It can take 6 weeks to recover after a C-section. 

Following a C-section, you will likely spend a few days in the hospital for monitoring and recovery. Pain and discomfort are common, but medication will be provided to help manage it.

After your cesarean section (C-section) birth, you will notice physical and emotional changes during your postpartum period. Not only will you be caring for your newborn, you'll also have to navigate your postpartum recovery to support healing of your c-section incision, but also to promote your mental wellbeing and energy as a new mum. 

Physical Changes in the Weeks Following a C-Section

During the first few weeks after your c-section, you may experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding called lochia and your incision site to be tender, itchy or even numb. Your doctor will advise you on the best way to care for yourself after surgery, so make sure to follow those instructions to reduce complications like an infection around your c-section incision.

Emotional and Mental Well-being after a C-Section

C-section births can be planned or they can be preformed as an emergency surgery. The overall recovery from a c-section can be both physically and emotionally challenging. It is common for new mums to feel overwhelmed, anxious, touched out or even sad during during their postpartum period. Due to the physical recovery and restriction of certain activities  after a c-section, some mums may also struggle with feelings about not being able to care for their newborn or older children. It is important to remember that your feelings are valid and it communicate these with your doctor, partner or friends or even a postpartum mental health provider like PANDA. The postpartum period is a challenging time, so remember it is always ok to ask for help. 

Changes in Body Image and Self-esteem

You may also feel changes in your body image and self-esteem after a c-section. It is important to be kind to your beautiful body and remember the strength and nourishment it provided to your baby, while they were growing in your womb. It takes time for your body to recover after birth, your c-section incision to heal and your uterus to shrink back down. Practicing small self love practices every day, like massaging your c-section incision and saying positive postpartum affirmations, to gently remind yourself of your beauty, strength and kindness as both a mother and a woman. 

Follow-up Care: C-Section Scar Massage

After your 6-week postpartum check up, you may be recommended to begin c-section scar message to improve your postpartum recovery. Massaging a C-section scar during offers several benefits, including preventing scar tissue growth, reducing scar thickness and promoting blood flow for scar and tissue healing.

To massage your c-section incision, use a nourishing oil like coconut oil, avocado oil or vitamin E oil. You want to use small circular motions around the scar to gently push the skin and loosen the surrounding tissue. As you get more comfortable, you can apply more pressure in different directions along your incision until you feel areas of tight tissue and skin eventually soften. You can also apply a healing silicone pad across your incision, like the Cica Care C-Section Silicone Gel Sheet, which reduces redness, itchiness, softens and fades c-section scars. 

While most mums recover fully from a C-section without complications, it is essential to reach out to your doctor if you are concerned about your recovery. If you are experiencing persistent pain, fever, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection around your c-section incision, please seek medical attention immediately.

We've compiled a list c-section recovery essentials to promote your postpartum healing:

1. Maternity pads

These are a non-negotiable! Not only can they be used in your underwear to to soak up vaginal bleeding, you can also use them against your c-section scar to provide a soft layer to reduce friction and pain. Make sure to always use a clean maternity pad and change it as regularly as you are cleaning your incision. You can gently lay the maternity pad along your incision and stick it to your underwear.

2. High wasted underwear

And we mean HIGH wasted underwear. You want to have underwear (think granny panties) that come over your incision. Not only will this provide more support for your abdomen, but it won't rub causing irritation while your c-section incision is recovering. 

3. Pain relief

The hospital will most likely discharge you with pain relief to reduce pain after surgery. It is important to take this aft the correct dosage, to help support recovery. This pain relief may also help to reduce the severity of the after birth cramps. It might be a good idea to keep some panadol on hand as well- just in case. 

4. Wheatbag

Are fantastic at providing gently pain relief to your c-section incision. You want to gently warm the wheat bag and place this over your tummy (always in a tea towel) to gently the warm are if you are in pain. You can also use this on your back or shoulders to relieve any tension or pain there. 

5. Peri Bottle

This is probably our favourite c section recovery essential! ! The peri bottle is a perfect for gently cleansing your vagina after going to the toilet, without having to bend or stretch, irritating your c-section incision. You can also fill with peri bottle with warm water to help wash your incision, keeping it clean and reducing risk of infection. 

6. Bekung Belly Bind

This is a traditional belly wrap that can support your uterus, abdomen and lower back after birth. You want to wait till your incision has stopped bleeding and your doctor has given you the ok to start wearing a belly wrap. These traditional cloth wraps are perfect to allievate lower back pressure and provide strength to your abdomen while recovering from your c-section. If you don't want to wrap the bekung belly bind, you can also opt for a pair of compression shorts which work just as well. We love the SRC Recovery Shorts, perfect to help speed up your c-section recovery, allowing you to move more freely with minimal postpartum pain. 

7. Stool softeners

An absolute must have!! Postpartum constipation is common, and with the prescribed pain killers given after a c-section, constipation will more than likely occur.  It's important to have some stool softeners on hand to make going to the toilet a-lot easier, and reduce the need for straining and placing pressure on the incision. You can also drink prune or pear juice, eat prunes daily and ensure you are getting optimal fruit, vegetables and whole grains in your diet to further support regular bowel movements. 

8. Mothers Boost Postpartum Protein Powder

Is the perfect protein powder to nourish your body during your fourth trimester. Mothers Boost is formulated by a clinical nutritionist and mum of 2 to support your recovery, combat postnatal depletion and boost your postpartum diet. 

How does Mothers Boost Postpartum Protein Support C- Section Recovery? 

1. Collagen and hemp protein: Mothers Boost is a good source of protein, from the combined benefits of collagen and hemp. They help to promote skin & tissue healing, support your c-section incision,  muscle strength and general well being during your postpartum period.

2. Vitamin C and zinc: These two nutrients help keep your immune system strong during your postpartum period, while also promoting natural collagen production, to aid in the healing of your c-section incision.

3. Ashwagandha and lemon balm: Research suggests that Lemon Balm may help reduce physical pain after a c-section and may also support mental well being during the early postpartum period. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used traditionally to promote postpartum healing and alleviate stress in new mothers. 

How to use Mothers Boost protein powder in your postpartum diet: 

You can enjoy Mothers Boost daily! This postpartum protein is easily added into your mornings as a quick breakfast smoothie or a mid-afternoon pick me up added into an iced match latte. Or why not try these recipe ideas:

1. Mango & Lychee Smoothie Bowl

This a tasty smoothie bowl packed with protein and vitamin C to support your postpartum recovery. Protein and vitamin C are two essential nutrients to support skin health, collagen production and your immune system after a c-section. They are also needed to support your mental wellbeing during the postnatal period. Keep your freezer stocked with frozen mango and frozen lychee & don't forget to pop the Mothers Boost protein in your pantry! 

2. Banana & Fig Bread

This high protein Banana & Fig Bread is the best snack to boost your iron levels in the postpartum period. It is delicious toasted and spread with butter, perfect with a cup of warm tea. This recipe is packed full of plant based iron from dried figs combined with the 6.4mg of Iron in our Mothers Boost Postpartum Protein, supporting your energy & reducing fatigue in your fourth trimester.  

3. Apricot & Coconut Postpartum Bliss Balls

Make a batch of these high iron apricot and coconut protein balls, to improve your iron levels after birth. Apricots are a fantastic plant based source of iron, that is also rich in vitamin C to improve absorption. By combing apricots with Mothers Boost Postpartum Protein, providing 56% of the iron RDI, you'll be fuelling your body with nutrients to promote recovery.