Friday 25 September 2009

How To Boost Your Cesarean Recovery

If you've given birth by cesarean, your body will have to be treated with care. Full cesarean recovery may take up to six months, but you ought to be able to start becoming a little more active within a few days.

Simply getting out of bed may feel daunting after the operation. Hospital staff will commonly encourage you to get out of bed within the first 24 hours so that your circulation improves and to get the bladder and bowels functioning again.

Try moving around your room in hospital initially, taking very small steps and having plenty of rest in between. This can be increased as soon as a couple of days to walking around the hospital, be careful not to do too much too quickly, be patient.

Keeping moving at this stage is critical for the reason that it helps to boost blood flow to the wound, which speeds up recovery. Staying active will also prevent the build up of blood clots in the legs, which may potentially be very dangerous.

The key to any cesarean recovery program is to take things gradually. Work to a plan which includes constant but gentle exercise. Starting off easily and increasing the distance you can walk progressively over the following days.

Pushing your baby in a pram provides an superb opportunity to become more active. Holding on to the handle will allow you extra support, removing some of the work off the stomach muscles. The pushchair will also help balance and help you maintain an upright position.

Keep away from walking up hills or inclines when walking with a pushchair until after your six week check up, as this can place too much pressure on the weakened abdominal muscles.

In the early stages of your cesarean recovery you will be given medication to take away the discomfort. You must be aware that any soreness you could feel will be masked so don’t make the error of doing too much, just because you can’t feel any tenderness doesn’t mean it is ok for you to do.

To help in a quick cesarean recovery, it’s important to remain active but also to work within your body’s own comfort zone.  Steer clear of any stretching, twisting, excessive bending or impact movements, for the first six to twelve weeks in order to guard the c section area.

The Essential Guide To Exercising After A Caesarean’ is an easy to read manual written for new moms that are recovering from c section pain. You will learn techniques that help to reduce pain, lose weight, boost energy levels, give you more confidence and speed up your recovery times. Click on this link to find out more about how gentle exercise after c section could help you.

Thursday 17 September 2009

Sex After C Section – Take It Slowly At First

At some time sex after c section section will be a consideration. You will have to be creative and inventive when considering the positions used during sex, to prevent pain, or pressure on the wound area. And your partner needs to know that he may need to stop if you don’t want to continue.

Your incision and area around it may feel uncomfortable to be touched and can stay numb for up to a year after surgery. This is because of nerve stretching and resulting damage from the surgery.

Discussing this and any other problems with your partner is a good idea because he can be warned prior to sex about any issues you have as well as the possibility of you needing to give up due to pain or discomfort.

You both have to understand that it is very usual for you to feel tired. After having just experienced major abdominal surgery both physically and emotionally you will need enough time to heal and recover. Sex after c section will need to be restarted only when you feel fully up to it.

You need to remember that when you are worn-out your sex drive will obviously be low and you should reiterate this to your partner.

Not only have you been through serious surgery physically but also mentally you have had to cope with a lot, these things all affect a woman’s desire for sex.

If you can, negotiate a gentle massage or simply cuddling may be all you can offer in the early stages of your recovery. Be patient, your desire for sex ought to return to normal given time.

If you have gone off sex due to depression then it needs to be be mentioned to your doctor or midwife.  There are many factors why some women suffer depression after a c section such as: -

  • Postnatal depression - a hormonal imbalance
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - more so if the c section was an emergency operation
  • Disappointment - If you wanted to give birth naturally you may be upset about your choices being taken away from you.

One of the quickest ways of improving your self confidence and interest in having sex after c section is by feeling better about yourself. ‘The Essential Guide To Exercising After A Caesarean’ will assist you to do this by safely teaching you the fastest ways of recovering from a c section, so you can begin to feel confident and sexy again. Click here – www.exerciseaftercsection.com

Friday 11 September 2009

Recovering From C Section Pain, How Bad Should It Feel?

Recovering from c section pain can take a while for some moms but for others it can be a very quick, pain free and straight forward process.

Every woman will respond differently to their c section recovery and it is tough to give an exact time and date when you will have fully recovered.

Generally speaking after a few days you should be feeling a lot better in yourself and not experiencing as much pain.

It mostly takes about four to six weeks for a c-section incision to heal fully. You will almost certainly feel some levels of tiredness and discomfort throughout this time.

Give yourself enough time to take it easy and get properly organised. Keep things you might need close to hand. Until your six week check up, don't lift anything heavier than your baby.

