You need to give your body at least 6 weeks for the incision to heal, and for the abdomen to recover from the trauma.
You'll be instructed not to lift anything heavier than your baby for up to eight weeks after your C-section, and bending over will likely still be difficult. Don't push yourself, and don't try to do more than you're physically able to do once you're home.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
Avoid any high-impact exercises, such as aerobics, running and resistance or weight training. Once you have recovered from your c-section and no longer have any pain, it is usually safe to start low-impact exercises, such as swimming, postpartum Pilates, yoga, light jogging and low resistance gym work.
When Can I Start Bending After C -Section? As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6).
After any delivery, a mother needs to allow her body to rest and heal. Ideally, this means little to no housework, and no running after other little ones.
About six to eight weeks after baby's birth, your c-section incision should be completely healed, and you'll be able to gradually resume most of your normal activities, including exercising, driving and lifting items heavier than baby.
For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Seek pain relief. To soothe incision soreness, your health care provider might recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other medications to relieve pain.
Some women do experience symptoms related to their C-section scar long after the operation. Some women feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery. This is normally due to the build-up of scar tissue which can stick to muscles or even organs and cause pain.
With a little one to care for and so much to do, you might be anxious to resume your normal daily activities. But it's important to listen to your body and not overdo physical activity. Avoid bending, stretching, or lifting — and don't carry anything heavier than your baby for the first four to six weeks.
Activities like spinning can be great for postpartum women who are having trouble walking, but be wary of leaning over and putting too much strain on a C-section scar.
Avoid pulling yourself up into sitting from laying flat on your back. Instead first roll onto your side with your knees bent up and together. Then allow your feet and lower legs to slid off the side on the bed while you use your hands/arms to push yourself into sitting on the edge on the bed.
It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.
Redness Around the Incision
This can be normal during the initial stages of healing, but severe, long-lasting redness is a prominent symptom of torn internal stitches and problems with connective tissue regenerating.
You will probably need about 6 weeks to fully recover. It's important to take it easy while the incision heals. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities, and exercises that strain the belly muscles while you recover. Ask a family member or friend for help with housework, cooking, and shopping.
During the postpartum period (the first six weeks after delivery), lower abdominal pain is usually caused by afterpains, constipation, or C-section healing. While uncomfortable, it is typically not dangerous.
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots. You can try gentle exercises a few days after the C-section: Deep breathing: Take 2 or 3 slow, deep breaths every half-hour.
Don't even think of tackling laundry, putting away dishes or climbing stairs (except as necessary) for at least a week after you get home. You may feel a burst of energy, but it's likely to disappear as quickly as it came on--so save your strength for cuddling your baby and other wonderful things, like showers.
You should not be picking up anything heavier than your baby for the first 2-4 weeks and you need to avoid pushing/pulling motions, like those used to rotate laundry or sweep.
Getting up and walking around once you are home will help you heal faster and can help prevent blood clots. You should be able to do most of your regular activities in 4 to 8 weeks.
If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it. You're also likely to feel very tired. Listen to your body. Pace yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest too.
You can resume exercise once your doctor or midwife gives you permission. Typically, women who have vaginal deliveries are cleared around 4 weeks postpartum, while c-section mamas are typically cleared around 6 – 8 weeks postpartum.
Increased hunger here is completely normal and healthy - you're feeding both yourself and your baby! If you do experience a loss of appetite that lasts for weeks, however, you may want to ask your doctor about being checked for postpartum depression.