WORDS FROM THE WISE | 5 Tips to Help You Recover from a Caesarean Section

Guest blogger, Rachel Baldwin, is a wife, mother of two, former teacher turned fitness influencer and entrepreneur. She has had two children and two caesarean sections. Rachel is sharing the 5 things she wishes she had known sooner about recovering from the surgery.

I’ve never not had a C-section, so I can’t compare to a natural birth BUT having a C-section is SURGERY. aka it’s no joke!! Here are my tips to aid in recovery!

1. Stay Active in Pregnancy

I know this is easier said than done. But I’m not exaggerating, after having an emergency C-section with my first, my nurse was like, “WOW you are moving around a LOT – you must have worked out during your pregnancy.” And I felt like complete ass. So I can’t imagine it being worse. Move your body in some way regularly! Whether that’s weights, yoga, barre, (of course as long as your doctor hasn’t put you on restriction!) just MOVE and get blood flow to those muscles!

2. Listen and Follow Prompts From Your Nurses to Get Up and Move

Even when it sucks. Do it. It’s 100% in your best interest. Taking the walk in the hallway, or going to the bathroom was not desirable. I literally cried when they took out my catheter because it was just so nice to not have to pee, lol. But getting your body moving and letting your uterus contract back down will speed up your recovery!

3. Don’t be a Hero – TAKE YOUR MEDS

You had MAJOR surgery. There is no trophy you get if you turn in extra meds. I mean, don’t take them excessively, lol. I remember being in the hospital and my doctor asked me how I was feeling… and I was like “I feel good! When I take my meds…” and I felt bad like they shouldn’t go together. She was like, “Uhhh you SHOULD take your meds.” Major. Surgery.

4. Take Stool Softeners BEFORE You Go in the Hospital

Just trust me, lol. You’ll get bound up post surgery from the meds and your stuff being all rearranged. I took them post surgery but it would have been WAY better to have things working sooner. The sooner you can go, the better you’ll feel.

5. Have a Step Stool to use at Home to Get In and Out of Bed

Sitting up takes soooo much abdominal support and if you’re on the shorter side like me, it’ll stretch (makes me wanna puke just thinking about it!) and pull to get out and into bed – which you’ll have to do quite a bit with the new babe.

Remember, it feels like hell in the moment, but it’ll pass so quickly. It’s a blink of an eye in the scheme of it all! So don’t be afraid to ask for help!! Absolutely ACCEPT help if it’s offered. It truly takes a village!

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