About 1 in 3 births in the US are by C-Section. Those that are emergent/unplanned have an additional psychological healing component - traumatic feelings about the birth may be coming up months after. How a parent’s birth goes may impact their plans for other areas such as initial baby bonding and early breastfeeding experience.

A C-Section is a major abdominal surgery. 

While a vaginal delivery is no stroll through the park, most doctors agree that recovering from a C-section is harder than recovering from a vaginal delivery. 

Incision Care

Dr. Porter has some great tips on early incision care (check out her tiktok on this post). 

1. Keeping it together. There are 3 main ways that Cesarean incisions are closed up:

• Dissolvable suture (stitches) underneath your skin, with Steri Strips (clear, thin bandaids) on top. Steri strips can be removed in about 72 hours, and you should wait until then to shower.
• Dissolvable suture underneath your skin with Surgical Glue on top. You can shower at any time. The glue may start to get gross and can be picked off around 7-10 days.
• Staples (less common but still an option) need to be removed by a medical provider, usually day 3-7; and you should wait 72 hours to shower.

2. Keeping it Clean. 

• Once you are ready to shower…
  • Lift up your stomach (You just had a baby. There’s a lot of extra skin, fluids, and floppiness happening. This is normal.)
  • Pat dry or use the COOL setting on your blow dryer. 
  • Keep it dry to avoid infection! Place a hospital pad, tube sock, or maxi pad on your incision.
• Don’t scrub it! Let soapy water run over it gently. Also, avoid soaking in a bath or swimming until cleared by your doctor.
• Dry gently and completely! 
• If you notice redness, pus, or discharge around the incision, these are signs of infection and you should call your doctor. It’s hard for most birth parents to see their incision, so ask your partner, mom, sister, friend or doula to take a look.
• GO TO YOUR INCISION CHECK APPOINTMENT at 2 weeks! Your doctor should talk with you about how your incision is healing, and talk about scar cream.

3. Managing the Pain. Incision Pain is common and should be expected. Sorry. What can help:

• Use an abdominal binder to provide counter pressure as you move around. You should be able to request one from the hospital. They run under $50 to purchase on-line, and you can use HSA money if you have it.
• Stay on top of your pain meds! 
• Keeping a rotating schedule of Tylenol & Ibuprofen over the first 2-3 days post-surgery can help stay ahead of the pain (and is safe for breastfeeding). 
• Narcotics may be prescribed for intermittent (breakthrough) pain.
• Constipation from pain medication is common…so hydrate well and take a stool softener. 
• Check out Dr. Porter's overview on common dosing and schedule 
• Your pain will probably be worse on day #2 compared to day #1…but should then gradually improve.

As you Transition Home

Be patient with healing! Difficulty walking or standing up straight is common. And, to recover well, you’ll need to gently incorporate movement within the first couple days post-surgery.

Walking helps prevent blood clots, move your bowels (early parenthood sometimes feels all about poop), and helps with mood. 

If you can avoid stairs, that’s best; otherwise take them slow! Ask your support team to help prep your space so that you can minimize using stairs in your home over the first couple weeks. Getting in and out of bed may also be difficult depending on the bed (and your) height.

Ask for help getting around. While you’re on narcotics, you cannot drive. And you should not drive until you’re comfortable slamming on the brake (typically after a couple weeks)

Again, a C-section is a Major Surgery - take time and patience for healing. 

Call your doctor if you are experiencing:

• Blood, discharge/pus, or severe pain at your incision site 
• A fever over 100.4
• Persistent Nausea or vomiting, can’t keep food down
• Can’t pee! Urinary retention can happen post surgery 
• Pain that is worsening instead of gradually improving after day #2.  

 *Download free Popins Warning Signs guide

About Christie Porter, D.O.

Dr. Christie Porter is a board certified practicing OB/GYN and mom of 2. She completed her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, residency training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and worked as an Assistant Professor of Clinical OBGYN at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria before moving back home to Utah where she currently practices.

You can follow Dr. Porter on TikTok or Instagram: @docwomenshealth