Every day, roughly 10,000 babies in the United States are born.¹ About a third of those babies are born via cesarean section.² While many moms hope for a vaginal birth, a cesarean is sometimes the safest option for mom, baby, or both. But for some moms, having a C-section is necessary.

When you’re pregnant, you can try for a vaginal birth or plan for a C-section. Some women choose a C-section for personal reasons, but many moms schedule a cesarean for medical reasons. First, I’d like to say that having a C-section is not the “easy way out.” Recovery for many women is longer and more painful.

Having the right recovery supplies on hand can make a big difference during those first days and weeks postpartum. These are the C-section recovery essentials I most often recommend to the families I support as a birth and postpartum doula.

Related: C-Section Recovery: Week-by-Week Guide for Healing After Birth

Why Do Women Have C-Sections?

Before we dive into recovery essentials, it’s helpful to understand why you might need a C-section. The medical reasons for needing a planned C-section are:⁵

• Abnormal positioning, such as breech or transverse
• Placenta previa
• Repeat C-section
• Birth defects
• Health conditions of the mom and the baby
• Carrying multiples
  • Note: Twins can be born vaginally if Baby A (the baby closest to the cervix) is head down. But if Baby A isn’t head down, a C-section will need to be performed.^3,4

Many women have C-sections because of unplanned and emergent reasons, such as:⁵

• Prolonged labor
• Failure to progress
• Fetal distress
• Placenta abruption
• Cord prolapse
• Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)

Related: Emergency C-Sections: Causes, Risks, and Recovery

C-Section Recovery Must-Haves

Now, let’s talk recovery must-haves. These are the items that can make this period more bearable. I’ve consulted with hundreds of C-section moms in our Facebook Group, and they agree! Here’s what you should have ready for a smoother C-section recovery:

1. Abdominal Binder

A C-section is a major abdominal surgery.⁵ Having some support and compression around your belly and incision site will feel necessary.⁶ An abdominal binder provides the support and stability women need and makes them feel more comfortable.^6,7 The hospital will give you an excellent belly binder! So many women rave about them, and I highly recommend taking yours home.

If you don’t get one from your hospital, or receive one that’s the wrong size or doesn’t feel right, here are a bellyband and a postpartum corset I love and recommend. An abdominal binder is my #1 most important C-section recovery must-have!

2. Pain Relief

Controlling your pain after surgery is crucial because it makes it easier for you to care for yourself and your baby. If you didn’t have relief, the pain you’d experience would stop you from wanting to get up and walk and take deep breaths. Movement and deep breathing are essential during recovery since they help you avoid getting blood clots or chest infections like pneumonia.⁸

To stay on top of your pain relief, it’s important to take the medication your doctor prescribes you on schedule.^8,9 Some doctors will prescribe you an opioid painkiller (like Norco) for the first week or two and then recommend taking an Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) and or acetaminophen (Tylenol). As always, consult with your doctor before taking any medication.⁵

Hot and cold packs can also be very beneficial for managing discomfort and promoting healing during postpartum recovery after a cesarean birth.^10,11

Cold packs are ideal for reducing swelling around the incision site by constricting blood vessels, minimizing inflammation, and providing a numbing effect to alleviate pain.^12,13,14,17 They can be particularly helpful in the initial days post-surgery when swelling and discomfort are most pronounced.^9,16

On the other hand, hot packs promote blood circulation. This helps speed up healing by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the affected area.^17,18 They also help relax tight abdominal muscles, relieve gas pain, and soothe uterine cramping as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size (involution).^{10,15,19,20,21}

For safe use, apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes with a barrier to prevent frostbite. Apply a warm pack for the same duration, ensuring it’s warm but not hot to avoid burns.²² Alternating between hot and cold therapy as needed can provide targeted relief and support a smoother postpartum recovery.^17,23

3. Stool Softeners

Many physicians give their C-section patients a laxative for the first few days after surgery. This helps make that first poop less scary and more tolerable.²⁴ Stool softeners also help prevent you from straining, which could irritate your incision.^9,24

If you’ve been prescribed an opioid painkiller post-cesarean, taking a stool softener is especially important because opioid painkillers can cause constipation.²⁵ Consult with your doctor before taking any stool softeners at home.

4. Postpartum Pads

Even though you didn’t give birth vaginally, you’ll still experience postpartum bleeding. This bleeding will first look like a heavy period, then gradually get lighter and darker in color over the next two to six weeks.^26,27,28,29

If your bleeding becomes heavier or bright red again, use this as a guide that you’re overexerting yourself. Give yourself rest so that you can heal!²⁹

For postpartum bleeding, I recommend a large postpartum pad free of chemicals.

5. Disposable Underwear

Many women love the mesh underwear the hospital provides, which is great! Take as many as you can home. They’re soft and stretchy, and most importantly, the waistband lies well above your incision. This means no rubbing or irritation!

However, many of the moms I’ve worked with swear by the Frida Mom disposable postpartum underwear. They say it’s more comfortable and provides better support.

Both are good options!

Once the mesh disposable undies have outlived their usefulness, switch to Depend Silhouettes. They’re also comfortable, high-waisted, and have a pad inside (which mesh panties don’t), so it’s like an all-in-one! New moms love them.

6. High-Waisted Underwear

Once you’ve ditched the mesh undies or your postpartum bleeding has stopped, get some cotton high-waisted underwear. Here are two brands I love and highly recommend.

The Kindred Bravely postpartum underwear is buttery soft and high-waisted, so it softly covers your incision. It also stretches and moves well with your body. I wore these after giving birth to both of my babies, and they’re wonderful. The lace band doesn’t roll down or dig into your skin.

