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Nervous about your upcoming c-section?
I was honestly so nervous about mine that I didn’t even think about what c-section recovery would be like.
While I was pregnant with the twins, I knew early on that I was destined for a c-section. From that 20 week anatomy scan, we all knew Kendall wasn’t going anywhere.
She was footling breech and blocking the exit, and as much as I prayed for her stubborn booty to move- it never happened. She just sank deeper and deeper into my cervix.
Yes. It was as painful as you are imagining.
Her feet reminded me of the penguin from happy feet. She was dancing 24/7 and holy cow was it painful. Half the time it made me jump in pain when she would start up her ‘happy feet’ kicking!
So then I was later admitted to the hospital on bedrest for pre-e, we spent a lot of time discussing my pending cesarean.
We talked about how everything would happen, what I could expect, who would be in the OR, what it might feel like, and the possibility that I wouldn’t be able to hold the twins right away.
The one thing we didn’t talk about was the aftermath.
What happens once I am sewn back up and wheeled back into my room? Or the next morning? What about when I get up for the first time?
Here are the five things I wish we would have talked about for a successful recovery:
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Get up FIRST THING the next day.
I wish someone would have told me this. Instead, I was bombarded at 7:30AM the next day by a group of nurses ready to get me up for a few steps. WHYYYY didn’t anyone tell me how absolutely brutal it would be??? It was like learning to stand and walk all over again. So if you are preparing for c-section recovery, be prepared for that first morning after to be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done. You have no core strength after a cesarean. So use your arms will be your strength for a few days.
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Take your meds on the clock for 48 hours
I cannot stress this enough- DO NOT MISS A PILL! At least not for the first two days. I figured I was feeling fine about 36 hours after and opted out of the pain pills. Not even an HOUR after was I doubled over in pain pushing the red call button for my nurse. I did tapper off after about two and a half days, and was fine after that with just Tylenol. But seriously- wait at least 48 hours before tapering off the pain meds!
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Forget the tight clothes
I didn’t realize how tight my clothes were until after delivery. Even my maternity clothes were all pretty tight!! I would highly suggest leggings that either ride over your belly button, or grab these maternity leggings that are styled to ride underneath the belly. I loved these leggings after delivery because they weren’t too tight, and didn’t touch my c-section while I was sitting, standing, or walking!
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Drink a LOTTA WATTA
I know you’ve been told this throughout the whole pregnancy (and you’re life) but hear me out. Water is totally necessary for a successful c-section recovery because it’ll help get things moving again and hopefully make that first poo a little easier. I did not listen to this and I was super constipated. I’m talking in tears on the toilet constipated because no one bothered to tell me that hydration= easy poops after a c-section. Along with the water- take those stool softeners. Just make it easier on yourself!
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Take it easy
My last piece of advice- take it easy. Just because you are no longer pregnant doesn’t mean you can dive right back into conquering the world like you were pre-pregnancy. Your body is going through some huge changes, and you just had a major surgery. Walk slow, rest while you can, and cuddle your babies. Don’t be like me and decide to deep clean the house one week post op and make yourself nearly pass out in pain. Take friends and family up on their offers to help. Let them do the dishes, laundry, lift the babies into the car. Whatever it is that will make your c-section recovery easier.
Bonus tip- grab my FREE e-book that is filled with printables to make your life easier after you bring the babies home. It is filled with checklists and trackers so that your mind can be on ease while tackling the first few months with twins.
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I hope you take what I have shared with you and rock your c-section recovery.
Have any other tips to share? What do you wish you would have done? Go ahead and share in the comments!
Good luck ladies! And enjoy those twinnies!
Mamie says
These are good suggestions! I had a csection and wish I would have known these things.
The Curious Frugal says
Great tips! Just because c-sections are common, doesn’t mean they’re not major surgery. It’s really not a small thing to recover from, especially when you are also caring for new little lives right after surgery.
Lena says
Wow mama. These are amazing tips. I didn’t have a c section but I salute c section mamas. You guys under go major surgery and then rock motherhood immediately after! These tips are awesome
Lynneah says
Thank you Lena! It sure is hard, but you adjust and go forward!
Lynneah says
Thank you! And I agree! I am over nine months postpartum and am still recovering.
Lynneah says
Thank you! If there is a next time I hope you can take these tips with you!
Lexi says
Yes!!! I was so unprepared for how painful it would be! It’s so important to get up as soon as they let you and to take all your meds for at least a few days! I totally thought I would be fine and stopped and I was in worse pain than the day after! Also the clothes are so important, no yoga pants where the seam sits right on your incision!
Britney says
I’ve heard C sections are so hard on people! These are great tips.
Lynneah says
Thank you!
Lynneah says
The things no one prepares you for! C-sections are no joke!