Let's talk about postpartum expectations after c-section.
Organs get squished and moved around
Diaphragm is pushed up, ribs spread
Pelvic floor receives increased pressure and strain, abs stretch
Back muscles had to overcompensate
Posture changes
C- Section Considerations Postpartum
Major abdominal surgery
Big difference between planned and emergency
Any surgery into abdominal wall shuts down the muscles.
Scar tissue and stretched out abdominal muscles also contribute to recovery time
Start scar massage once initial healing has occurred - about 6 weeks
What can we do about all of the issues?
Start with breathing
Core contraction
Posture
Look at other imbalances that have been affected
With the help of an pelvic health therapist, they can guide you through the recovery stage early on to prevent other issues.
Expectations
Rebuilding is more mental than physical
Need to build solid base
Need to be patient and consistent
Monitor overdoing
A trained pelvic health therapist can give you tips and advice on how to heal. As an occupational therapist specializing in pelvic health, we can guide you through functional movements throughout your day to prevent injuries. A lot of times, we notice pain when we do something specific. Like, getting out of bed, picking up toys, folding laundry on the floor, or breastfeeding your baby. As an OT, we can assess these movements and give you advice on repositioning during these daily activities to prevent pain. We often push through these tasks to get it done. But why? If you can do it better without pain, why wouldn't you?
Last thing...
The first few weeks postpartum are like the first and third trimester of pregnancy combined!! Have patience and create a good foundation. It can take up to a year for recovery: it took 9 months to grow a baby so it can take 9 months to recover.
Sincerely,
Michelle
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