Having a C-section is much more complicated than a normal delivery. It’s a major abdominal surgery where they have to cut through skin, fat, and muscles to get your baby out. They move your organs around in the process then sew everything back up.
It’s some pretty rough business and the first thing women think of in the aftermath is how they’ll get their body back. They worry about the dreaded tummy shelf that is often left behind when everything is said and done.
Many women will tell you that nothing will help this bulge except for surgery. But this is not necessarily true.
There are some things you can do to get it flat that really work and if your situation is very bad they will at least work to minimize it greatly. The key is to be determined and consistent.
***By the way, I just wrote a post on C-Section recovery that you should read too because your recovery period has a lot to do with how things turn out in the long run. You can see it here.
So let’s talk about what really helps and make sure you read all the way to the bottom because I have some unconventional little-known advice that really works!
***Taking a prenatal course is the single most proactive thing you can do to prepare your body and mind for what’s to come. Here’s a quick online course that is really popular. It covers everything you need to know.
**Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear!I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How To Get Rid Of Your C-Section Tummy Pooch
Let’s start with the most obvious and then I’ll get to the good stuff.
You Absolutely Must Wait!
Many mamas want to jump right into exercise to get that ball rolling but you have to wait until you are truly and completely healed. Your scar may be looking great but you have to remember that all the tissue underneath has to heal too and your body has a lot of work to do.
If you rush back into exercise you can do permanent damage to your muscles and create more scar tissue on the inside. That will not help you on your path to getting your body back believe me.
You need to give your body time to rest and heal properly. But that doesn’t mean staying in bed.
Get up and move around and even do some walking just don’t get into the targeted training until your doc says you’re ready for it.
Eating Healthy To Reduce The Fat Bulge
If you want to get rid of the bulge you’ll have to get rid of the fat. So eating a clean diet is an absolute must.
Make sure you find a plan and stick to it, Like this one made especially for postpartum moms.
But let’s get serious now, what does it REALLY take to move the bulge? Read on to find out what you have to do..
An Exercise Program Just Made Just For Postpartum Mamas
I know you’ve heard that none of this will help much and that even skinny girls with C-sections have the bulge. This is true to an extent for several reasons. Because there are problems that come with having a c-section that involves your abdominal wall and muscles.
You must correct these problems to get rid of the bulge and you need to know exactly what you’re doing so you don’t cause more damage than good.
First, you need to address your Diastasis Recti. If you haven’t heard of this before it’s the gap that forms between the abdominal muscles as they stretch during pregnancy.
This means your belly will stick out because the space between your left and right belly muscles has widened. It’s especially common when you’ve had a C-Section because your muscles have actually been cut. Bummer Right?
And there are certain ab exercises that will make this problem so much worse like crunches, situps, planks, and bicycles.
You really need an exercise program geared especially toward postpartum moms that will address this issue firsthand with specific exercises. This is absolutely one of the main keys in minimizing your tummy shelf after a Cesarean.
The program I used to fix my Diastasis Recti after my third pregnancy was The Postpartum Cure. It’s a program to heal your separated abdominal muscles and your pelvic floor in general.
It also has the clean eating dieting plan I mentioned above so that you can lose weight without losing your breast milk ( if you’re nursing ).
Some believe that abdominal girdles can help close separated abdominal muscles and it does seem to help. My OBGYN recommended that I use one when I ask her about it.
They also help the uterus shrink by putting everything back in its place. A girdle will provide support and reduce pain as well.
You can get a great one right here and they are recommended even if you’ve had a vaginal birth.
Massaging That Scar
Massaging your scar is very important. Scar tissue doesn’t form in an even fashion. It’s sorta all over the place and it can cause serious issues like adhesions in your fascia ( one of the main reasons for the fat shelf ), poor muscle recruitment in the abdominal wall and misplaced organs.
I’m no expert at this so I have a video for you to refer to below that will show you what you need to do.
Using An Ice Belt
You’ve heard of Cool Sculpting, right? You know where they freeze your fat cells and they die and shrink over several months. Well, that’s an expensive option but a great way to get rid of some of the fat in that overhanging pocket.
But many can’t afford such expensive procedures. There is an alternative option that you can do at home. It’s a product you can buy on Amazon and it works great.
I know because I own it and I have lost several inches without changing anything. It’s a belt you wear that has pockets where Ice gel packs go. You wear it tightly and it works just like Cool Sculpting.
I have some friends who have used the belt and done the Cool Sculpting treatment and they agree that they both work just as well as the other. You wear it 5 times a week for up to an hour and you will see a difference.