I also like the C-panty and its extra protection, with a silicone panel around the incision area inside the underwear. That panel provides an extra layer of padding to cushion that sensitive area and offers a comfortable upward compression, which is soothing to wear.

7. Skin Salve

To take care of your C-section incision, you must keep it clean and dry and wear soft, loose clothing that won’t rub against it.^8,30 It can take several months for a C-section incision to heal.³¹ Still, at your postpartum visit with your doctor (around six to eight weeks post-delivery), they’ll check your incision to ensure you’re clear to resume regular activity. Everyone’s recovery time is different, but it’s important to rest and take care of your postpartum body for a healthy recovery.

After several months, you’ll notice that your incision will heal into a scar.³⁰ Many women say their scars are still tender to the touch for months after surgery. Some say it can still be numb for up to a year. This is normal, but immediately consult your doctor if you feel any pain.³² If you’d like to help avoid having a noticeable scar, I recommend these scar sheets or this balm. These C-section recovery must-haves can help heal and reduce its appearance.

Related: How to Care for Your C-Section Scar for Healthy Healing

8. Soft Clothing

If you plan on breastfeeding after your C-section, I highly recommend having several nursing nightgowns. Wearing a soft, loose nursing gown with a cotton bathrobe can be much more comfortable than wearing pants, which could rub too much on your scar. Even sweats or stretchy leggings can sometimes be uncomfortable on your abdomen and incision. A gown with a robe is always a great way to go when recovering at home with baby. Later on, as you begin to heal, you may want to start wearing soft, high-waisted leggings. These can help provide compression and comfort around the scarred area.

Related: Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section

9. Compression Socks

Compression socks are another one of my C-section recovery must-haves because they help address common postpartum concerns such as swelling, circulation issues, and overall discomfort.³³

After a C-section, new moms are at an increased risk of developing blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) due to reduced mobility.^34,35,36 Compression socks promote healthy blood flow by preventing blood pooling in the legs.³³ They also reduce postpartum swelling (edema) caused by fluid retention and IV fluids from labor and surgery by encouraging circulation and lymphatic drainage.^33,37 After a cesarean, most women experience a lot of swelling in their feet, ankles, and legs.³⁷

Additionally, compression socks alleviate leg pain and fatigue, providing support to muscles and veins during recovery.^33,38

They’re easy to use, noninvasive, and can provide meaningful support during recovery. They’re particularly beneficial in the first few weeks postpartum, especially during periods of prolonged sitting or lying down. Comrad has some very cute and comfortable designs!

10. Nursing Pillow

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, having a nursing pillow is helpful for all parents. A soft pillow designed to fit around your body is also an excellent barrier between your incision and the weight of your baby.³⁹ It helps bring baby closer so you don’t have to bend or lean over, which can irritate your incision.³²

You can also hold onto it and press it against your incision when you have to cough or sneeze. The compression applied to your incision will help reduce pain.^40,41,42

Related: Benefits of a Nursing Pillow: What You Should Know

11. Co-Sleeper

Your baby will want to eat (what feels like) constantly throughout the night. Getting in and out of bed after a C-section isn’t easy, so having a co-sleeper is one of my major postpartum recovery must-haves. Since getting up every two to three hours at night would be awful for you and your recovery, having your baby nearby is essential. This makes breastfeeding or bottle-feeding so much better since baby is close. The Halo Bassinest and Arms Reach Co-Sleeper are great options that keep baby within arm’s reach.

Related: Postpartum Essentials: What You Really Need for Mom and Baby

12. Diaper Caddy

As I mentioned, moving around is hard when you’re early in your recovery. And if you have multiple levels in your home, it’s recommended that you take the stairs only once a day, or not at all during the first two weeks, if possible.⁴² To make things easier on yourself, have a diaper caddy filled with everything you need for your baby: diapers, wipes, diaper cream, a thermometer, nail clippers, a nail file, etc. This way, you can bring the items you need for your baby wherever you go.

13. Comfy Seating

After a C-section, many women have difficulty getting in and out of bed and getting comfortable. This is why so many mamas recommend having a comfortable recliner or seating area to nurse or bottle-feed baby in for the next few weeks and months as they recover. Plan ahead where you might want to sleep and how you might spend your day to make things easier on your abdomen.

Watch this short unboxing and review of the CHITA MIla Nursery Glider Chair:

14. Nursing/Feeding Station

Once you’ve figured out a good recliner or glider to rest in, it’s time to make it your nursing/feeding station! Get a cart and stock it with everything you need close at hand: burp cloths, extra baby clothes, nipple cream, nursing pads, medications, water bottles, the remote control, a phone charger, lactation snacks, and anything else you’ll want when feeding your baby.

I recommend getting a cart that you can roll around the house and use for multiple purposes in the future.

15. Resources

If you know you’ll have a C-section for your delivery, reading up on what to expect before, during, and after will help you feel much more prepared. Also, you can never have too much support!

Check out the nonprofit organization International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). They provide a safe environment where you can speak openly about your cesarean experience, ask questions, and receive support from others who understand.

Related: 19 Tips for a Positive C-Section Birth Experience

I hope my list of C-section recovery must-haves helps make your transition from pregnancy to motherhood a little smoother and more comfortable. Remember, recovery is a journey. Every mom’s experience is unique, so give yourself grace as you heal and adjust to life with your new baby. Prioritizing your physical and emotional well-being isn’t just important for you, it benefits your baby and family, too. Take it one day at a time, lean on your support system when needed, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider with any concerns. You’ve got this, mama.