Baby2Body’s Guide To Postpartum Recovery: What To Expect Post C-Section (Week 7+)
When it comes to postpartum recovery, it can be difficult to know what to expect, especially if you’re in your third trimester and really focusing on getting through labor and delivery. And yes, sometimes looking ahead can feel overwhelming, but often knowing what to expect can also help you to feel more in control of the weeks and months ahead.
That’s why we’re sharing exactly what to expect during postpartum recovery — so you can take it all in when you need to — maybe you want to be prepared now, maybe you want to save these posts and read them as the time comes, maybe you’re already a postpartum mama — whatever stage you’re in, we’re really glad you’re here!
Just remember, every woman is different, every pregnancy is different, and every delivery is different, so what to expect after birth varies a lot. We’re sharing some common symptoms of postpartum recovery — but you might not experience everything you see here & you might find you notice other things more. Let us know how you’re feeling in the comments!
If you missed them, here are the other posts in this series:
If you had a vaginal birth:
If you had a c-section:
Here’s what you can expect 7 weeks+ after a c-section:
So, by now you’ve likely had your 6-week check with your doctor where you may have talked about things like exercise and have sex. Remember that if you had a c-section, your doctor may advise you avoid sex and exercise for a little longer depending on your recovery.
When you are cleared for these things, it might make you feel like things should just be “back to normal” but it might not feel like that in reality, and that's ok, mama. Things will take time — by week 7 you’re actually only half way through your fourth trimester — and looking after a newborn means like will never be back to how they were pre-baby.
It today’s post, we’ve split up what you can expect into 2 sections: what you can expect in weeks 7-12 of postpartum recovery & what you can expect in months 3-6. Let’s get into it.
Weeks 7-12 of postpartum recovery after a c-section:
1. Your menstrual cycle & contraception
Just another quick note on your menstrual cycle — if you are bottle feeding, your period may have returned already, if you are breastfeeding you may not return to having normal periods until you begin to reduce your feeds and that’s because the hormone that helps your body produce milk, prolactin, can also stop you from ovulating and having your period
Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, it’s common to have irregular periods for months after birth but remember that you can become pregnant again as soon as 3 weeks after you gave birth, even if you are breastfeeding, so a missed period could be a sign of pregnancy.
If you aren’t wanting to conceive, talk to your doctor about contraception if you didn’t do so at your 6 week check — if you are interested in trying for another child, talk with your doctor about your plans so they can help ensure that your body has the time it needs to recover before becoming pregnant again.
2. Intimacy
As we mentioned in our last post, you might have had the “all clear” from your doctor to have sex — that doesn’t mean it’s happened yet! Many women find their sex drive doesn’t return for much longer than 6 weeks and your connection with your partner may feel strained due to the stress involved with having a newborn and going back to work. You may also be experiencing pain from your c-section as your scar heals, which can make sex feel like the last thing you want to do.
If you don’t feel like having sex just yet, remember your feelings are valid. Have open conversations with your partner about how you feel & talk bout other ways you can connect and feel intimate. If you are feeling up to it, start slow and use lubrication. Remember, sex should be enjoyable, so if you experience any pain, stop and consult your doctor.
For more: Postpartum Intimacy: How to Rekindle Things After Having a Baby.
3. Your body & physical activity
As we mentioned earlier, women who give birth vaginally usually get exercise clearance at their 6 week check, but c-section mamas may be advised to wait longer — and you will likely be cleared at around 8 weeks depending on how you’re healing.
When do start exercising, it’s really important to start off slow, warm up and cool down properly, and stop if you feel any pain or discomfort. Listen to your body & don’t push yourself at this early stage.
Incorporate movement into your everyday routine by:
Getting outside for a 10 minute walk
Opt for the stairs over the elevator when possible
Park further away from the store you are entering to get in some extra steps
Walk around your house when talking on the phone
Pelvic floor exercises are still important at this stage whether you had a vaginal or cesarean birth because they can help with issues such as incontinence, and they can improve your sex life (for whenever you’re ready!).
4. Your emotions
It’s common for mixed emotions to continue as your hormones are still adjusting and you’re taking care of a newborn — maybe for the first time! Feeling exhausted or overwhelmed at this stage is normal — often by this time, family or friends have gone back home, and you and/or your partner have gone back to work. If you are feeling lonely, that is okay, but you don’t need to figure things out on your own, be sure to talk to your support system about how you’re feeling — they can still be amazing support from afar!
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you have a “comprehensive postpartum visit no later than 12 weeks after birth” to further monitor your mental, physical, and social well-being, but if this is not possible, have a mental health check-in with yourself: are you experiencing any postpartum depression symptoms? Sometimes feelings of depression persist or start suddenly at any time during the first year of postpartum. It is important to constantly track your symptoms to ensure you are healthy for you and baby and discuss any feelings of depression with your doctor so you can feel supported and get the help you need.
Months 3-6 of postpartum recovery after a c-section:
1. Long-term side effects
Some women do experience symptoms related to their c-section scar long after the operation. Some women feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery.
This is normally due to the build-up of scar tissue which can stick to muscles or even organs and cause pain. Sometimes that scar tissue pain can present as hip or lower back pain, shoulder pain or tension, headaches, or painful periods. If you are experiencing pain long after your c-section we always advise you to seek advice.
Read out post on 9 Things No One Tells You About C-Section Recovery to find out more about long-term c-section side effects and pain.
2. Your body & physical activity
If you’re not experiencing long-term pain or painful scar tissue, your exercise routine can usually start to return & it’s important for both your physical and mental health.
Remember that relaxin, the hormone which loosens your muscles to prepare for pregnancy and labor, can stay in the body for up to 12 months post-birth, so it’s really important to warm up and cool down properly, don’t over-stretch, and stop if you feel any pain or discomfort. Everyone’s recovery period is different but talk with your doctor if you are finding it difficult to workout for either mental or physical reasons.
3. Postpartum hairloss
Around this time, you might notice more hair loss than usual. Here’s why… During pregnancy, there is an increase in estrogen in your body which keeps hairs in their growth phase for longer and delays them from moving into their shedding phase–which means fuller, thicker and glossier locks for you.
After you give birth or stop breastfeeding, your high estrogen levels revert back to normal. The hairs that were being kept in their growth phase now move into their shedding phase. They rest for several weeks, and then after about 3 months, they fall out. This is why you might shed a large number of strands within a short period of time. it is just your body's natural way of adjusting to the changing hormone levels — you’re not usually losing more hair than you would have, it’s just happening in a different timeframe.
By around 6 months postpartum, you should start to notice your hair is falling out less or has completely stopped shedding. If your hair is not back to its normal state one year after the birth of your baby, consider reaching out to a dermatologist for further advice.
Find out more in 7 Nutrients That Support Postpartum Hair Regrowth.
How’s your postpartum journey, mama? Let us know in the comments!
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