It’s an exciting time for everyone but when a baby comes into the world via c-section, Mommy will need some extra TLC!
Mazel tov! It’s a baby!
I, BH just had my seventh C-section and I want to help other mommies who are going through this happy but challenging process.
I look at c-sections as a big bracha. Hashem has created modern medicine, which has enabled me to live in a time where I BH have a big family even though all my children were born with a section.
If you are having a planned c-section, it can be helpful to get some of the items beforehand so you have them when you are in the hospital or right when you come home since this is the most challenging time.
Setting Up Your Bedroom
- When you come home from the hospital, it can be hard to sit up in bed without support. A bed rail like this can be helpful for the first week or two. Check a medical equipment gemach in your area if they have one you can borrow.
- You can put a stool in the shower if it is hard to stand up for a long time.
- A Halo bassinet is expensive but very helpful. It comes over your bed and the side bends down so you don’t really need to sit up to put the baby in and out. It swivels around so that you can get in and out of bed. I bought one and I lend it out to friends who have c-sections.
- A wedge pillow is very useful both during pregnancy, in the hospital and when you come home. It is a good idea to sit on it on the way home from the hospital so you don’t feel too many bumps on the road!
- A nursing pillow. You can use a boppy nursing pillow or just any pillow to protect your scar when you are nursing.
- It is helpful to have a heating pad and a cold pack to put on the incision area or for back pain. I found that the ones that are long and narrow give you the best coverage.
Bring to the Hospital
- A good binder which gives adequate pressure can make it easier to walk around in the beginning. The hospital will provide you with one but you can also try some other ones with more options.
- Loose fitting pajamas. If you are going to want to change out of your hospital gown, bring some pajamas that will be comfortable to wear over your incision.
Recovery Process
This is a general outline of how I found the recovery process and what helped me through these stages. In terms of recovery, everyone obviously has their own experience but here are some ideas, tips and tricks.
Week 1: In the hospital, they want you to get up and move as soon as possible. You might feel weak and shaky so move slowly. Gas pain in your shoulder is common so taking gas medication before it starts can preempt that. Normal post labor contractions happen post a C-section too. A hot pack can be soothing or deep breathing can help you through.
After the first 12 hours, the extra pain relief from the spinal wears off so you feel the incision more.
For better or worse, you spend the first few days post-surgery in a haze of pain medication. It is super important to have a lot of help with you in the hospital and when you get home during this time since you can’t really do anything besides feed the baby. If the hospital doesn’t have a nursery, you need someone with you at all times night and day to help with the baby.
If you are having a planned c section you can prepare beforehand. You should drink a ton of fluids and don’t eat any heavy foods like meat or chicken which can make digestion harder afterwards.
After the first 24 hours, you begin to feel pain around the incision. Having robust pain management is crucial – speak to your doctor before the surgery to make sure that you are both on the same page on what meds you will be taking and when and then delegate management of your meds to someone else!
We have a notice on my bedside table that says: 9, 3 Advil, 12, 6 Tylenol (this schedule is for both AM/PM) and a handwritten chart for the “as needed” meds like the narcotics, stool softeners and gas medication–it just helps keep track of what medicine to take when.
Week 2 is also still a time when you will very likely need pain meds around the clock but you can probably slowly walk around the house. You still need help with housework, caring for other children, errands and meals all the way through week 3 and possibly week 4 as well.
The hardest part of week 2 is that by now I’m sick of lying in bed but I really can’t do much!! Make sure to set expectations with all your kids of what Mommy is able to do.
During Week 3 you feel like you are slowly coming back to reality but it is still painful to move around too much. After an active day, you start to feel it and need to keep resting.
By Week 4 you can finally move around more easily and start to take care of some housework and childcare.
By Week 6, you should basically feel back to yourself physically but of course you are still dealing with a newborn and all that entails. If pain persists, speak to your doctor and I have found physical therapy to be helpful.
