The recovery process after a cesarean section usually takes longer. However, you don't need to worry because there are several ways you can do so that the recovery process can gradually go faster.
Recovering after a cesarean section is indeed different from recovery after giving birth with a normal process. After the caesarean, you need to stay a little longer in the hospital, which is about 3-4 days. You will also feel pain at the cesarean incision so you may have difficulty walking, getting out of bed, and having a bowel movement after surgery.
Required Treatment for Recovery
On average, it takes about 6 weeks for the body to recover after a cesarean section. In addition, it takes at least 2 months to rest, until you can return to your normal activities.
Recovery time from caesarean section for each woman can be different. However, there are several ways you can do so that the recovery process can run faster, so that you are ready to resume your activities, namely:
1. Treating surgical wounds
The day after surgery, the suture area will be sore. However, this will subside within a few days and your doctor may prescribe pain medication to help relieve it.
Caesarean section scars also need to be treated properly so that the risk of irritation and infection is avoided. nowDuring this healing process, you are advised to wear loose clothing so as not to rub the scars.
During breastfeeding, you can place your baby on a nursing pillow to reduce pressure on the tummy. If the wound is painful or abnormal, consult a doctor immediately.
2. Get enough rest
Even though having a newborn makes you sleep deprived, try to get enough rest time. Mother can also sleep when the little one sleeps.
If you feel tired, ask your husband or closest relative to help care for or take care of your little one's needs. Adequate rest is needed so that you can recover quickly after surgery.
3. Actively moving
Mothers are advised to get enough rest, but that does not mean sleeping all day. Precisely in order to recover quickly, Mother is advised to do light activities.
Activities that can be done during recovery are regular walks, such as walking around housing complexes. This is done to help restore stamina after a cesarean section.
You can ask your doctor when exactly you can return to exercise, work, and sexual intercourse with your partner. This can be different for each person because it will be adjusted to the health conditions of each.
4. Move carefully
After a cesarean section, avoid lifting heavy objects and going up and down stairs for at least the first 2 months, so that the stitches don't tear. Listen to your body and stop if you feel the activity has exceeded your body's ability.
Place all necessities within reach of your mother, such as baby diapers, drinking water, and food. In addition, it is important to receive help from your husband or relatives to help you take care of your little one and take care of your household needs.
5. Eat healthy food
In order to recover quickly, you need to eat healthy foods and drink enough water. In addition, always provide healthy snacks between meals. Healthy and nutritious food not only helps you recover faster, but also maintains milk production.
Breast milk is known to be very important for babies born by caesarean section, because babies are not exposed to good bacteria in the vagina. This can affect his immune system.
As a solution, breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is very important. Because breast milk contains complete nutrition, including vitamins, minerals, and synbiotics.
Synbiotics are a combination of prebiotics and probiotics that can balance the number of good bacteria or microbiota in the digestive tract so that your little one's immune system can be optimized.
Don't Let Negative Feelings or Comments Influence Your Recovery
Not only physical, the mother's mental health after giving birth to a caesarean must also be considered. Mothers who feel disappointed because they can't give birth normally should return to positive thinking because disappointment will only make the recovery process longer.
The public stigma that thinks that giving birth by caesarean section has not become a full mother, you also don't need to listen to it. Likewise with the comments of people who come to visit and ask about the reasons for giving birth by caesarean section.
Yes, negative comments that will only make you feel down should not need to be heard, even if it was said by someone you respect. Right now, what you need is to accept the fact that caesarean section is the best way for you and your little one.
Mothers also do not need to compare themselves with others regarding the delivery process taken, including the speed and process of cesarean section recovery. Remember, everyone has different conditions so the process cannot be the same.
If feelings of disappointment and anger still linger, try talking about the anxiety you feel with the closest trusted person. This can help relieve the burden that is felt, so that you can feel more relieved and not experience baby blues.
Giving birth by cesarean does not eliminate the essence of being a mother. So, don't let negative things interfere with the caesarean section recovery process because the most important thing at this time is the health of the Mother and Little One.
The caesarean section recovery process can be faster if you apply the methods above. However, don't forget to keep checking with the doctor regularly so that the health of the mother and baby is monitored from time to time.