Here’s a picture below:
I just love this thing and I think every mama should have one! You can buy it here and it’s worth every penny!!
Breastfeeding your baby exclusively for 6 to 12 months will help greatly reduce your tummy bump especially while eating a healthy diet. It will also help shrink all your organs and get them back into place.
Here’s a breastfeeding course I recommend to all new mamas. It’s an online course that only takes a few hours to get through and it costs a whopping $19. It’s called Milkology and it’s the best of its kind. Breastfeeding is not nearly as easy as you’d think and taking the course will teach you how to help your baby get a proper latch quickly so that’s one thing less you have to stress about. Here’s the course if you want to take a look. She has a pumping class too if you’re interested.
You can have the post-baby body you have always hoped for, you just have to be determined, motivated, and consistent. Don’t make excuses. There are plenty of women who shrink it back down to the way they were before even after C-Section and then there are those who simply give up. Don’t be that mama.
If you loved this post or think it could help another mama it would be awesome if you’d share it with your friends. You can save it to Pinterest below with the special images I created or you can share with one of the buttons to the left, top, or bottom.
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Most women don’t want to have a C-Section. Natural birth sounds so much easier and better but sometimes things happen. Sometimes the Doc will schedule a C-Section for medical reasons. Or something goes wrong during the natural birthing process and you have no choice.
In any case, C-Sections are not fun. After all, it’s a major abdominal surgery. It can be really unexpected when you planned to have a nice natural birth.
When it does happen the pain and recovery can be a nasty surprise.
But there’s plenty you can do to make things easier on yourself and that’s what we’ll discuss today. Better to be prepared and educated than entirely clueless and scared, am I right?
If you have a scheduled C-Section Coming up or if you’re just worried it can happen to you, then read on to learn how to recover quicker and handle this baby thing like a queen.
There’s a lot of great info in this article and some of the last tips are the best so make sure you read the whole thing so you can get the most out of it.
***Taking a prenatal course is the single most proactive thing you can do to prepare your body and mind for what’s to come. There’s a great online course you can take in the comfort of your home that was created by a labor and delivery nurse named Hillary. It’s very popular and the first part of it is totally free. You can sign up for free right here.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
18 Lifesaving C-Section Recovery Tips
First Let’s Talk About What To Do While In The Hospital:
Before They’ll let you leave the hospital you’ll need to get up and walk around a bit. Pass Gas And Poop. Gross I know but they want to make sure your body is going to function properly before they let you go home.
So get up but be gentle on yourself. You just went through major surgery.
Now let’s talk about home life and what you can do to recover faster.
Keep Your Incision Clean
Obviously, you know this but it’s important to say it again. It needs to stay really clean to avoid a major infection.
If you go home with a dressing (bandage), change the dressing over your cut once a day. Keep the wound clean by washing it with mild soap and water. Often, just letting the water run over your wound in the shower is enough.
DO NOT soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your provider tells you it is OK. In most cases, this is not until about 4 weeks after surgery.
An excellent abdominal binder will help everything shrink back into place nicely.
Some even claim that abdominal binders can help close separated abdominal muscles, a condition called diastasis recti. I wore them after pregnancy and it definitely helps in my opinion. Many other women feel that they helped them as well.
Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear!I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Or Get C-Section Underwear
If you don’t want to wear an abdominal binder for whatever reason then you should invest in some good C-Section underwear.
They won’t help as much but they will help keep things in place and keep the fabric from rubbing constantly on your tender tummy. You can find the best ones here.
Make Sure You Take Your Medications
You will need your medications. C-Sections hurt so keep them close and your prescriptions filled.
You have to remember that they had to cut through layers of your body to get to your little one, so it’s not just a scar on the surface of your tummy. Your body has a lot of healing to do and that causes inflammation. So those meds are a necessary evil.
Many women who have a Cesarean grieve over it. They have a vision of what birthing their baby will be like and they really want that experience.
They hear all the stories and watch Birth videos and that’s what they expect. But when things turn out completely different they often fell cheated and sad.
They mourn the fact that they didn’t get to push their baby out or if it was a scheduled C-Section, that they didn’t even get to experience what labor was like.
I get it. Take your time. Grieve over it but know that you did what you had to do and that making sure your babe was ok was the most important thing. You’re one tough mama.
Get Plenty Of Rest
This goes without saying. You need a lot of rest. Try to take naps when the baby sleeps and make sure you have someone helping you.
You’re Still Gonna BleedA lot
I once talked to a gal who had a C-Section and she said that she didn’t know she would bleed like she did after her baby was born. She assumed that with the C-Section her womb would be cleared of lining and other biological material.