Most women feel a tightening or pulling of the scar area for some time afterwards when moving in some ways. Over time this will stop.

You may suffer from ‘baby blues’ when your milk comes in, often about day three. If these feelings don’t pass over the next few days then you should talk to either your midwife or doctor who may plan some counselling or offer details of local support groups you can go to, that have other women with similar issues and concerns as you.

You should regularly monitor your wound and general well being for any complications. Contact your doctor immediately if you see signs of infection such as tummy pains, redness, swelling or any form of discharge.

Postpartum depression may be a concern. If you constantly feel low without any signs of positive changes in moods, it may be worth mentioning this to your doctor.

Don’t bottle up your emotions, it is often helpful to get your emotions out and share them with your loved ones. Most women would prefer things had been different with the birth if it was an emergency section, but you ought to take comfort in the reality that in similar circumstances 100 years ago, neither you nor your baby would probably have survived.

The Essential Guide To Exercising After A Caesarean’ is an easy to read manual written for new moms that are recovering from c section pain. You will learn techniques that help to reduce pain, lose weight, boost energy levels, give you more confidence and speed up your recovery times. Click on this link to find out more about how gentle exercise after c section could help you.

Friday 4 September 2009

How To Look After Your C Section Incision, Top Ideas Revealed

Your C section incision scar will usually be protected by a sterile dressing to help protect against infection and you will normally have been given antibiotics.  During the first 24 - 48 hours the hospital staff will encourage you to shower and they will then remove your dressing.  Gently pat dry the area with a clean towel.  If you can, try leave the wound to dry naturally.

A really clever idea to protect the wound on top of the dressing is to place a sanitary pad fixed to your clothing over the area. 

Wearing boxer shorts will stop the elastic from touching the scar area and ought to be much more comfortable than your conventional underwear for the initial few weeks.

As the wound begins to repair you may discover a little spot bleeding, whilst the wound shouldn’t break open, a minute bit of spotting isn’t ordinarily too much of a problem.

During the recovery stages you could very well feel a lump or large ridge under the scar which may also feel numb and taut. These are all usual responses and should all gradually go away in time.

Be very vigilant over your c section incision scar because if it becomes infected, the curing process can take many weeks longer.

Call your doctor without delay if you notice any of the following: -

  • Redness - the edges of a healing incision may be slightly red, this is normal, but call your doctor if the redness is increasing or if it spreads more than half an inch from around the wound.
  • Heat or excessive warmness on or around the wound
  • Any difference or unusual appearance of the incision
  • Any puss or discharge from the incision or if the scar is becoming mildly tender or painful.

If your c section incision pulls apart and starts bleeding, apply an antibiotic cream, to keep any bacteria away from the wound. Applying a little pressure to the wound may help to stop the bleeding. If the wound keeps bleeding after you apply pressure, call your doctor.

It is not recommended that you use antiseptic or pain relieving creams other than an antibiotic cream until your incision has completely healed.

Keep your c section incision clean at all times. Cleanse it by using a slightly soapy wet cloth or sponge (use unperfumed soap), squeezing it on top of your stomach above the wound so that the soapy water runs down over the stitches. Don’t directly rub the incision for the reason that this could disturb the scab that is forming.

If your goal is to get back in to good shape after having a c section then you really should check out my great new system - 'The Essential Guide To Exercising After A C Section' will help to avoid the most common c-section complications. It’s a comprehensive program of exercise and recovery designed specifically for new mums to help tone, tighten and firm up the tummy muscles as well as lose weight from all over the body. My system helps to improve recovery as well giving you loads more energy. To find out more and start to feel better about yourself, go here now – www.exerciseaftercsection.com

Thursday 27 August 2009

How To Escape The Most Common C-Section Complications

 

If you have given birth by a c section, the odds are that you will end up suffering from any number of c-section complications, but there are always ways of avoiding the most common of these.

