Have you just had a c-section or are planning to have one? Learn about what the recovery period may look like and how to help the healing.
In this article, doula Laetitia Bricout will share her knowledge and tips on the topic of c-sections with us. Laetitia herself underwent an emergency C-section for her first born and experienced a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section) for her second child. She is now an advocate for better care and preparation for c-section mothers, and will share with us her knowledge on how to recover from a c-section birth.
As a French mother of 2 married to a Korean/New Zealander she is also experienced in multicultural families and how it can influence parenthood. In her work as a doula, Laetitia supports French and English speaking families in Berlin and in Paris.
She volunteers for awareness around Postpartum Depression and Mental Health struggles in parenthood through Association Maman Blues. Finally, she specialized in Aquatic relaxation and is trained in swaddled baths, perfect for babies and their parents to release tensions and emotional knots.
For new mothers who have had a c-section, what should they keep in mind in the early days after the baby is born?
First of all, a c-section is not only a surgery, it is also the act of birthing your child!
So the specificity is that you will experience the postpartum and post-operation period at the same time. This can come with its own load of frustration, learnings and joy.
It is important to listen to your limits, surrender and lean on your partner and other help until you recover.
Very often, even for planned c-sections, there is a gap between what you projected and the reality, and this can be shaking your confidence. But you can trust the process!
What is the difference in postpartum healing between a new mother recovering from a c-section versus a vaginal birth?
There are 3 differences for c-section mothers:
Your mobility is restrained: although you will be encouraged to walk as soon as possible, it might be painful for a while. You will not be running up the stairs for a few months yet!
Pain from the surgery: every c-section mum will experience pain and their postoperative phase differently. Some will feel no more pain after 15 days, for others it takes 18 months. It depends on how the surgery was done, how you feel about it and on your own healing rhythm, but also how you are cared for during your postpartum period.
Baby blues can be tougher: There are differences in your hormones and how they are activated/dropped with a c-section birth. There could also be a major difference between how you projected yourself and the reality you are facing.
What do the first few days after a c-section look like?
After having a cesarean section, you will be encouraged to get up within 24-48 hours to prevent phlebitis (an inflammation that causes a blood clot to form in a vein, oftentimes your leg).
You will be told to carry nothing heavier than your baby and you can shower when you feel ready. You will also be encouraged to go to the toilet and when you feel ready, your urinary catheter will be removed.
If you are healing nicely and if you feel ready, you can go home from the hospital after 3-5 days.
Will c-section moms still get postpartum flow? And how may the surgery affect breastfeeding?
You gave birth and your body will activate all the usual processes after birth, including the postpartum flow (lochia).
Your milk will also come in although in some cases, it might just take a tiny bit longer to kick in – your lactation might start 5 days after birth and not after two or three days.
How long may it take for the c-section scar to heal? What can new families do to support the postpartum healing process?
Even with a vaginal birth and no open c-section wound, it is strongly advised to rest during your “Wochenbett” postpartum period and perform as little physical exercise as possible.
With a c-section, the surgery went through seven layers of your anatomy. There is the visible scar on your skin but also internal scars and everything doesn’t heal the same.
For a good recovery, it is recommended to:
Rest – don’t do it all, lean on your partner and trust the way your partner does it
You will experience a bloated belly and maybe constipation, so I recommend you have a good amount of fiber, minerals, collagen, omega and magnesium in your food/water. I also sometimes recommend supplements, such as D-lab, for this purpose.
Use shapewear panties or belly wraps, such as from Belly Bandit or Wounded Women.
Use your shoulders to carry your baby with slings and specific ways with a baby wrap.
How soon after a c-section can new moms start their postpartum exercise class (“Rückbildung”) and how may this differ from a vaginal birth?
After a delivery via cesarean section, one must wait for the reconstitution of the abdominal wall (about 2 months) before resuming physical activity. Therefore, it is recommended to start your “Rückbildung” (postpartum exercise) class no earlier than 8 weeks after giving birth via c-section (versus 6 weeks after vaginal birth).
There is no difference in postpartum exercise except if the mother has diastasis (separation of the rectus abdominis muscles during and after pregnancy), which is not necessarily caused by c-section birth. Or if there are some healing complications.
How can new moms adjust mentally and emotionally if the c-section was not a procedure they had wanted or expected?
There can be a lot of conflicted emotions and thoughts after having a c-section. Most importantly: You shouldn’t feel guilty about it!
You will probably hear people say: “Your baby is healthy and that’s all that matters.” But your physical recovery and mental health are just as important!
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help, talk about it, write it down to process the experience. It is also part of your story and your journey. You can join support groups (such as Maman Blues for French speaking people, Afloat for international mothers in Germany), speak to a psychologist, or an experienced doula on this subject.
Speaking of which: How can doulas help families in these situations?
Doulas are here to take away the mental load, from emotions, from stress, from everyday tasks. With a c-section, the (non-birthing) partners can quickly feel overwhelmed, they have to step in and sometimes they are still working.
Doulas help parents to get some rest or a proper meal. They can also provide care for the baby/family or help with the house chores to give parents some time off to rest.
If they are trained on the subject, doulas can also prevent, inform and help families by researching and providing them with the information and support they need.
Finally, doulas should be able to encourage parents to express their feelings, create a safe and non judgemental space to talk about mental health around birth.
Anything else that new or expecting couples should know beforehand or after?
Every birth is different with its load of challenges, surprises and success.
You learn about yourself as you get to know your baby. Giving birth is the starting block of the journey (some will say it is before and beyond that point) but it doesn’t shape everything!
Don’t believe everything you will read on the internet about c-section babies, about c-section birth and about how powerful vaginal birth is. You and your baby are unique and you will write your own story.
You are powerful and the perfect mother for the baby you birthed!
(If you are the partner/family of a c-section mum reading this, be sure to tell her this!)
Thanks Laetitia!
If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to Laetitia.
You can also check out her website, macesarienne.com, which provides lots more information on how to prepare and recover from a c-section. (The website is in French but Google Translate works quite well.)
