The Perfect Gift for C-section Moms
How To Help Mom Recover From Her C-Section In Comfort & Style
You always hear about these “best case” birth scenarios and perfectly illustrated birth plans. But when does anything in life go as planned? Some women may have always intended on a scheduled Cesarean (c-section) while others are confronted with a difficult decision when their plan goes belly up.
For many, vaginal birth is widely preferred, regarded as the most natural form of delivery, and allows mom to have more control, such as who’s in the room, immediate skin-to-skin time, and a much easier transition to recovery.
In a perfect world, your birth plan is honored and carried out to a T but in the case of unexpected delivery complications or high-risk pregnancies, a c-section might be preferred, if not necessary.
Why Do Women Need C-Sections?
Some scenarios can result in a planned c-section while other circumstances lead to a sudden and unexpected change during delivery. Some possibilities include:
Pregnancy Complications
Previous C-section or trauma to the uterus
Placenta Previa: A low-lying placenta that can cause bleeding or blockage of the vaginal opening
Infections, which can be passed on to the baby through a vaginal birth
Multiples: Twins, triplets, or more runs the risk of many complications for both mom and babies
Risky Medical Conditions: Diabetes and high blood pressure are among these conditions which can cause too much stress on the heart during vaginal births.
Baby’s position, ex: when baby is breech
Delivery Complications
A c-section could be recommended if a sudden complication arises during delivery that could affect the health and well-being of the mother and/or baby. Emergency medical intervention via c-section may be necessary due to:
Labor not progressing
Baby’s position
Baby in distress
Umbilical Cord issues (wrapped or pinched)
Preterm labor
Planned or unplanned, a c-section is accompanied by a different type of recovery and specific body limitations for a new mom.
Body Limitations After A C-Section
A c-section surgery is followed by a 2 to 4-day hospital stay and 4 to 6 weeks of recovery time. Not to mention, you just had a major surgery, so don’t expect to jump right back to all your previous abilities and regular daily life. A new mom should give herself some grace, allow her body to heal, and know her limitations.
Do not lift anything heavier than your baby during recovery
Go on short walks to increase stamina/strength and reduce the risk of blood clots
Avoid jogging or heavy exercising, especially situps (you will not have the strength in your abdomen and could risk injury)
Avoid heavy housecleaning (that’s right ladies, make someone else do it!)
Expect to tire easily and don’t do any activity to the point of exhaustion.
The Necessities and Luxuries of Recovery
After any surgery, we cling to comfort during our inevitable discomfort hoping it will somewhat ease the pain. C-section moms, however, don’t have the luxury most post-op patients have to sit back, relax, and heal. Not with a tiny human demanding all their attention. When they say it takes a village, I feel like they may have been partially referring to c-section recovery because as much as she says “I’m fine”, she will need help. It’s best not to ask, just do. So what can you do?
Housework - cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping
Send food!
Watch the older siblings
Tend to the baby
Accompany her for a walk and a talk
And best of all, send a care package for Mom!
While everyone dotes on the baby, help Mama navigate her new surroundings as she figures out how to put herself back together. She will surely explode with excitement to unwrap a gift meant simply for her, specifically crafted for this arduous time in her life. The Nurtured 9 C-Section Recovery Gift Box is full of essentials to help comfort and soothe Mama so she can get back to feeling like herself in no time. It includes plush slippers to keep Mom cozy at home, Hatch briefs with a high waist to comfort her midsection, an ice and heat gel pack to help soothe Mom’s incision area, and a rich indulgent body oil to enhance Mom’s self-care routine. Every gift box from Nurtured 9 is elegantly wrapped with a perfectly personalized handwritten message nestled atop a box of goodies meant to help her feel feminine, comforted, and loved.
As she settles into her new home life, she deserves the chance to focus all her attention on the health of her and her baby, all while soaking in those fleeting newborn moments.
Shop the C-Section Gift Box plus lots of other elevated pregnancy and postpartum gifts at Nurtured9.com. Prefer to customize your gift? Check out our curate-your-own shop with items for Mom and Baby.