7 Things To Expect After Your Cesarean Section

Whether you have a planned c-section or an emergency, having a cesarean section can be a scary thing to experience.

In my own experience I found the elective c-sections to be far more daunting than the emergency c-section I had with my first child. Maybe because I had more time to process everything that was about to happen before it happened with my planned c-section, whereas with my emergency I think everything happened very fast, I didn’t get time to process it until it was already over. Here are 7 things I wish I knew before..

1. PAIN - Some people fail to understand that having a c-section is a major operation. The first time you stand up after having a section hurts so much. You wont be able to stand up straight for a little while, you will be shuffling around all hunched over. Even to laugh or cough causes tension on your wound, which hurts like crazy.

2. RECOVERY - Some people may be quicker to recover than others. You may feel like you can do it all after a few days, but doing too much and not allowing yourself to heal properly in the first few weeks will cause you allot of pain and discomfort later on. Try and give it at least 6 weeks or so before you return back to yours normal activities.

3. NUMBNESS - During your c-section they have to cut through allot of nerves, so you will get some numbness around the incision site. Its completely normal to still experience numbness for a long time after your c-section, remember your body needs allot of time to heal.

4. SWELLING - After your c-section you are made to wear compression stockings, ( which I found so uncomfortable that’s another story). Compression stockings can cause your feet and ankles to swell a little, so them swollen ankles you had during pregnancy probably won’t be going away just yet.

5. CRAMPS - As the uterus shrinks many women experience post-birth cramps, similar to menstrual cramps but allot more intense. Breast-feeding will make the uterus shrink down to its normal size much faster.

6. ENGORGED BREASTS - During the first few days after having your baby your breasts make an important nutrient-rich milk fluid called colostrum. After this you get an increase in your milk supply and blood flow, which can sometimes lead to engorged breasts while your body is getting used to how much milk you need to produce.

7. THE GUILT - Having a cesarean section is not a failure, you are not less of a mother because you didn’t give birth vaginally. You have not had the easy way out (as some people might say). The bond between your baby and yourself will not be affected in anyway, you have a scar to wear now and you should be proud of it.