Diet and Health Tips for Cesearean Mothers After Delivery

A cesarean is major abdominal surgery warns California Pacific Medical Center, so new mothers need to remember that they are recovering from this surgery as well as adjusting to meeting the demands of their newborn child. Constance Rock and Aleksandra Evanguelidi of "Health News" report that most women describe feeling as if they've been "hit by a train" after a cesarean. Mortality rates for mothers are highest during the postpartum period, warns the American Pregnancy Association, so it's important for you to get adequate help and support, rest and a proper diet to recover from a cesarean delivery.

Physical Activity

• Don't lift anything heavier than your baby after a cesarean.

  Don't lift anything heavier than your baby after a cesarean delivery. Enlist help and support for household chores and keep baby supplies nearby. Try to avoid bending, climbing stairs or lifting. Do your best to stay in bed for two weeks after a cesarean delivery recommends the American Pregnancy Association; the more rest you get, the faster you will heal and recover. Note the condition of your lochia, the bleeding and discharge that occurs as your uterus shrinks. Lochia is heavy and bright at first and then changes in color and amount over six weeks. If your lochia flow seems suddenly heavier, or becomes redder instead of lighter, it can be a sign that you're over-exerting yourself. Walking and rocking can help to gently improve recovery, activate the bowel and dispel gas after a cesarean section.

Diet

• Flax oil can help relieve constipation.

  Your diet after a cesarean delivery should include plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated, fibrous foods to avoid constipation, and enriching foods to promote healing and support your health.

  Rich and warm soups are easily digested and nourishing. Avoid eating processed pastas and bread that may leave you constipated. Fatty acids found in flax seed, borage oil, primrose or hemp oil can help relieve constipation and gas after a cesarean section. Eat probiotics such as those in yogurt, advises Rock and Evanguelidi, to restore bacterial balances if you've taken antibiotics during your surgery.

  Eat as much as you did while pregnant if you're breastfeeding and eat plenty of protein recommends Arizona Health Services. Added protein and vitamin C can also promote healing after a cesarean section.

Exercise

• Walking is a gentle way to exercise.

  Once you get the go-ahead from your doctor, there are some gentle exercises that can help your abdominal muscles to heal. For the first few days, advises California Pacific Medical Center, support your abdominal incision with your hands or a pillow during the exercises.

  Exercises after a cesarean delivery include abdominal breathing, ankle circles, Kegels, leg bracing, leg stretches, the pelvic tilt, sit-ups and walking.

  Do floor exercises three to five times each. In abdominal breathing exercises, inhale and stretch your abdominal muscles outward, hold for a five-count and exhale while pulling your abdominal muscles in. To do ankle circles, lie on your back and make 10 circles with your ankle both clockwise and counterclockwise. For leg bracing, lie on your back, cross your ankles and straighten your legs. Tighten your thighs and buttocks and hold for a five-count. To do a leg stretch, lie on your back with bent knees. Keep your back flat as you slide the foot of your bent leg up and down. Brace your head and neck with a pillow before trying sit-ups. Bend your knees, tuck your chin and reach for your knees. Hold for a five-count. Doing the pelvic tilt involves lying on the floor with your knees bent. Allow your pelvis to tilt upwards as you attempt to flatten the small of your back to the floor. Hold for a five-count.

  Try to do 10 three-second Kegel squeezes three times a day and increase this number until you are doing 50 to 100 a day. Kegels involve squeezing the muscles of your pelvic floor, the same muscles you use to stop the flow of urine.