A c-section is a major surgery that needs special care (it is not as simple as just 6 weeks of rest and not lifting anything heavier than your baby).

A c-section is major abdominal surgery where an incision is made through seven different layers of tissue; skin, subcutaneous fat, fascia, muscle, peritoneum, uterus, amniotic sac. The fact that c-sections have become such a common practice does not minimize the profound surgery it is, both physically and emotionally.

A woman is holding a baby on her stomach.

A woman is holding a baby on her stomach.

“I am not in any “pain” in or around the incision site but it is incredibly sensitive and feels like nerve damage/nerve regeneration happening around the incision site. Very uncomfortable! Any suggestions on what to put on it or herbs/teas to take?”

Women are not being informed how to heal as effectively as possible after this major surgery. They are not being told they should do rehab; like they would be if they had any other major surgery. This great question above from a mama who recently had a cesarean birth inspired me to write this blog because there are things you can do, in addition to your doctors recommendations, to help encourage healing and recovery.

Skin to Skin with Baby

holding your baby skin to skin as much as possible for at least the first few weeks can help regulate your hormones and your baby's. It releases oxytocin's, relieving stress, bringing in feelings of joy and love, helping with positive thoughts, and your over all recovery

Lay on a Richway Biomat

Helps with circulation by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the damaged site; encouraging tissue and nerve damage repair. It also helps the lymphatic system move out waste and inflammation
The negative ions help with oxygenating the tissues and calming the nervous system
Lay on your belly on the biomat for at least 20 minutes daily at a high temperature setting
This is not recommend if you have staples

Frankincense Essential Oil

Lowers inflammation and improves skin healing. Can minimize scarring as well as help with tissue repair
Inhibits the production of collagen
Mix with a carrier oil such as almond oil and apply topically a few times per day
Not all essential oils are the same. Some brands contain synthetic ingredients. I highly recommend using only pure therapeutic grade essential oils. I have sold and used essential oils avidly for years so please feel free to direct any questions you may have to me and I would be happy to assist.

Drink Organic Tea

Herbal teas can be very healing
Equal parts comfrey and nettle tea can help repair internal damage
Drink for a couple of weeks
Always only drink organic tea, as tea and coffee are the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops
You can put a tea bag of each in a large mason jar, fill with water, let it sit on the counter over night or put in the sunlight for a couple of hours and drink at room temperature, or with ice.

Supplement with Vitamin C, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin D3

Vitamin C- 5,000- 10,000mg or more (you can go to bowel tolerance, if you get diarrhea then lower the intake amount slightly)
Vitamin B5- between 30mg- 750mg/day (Dr. Abram Hoffer states pantothenic acid is one of the safest vitamins)
Vitamin D3- 10,000- 20,000 IU

Castor Oil Packs

Use castor oil packs to effectively begin the process of reorganizing scar tissue, helping them to become elastic and pliable

How to do a castor oil pack:

Saturate an organic cotton flannel strip (can purchase on Amazon) with organic castor oil
Place a cotton pad over the incision area. Can cover with a piece of saran wrap to keep clean and from transferring onto clothing. Then cover with a heating pad or the mini biomat
Let sit for a minimum of 20 mins
Massage the remaining residue into the scar tissue for a few minutes after removing the castor oil pad
Do this daily for at least three weeks.

Use Arnica Internally and/or Topically

Reduces inflammation
Helps relieve discomfort in incision area
Reduces pain, swelling and bruising
I recommend Boiron brand pellets to take internally

Release Emotions, Trauma, Grief Surrounding your Experience

Everyone will do this in a different way
Allow whatever feelings and thoughts are coming up to come and know that the feelings are ok even though you have a healthy beautiful baby (women tend to use this as a reason to push away their grieve because they have a sense of guilt feeling these emotions while having the result of a healthy baby)
Give yourself permission to feel them and then let them go
Write what you are feeling; write down your frustrations, fears, disappointments, guilt and shame, write the story as the way you wish it could have been and then burn all of it and set the emotions free. These are not helpful to carry. Carrying these emotions around can impact you as a mother
You may choose to seek professional help (I have a fantastic grief resource I am happy to share with you and she works with anyone around the world)
Mediation or breath work may be helpful as well. I have a powerful breath exercise I am happy to share if you are interested

Don't be afraid to ask for help and support

This is a critical time of healing and bonding for you and baby and a time for you to be nurtured as much as possible
You recovering physically and your mental health is most important (aside from fulfilling your baby's needs). Focusing on this will have a positive long term effect for you and baby. Don't worry about the laundry and cleaning. Ask your partner, family and friends who are offering to help to do these other things
Hire a postpartum doula or nanny to do household things

See a Physical Therapist

Physical therapy for your surgery as well as the pelvic floor can be very beneficial in properly healing long term and having future children.

Bonus: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (best if start supplementing with 1200mg at least 2 days prior to surgery)

NAC is a form of cysteine, which is an amino acid
NAC may help ease the side effects of certain drugs and chemicals
NAC can lower pain scores
Increased levels of reactive oxygen species during and after surgery due to NAC may affect inflammatory response

Here is a study showing, Improved oxidative status in major abdominal surgery patients after N-acetyl cystein supplementation,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4320551

Pay Attention to Your Emotional Response

Touching the incision can be hard and you may want to avoid it, as scars are physical artifacts of trauma. Often emotions are brought up when you touch a scar, this can feel hard but it is very beneficial in allowing the scar to let go. Be gentle when touching the scar. It is normal for there to be numbness and sensitivity. You may feel a tingling and vibration sensation as you work with it, this is bringing circulation and blood flow to the area.

When we do not tend to scars they can grow, forming more adhesions, which can affect circulation, organ placement and even posture. Working with scars can allow them to dissolve and allow you to heal both emotionally and physically. With the recommendations above, as well as hydrating, your body brings in fresh blood and lymphatic fluids to the area to promote healing by carrying away the collagen fibers. This allows new healthy tissues and structures to be formed. It is possible for scars to become elastic, pliable, and completely disintegrate.

Quicken Your Recovery with Food and Supplements

I also want to add that your diet is extremely important in the healing process. There is research on eating warming foods such as curry and soup. Turmeric and other powerful herbs and spices reduce inflammation and promote healing. If you want to learn more about this I have some great resources I can refer you to. Some even offer delivering healing postpartum meals.

If you want any more details, clarification, recommendations on brands and professionals, or resources please reach out to me anytime. I love to discuss all of these things. As a side note, I am a distributor for Richway Biomat as well as Young Living Essential Oils and would be happy to assist you in any way I can.

With love,

Doula Kiana

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. I am a health coach graduate from Health Mastery Institute. This information is meant for educational purposes only. This information does not constitute medical or nutritional guidance or advice in terms of prescriptive advice. It is not a substitute for seeking advice from health professionals or doctors. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. Anything you learn from this information or protocol is at your own risk.

Reference: "The Fourth Trimester" by Kimberly Ann Johnson