Recovery after a c-section is really difficult. Whether your c-section was an emergency or planned, it is a very hard recovery. You were cut open and it takes time to recover. In my case, I had an emergency c-section at 35 weeks so it was completely unexpected and I was unprepared.
I learned while recovering what products worked and what didn’t the hard way. Recovering from abdominal surgery is so tough. It takes a long time to regain your strength from your body being cut into after a c-section. That is why I made this list to help other women after a c-section of their own.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: I am preparing for my 2nd c-section in the next few months because I am pregnant again in my third pregnancy (pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy loss). And these are all the products I have purchased/kept for this second go around.
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Table of Contents
What do I need for postpartum care after a c-section?
There are several different things you need to help you recover after a C-section. Your incision will be really sore for a long time and you shouldn’t be lifting anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks. Some products listed below will help you with your postpartum recovery after a c-section.
What supplies do I need after a c-section?
There are several different supplies you will need to help you recover after a C-section. Your incision will be really sore for a long time and you shouldn’t be lifting anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks. Some products listed below will help you with your postpartum recovery after a C-section.
How can my partner help me recover after a C-section?
Be supportive. Your partner can help you by being supportive emotionally and physically. It can be painful, especially in the early days after a C-section to move around. Your partner can help you get up from bed, chairs and walking around. Your partner can also pick up your baby from the bassinet or car seat and bring the baby to you.
Emotionally, your partner can be a listening ear to however you feel about your c-section. If your c-section was unexpected/emergent it can be difficult to cope with since you were not expecting it. If your c-section was planned, it may still be difficult to cope because the postpartum hormones can be a wild rollercoaster ride.
What are some tips to help recover after a c-section?
Getting plenty of rest (easier said than done with a newborn!), drinking lots of water, taking it slow, and going to your checkups will help you recover from your c-section.
Getting sleep will help your body recover and repair while also improving your mood. Try to sleep when you can and utilize your partner, family, or friends to hold your baby during wake times so you can rest or sleep also try to sleep when the baby is sleeping.
Drinking lots of water will not only keep you hydrated but give your body the fluids it needs to start to heal from surgery. It is often forgotten that a C-section is a major surgery and should be treated as such.
Take it slow after a c-section. It is important to try to walk and move around to heal but also avoid blood clots. But it is also important to not overdo it. Listen to your body and what it tells you. If you feel worse the day after a lot of activity, you probably overdid it. Remember that this is temporary and eventually you will be back to your normal daily activities.
Going to check-ups is extremely important after a c-section and don’t be afraid if something feels wrong to see your doctor sooner than the typical 6-week postpartum checkup. Your doctor can look at your scar to make sure things are healing correctly. You can also ask your doctor any questions you have about your recovery.
How long do you bleed after a C-section?
Even though you did not give birth vaginally, you still will bleed for several weeks after a c-section. You can expect heavy bleeding for the first few weeks and it to gradually decrease as the weeks pass. If you have any questions or concerns about your bleeding, be sure to speak to your doctor.
Products that Helped Me after a C-Section
Boppy Pillow
Your incision will be really sore for a long time and you shouldn’t be lifting anything heavier than your baby for a few weeks. Being able to feed my baby by using the boppy pillow made it so my incision wasn’t irritated and it also gave me the support I needed to hold up my baby because I was so weak.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: I have saved my bobby pillow from my last. I just purchased new covers and I found out they make a pillow protector cover as well. My cover from the last time I used it had lots of stains.
High Waisted Pants
I wore only yoga pants for the first 6 months postpartum. Any other pants I wore really hurt my incision. You want to make sure and get yoga pants that are high-waisted so the waistband doesn’t sit right on your incision and rub against it. Any piece of fabric that rubs against your incision will hurt.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: When I had my ectopic pregnancy surgery, I had similar incisions. I had 2 near my previous c-section scar and one in my belly button. But I also couldn’t wear jeans. I bought these comfy joggers in a size bigger than my norm and it was perfect. I have actually been able to wear these throughout my pregnancy as well. I believe they will work well after a C-section as well.