If the C-section was unplanned, after a prolonged labor or not how you pictured your labor and delivery would look like, then you might feel unsuccessful. However, it’s an avoda to try to look at a c section as a bracha and a way to deliver babies safely into the world which otherwise would not be possible.
If you are awake for the procedure, which you usually are unless there are specific circumstances, then you can enjoy the c section and it can be a special time for you and your husband. It is pain free at that point and a controlled environment so there is less to be worried about medical wise. You can listen to music or a birth meditation or you can talk to your husband who can usually sit next to you during the procedure.
If you know you will have a section, it’s important to have a good surgeon and a doctor who is understanding of Jewish family values. You can discuss beforehand staples vs stitches, relaxing music during the surgery, skin to skin right after the baby is born etc.
Ask a shayla about the halachos relevant to childbirth and how they apply during/after the procedure if your C-section is planned.
It might be helpful to speak to your other children about how mommy needs time to get better. During the first week or two, your husband can arrange that the kids have turns for about ten minutes to come into your room and have time to talk to you. It’s useful if they have a new craft or toy “from the baby” to keep them busy when you’re not around.
In general, it’s a busy and overwhelming time but remember you were part of something huge, bringing life into this world! Try to treasure the good moments and focus on a time soon that you will feel all better. Enjoy your new baby, take care of yourself, and let others take care of you for a change too!
Hi what great advice!
I found that wearing supportive underwear is very helpful post birth
here is a link.
I think this post is giving people the wrong idea that they can safely have 7 c-sections. This is very atypical and against most medical recommendations. Please ask a doctor before embarking on this path. I’m glad it worked out for you but it can be very dangerous for both mother and child.
This is not current medical advice. I consulted with a number of doctors and medical professionals after my C-section and was told that in today’s day and age it is completely ok to have numerous C-sections (of course barring specific health and gynecological issues). It used to be thought that you can’t have more than a certain number however research in the 21st century has shown otherwise.
Of course each women should consult with her OB/GYN to see if she is able to, but one shouldn’t assume that because they can only give birth via c-section that they’re limted to a certain number of children. One important point in relation to this is that adequate birth control is a must in between pregnancies in order to give your body enough time to recover.
Hi! A relative of mine needs to deliver her babies via c-section. When she asked her obstetrician how many c-sections are permitted per lifetime, he declined to give a maximum number. There are many considerations, some of which include the type of c-section, the nature of the recovery, the duration of time between c-sections, and the mother’s overall health. There are many women who can safely have many c-sections and there are many women for whom it would be dangerous.
Any woman who has had a c-section receives an extensive education about the risks of recurring c-sections. As with any medical issue, the considerations are very individual and should be discussed with a trusted medical professional.
Just to reassure people who are facing their first c-section, not everyone has such a hard recovery! Many people are up really quickly…
I’ve had multiple regular and multiple C-sections births and there’s no comparison. The C-sections were a much, much harder recovery and much more painful.. This article isn’t to scare women, it’s for education. If you’re a family member please be understanding and don’t make them feel bad that it’s taking longer to recover.
Thank you so much for this article! Another tip is to make sure you take stool softeners and drink!!!
Yes, I agree with this very much.
And yes, I have had a c-section.
Of course the recovery can’t be compared to a natural birth (which I have also had), but my timetable did not match up with what was posted.
So for family members, be supportive and helpful.
But if you yourself are facing a c-section, think positive. Many women recover much quicker than the above.
*up and about really quickly
I’ve had three natural and three c section and I’ve only heard people who haven’t had a c section say this. The recovery is hard and it’s hard when people dismiss it when you can barely sit up in bed to pick up your baby
hi i had an unplanned c section by my first when everyone still thinks that they will have the perfect birth but hashem plans otherwise….
i find that people who don’t have it comptelely don’t understand the recovery process. for me i was in a lot of pain and my mother couldn’t understand why i am in so much pain and couldn’t really take care of my baby.
on the other hand i didn’t have the other pain that women with normal births go through…
so if someone does’t understand you its okay!!!
its important to know that its going to be hard to get up and down from a sitting position, cough, laugh and even talk!!! your using abdominal muscles for these things so it hurts!!!!
also, you might be left with a tummy that is harder to go away than a regular birth
Ive had two natural births and one c section and I can assure you that the c section recovery was much harder! You are justified in recalling that it was very painful. It is!!! Yes, you are still exhausted and beat up after a natural birth but it is not the same as major abdominal surgery.
