Whether you have a planned C-Section,
or you become blindsided by a medical emergency, it is no question that recovery can be tough.
On top of that, you have received a brand new addition to your family.
Balancing time for rest and caring for a newborn does not even sound possible. Do these phrases even belong in the same sentence?
The unfortunate answer is that many parents have to face these challenges alone, toughing it out the best they can.
But what if there is a way to make recovery and newborn parenting easier. I am here to say that these two things can become seamless.
You spend countless hours preparing for the arrival of your little one, making sure the nursery is ready, packing the hospital bag, taking all the classes, etc. But have you prepared for AFTER the baby arrives?
After working with families for over seven years, plus having three children myself, I can say with confidence that most people (myself included) seem to forget about this not so little thing called postpartum recovery.
So, here are my top tips and tricks to help ease your recovery from a cesarean birth.
Have a peri bottle handy. While you did not push your baby out, you will still experience postpartum bleeding (lochia). Just like a vaginal birth, your uterus will contract and has to heal. Having a peri bottle for when you pee is a godsend: less bending and helps you feel a little fresher down below.
Make sure you have a nursing pillow. Figuring out how to hold your baby when feeding is awkward enough. A nursing pillow will protect your tummy from any discomfort during feeds and provide additional support for your arms. More importantly, the pillow prevents tiny legs from kicking any sore places. 10 out of 10 recommend not getting kicked on your incision.
Have designated snack stations in every room. Fill a little basket with snacks, fruits, and water and put them EVERYWHERE. I mean it. No matter where you are, you will always have access to water and snacks. These magical baskets will give you more opportunities to rest and less unnecessary strain on your body.
Always have a pillow handy, other than your nursing pillow. If you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on, you will want to protect your incision the best you can. Holding a pillow firmly against your incision will help reduce discomfort and decrease the sensation of your stitches being pulled.
Rest. Seems simple enough, right? Wrong. Have you ever laid in bed and the mountain of laundry in the corner won’t stop staring at you? You sit down on the couch and instantly hear your children opening all the cabinets in the kitchen? (Cue pasta falling on the floor). Now imagine all that happening while you’re recovering from a major operation. Yeah, it is not as easy as it sounds to ignore all that... Let someone else help with all that.
Hire a Postpartum & Infant care doula! All parents need support after birth. Having one of our doulas means that you will be able to get the rest you need. We will meet you at your house once you leave the hospital and help wherever we are needed. We offer daytime, overnight, and even live-in care, meaning you and your family can truly recover and bond with your newest addition.
Let us help you, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
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