After the birth you should monitor your wound carefully. There are some warning signs that you need to be aware of that might indicate a setback. If you experience any of the following c-section complications, be sure to make contact with your doctor or midwife straight away:-

  • If you have a fever.  It is occasionally normal to have a somewhat higher temperature than normal, but if you are monitoring it yourself, generally doctors would want you to seek medical advice if it was higher than 101f.  If you have a less intense fever for longer than 24 hours you should also get in touch with your doctor.
  • If your incision is draining it should be looked at, whilst it may be usual to lose a slight discharge it is probably best to allow the professionals decide if you have a problem other that make that judgment yourself.
  • If you have any discomfort that doesn’t cease or disappear after a few days you should again seek medical help.  If you suffer pain that increases despite pain killing medication then call or seek professional medical advice immediately.
  • If you start to have any difficulty breathing.  You are at a greater risk of any breathing problems following a Caesarean.  It is normal to feel sore at first and this may mean that you struggle to take any deep breaths.  If this continues to be a problem or gets any worse then you should contact your doctor.
  • If your sanitary pad is soaked every hour or two, if you have no bleeding or if your bleeding in no way begins to slow down then you need to be seen. Sometimes this can be due to a piece of the placenta being left inside your uterus.

If you are ever in any doubt regarding any c-section complications you might be experiencing, it is important that you immediately phone your healthcare professional or doctor.

If your goal is to get back in to good shape after having a c section then you really should check out my great new system - 'The Essential Guide To Exercising After A C Section' will help to avoid the most common c-section complications. It’s a comprehensive program of exercise and recovery designed specifically for new mums to help tone, tighten and firm up the tummy muscles as well as lose weight from all over the body. My system helps to improve recovery as well giving you loads more energy. To find out more and start to feel better about yourself, go here now – www.exerciseaftercsection.com

Saturday 22 August 2009

Abs After C Section - Working Out The Stomach Muscles

 

There are a number of factors as to why you should start doing this straight away following the birth. Firstly to help to pull in and realign the stomach muscles because without doing this, you run the risk of having a flabby looking stomach for the rest of your life.

Secondly to strengthen and support the lower back and spine. The stomach muscles form a key part of what we fitness professionals call the core muscles. The job of these core muscles is basically to support and strengthen the body so it can preserve a good posture and to protect and hold in the internal organs.

The third reason you need to exercise the abs after c section is to improve blood flow to the area. When muscles contract or do some work, they need a greater supply of oxygenated blood, it is this supply of blood which also contain the cells required for repair and renewal of the tissues of the scar and surrounding areas. By regularly supplying a larger amount of blood to the scar the area will heal much more rapidly.

The chances are at first you won't be able to feel very much if anything at all whilst doing your stomach exercises, just keep doing them to the best of your abilities.

It is very important to only carry out a special few pelvic tilting exercises that have been created for women who are recovering from c section and not to just start trying any type of the usual abdominal exercises, these are not appropriate at this time.

If your goal is to have flat abs after c section then you really should check out my great new system - 'The Essential Guide To Exercising After A C Section' which is a comprehensive programme of exercise and recovery designed specifically for new mums to help tone, tighten and firm up the tummy muscles as well as lose weight from all over the body. My system helps to improve recovery as well giving you loads more energy. To find out more and start to feel better about yourself, go here now – www.exerciseaftercsection.com

Thursday 13 August 2009

The Importance Of Regular Exercise After A C Section

Exercise after c section will be one of the most distant things from your mind if you have just given birth, but neglecting this essential part of c section recovery will slow down the healing process and virtually eliminate your potential to ever have a flat stomach again.

The tendency for many new moms wanting to quickly lose pregnancy weight is to start immediately and do as much as they can physically do, but this has a number of potentially serious drawbacks: -

PROBLEM #1

Being tired all the time. If you have just had a c section, you are actually recovering from major surgery, so you simply won’t be able to do what you could have done even just a few weeks ago. If you try to do too much, you will just end up feeling drained and emotional and unable to cope with even the simplest of challenges.

PROBLEM #2

Tearing your scar. In effect your skin is trying to knit itself together over the wound, two edges attached either by staples or stitches. If you attempt to do any sort of exercise after c section that means you need to stretch or twist in any way then you will be regularly pulling both sides apart.

This will mean your scar takes much longer to repair and may lead to a greater build up of scar tissue, leaving you with a deep ridge instead of a flat line which is hardly visible in a few weeks.

PROBLEM #3

Not Doing The Right Things. For most new moms the biggest area of concern will be the stomach, and what do most people do when they want to tighten their stomach, that’s right you’ve guessed it - sit ups.

Hopefully You'll have more awareness than to try doing sit ups during the early stages of your c section recovery, there are a number of stomach tightening or pelvic tilting exercises that you can do and are in fact extremely vital to do practically straight after giving birth.

In fact it is no exaggeration to state that not doing these stomach firming exercises regularly in the early stages could result in a rounded and bulbous tummy, with no structure or definition that’s yours, not just for the next few weeks, but for the rest of your life.

