To promote healing:

Take it easy – Rest as much as possible. Plan ahead and keep everything you and your baby might need within reach. Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby during the first few weeks. Have someone help you (a partner, family member, friend, or home health nurse) during the first few weeks.

Look after your incision – Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. Contact your doctor if your incision is red, swollen, or leaking discharge. Keep the incision clean and dry. Whenever you need to sneeze or cough, hold your abdomen to protect the incision site.

Eat well – Good nutrition is as important in the months after delivery as it is during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, you are still your baby’s primary source of nutrition. A balanced selection of healthy foods will help your body heal faster and keep your baby healthy. Also, drink plenty of fluids, especially water. You need extra fluids to increase your milk production and prevent constipation.

Manage postpartum symptoms – Your body will continue to undergo physical changes even after your baby is born. Changes you might experience include:

• After-pains, a type of cramping that occurs as your uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size
• Breast engorgement, or swelling (mastitis)
• Lochia, a type of vaginal discharge mostly made of blood
• Vaginal dryness
• Diastasis recti, or the separation of your abdominal muscles
• Hair loss
• Skin changes, like loose skin or acne
• Night sweats
• Headaches 

Go to postpartum check-ups – The 12 weeks postpartum are sometimes referred to as the 4th trimester. See your OB-GYN or another doctor several times during this period. The first checkup should be no later than 3 weeks after delivery. A comprehensive final visit should be no later than 12 weeks postpartum. At these check-ups, you and your doctor will discuss topics such as:

• Your physical recovery and mental health
• Your energy levels and how you are sleeping
• How your baby is doing and their feeding schedule
• Birth control and whether you are considering having more children
• Chronic condition management
• Managing any pregnancy-related complications, such as high blood pressure

Seek pain relief – To relieve the soreness of the incision, your doctor may recommend medications to relieve pain. Most pain-relieving medications are safe for breastfeeding women. 

Regain core strength – It may take up to 8 weeks to regain your core strength. Ask your doctor when you can resume exercising, going to work, and driving. Also wait to have intercourse or use tampons until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.