10+ Tips To Speed Up Your C Section Recovery Time

Are you scheduled to have a planned c section and wondering what the c section recovery time will be like?

If you’re planning to have a c section and you’re anything like me then you want to know everything you can before the surgery. Being informed and knowing what to expect can really calm your nerves and give you a sense of peace before heading in for your c section delivery.

After reading this post, you will know the differences between a c section vs natural birth, what to expect after c section delivery, what c section after care looks like, an understanding of the average c section recovery time and the tried and true c section recovery tips that I recommend to all newly postpartum moms.

This post is all about c section recovery time.

C Section Vs Natural Birth

C sections and vagin*l births are both extremely common ways that babies are born. Moms almost always prefer a vagin*l birth over a c section but sometimes it’s just not possible.

One of the most common reasons a mom may need a c section is because of a breech baby. In this situation, the baby is positioned head up instead of head down. As a result, it is extremely hard (and often dangerous) to give birth to a breech baby. There is the possibility that the baby will flip towards the end of the pregnancy or your doctor can try to perform an external cephalic version to try to manually flip the baby but it is not always successful.

Other reasons for a c section include various medical reasons or you’ve already had one c section and your doctor is requiring a second or third. In many cases, doctors will allow second time moms to try for a VBAC (vagin*l birth after c section) but some have certain requirements such as you were a certain number of months postpartum before you became pregnant again.

Timing

Planned C Section

A planned c section is usually scheduled at 39 weeks pregnant to avoid the mom from going into labor naturally and it turning into an emergency c section.

vagin*l Birth

A vagin*l birth usually occurs between 38 to 42 weeks pregnant. It is important for moms to keep an eye out for any signs of labor and have her hospital bags packed and ready to go.

Length of Hospital Stay

C Section

Usually a mother stays in the hospital for three to four days (on average) following a c section. A c section is major surgery with a large incision and pain medicine so the nurses and doctor naturally need to check on the mother and her incision frequently.

vagin*l Birth

The hospital stay after a vagin*l birth is usually about one to two days assuming there are no complications with your or baby. However, you will have been in the hospital prior during labor for several hours to several days depending on the situation.

What To Expect After C Section Delivery

As a c section mom myself, I can speak from experience about what to expect after c section delivery. Some are similar to what moms experience after a vagin*l birth but others are more unique to a c section delivery.

Bleeding After C Section

It might surprise you to learn that you will still bleed after c section and will therefore need to wear a pad for days to weeks after your c section delivery. This is because the lining of your uterus grows to be very thick during pregnancy and thins back out after delivery and removal of the placenta.

C Section Scar

C Section scar healing is a process and takes time. You might be worried about having a permanent mark on your skin, but you’ll soon realize it will be a forever reminder of the life you brought into the world. It’s pretty incredible.

As part of your c section scar healing, you may experience some numbness near your incision or even on one specific side. This is totally normal and not a complication. The doctor had to cut through nerves to deliver your baby, which can lead to numbness and even itching as your incision heals. For some, numbness is a temporary feeling and for others it’s permanent.

You’ll see your doctor more postpartum.

It’s typical to see your doctor twice after you’re released from the hospital.

At two weeks postpartum, the doctor will check your incision and see how you’re feeling. At six weeks postpartum, your doctor will also do an internal exam and usually clears you to workout at this appointment.

You may even have some questions for your doctor too. Of course it’s possible you may need more visits if there’s an infection or the doctor feels you’re not fully recovered.

You’ll have a weight restriction while you heal.

When you’re released from the hospital, it’s usually recommended you carry no more than your baby. That’s it. Not the baby in the car seat, not the grocery bags and definitely not the laundry basket.

One of the biggest c section tips is to take it easy and accept all the help you can get. It takes a village and the more you rest early on, the quicker your recovery will be.

C section after care is important.

It’s so so so important to stay up on your medicine initially, rest as much as you can and listen to your body. A c section delivery is major surgery and your body needs time to heal.

Be easy on yourself and give yourself grace through the process. With proper rest and recovery, you will be back to your normal activities and feeling like yourself again in a few month’s time.

C Section Recovery Time

C section recovery is typically more intense than recovery from a vagin*l birth and can take 6+ weeks. Although that’s not to say vagin*l birth recovery is a walk in the park.

With a c section, you have a horizontal incision that is healing. As a result, you will initially have:

A weight restriction (basically don’t lift anything heavier than your baby)
Be on pain medicine for the first few days to a week or two
Be more limited in how you sit, stand and move around initially

Women who gave birth via c section will also have two follow up appointments with their doctor.