But instead, she bled really heavily for at least a week and if you have a C-Section you will too. You can read more about bleeding after a Cesarean here.
You’ll need some large pads and you’ll need a lot of them. These Poise ones are perfect and you can get them by the case at a great price. Check for yourself here.
Use A Lovely Healing Ointment
Once your scar is completely closed you can begin using an ointment to help it heal better and smoother. I know you want to minimize your scarring as much as possible and a good healing ointment formulated just for your C-Section Scar will make a big difference. I love the Earth Mama Organic Skin And Scar Balm.
Take Collagen Powder
By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Collagen Powder. Everyone is taking it and it’s really trending right now.
It’s so popular because it’s great for your skin, joints, and everything else. It’s also awesome for postpartum mamas, especially those who’ve had a Cesarean because it can help you heal faster and better.
It will also give you more energy and make you look better and what postpartum mama doesn’t need that? Vital Proteins is the leader in the industry creating quality products that you can trust. It’s what I use and I think it will help your body recover much more efficiently. Have a look here.
Massage Your Scar
Massaging the scar after it’s on its way to healing will also help bring vital blood flow to the area. This will help minimize the scar once it’s healed completely. Gentle massage is a must.
Eat Well For Recovery
Eating well will help your body heal quicker and you’ll feel better too. It will also help keep things moving in your plumbing department. That’s super important for a mama who’s had a C-Section which is what I will talk about next.
Moving on…
Drink A Lot Of Water To Avoid Constipation
You need to stay on top of your water intake. Aside from eating a healthy, fiber-rich diet, this is one of the most important things you can do.
Because the last thing you want to do is get really backed up. This will cause pain and a whole lot of discomfort. Drinking plenty of water will keep things moving well.
Take A Stool Softener
This would be your next step in keeping things comfortable. You will avoid unnecessary pain and grief if you keep a stool softener on hand and take it for the first 6 weeks.
One more thing you’ll need to keep your tummy happy during this stressful time is a gas medication like GAS X. It’s a common and unfortunate side effect to have a lot of gas trapped in your abdomen after a cesarean.
It can really be painful and reach all the way up into your neck and shoulders. Not fun. That being said, gas medication is a must. Get one here.
Get Probiotics Too
After a surgery like this, your body is very out of whack. A good probiotic will help rebalance you after all those pain meds and antibiotics.
It will help keep you regular and you’ll feel like your old self again sooner. Good Stuff. Here’s the best Probiotic you can get.
Refrain From Sex For Awhile
You may be wondering when to have sex after a C-Section and if you can sooner than if you’d had your babe vaginally. Well, it turns out you should still wait.
Although you may experience a little less bleeding with a cesarean section, it will still take about six weeks for your cervix to close completely. Some women may feel ready to resume intercourse sooner and that’s fine, but make sure you talk to your doc beforehand and see what they say.
Get Ready To Heal Your Core Walls
Once you are healing well and feeling strong your doctor may give you the OK on exercising. I know you may be thinking about how to get your stomach back in shape and as flat as possible compared to what you looked like pre-pregnancy.
This is one of the biggest worries mamas that have this procedure think about. You’ll have scar tissue and cut muscles so it’s important to train right with a program that addresses your exact concerns.
The Postpartum Cure is a plan that helps you fix and heal your core region. It also helps you lose the baby weight without losing your milk supply.
It’s the best program of its kind and many, many women find great success with it. It’s all online so you can do the program at your own pace at home. Find out more about the Postpartum Cure right here.
Breastfeeding Can Be Difficult
C-sections definitely make breastfeeding more difficult. Women often find that their milk comes in a little later due to the stress of the surgery and perhaps because of not having that skin-to-skin contact right after birth.
But there are ways around these problems. Getting the right breastfeeding position is key as well to avoid pain.
I highly recommend the breastfeeding course MIlkology. It will teach you how to breastfeed like a pro and it goes over all these situations too. It is especially useful if you end up getting a C-section and you really want to breastfeed. You need to know what you’re doing so that there’s no more added stress.
You can click the banner below to check it out. She’s also got a great pumping class you can check out here for $19.
If you have a scheduled C-Section or you are worried you may have to have an emergency one then I hope this was helpful. If you loved this post or think it could help another mama it would be awesome if you’d share it with your friends. You can save it to Pinterest below with the special images I created or you can share with one of the buttons to the left, top, or bottom.
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With These Special Images!
Hey, I’m Toni and I’m the mama of 3 Little Birds. I love Writing about all Things Mama. Learn more about me here. Grab a Tea or Coffee and come see what you find.
