C-section recovery is no joke. I don’t care how “routine” or “common” people make it sound. If you’ve had one, you know it’s major surgery. And if you’ve had more than one, like I have, you get a front-row seat to how different each recovery can be too.
READ:
Emergency c-section vs. Planned
So if you’re in that early stage of healing or you’re prepping for a scheduled section, this is the post I wish I had after mine. Let’s break down the C section dos and don’ts based not just on theory or guidelines but from lived, painful, awkward, sometimes hilarious experience.
1. The first few days – Let’s not pretend this part is easy
You might be lying in that hospital bed wondering if you’ll ever walk normally again. That’s how I felt after both of mine. Forget bouncing back. Just sitting up without help felt like an Olympic event.
DO: Accept help (and ask for it without shame)
Those first few days? You’re going to need help with everything. Feeding the baby, getting up to pee, even pressing the button to adjust your bed. Accept that help. Ask for it. This isn’t the time for pride.
DON’T: Try to prove you’re “fine”
You’re not fine. You just had layers of tissue, fat, muscle and uterus sliced open and stitched back together. One nurse told me “You’re recovering from the equivalent of a six-week abdominal injury.” That stuck with me. Don’t force yourself to stand when you should be resting. Don’t pretend you’re not in pain when you are. Take your meds. Stay in bed.
2. That first shower after C Section? It’s a whole experience
I remember standing in the hospital bathroom thinking, “How am I going to do this without ripping something open?” That first shower after a C section comes with nerves but it also feels like a rebirth (or like washing away the last 48 hours of sweat and IV stickiness).
DO: Take it slow
Get help walking to the shower if you need it. Let the water hit your back first. Avoid letting it pound directly onto your incision area. Pat yourself dry. Don’t rub.
A shower stool is a game-changer. So is a handheld showerhead. And don’t forget non-slip mats. Everything feels ten times slipperier when you’re wobbly and sore.
DON’T: Soak in a bath
No matter how tempting it sounds, don’t go near a bath until your midwife or doctor gives you the green light. Your wound is still healing and soaking can increase the risk of infection.
READ: How to pack a Realistic C-section Hospital Bag!
3. C Section internal stitches healing time – Don’t be fooled by the scar
You’ll look at your scar in the mirror and think, “Hey, this doesn’t look too bad.” Here’s the thing though: what you can see on the surface is only part of the picture. The C section internal stitches healing time is longer and way more complex than anyone tells you.
DO: Expect a long internal healing process
Your outer scar might look neat by week three but internal healing after a C section (deep in your abdomen where organs were moved and muscle cut) can take up to 12 weeks or more. In some ways, you’ll still be feeling odd sensations six months on. It’s not unusual.
I remember sharp twinges and strange pulling sensations if I moved too fast, even at week eight. It didn’t mean anything was wrong. It was just those inner layers still figuring themselves out.
DON’T: Rush into core exercises
Sit-ups? Planks? Ab workouts? No. Just no. I waited until after my second C section follow-up appointment to even consider postnatal pilates. Let your doctor or physio give you the all-clear before trying to “get your body back.” It’s still doing its job healing.
Week by Week – C Section recovery isn’t linear
If you’re anything like me, you’ll try to mentally plan out your C section recovery week by week. Spoiler alert! I’s never as tidy as you want it to be. Some days feel like huge wins. Others feel like you’re back at square one and that’s normal.
Here’s what my rough timeline looked like after both surgeries:
Week 1
Walking like a 90-year-old version of yourself.
Sharp pain getting in and out of bed.
Sleeping in strange positions to avoid pressure on your belly.
Using all your strength to cough, sneeze or laugh without feeling like you’ll pop a stitch.
Week 2
Pain eases up slightly but you’re still shuffling around the house.
Lifting anything heavier than baby is a no.
You’ll feel exhausted by doing the smallest tasks.
READ: Comparing Stomach Changes: C-Section vs. Natural Birth
Week 3–4
You’re upright more often but stairs still feel like a mission.
Your scar might start to itch as it heals. That’s normal.
You might feel emotionally better but still not physically strong.
Week 5–6
If healing goes well, you might get cleared to drive or do light exercise.
You’ll start sleeping slightly better (if the baby allows!).
You might feel “normal” on the outside but inside is still fragile.
When can I start bending after C Section?
This one frustrated me both times. I dropped something daily (dummy, socks, muslin cloth) and stood there wondering, “When can I start bending after C section?”
DO: Learn to squat instead of bend
Your core isn’t ready for bending in that first month. I used a squatting motion with support from nearby furniture or asked for help. By week 3, I could carefully bend for lightweight items. No sudden movements. If it pulls, stop. Your body knows.
DON’T: Pick up older children too soon
This was hard with my toddler but lifting a heavier child before you’re cleared can seriously delay healing. It can even cause wound complications. Sit down and let them climb into your lap. It’s not ideal but it keeps you safe.
More Dos that helped me heal better
Let me add a few more C section dos and don’ts that made a real difference for me the second time around.
DO:
Use a belly band or binder. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even high-waisted support knickers help. It’s not about flattening your tummy. It helps you feel held together.
Sleep with a pillow under or beside your belly. It eases the pressure when lying on your side.
Take stool softeners. That first post-surgery poo will be a mental and physical hurdle. Make it easier.
DON’T:
Ignore signs of infection. Redness, pus, or a fever means you call the midwife or doctor. Full stop.
Let people pressure you to “move more.” Walking is good but too much too soon will set you back. Listen to your body, not the peanut gallery.
Forget that healing is your full-time job. Baby’s needs are loud. Yours are quieter but just as urgent. Don’t neglect them.
READ: 17 Ways to Help your partner after a C-Section
So…take your time, Mama
Every mum’s recovery story is different. My first C section was emergency, traumatic and confusing. My second was planned, calmer but still no walk in the park. What I’ve learned through both is this.
Healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional and it takes time.
So if you’re in the thick of it, overwhelmed and sore and maybe even a bit scared, please know you’re not alone. And you’re not doing it wrong just because it’s taking longer than you expected.
Be kind to your body. Rest when you can. Say no without guilt. And never forget that you’re healing from major surgery while caring for a newborn. That’s no small thing.
Did this help? Bookmark it for later or send it to a fellow C-section mama who needs it.
Let me know in the comments: what part of C section recovery surprised you most?
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