Great post and tips on C-section recovery. An important part of c-section recovery is to massage your scar. When scar tissue forms, it can go in different directions in the body sticking to tissues and surrounding organs. When left untreated it can create complications in the body. (low back pain, incontinence…) It is important to reach out to a health care professional (OB-GYN or Pelvic floor PT) to find out when and how to massage your scar.
Yes!!!! i was never told this and experienced incontinence because of this. The PT that i worked with told me that it’s because my bladder was stuck to my scar tissue. it’s called mobilization when you massage it.
Scar tissue can cause more than just pain, it can be a cause of infertlity following the section, if it grows in the uterus.
Kudos to you! Although not everyone is gifted with the stamina or health to face section after section, it’s inspiring to read how you are acting on Jewish values and not getting lost in the fog of 2023. Building a Jewish family is never easy! And here you are: offering encouragement and tips to others. Thank you!
As someone who’s had multiple c sections,I want to first say thank you. I wish you would’ve put this post out ten years ago 🙂 nothing to add except every single one of my c sections were a completely different recovery process. Ranging from getting back to myself at four weeks, to it taking a complete year, each one was different. Also, where I currently live, the hospitals will not give you ANY pain medication (not even Tylenol or advil) unless you ask for it so be your own advocate, find out what the protocol is, and speak up. (Or tell your husband to)
I second that. Just had my seventh c section bh. Every single one was different. And agree with you for the pain meds. Had to ask for everything! Wish someone would’ve told me about messaging the incision. And also to take probioitcs post birth! I always get yeast infections by my incisions and the creams never seemed to help completely. Had a doctor tell me it’s from the strong meds they give during the section. They weaken your immune system. Probiotics helped tremendously. Wish I would’ve known that 15 years ago.
Wow wow I have a new found respect for c section moms. I am so sorry! Thank you for giving us a glimpse so we can feel the pain of others. Only healthy easy births to all Jewish women bh!
Thank you for this article! I wish I would have read this prior to the c section I had 2 years ago. It was so painful and since it was unplanned there was plenty of trauma to it also. Please be kind to yourself! And communicate your needs noone can read your mind! Thank you again and I am always blown away by the strength of us women!
I thought someone wrote out my thoughts! My daughter turned 2 just today. Exactly 2 years ago I had an unplanned c-section as well. It’s comforting to hear that I’m not alone in the ‘trauma’ aspect. It took me some time to get around. If I can add one thing it would be this. If you hear of a woman you know who gave birth via c-section, give her all the support you can. She really needs it! Emotional or physical, a supper, taking her kids for a few hours… whatever you can do is going to be a tremendous help.
I had one c section due to a breach baby. These tips are all great. I also recommend silicone scar strips – I wore them for almost a year afterward. They help your scar heal nicely and also prevent anything from rubbing against it. I also had some weird nerve spots near my scar that were numb – that’s normal and it did eventually go away. Also, would recommend that you try to walk around as much as you can even though it’s painful. It’s important to keep moving to help you heal!
Thank you for such a great article. I think everyone recovers from c sections differently and my planned C section was a completely different experience to my first unexpected one or failed vback. However pretty much everyone I spoke to agreed that the first C section is always the hardest. Also, walking as soon as you are cleared to is imperative to a quick recovery. It may seem impossible at first but it quickly gets easier. I make sure to walk around the block daily for the first two weeks.
I have also done scar massage after every shower and my scar healed beautifully every time- I wish more people knew about this!
