C-Section Recovery: What to Expect Beyond the Hospital
Featuring Kristy
With Lauren Zatezalo, OT student, and Melissa O'Neal, OTR/L
Have you been discharged from the hospital after a c-section with no idea what to do or expect? On this episode, we talk with mom and occupational therapist Kristy all about her experience having 3 c-sections. We discuss the biggest challenges, the emotional impact, and what you can do to help your body heal.
About Kristy
Kristy is an occupational therapist and mom from Australia. She is the founder of OT in Motherhood, a new business dedicated to supporting women through the full spectrum of motherhood. She also hosts a podcast called C Section Support. Kristy believes that a well prepared mother is a more confident mother, and that women who give birth via c section deserve far more support than they typically receive.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
- The biggest challenges of c-section recovery: decreased mobility, pain at the incision site and back, decreased core strength, skin sensation changes around the incision, caring for additional children with movement restrictions, and the emotional impact on the postpartum experience.
- Post-surgical precautions after a c-section: do not lift anything more than 10 to 15 pounds for the first few weeks, and avoid frequent and intense exercise. Each hospital may have slightly different recommendations so get the specifics from your doctor.
- How to prepare before a c-section: research your hospital's resources, prepare your environment for postpartum, and practice strategies with older children ahead of time so they are less dependent on being picked up.
- Recovery starts from day 1. You do not want to sit and do no movement until your 6 week visit, but you also do not want to push too hard. Listen to your body to find the just right amount of movement.
- Scar massage and desensitization techniques help with the healing process by preventing scar tissue buildup, increasing blood flow, and retraining nerves to recognize sensations. Do not begin scar massage until your wound is fully closed and no scabs are present, typically 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
Show Notes and Resources
OT in Motherhood, Kristy (Instagram: @ot.in.motherhood). Scar massage after caesarean (kingstonandrichmond.nhs.uk). Scar massage video demonstration (youtu.be/PHMWGhBe-3s). Desensitization video (youtu.be/mtRSoECXyHE). MedlinePlus: C-section recovery (medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000624.htm). Raising Children Network: After a caesarean (raisingchildren.net.au).
From This Episode
Know that what you feel is valid. You are allowed to grieve not having the vaginal birth that you wanted or expected.
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