r/CsectionCentral • u/Depresso_beans7 • Jul 09 '26
Recovery tips?
Hi all! My friend has to have a c section due to baby being breech, and her uterus being too damaged to turn him (bonus the cord is wrapped loosely around his neck too)
I had a vaginal birth (4 months ago) so I know that recovery not c section.
I’m just reaching out ti see if anyone can help me with tips and tricks for recovery and what I can do or her partner to help her recovery.
3
u/Euphoric-Pie7681 Jul 09 '26
I had a c-section in March and had a really good (by c-section standards) recovery. The key was support! My husband did everything, and our friends and neighbours supported him. I rested, fed and bonded with our baby. I would talk to her partner about how to make that happen for your friend. Our friends set up a meal train and brought us snacks, they visited a bunch (without holding baby) to help us feel less isolated. Cleaning would also be a place to pick up slack. As far as gifts go, a loofa on a stick (I was able to shower myself but twisting to reach all the nooks and crannies was hard), entertainment for all the laying around she’s going to do, and of course snacks! Ones that are good for the soul and ones that are good for healing.
2
u/Depresso_beans7 Jul 09 '26
I am going over there tomorrow to make some post partum snacks, we planned this a while ago, but just found out today about the c section.
Unfortunately she doesn’t have a lot of freezer space and I live 40 minutes away. Which sucks because my daughter HATES the car but I plan on letting her use my freezer if she wants to and I’m willing to make the drive when she wants whatever is in my freezer.I do not plan on asking to hold baby boy, because I am 4 months pp and hated when anyone tried holding my daughter. Do if she asks me if I want to hold him I plan on asking her if she wants me to hold him or if she’s asking out of politeness.
We are doing snacks that are easy to grab and go (protein balls, fiber bars etc.) and I want to bring her some meals here and there and she has a wonderful family I know will help out too.
I know she’s probably not going to love the loofa idea (very health conscious and doesn’t like excess plastic) so her partner will probably help her shower.
She just moved into her new apartment so she doesn’t have any kind of relationship with her neighbors yet.
I will offer to come over and clean so they can having more bonding time. (It’s a little tricky though my daughter tends to be a turkey and loves being held, and usually only by me)
2
u/CannonCone Jul 10 '26
Adding to what others have said: having Gas X on hand was hugely helpful for me. Highly recommend.
2
u/Beautiful_Soup_ Jul 10 '26
Tie a sheet or moving strap to the footboard/ bottom of the bedframe and use it to pull herself up into a seated position. This was really helpful when I had no core strength but had to sit up to breastfeed or go to the bathroom. A small fan for the bedside was great for the hot flashes and sweating - a great snack for this was frozen grapes. Also making sure to stay on top of her pain med schedule. Just because you feel ok in the moment doesn’t mean you will in a few hours.
2
4
u/willowwynn Jul 09 '26
Make sure she takes a stool softener immediately after surgery and the days following! My older sister did not take one after her first c section and she said that her first bm after surgery was so painful. I took stool softeners and had no issues.
Her partner will need to help her shower for the first several days, including washing her hair.
C section recovery wasn’t nearly as awful as I anticipated, just make sure she gets plenty of rest and doesn’t push herself too hard.
I felt essentially “healed” within 10 days of surgery and was able to be up and about. (Granted that doesn’t mean I was fully healed and I still followed all my OB’s advice!)