I also used the Chicco Close to You 3 in 1 Bedside Bassinet which allowed me to access the baby at night and change diapers without wanting to cry.
Hope this helps!
What a helpful article! Just so you know- I had a few c sections and a few natural births and I found the c section recovery easier. Bh I was able to walk around the first week and pushed myself to move. The key is to take pain medication before you feel pain and move around. I was feeling as if I had a regular birth within the first week.
Also just want to acknowledge that an unplanned csection especially with your first, is TRAUMATIC. The first few weeks I cried whenever i thought of it and i still have tears in my eyes whenever i think about it. And it was over a decade ago and i am really not an emotional person. It’s very hard and happy at the same time and mixed feelings are very normal. I had a hard time “forgiving” my baby for causing me so much pain in the beginning. It was very different with my subsequent VBACs BH! Just want to put this out there to help other ppl feel normal!
Same… I have had natural births after my first which was an emergency C-section and I still get a bit shaky and tear up when I think about it a few years on.
I can do relate to this… thanks for saying it out loud. I feel less alone and more normal.
This is incredibly validating!
I just had my first BH via emergency c-section.
She is 5 months old and reading this post really made me cry
The disappointment of not being able to have a natural birth… the required year of BC to let yourself heal… the difficulty losing weight (more difficult than when giving birth naturally)
Its REALLY hard
Thank you for this validating post
What a wonderful post . You gave me a lot of chizuk !!! I went through a few cesarianas and it’s great to hear others with this experience.
Thank you!!
I’ve had four c-sections B”H and each time the recovery was different. Three were emergencies and one was planned. When I asked the doctor how many c-sections is safe. He didn’t say a number but told me that Kennedy’s wife had 11. Each woman has to assess with their doctor what they can handle. Also, the rule of no picking up anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks is really important. It helps the incision heal and not cause muscle damage or hernia G-d forbid. Thanks for having this article to help normalize cesarean births.
Thank you for this! Agree I was told no current limits other than normal health, age and past recovery considerations, that said it is daunting to plan to give birth this way, BH with tremendous gratitude to Hashem and modern Medicine which allow for multiple births this way in someone who can’t give birth naturally, with a healthy baby and mom being what counts!!
One more unmentioned tip:
Taking charcoal pills soon after surgery is a must to avoid gas pains, which can sometimes be more painful than the incision! This can be true for any abdominal surgery or otherwise, but I found this advice from a midwife super helpful and a game changer in subsequent c sections. Bring along or buy from the hospital pharmacy. Also I was told to keep in mind charcoal can interfere with pain killers later on so alternate and make sure not to take at the exact same time. Refuah Sheleima!
Great tips! 2 things that really helped my c section recovery were a small step still next to my bed. This made getting in and out of bed so much easier. I also bought a grabber off Amazon to help pick things up and put things down. By the end of 2 weeks I was even able to load and unload the dishwasher using it!
Wow! I’ve only given birth naturally, and am amazed at all these mothers doing this again and again.
Thank you so much for this post. It is so very validating. I’ve only had c sections so don’t know otherwise but it is harrrddd. Also side point and not even so important but sometimes it feels a little isolating when everyone discusses birth and their stories etc and you have no idea what they are talking about! Just a odd feeling for a mom of a whole family.
Thank you for the tips!!
Also tip I would give anyone having a c, ask the doctor before or right after the surgery to authorize narcotics because when the spinal wears off you will be in agony and it’s terrible to need to wait for the nurse to get clearance when the motrin and Tylenol is doing nothing for you. Obviously narcotics are not for everyone and the side effects are pretty unpleasant but the relief they bring in the first week or two makes all the difference.
Kol Hakovaod to Sarah and all you other brave and strong women out there!! I stand in awe, how special it is that you are committed to partner with H-shem and bring life into this world, even though it is not easy. May you all be gebentched with endless strength, health and nachas.
