6 Healing Tips for Postpartum C-Section Vs VBAC
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Every birth is different, but the method of how the baby is born can contribute to how you heal afterwards. For me, my first C-section was completely awful compared to how I felt following my VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean).
So I wanted to share what could have helped me better after my surgical birth after knowing how I could feel after having a vaginal birth. Plus, I learned a few extra tips after my second birth that would help support healing no matter what the method is of the baby's birth.
This blog post discusses the differences between a C-section and a VBAC and supporting both. The topics will be:
• The general essentials for all postpartum moms
• Specific essentials for C-sections
• Specific essentials for VBACs
• Ways to support postpartum
• The differences I experienced with both
It is so helpful to know ahead of time what will help you through a tremendously difficult time such as healing from giving birth. Of course, there are wonderful parts about it too, but for me as a first time mother who didn't plan for a C-section, recovering from that surgery rocked my world because it wasn't just about me anymore.
The general essentials for all postpartum moms
There is a method that is encouraged for healing during postpartum that was so helpful for me after having my second baby. It focuses on how much a new mom should expect to be able to do, and should allow her body to do in the days following birth. I wish I had known about it after my first, but it is something I will definitely follow after every birth from now on.
I talk more about this method in my post 14 Must-Haves For the Postpartum Period. In that post, I also discuss all the general essentials I recommend after every birth, so it's definitely worth checking out! I simply wanted to focus on the two varying ways to give birth and some ways to help those two things specifically.
Specific essentials for C-sections
Since my C-section baby was my firstborn, I was not prepared with what I needed. I got everything I thought I would need, but I never even considered that I would end up having a C-section. After going through it, if I were to ever need a C-section again, these are the items I would want to have on hand.
Swelling can happen after all the fluids they've pumped into you during surgery, so compression socks are really helpful to have and I loved these ones here.
Due to the major surgical scar in your abdomen, it will be difficult to move around a bit. I had a hard time trying to lay down, so in order to sleep I just used my boppy pillow as an airplane pillow and stayed more propped up so that I wouldn't have to lay down and get up throughout the night to feed my baby. Honestly, even without having a C-section I love using the boppy to breastfeed, so I highly recommend!
Another item you're going to want to have is either loose pants or dresses to wear that you're comfortable in. I loved these pants and these dresses! You'll mostly be hanging around the house for the first couple weeks, and you don't want tight pants squeezing your surgical scar (who wears tight pants after giving birth anyway?) But having extra loose pants that leave room for a binder is essential in feeling comfortable during postpartum with a C-section baby.
Specific essentials for VBACs
The items I found super useful during my VBAC postpartum time was a peri bottle, adult diapers, padsicles, and numbing spray.
The peri bottle is an easy way to clean your whole area after using the bathroom, and because of stitches and such you don't want to be touching down there or wiping.
The adult diapers were the surprising one for me. They were so helpful when I didn't make it to the toilet on time because my pelvic floor was very weak the first couple weeks. There were a couple times I didn't make it to the toilet and had a mess that my sweet husband cleaned up for me. Then, I used the diapers and they were comfortable and awesome!
Padsicles are wonderfully soothing for a sore vagina after birth. They are just pads with aloe vera and witch hazel on the inside and kept in the freezer until time to use. I found it best to take one out and place it on the counter when I took a shower and use it after that. I find showers soothing and refreshing, so I take them often when I'm not feeling my best.
The numbing spray I used is the typical dermoplast. I honestly don't know of any other kind, and they give this out in the hospital, so if you're planning to give birth at the hospital you may not have to actually buy it yourself, but I provided a link just in case you do need to.
I had a second degree tear, and with that comes a little bit of feeling uncomfortable when sitting. Laying down was the best for me during the first five days or so, which goes along with the method I talk about in my other post 14 Must-Haves For the Postpartum Period.
Ways to support postpartum
My first birth being a C-Section, I had a lot of difficulty moving around and even sleeping. After my VBAC with my second child, I was able to walk and move much easier just because I didn't have surgery. Either way, the most helpful thing I had was support from my husband. If your spouse is not available, find someone who can be there to help you walk to the bathroom, bring things to you as needed, and help you feel human again.
I don't believe my C-section was necessary, so make sure you do your research before your first and don't be afraid to ask questions or even say no to your doctors. Of course, there are true emergencies where C-Sections are life-saving, but in this country the statistics show that there are way more surgeries happening than are truly necessary. I wish I had asked more questions when I had my first because I don't believe it was an emergency and may not have been necessary. I was stressed out because I had a difficult nurse who wasn't listening to my needs. This can cause a delay if a mother is not feeling completely safe when laboring. So, make sure you feel safe in that room!
The differences I experienced with both
The postpartum period after my second baby was a breeze. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and my baby during that time. I knew what I would need during that time, and my husband knew better than the first time too. He was helpful both times, but the second one we knew the essentials that helped me feel my best. He was ready and willing to serve however he could, which is truly invaluable.
Whichever way your baby enters the world, I hope it is beautiful and that you heal well afterwards! I'm praying for you and your little one to have a wonderful, joy-filled postpartum! Feel free to reach out to let me know if any of this helped you or if you have any questions. You can contact me here.
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