Preparing for C Section Recovery: Your Home, Body, and Mind

I wasn’t ready to come home from the hospital. Seriously, my body still felt like crap, I was struggling to take every single step and I really enjoyed a nurse coming into my room every few hours to bring me food and medication. At home, it would be me, my husband (both unexperienced with c section recovery) our teenager and our brand new twin boys.

Luckily, I considered the recovery process before going into the c section, so I asked my friends who had c sections before what I should think about, consider and purchase that will make my life easier or better when I come home.

Select a comfortable space that has most of the amenities you need to maintain your pain, ease discomfort and maintain healthy eating habits and stay hydrated during c section recovery. All of your items should be within reach of your primary location or within a few steps without using stairs.

C section recovery can be long and uncomfortable, but there are several things you can prepare in advance to make your recovery easier.

Move in with family before your scheduled c section date.

We decided to move in with my mom because, in addition to having a huge house with a spare bedroom and living room she didn’t use, I would also have access to family that could check on me, bring me food or help with the kids so I could sleep when needed.

This was perfect for my first night home when the pharmacy didn’t have the prescription that I needed to manage my pain when I left the hospital. As soon as my pain medication wore off, I started screaming.

My husband, who was exhausted from taking care of me and the twins, kept trying to take me to the hospital. Just getting out of the hospital, I didn’t want to go back, but also didn’t want to be in pain. My mom came down and, with a calm head, suggested we call the doctor who gave us a quick solution. She took care of the babies so we could rest and when the morning came, she picked up the medicine for me.

I was never more grateful than in that moment to have chosen to stay with my parents after the delivery.

Choose a recovery space where you can reach most needs without taking stairs.

I’ll be the first to admit my wimpy-ness and general inability to deal with pain. I knew I would cope with c section recovery as well as a fish out of water. I’m the same girl who stopped playing soccer because I got hit in the face with the soccer ball… one time.

Whether you’re a wimp like me, or you’ve been through this before, it’s advised that you avoid the stairs for a few weeks after your c section so knowing which space in your home with give you the most effort with the least effort. As a baseline, you want a space that is near a bathroom and kitchen.

I chose to stay in the living room. It was close to the bathroom, but not the kitchen. So we purchased a few things so I wouldn’t have to go upstairs to the kitchen, including:

1. mini fridge
2. microwave
3. hot stove
4. utensils

If you have a high bed, you may be more comfortable on a couch or recliner.

I spent my last few weeks of my twin pregnancy on the couch. I watched TV, read books, and had dinner all in one place… on the recliner. I gained so much weight with the twins that I could no longer pick myself up or lay down comfortably. I could only lean myself up or lean back using the buttons on the side of the recliner. I looked forward to the c section date to relieve some of the extra weight so I could finally get back in the bed. When I got home I realized that I’d be on the couch for much longer because the bed was too high for me to sit and climb in comfortably.

I also got a rolling table because I assumed it would be difficult for me to get up to move to a dinner table or computer desk when I wanted to. It was much better to have the dinner or computer come to me during my recovery period.

Make sure you can create a decent basic meal.

We didn’t have a kitchen in our basement living area but I wanted to make sure I would create a basic meal for myself if my husband was gone, busy or just too tired. So we purchased a few items to give me that flexibility without going upstairs.

The first thing we purchased was a water filter because I wouldn’t be able to walk upstairs, into the kitchen to place my cup under the refrigerator filter and we wanted to be environmentally friendly.

We purchased mostly fruit, veggies and bread, but I also freezer meals that I could easily pop into the microwave if I wanted a hot meal. My favorite is the Evol Bowl Fire Grilled Steak bowl so we purchased a few of those in advance. We also had to get a mini fridge and small microwave for the space.

If I was awake with the kids alone or hungry while my husband was on kid duty, I could easily make myself a snack or full meal.

Keep a Mom Health Kit close by

You have just been through an intense surgery and you know there’s going to be lots of items recommended to you to purchase to make the recovery easier on your body. We purchased a cheap Foldable Storage Cube Basket Bin and put everything I needed inside and then put the bin on the side table right next to my favorite spot on the recliner.

My DIY mom health kit included:

• Pads
• Gauze and cotton squares
• Medical Tape
• Pads
• Ice packs
• Pills (prescriptions, ibuprofen, iron, stool softeners, etc.)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Bio Oil

Without a doubt, you’ll have a huge list of recommended items from your doctor to aide you in your c section recovery. Storing them right next to you so they’re all within arms reach will make your life a lot easier.

Order loose fitting dresses that won’t touch your scar.

Before having my c section, many friends told me to get very loose fitting pants. I heard at least three different c section wound horror stories that I didn’t want to reenact. I wasn’t worried about this part. As someone who worked from home most of my life, I accumulated lots of sweatpants.

But when I arrived home, I dint’ want anything to get close to that the scar across my belly – not even underwear elastic. I would only wear loose fitting dresses. Unlike my arsenal of sweatpants, I only has 2-3 dresses that would be warm enough.

Two things that worked really well were breastfeeding dresses and my oodie. An oodie is a wearable blanket. (Thank me later.) It’s thick and long and was perfect for keeping me warm and super cozy around the house.

Prepare to be needy.

I know you just carried a baby. (If you’re like me you carried multiple babies.) You’re strong and you’re no stranger to hard work.

Recovering from your c section is one of those times that you must find ways to ask for help. Allowing your body to rest as much as possible will help you recover faster and not further stress your body after the surgery.

Ask for help when you need to lift anything other than your baby. (Sometimes I would even ask people to hand my baby to me. Lean on whoever is around to help do anything you need so you can just focus on getting better.

C section recovery is hard, but doable. Prepare in advance, do the best you can and ask for help along the way.