Loose dresses/Skirts
Once summer came around wearing yoga pants all the time made me too hot. I started wearing casual loose dresses and skirts. The dresses I wore were ones that I purchased while pregnant that were also nursing-friendly. They don’t look like maternity or nursing-friendly dresses so I still wear them today. The fabric is so breathable.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: This time I will be giving birth at the beginning of fall. I have a few of these dresses and skirts that I wore last time, but I am also planning on purchasing comfy pajamas like these to wear after a c-section.
Abdominal binder
The hospital I delivered gave me an abdominal binder so I didn’t purchase one. An abdominal binder is a must-have after a c-section. For weeks after surgery, I felt like all my insides were going to fall out of me because my core was so weak. Wearing an abdominal binder helped me walk after surgery because I didn’t feel like all of my insides were going to fall out.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: I will wait to see if the hospital I deliver at will provide one, and if not I have one I can easily order from Amazon.
Heavy Flow Pads
Something that surprised me after a c-section was how much I bled. I didn’t realize that I would still bleed even though I didn’t have a vaginal birth. You will bleed really heavy for the first week or so and you cannot wear tampons. I never liked the feeling of wearing pads because I always felt like I was really dirty so I wasn’t looking forward to the strict “nothing in your vagina until 6 weeks rule”. These pads were ones that made me feel clean even though I was bleeding a lot.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: I have several different-size pads left over from my ectopic pregnancy surgery, so I will not need to purchase more. However, these pads definitely worked just as well for the heavy bleeding I experienced while recovering from that surgery as well.
Prescriptions (stool softener, prenatal, pain meds)
You want to stay on top of your pain medication. Even if you don’t feel like you are in that much pain, you don’t ever want to feel the pain. I was on a narcotic while I was in the hospital, but it made me feel so nauseous. My doctor then put me on a lighter pain killer which kept me pain and nauseous-free.
The first poop after a c-section is the worst. If your doctor doesn’t prescribe you a stool softener, you will want to get some. Trust me, you’ll want it. As for prenatal, (which I didn’t realize and wish I was better at taking after birth) isn’t just for pregnant or nursing moms. It helps you recover easier because your body went through a lot during pregnancy and surgery.
UPDATE AS OF 2023: This go around I will be making sure I stay on top of taking a pre or post-natal vitamin after a c-section. I didn’t last time because frankly, I was so sick of taking pills after being so sick with preeclampsia. I often wonder if my recover (and possibly be able to actually have a milk supply?) if I stayed on top of taking my vitamins.
Do you still need to use a perri bottle after a c-section?
The hospital will provide one for you and I found that was just fine. Even though your vaginal area might not be as sore as those who had a vaginal birth, you are still sore all over with a c-section. You’ll also be sore because of the catheter that is placed during your c-section. You can either purchase your own or just use what is given to you.
Recovery after a c-section is really tough, but these items should make your recovery easier. Did you have a c-section? What items should I have added to my list after a c-section?
BONUS Essentials for after a c-section
Consider going to a physical therapist
After a c-section, it can be difficult to go back to your daily activities and exercise without discomfort or pain. A c-section is major abdominal surgery and it may be helpful to seek out professional care from a physical therapist. It can be common to struggle with bladder control, dissectus recti, pain with intercourse, and pain with daily activities or exercise. Just because it is common after a c-section, it doesn’t mean it should have to be dealt with.
This postpartum, I will be seeing a physical therapist as soon as I feel okay enough to. Not only did I have a c-section but I had another abdominal surgery less than a year ago with my ectopic pregnancy. I have definitely felt the consequences of back-to-back pregnancies/getting pregnant so soon after surgery. I never was able to fully get back to where I was physically–my abdominal strength in particular.
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