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Postpartum Abdominal Binder -M Overviews
La Leche Postpartum Abdominal Binder
Postpartum Abdominal Binder -M Features
Having a C-section or Cesarean Section is abdominal surgery that requires anesthesia and quality recovery time, but the real success of your c-section recovery depends on your care, complications involved and your mental outlook, but the first few days after surgery are critical for ensuring a safe and quick recovery.
One of the things that helps c-section moms the most is to understand what actually happens from the time of delivery through the first few days of recovery. The more you understand about what happens at each stage of your c-section recovery the better prepared you will be and that's key to a successful recovery.
Postpartum Abdominal Binder -M
The C-section Delivery Procedure
The C-section procedure itself is actually easier than having a vaginal birth on both mom and baby as there is no pushing or physical strain. The procedure starts with the lower half of your body being numbed using a spinal or epidural anesthesia. There isn't anything for you to do except lay comfortably. Once completely numbed the surgeon will make an incision in your lower abdomen and the baby will be delivered from the womb through the stretched incision. Your anesthesiologist will be sitting beside you and will fill you in on how things are going with the delivery or answer any questions you may have.
Once baby is delivered some hospitals will allow skin-to-skin contact and/or breastfeeding at this time however some hospitals will not. In that case a nurse will wrap and clean your baby and bring her over to you so that you can make eye contact. During this time your doctor will deliver the afterbirth and close the incision. With regard to closing your incision, you may have staples or stitches or glue, it simply depends on what your doctor prefers and what requests you have.
The first few hours after Delivery
After your doctor closes your incision you will go immediately to recovery. Depending on your preference or hospital rules, you may be able to hold your baby while you are in recovery, if not you may have to wait until you are brought to your room which could be anywhere from one to two hours.
If you had an epidural it may be left in for a period of time to allow for more medication to be prescribed, or you may be given medication into your IV to help with any pain.
If you are breastfeeding in recovery you will have to adjust the position of your body to avoid upsetting your sutures, but you will also have assistance at this time.
Your First Few Days In The Hospital
From recovery you will be taken to your hospital room. If you have not yet breastfed you will be able to start very soon. Do not worry about the anesthesia affecting the quality of your breast milk, you should be able to breast feed right after delivery and it is not harmful to your baby.
There will be some discomfort a few hours after the birth, as with any surgery. The best thing to do within the first few hours of surgery is to lay back and relax, there's no need to jump right up. Try to focus on breastfeeding and bonding with your new baby.
You can expect to be in the hospital about three days. Your doctor will continue to prescribe IV or oral pain medication to keep you comfortable; nurses will be available to assist you with the baby and breastfeeding techniques as well.
If you become nauseous or your skin feels itchy right after delivery, let your nurse or doctor know that you are experiencing discomfort and they can help you feel more comfortable. These are normal post-partum symptoms, but while you are in the care of the hospital staff, make sure to speak up if you have any discomfort.
Day one
You will be expected to get up out of bed and start walking within about 12-24 hours. The first time up is the hardest but I promise it gets easier. Your catheter may also come out today as well. You will be feeling a little sluggish the first day so this is a good time to focus on breastfeeding as much as you can.
Day two
You are probably going to feel tired and sore today however it's very important that you continue walking. Remaining mildly active will speed your recovery and make it much easier to adjust after you leave the hospital.
Avoid the temptation to stay in bed. Make it a goal to take at least one walk consisting of a couple of laps around the nurses' desk. You might experience some gas pain or bloating which is completely normal, surgery often makes the intestine slow causing gas to build up. Moving around will sometimes help to wake the intestine back up and relieve this gas pain.
Continue with your respiratory and abdominal exercises, urinate frequently to relieve any extra pressure on the abdomen and uterus, and focus as much as you can on enjoying and forming a close bond between you and your baby.
Day three
If you're making good progress with your recovery, today is most likely when you'll be going home. Some doctors may decide that you need an additional recovery day in the hospital, but if all is going well you should be able to go home.
If you do remain in the hospital keep up your walking and breastfeeding. You will probably get your stitches or staples out today as well. Most stitches come out within the second or third day after surgery.
Before going home your doctor will prescribe pain medication and possibly a stool softener if you are constipated or have gas (avoid constipation by drinking plenty of fluids).
Your Recovery at Home
Expect to be somewhat dependent on others for the next few days. Don't lift anything heavier than your baby, and pay special attention to your incision area as a c-section incision infection would seriously delay your recovery.
If you have discomfort getting out of bed or moving around try using a C-Section Abdominal binder. A good binder will give your incision and muscles the support it needs to minimize your pain allowing you to move more comfortably throughout the day and sleep better at night.
In the coming weeks
Within in about 4-6 weeks of your surgery you will have your first checkup. If everything has gone well you should get the OK to resume normal activities such as exercise, going back to work, sexual relations, etc.
Note that because some nerves were cut during the c-section procedure you may have some pulling, numbness or even a little burning around your incision. These things are all normal and part of the healing process.
If you will be starting any type of exercise, be extremely careful. Exercise after a c-section is important however some exercises can cause injury, not all exercise is appropriate for post c-section moms. Any vaginal discharge should lessen over the coming weeks and have completely disappeared by about the 6th to 8th week.
Also pay attention to your hormone levels, a little bit of the post-partum depression or baby blues is normal but be aware of any intense post-partum depression. Don't be afraid to get help should you experience more than normal bouts of depression and hopelessness.
C-Section Recovery Timeline
Elizabeth McGee is a researcher, writer and author of the Worry Free C-Section. For more on what you may not know about C-Section delivery, recovery and the details doctors don't tell you, visit Elizabeth's C-Section Birth and Recovery Blog.
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