I gave birth to all 4 of my children by c-section 30-40 years ago, and I wish that this information had been available back then. Yes, they were difficult recoveries, but I had fertility issues (had my first child after 7+ years of marriage), so I was just so grateful to actually have a baby. Sending chizuk to all of you section mommies!!! Please remember to take care of yourselves and don’t overdo it. It is not a shanda to rest and recuperate. Your baby (and family) need you healthy and strong.
I had an emergency c-section by my last birth and I must say I have a new sensitivity anytime I hear of someone who recently had a c-section. You cannot fathom the recovery if you haven’t gone through it. Everything you do for the first 2 weeks is so hard and painful, from sitting up in bed, to bending, showering etc. Just a small tip I want to mention; the doona was a game-changer for me, as before that I had been lugging an infant seat from room to room and bending down to lift the baby. That would have been impossible after a c-section.
I would like to add to this that I have a found a tremendous difference in recovery when I really pushed myself during the first 24-48 hours to walk, walk & WALK.
I also want to point out that I had BH 2 natural births after 2 C sections (my first 2 children)
With the right doctor it IS possible for a lot of women.
* also try and eat only high fiber foods and lots of fruit after (as with regular births too but the pain post C is much worse)
I had 4 c-sections- my first being emergency. A few other things- when that baby is coming out it felt like an elephant was sitting on me- and I though I was going to pass out- I told the anesthesiologist who said don’t worry that’s normal and adjusted my meds during the procedure.
Speak up don’t be afraid to say this feels like that is this normal
Second- after the anesthesia wears
Off it goes from Your head all the way to your toes it felt like itching like I never had before – and I spoke up and they gave me benadryl which helped immediately.
Third- Take your meds don’t be a martyr
Fourth – the first 24 hours it’s crucial to get up and walk. The longer you sit the worse off you are:
Fifth- your milk doesn’t come in right away Ans that’s normal- don’t get despondent
Sixth- don’t decline help- get all the help you can and accept all the spaghetti and meatball offers your neighbors and friends want to send you.
Such a great article! I wish I had it 7 months ago. I had placenta previa and had to have a planned c section. It was brutal. I still cry when I think about it. Reading this article made me realize how little compassion I received from my spouse and myself… this article was very validating regarding the physical and emotional pain I experienced. Having had natural births I can compare it and see how much more painful a c section is. It’s incomparable. The bonding experience with the baby was also affected. Thanks for this article.
Unbelievable! I am in awe of you women! I’m just shaking at the thought of homebirth… So many women in the coments mentioned that they had an emergency C Section. Imagine you all would’ve been smarter… Hashem Yirachem!
Such great points here. I had 7 c-sections also, and I do want to say that each recovery got much easier and that I had a much harder recovery from the stitches of my one natural delivery than I did from all the c’s.
VERY IMPORTANT!! If you have bleeding or tahara issues at any time (even years later) after a c-section, it could be something called a niche, or c-section scar defect. It’s not dangerous, but can really mess up cycles; it’s a pocket that forms in the scar tissue, and blood pools there, and slowly leaks out over time. It’s a relatively new diagnosis, so not all Doctors and Rabbanim are familiar with it, and may not be able to guide you accurately. Tahareinu was helpful in finding me a doctor that was able to help me. This is not an alternative medicine kind of thing-it’s easily seen on a saline sono or cystoscopy, but the doctors need to know what it is to look for it.
Thank you for this post!
I just came across this. I had 2 sections already and did not find the recovery all that hard.
My first emergency one was as mentioned a big disappointment. This was the hardest part. The second time around I still tried natural but at least knew this could happen, thus the recovery was much easier, with no emotional baggage involved. I was up and walking stairs within a few days of the section.
But at this point, my doctor does not let me try natural and I so want a large family. Anyway to reach the writer?
There are doctors that specialize in this area. I’m not sure where you live but I’m currently using an excellent group recommended by a time after my previous specialist said the limit he would deliver is three sections, regardless of my specific circumstances.
You can email me. Get my contact info from between carpools