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How can I Minimize C-Section Pain?

M. Walker
M. Walker

C-section pain can be an unfortunate common experience for many women during a c-section recovery. To minimize c-section pain, be sure to get plenty of rest and allow for adequate recovery time. Additionally, you can take over the counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or you can consult your doctor for additional medications. There are also several home remedies for managing pain after a c-section, including ice and heat packs, Epsom salt baths, and herbal teas. Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any treatment, especially if you are breastfeeding your baby, as certain medications might pass through the breast milk.

Physical rest and planning for a decent amount of recovery time are probably the most important components of c-section aftercare. Not only will resting reduce the amount of pain experienced, but it will also promote faster healing and recovery. After a c-section, you should try to avoid any strenuous exercise or household activities that require heavy lifting, such as laundry or heavy cleaning, as these could increase pain and cause more stress on the body. Additionally, giving yourself plenty of recovery time is crucial to minimizing pain; if you return to work too early your body might not be adequately healed, which will ultimately extend the recovery time even more.

Chamomile tea can be a natural anti-inflammatory drink.
Chamomile tea can be a natural anti-inflammatory drink.

Many women find over the counter pain medications to be helpful in reducing c-section pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally considered safe for new mothers to take after a c-section. Ibuprofen can also act to reduce uterine cramping in addition to reducing pain, which makes it a good option for c-section recovery. For women who find these medications to be too weak, consulting a doctor for stronger pain medications is a good idea. Doctors might prescribe medications such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone to breastfeeding mothers for occasional use, but generally only in cases where the pain is severe enough to warrant these stronger medications.

Bathing using Epsom salts can help ease c-section pain.
Bathing using Epsom salts can help ease c-section pain.

Home remedies for minimizing c-section pain include icing or heating the abdomen, taking baths with Epsom salts, and drinking certain herbal teas. Using ice packs or heating packs for the abdomen can reduce c-section swelling as well as decrease the pain. Similarly, warm baths act to reduce pain, and adding Epsom salts can soothe sore joints and general pain in the body. Some women also find that drinking soothing herbal teas, such as raspberry leaf tea or chamomile tea, can increase circulation, reduce cramping, and minimize pain.

Discussion Comments

icecream17

@DFoster85 – I heard that the c section recovery pain can be really intense. I was lucky that with both of my kids I had a vaginal delivery and while it was really painful during the delivery phase the recovery was a lot easier. I was back to normal in about two weeks.

My sister had an emergency c section procedure because she developed preeclampsia and she needed about six weeks to fully recover. The doctor told her to walk around a much as she could to avoid gas pain in the stomach and the potential development of blood clots which she told me was a real threat when you have a c section procedure.

dfoster85

@ElizaBennett - My lactation consultant showed me the football hold, too, but I never could get the darn thing to work after she left. Fortunately, I didn't find the cradle hold to be too painful.

What has surprised me about cesarean section recovery is that the pain gets much better, then worse. I'm almost six months out now. At first, it just got better. (The worst thing for me was getting out of bed, both at home and in the hospital, but I found that it helped to stand on a small stool to climb in and out.)

But as the nerves regrow, I notice the occasional period of increased pain, especially when I wake up at night to feed the baby, even though the incision is long since closed up. I hear that's normal, though. The worst thing is when I stand in front of the baby's high chair and he kicks his little feet. They are exactly at the level of my incision!

ElizaBennett

If you've had a C-section, often the lactation consultant in the hospital will teach you to nurse in the football hold. The idea there is that instead of holding the baby across your body (the cradle hold), you sort of tuck her under your arm like a football.

Then the baby's weight does not rest on your abdomen, reducing your c-section incision pain. C-section reduces the chances that breastfeeding will fail, but whether your C-section was planned like mine (placenta previa) or a surprise, there's a lot you can do to make sure that you can still nurse your baby.

I nursed in the recovery room (in the cradle hold there--I was still plenty numb) within an hour of my surgery and we were off to the races from there!

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    • Chamomile tea can be a natural anti-inflammatory drink.
      By: karandaev
      Chamomile tea can be a natural anti-inflammatory drink.
    • Bathing using Epsom salts can help ease c-section pain.
      By: Brooke Becker
      Bathing using Epsom salts can help ease c-section pain.
    • Ibuprofen is considered safe to used after a C-section.
      By: Geo Martinez
      Ibuprofen is considered safe to used after a C-section.
    • Breastfeeding mothers should consult their physician before taking medication for c-section pain.
      By: evgenyatamanenko
      Breastfeeding mothers should consult their physician before taking medication for c-section pain.
    • Rest is one of the most important things to do following a c-section.
      By: Monkey Business
      Rest is one of the most important things to do following a c-section.
    • General anesthesia may be administered prior to a c-section.
      By: evok20
      General anesthesia may be administered prior to a c-section.