At two weeks postpartum, you can expect to have your first doctor’s appointment to check the incision and assess how you are doing.

At six weeks postpartum, you will have another doctor’s appointment. This is an appointment all postpartum moms will have (regardless of how they birthed their baby) and it is usually the appointment where your doctor clears you to work out and resume normal activities. If everything is healing well then you will only see your doctor at your typical annual visits but it’s possible that you may need a longer time to heal.

A big difference with c section recovery time is that on average it takes a little bit longer to recover from than with a vagin*l birth. But it’s major surgery so it’s no surprise that there is extra healing that needs to occur.

Along with it taking longer to heal, another huge part of c section recovery is you cannot lift anything heavier than your baby initially. Lifting a heavy object could put you at risk to tear your stitches or cause harm. This means you can’t lift your baby’s carseat into the car or pediatrician’s office, you can’t carry a laundry basket and you certainly can’t exert a lot of effort in the initial days of c section recovery.

Tips To Speed Up C Section Recovery Time

1. Take your c section healing seriously. Your c section after care is sooo important.

I can’t stress enough how important rest is to your c section recovery. The timeline will vary from person to person but the more you take care of yourself, the faster you should recover. A c section is major surgery so your body needs time to heal.

2. Get as much sleep as you can.

Sleep whenever you can those first few weeks! It may be challenging to sleep in the hospital with nurses in and out every few hours but don’t shy away from naps at home.

Nap when your baby sleeps instead of doing dishes or folding laundry. Trust me! I also recommend trying to establish a nighttime plan with your husband ASAP when you get home. Getting a few solid hours of sleep while the other parent is awake and tending to the baby is a GAME CHANGER.

3. Take your pain medicine.

I speak from personal experience when I say how important it is to stay on top of your pain medicine in the first few days after surgery. This includes pushing the nurses button in the hospital when you’re due for a dose and staying on top of it the first few days to week at home. If you have “mom brain” or the lack of sleep is getting the best of you, try keeping a log with the name of the medicine and time you took it.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help OR accept help when it’s offered.

Ask away, friend! It was sooo hard for me to speak up and ask for help when I was newly postpartum and it might not be in your nature to ask for help either. But the most important thing right now is for you to heal so you can be in the best position to take care of your little baby.

Things you can ask for help with:

Watch the baby while you nap or shower
Do a load of laundry
Cook dinner or pick up take out
Come over for support
Quick grocery store run for essentials

5. Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby.

Another important part of c section recovery is not to attempt to lift anything heavy those first few weeks. Typically, doctors recommend not lifting anything heavier than your baby. Carrying a full laundry basket or car seat with your baby in it will not only be very uncomfortable but you run the risk of popping a stitch and/or causing a tear. This will only set you back in terms of recovery time.

6. Get up and walk (slowly) as soon as possible but don’t rush back into intense workouts.

This might sound counterintuitive since I’m preaching rest in this post… but getting a little light activity is actually good for you and one of my top c section recovery tips.

It’s so so easy to get sore and stiff from sitting around all day in the hospital and then at home. If your nurses and doctor ok it, you can start with a verrrry slow walk down the hall. You might only be able to walk for a few minutes and that’s ok! At my hospital, we were able to wheel my son with us down the hall too.

But this doesn’t mean rush back into workouts you were doing pre pregnancy. Even if you’re cleared to workout at your six week postpartum appointment, it’s possible you still might not feel up for it – and that’s totally okay and normal. The most important thing is to take your c section recovery at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

7. See your doctor for a 2 week postpartum appointment and 6 week postpartum appointment.

These appointments are critical to your c section recovery and making sure your body is healing properly. They are also a great opportunity for you to ask your doctor any questions you may have.

8. Buy a good skin and scar balm.

A skin and scar balm can really help with c section scar healing. There are so many out there to choose from but I personally used and loved this one. Just make sure you clear it with your doctor before using it.

9. Do something for YOU each day.

This can look like so many different things! It might be watching a new Netflix show, taking a shower in the morning, getting your nails done, talking with a friend or just getting outside for some fresh air and a short walk.

10. Know that this is a phase and you WILL recover.

Your c section recovery time can feel challenging at times and you might try to put a timeline on it without even realizing it. But know that this too shall pass. You will recover, you will get back to harder workouts, you will establish a routine, and you most definitely will get more sleep. This is just a phase and in a few weeks it will all be a memory.