I promised you that I would document my PP recovery and activity/movement plan, so here’s Part I of a series of posts!👇
Week 0-1
Let’s be real - C-Sections are rough. The surgeons cut through multiple layers to get to the uterus to pull your baby out.
And it’s not exactly a pull, they roughly yank and tug your uterus around, pull your baby out, and then jam everything back in and sew you up. That’s what my nurse explained to me.
And me being me, I had to look up exactly what happens during a C-section out of curiosity (I knew what happened in theory but have never actually witnessed it)… then I watched a video. Youtube has a few you can check out.
Sidenote: I kept asking the doctors if I could watch but they would NOT oblige. 😂
What Exactly Happens During a C-Section:
→ A horizontal incision is made just above the pubic bone (in most C-sections, but cuts can also be vertical, just less common).
→ Then they begin cutting through the layers → First Layer: Skin, the Second Layer: Fat, Third Layer: Fascia, Fourth Layer: Muscles, Fifth Layer: Peritoneum, Sixth Layer: Uterus, Seventh Layer: Amniotic Sack
→ Baby is pulled out, and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut.
→ Placenta is removed.
→ They sew up your uterus and place it back in, then sew up the rest of your incision.
Needless to say, my first week was very little to no movement whatsoever.
Mind you I was still in the hospital up until the Friday after giving birth: I did some belly breathing (TVA activation) in my bed and walked around my room as soon as I got those leg sleeves off. That’s about it, other than carrying my son and picking things up around my room (dirty clothes, food, small things like that).
I also kept bending of any kind minimal—the stitches and tape are fresh and there’s no need to strain while you start your healing process.
Another noteworthy thing to include here is I was wearing my Belly Binder. They help brace anytime you sneeze, laugh, bend, cough, anything that activates your core muscles. I swear by it as it has helped me slim down quickly and brace my diastasis back together (for the most part, I definitely have some rehab work to do)!
*A little tip for going to the bathroom your first time post catheter → blow into a straw. It can be difficult your first time or two and this will relax your pelvic floor and allow the flow to pass freely.*
Week 2
This week has been much easier to navigate. I’m off any pain medications the doctors prescribed, my C-Section has been healing nicely, I’m getting more sleep (which immensely helps with recovery), and I have little to no pain while doing things.
I’m back home at this point so it’s back to nesting, but PP style (I’m not kidding)! I thought I was prepared for my son to come home, but I rearranged everything, again. 😆
The house chores have kept me on my toes (though I totally didn’t have to do them, I just felt I could manage and I was right! Just moving slowly). This alone nets me about 2500 steps in a day.
I’ve also been able to take my dogs out one at a time a few times a day. We aren’t going on our regular walks yet, but I’m still taking it easy. This nets me anywhere from 1000-2500 steps per day.
Recap
0-2 Weeks
Diaphragmatic Breathing / Belly Breathing
Wearing a Belly Binder
House Chores
Walking / Taking the Dogs out (1000-5000 steps → I had no real goal, whatever I netted for the day was a WIN in my book these two weeks).
Bonus: Breastfeeding → this burns calories + has added to my postpartum weight loss.
FIN
Thank you all for being patient with my posting schedule, and thank you for being so supportive and showing an outpouring of love for our son.
We are so happy to have him home with us and in our arms. ❤️
Stay tuned for more content to come periodically. My birth story post should be out next week, and I’ll update Weeks 3-4 and 5-6 PP as well as time goes by!
#WAGMI
Your friend,
- BowTiedHeifer
Disclaimer
I am not a licensed personal trainer or pre/postnatal specialist—these are simply my personal experiences and things I have witnessed to work for many others. This is not legal, medical or financial advice. Please speak to a professional before starting any new programs, applying any new diet plans, or supplement protocols.