middle. The bladder is moved out of the way to get to the uterus. Then an incision is made in the uterus to get the baby out. After, the uterus is stitched up, the bladder is put back in place and the outer layer of skin and tissue below are closed with stitches.β£β£β£
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During healing, scar tissue forms at the surface of the skin and in the layers underneath. Adhesions may form that limit movement or cause alignment issues in the surrounding tissues and organs, including the pelvic floor.β£β£β£
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As someone who has had multiple other surgeries in her life, it struck me as odd that my c-section was the only one for which I did not receive a post-op rehab plan. For most major surgeries, itβs standard protocol to follow up with some type of therapeutic rehabilitation. For example, my ACL repair required months of physical therapy and several post-op visits. But, for my cesarean, I left the hospital with no rehab instructions and only received one follow-up visit at 6 weeks postpartum. This baffles me!β£β£β£
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So, what can you do? Self-educate, ask questions, and seek out help from experts like pelvic floor therapists and postpartum specialists.β£β£β£ Personally, I have found walking, belly breathing, pelvic floor activations, & scar massage so helpful in my own cesarean recovery journey.β£β£β£
Here are some Doβs & Donβt for c-section recovery:
Do:
βοΈRest & ask for help! This is not the time to push yourself. You just had major abdominal surgery AND are caring for a newborn.
βοΈOnce healed, touch your scar for desensitization. Begin massage to break up adhesions & scar tissue as soon as you feel comfortable.
βοΈInitiate walking to your comfort level. Again, this is not the time to push yourself into exercise. Start slow and progress in duration & intensity as you heal.
Donβt:
π«Rush back into exercise. Your body needs time to heal, not only from surgery, but also from 9-10 months of pregnancy AND taking care of a newborn! In addition, jumping into exercise too soon can cause issues with your core, pelvic floor, & scar.
π« Assume your pelvic floor is fine because you didnβt have a vaginal birth. The pelvic floor is still impacted from months of pregnancy, as well as the trauma of abdominal surgery. I recommend all mamas, including c section moms, see a pelvic floor therapist if possible.
π« Wear tight belly binders. Light support over your scar can be helpful if it feels good in your body, but tight & restrictive girdles and belly binders are a big NO. They increase intra-abdominal pressure and create strain on the pelvic floor & core, which can prevent proper healing and cause issues over time.
Check out this band from Frida Mom for lightweight safe support, as well as hot/cold therapy options. I also recommend these comfy high-waisted underwear, which wonβt irritate or rub against your scar.
And, the biggest DO? DO give yourself grace, mama. A c-section is indeed βrealβ birth plus major surgery. Be gentle with yourself as you heal, and give yourself major props for the strong, brave, mama that you are!
β£Fellow c-section mamas, drop me a comment on your recovery experience below!
By reading this blog, you agree not to use the content as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Please consult your physician before starting any new exercise program or technique, whether pregnant or not. Under no circumstances shall Motion Melissa LLC, any guests or contributors to the blog, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Motion Melissa LLC be responsible for damages arising from use of this content. Thank you for being here!
