Everything I’m Doing Again for My Third C-Section

The recovery tips, products, and mindset shifts that made the biggest difference for me

If you’re preparing for your first C-section, I just want to start by saying this: you’ve got this. 🤍

I know firsthand how emotional, overwhelming, and honestly scary it can feel walking into something unknown, especially if a C-section wasn’t originally part of your birth plan. My first two C-sections happened after both of my girls were breech when I went into labor, and now with baby boy, I’ll be having a planned C-section due to complications from my second delivery that make me higher risk for uterine rupture.

After going through it twice already and now preparing for my third, I wanted to share the things that genuinely helped me during recovery and the things I absolutely plan on doing again this time around.

And before I get into the tips, I just want to say this too: C-sections can still be incredibly beautiful, emotional, empowering birth experiences. I know they sometimes get talked about in a negative way or framed as “not the ideal outcome,” but I can honestly say I look back on both of my deliveries with so much gratitude!

So if you’re heading into one soon, I hope this post makes you feel a little more prepared, a little less nervous, and a little more supported.

Move Your Body As Soon As You Can

Okay, first things first: as soon as your doctors clear you to stand up and move around a little bit after delivery… do it.

Not because it feels good (because honestly, it probably won’t 😂), but because it truly helped me so much with recovery both times.

The first time I stood up after both of my C-sections, I either threw up or almost threw up, so just keeping it very real over here. You’re not going to feel amazing immediately. But even standing for a few seconds, slowly walking to the bathroom, or taking tiny laps around the hospital room can really help get your body moving again.

And when I say move, I mean gently. Do not overdo it. Tiny movements count!

Ice Packs Were My Best Friend

One thing I swear by is icing my incision consistently during those first couple of weeks. My little “rule” for myself was anytime I was breastfeeding, I’d also have an ice pack on my incision. It made it easy to remember and helped me stay consistent with it.

I felt like it helped a ton with swelling and discomfort, especially during those first several days when everything feels super sensitive.

Order a Belly Binder

After my first C-section, the hospital sent me home with a belly support binder and it was honestly a game changer.

I ended up ordering another one for my second recovery because I loved it so much. Anytime I was up moving around, walking, or leaving the house, I would wear it and it made such a difference.

Your core goes through a LOT during a C-section recovery, and I felt like the binder helped support not only my stomach area, but also my lower back. Everything just feels a little off postpartum, and having that extra support made moving around feel way less intimidating!

Give Yourself Grace, You’re Recovering From Surgery

I think this is probably the biggest thing I wish I fully understood after my first C-section. Because you’re awake for the surgery and immediately taking care of a newborn afterward, I think people sometimes forget that a C-section is still major surgery!

There’s no “okay now rest for two weeks and don’t move” period. You’re feeding a baby, getting in and out of bed constantly, changing diapers, barely sleeping, sitting up, standing up… all while actively healing from surgery.

I remember being really hard on myself after my first delivery because some days I felt okay and other days I felt exhausted, emotional, or in more pain than expected. And then I had this moment where I was like… wait. I literally just had surgery.

Healing is not linear.

Some days are going to feel easier than others, some days your energy will be lower, and some days you’ll feel emotional. Give yourself so much grace during that process.

Short Walks Helped Me So Much

Once I was feeling a little better, probably around 2.5 to 3 weeks postpartum, one thing that really helped me physically and mentally was taking short walks.

Nothing intense at all. Usually just putting the baby in the stroller and doing a quick walk around the neighborhood for fresh air.

I genuinely felt like it helped speed up my healing, but more than that, it helped me emotionally too. Getting outside, moving my body gently, and having a small change of scenery made me feel a little more like myself again.

But again: listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t push it!

Postpartum Clothes Matter More Than You Think

One thing I definitely didn’t think enough about before my first C-section was postpartum clothing.

Your incision is right around your waistband area, and it can feel really sensitive for a while, so what you wear makes a huge difference.

Personally, I lived in:

• Button-down nightgowns

• Soft high-waisted underwear

• Loose rompers

• Anything without a tight waistband

I especially loved those oversized Free People style rompers because they were comfortable but still made me feel somewhat put together if I left the house.

And one thing I realized is that postpartum needs after a C-section can look really different than postpartum recovery after a vaginal delivery. A lot of the typical postpartum products people recommend just weren’t things I needed as much.

If I were to recommend my top 3 products for recovery, it’d be these:

• Postpartum Underwear

• Abdominal Binder

• 3-Piece Ice Pack

Every recovery is different, and of course you should always listen to your doctor and your body first. But these are genuinely the things that helped me the most during my first two recoveries and the things I’ll absolutely be doing again this time around.

And if you’re someone preparing for your first C-section, I hope this reminds you that your birth story is still beautiful, no matter what it looks like!

You are strong. You are capable. And you’ve got this. 🤍

A Little Reminder for the Postpartum Season 🤍

One thing I’ve learned postpartum is how important it is to ease back into movement slowly and intentionally. There can be so much pressure to “bounce back,” and honestly, that mindset is something I’ve really tried to move away from over the years.

After both of my deliveries, movement became less about aesthetics and more about reconnecting with my body, rebuilding strength gradually, and simply feeling good again mentally and physically.

That’s actually a huge reason we created the postpartum program inside The Movement Club. Our 6-week postpartum program is designed specifically for this stage of life with gentle, intentional movement that helps support your recovery and rebuild your core and strength safely over time.

Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section, the goal is never to rush your body, it’s to support it!

I know firsthand how vulnerable and emotional the postpartum season can feel, and having guidance during that time made such a difference for me. So if you’re currently in that season or preparing for it soon, just know we created these classes with so much care and intention for moms in exactly this phase of life. 🤍

Love,

Lindsay