Any type of exercise after c section other than just walking and certain, safe tummy tightening exercises should be avoided until at least your post pregnancy check up, but even then you'll need to judge yourself if you feel up to it or not.

Being active and frequently doing your pelvic tilting and pelvic floor exercises will really improve your c section recovery time and enable you to start being more active much quicker.

Thursday 6 August 2009

C Section Side Effects – Knowing What To Expect

 

Most women will be affected by c section side effects of some kind or another after the operation and you should be aware of the most universal of these so you can act accordingly.

The most frequent problems directly after surgery are: -

Itchy skin

Some women sometimes complain of itchy skin straight after a c section, which is a side effect of the drugs given for the duration of the anaesthetic.

Sickness

Due to the medication used this can yield feelings of sickness and nausea. These feelings should quickly go away over a day or so.

Back Pain

Occasionally you may be aware of pain in the upper back or between the shoulders which is caused by an air pocket in the abdominal cavity at some stage in surgery. This typically only lasts for between 24 - 48 hours.

Headaches

Some women suffer from headaches caused by the epidural. If the needle goes in too far this can be quite severe and may last longer than a week if left untreated.
This risk of being affected by this kind of headache is quite low, affecting approximately 1 in 200 women.

Shivering

You may also start shaking, another side effect of the anaesthetic, not serious and a few extra blankets can help this.

Blood Loss

Abnormal blood loss during and after the operation could lead to the need for a blood transfusion or emergency hysterectomy.

Internal Organs

Injury to the internal organs such as the bladder or intestines which can sometimes be caused during surgery, especially if it was an emergency section.

Uterine or bladder infections

In order to avoid any bladder complications try to urinate every 2-3 hours on the first day.

Blood Clots

Possible blood clotting in the veins of the legs or pelvis. In rare circumstances these can move to the lungs leading to life threatening pulmonary embolisms, try to remain as active as possible. Being sedentary increases these risks.

Keep an eye on your wound and your well being, looking for feelings of new or different pain, extreme lethargy or any of the c section side effects described above. It’s usually much less of an issue to treat problems in their early stages than if they are left to grow to be worse.

‘The Essential Guide To Exercising After A Caesarean’ is an easy to read guide designed for new moms recovering from c section side effects. You will discover techniques that help to minimise pain, lose weight, improve energy levels, give you more confidence and speed up your recovery times.

Friday 31 July 2009

C-Section Recovery - Try Using Use These Great Tips To Make Things Easier

A full c-section recovery may take many months, and it usually takes about four to six weeks for a c-section surface incision to heal fully.

Whilst the superficial scars may heal rapidly the damage to the deep tissues will take much longer for total recovery, so don’t hurry back to playing any kind of sports or activities which involve a lot of twisting, bending or impact.

Just because the superficial part of the wound shows no signs of pain this doesn’t mean the lower levels are totally healed. Several experts suggest that full healing of the area may take between 9 -18 months!

Use these Techniques to help you through the early stages of recovery: -

#1 Give yourself time to have a rest, get organized. Keep all the things that you might need close to hand. Until your six-week check up, don't lift anything heavier than your baby.

#2 When you stand and walk try to stand tall pulling your stomach muscles in and your shoulders back and upright.

#3 If you suspect that you are about to sneeze, cough or laugh then restrain and support your stomach near the scar to avoid sudden discomfort.

#4 Use pillows or rolled up towels for extra support whilst breast-feeding.

#5 Too many visitors in the first few weeks will keep you from getting the rest you need to recover.

#6 Until you can cope the driving position or any of the movements that driving requires, don’t attempt to drive.

#7 Monitor your wound and general well being on a regular basis. Contact your doctor immediately if you see any signs of infection such as tummy pains, redness, swelling or any form of discharge.

#8 Postpartum depression may be a factor. If you are constantly feeling low without any signs of enhancement in moods or energy levels, it may be worth mentioning this to your doctor.

Although your c-section recovery will take longer than it would from a vaginal birth, the end result is still the same, you should take comfort in the fact that in similar circumstances 100 years ago, neither you nor your baby would probably have survived.

‘The Essential Guide To Exercising After A Caesarean’ is an easy to use guide for any new mom that wants a flatter tummy, toned legs, bottom and thighs and to lose her baby weight after just having a c section, all in just a few weeks from now. An essential tool for promoting a rapid and pain free c-section recovery.