Blaze Trails is all about peer support - our community coming together to help each other. So we were overwhelmed when we asked our members to share their experiences of, and tips for, walking with babies after a caesarean.
The stories below, like Lucy’s story we shared earlier this month, shed light on a range of postpartum experiences and hopefully show you that walking after a c-section is not only possible, but totally within your reach and full of joy and achievement!
Thanks so much for all our contributors below - a really special collection of voices to mark April as Caesarean Awareness Month.
Kirstin
My second child entered the world via caesarean in August 2021. Although in the end this was an unscheduled one I was due to have a planned caesarean 2 weeks earlier but my placenta decided to move up at the last minute. As a result I already had a caesarean plan for recovery and extra support in place. I had also had 2 rounds of abdominal surgery for endometriosis in the years leading up to this pregnancy, which prepared me for what recovery would be like (I overdid it the first time-so knew what to avoid!)
So I took it very slow and got plenty of rest, co-sleeping enabling me to sleep during the day whilst my husband primarily looked after my older child, cooked, cleaned and all the many other things required! I also had parents to stay and went to stay with them-accepting as much help as possible. As a result I did heal pretty quickly and had no complications.
However, long after I was signed off by the dr I was not comfortable lifting the pram and car seat out of the car, which did pose a problem with getting out and about. With my first I had a stretch wrap sling and an ergo baby carrier. First time round I mostly used the sling for around the house, but this time I found the ergo uncomfortable on my scar. However, I was now back in charge of the school run, which is a drive and walk away from home. So I had to get used to using the sling to go out in about in. Actually it worked perfectly, I would put it in at home and could pop the baby in whilst I was walking, as inevitably we were late for school! As I was doing this everyday I quickly built my confidence to go further. But when it’s just me and then baby at home I do struggle to find the motivation to go out for a walk.
Now my baby is 8 months old and I still use the sling occasionally but now use the ergo as she likes to look out, plus it doesn’t hurt my scar so much. Although it does still ache sometimes, especially if I’ve been walking a lot. I rarely use the pram. In fact, I begrudgingly have packed it to go and visit my parents for a few days so they can help look after her.
I think what has helped me go for longer walks was slowly building up, doing short walks (school run) every day. Also short walks which require very little kit: carrier, cover, keys, phone and a muslin. Having a comfortable rucksack change bag for longer walks. I also have a waterproof fleece cover for the carrier which has made it so easy to get out without the need for pram suits.
I love getting out for a walk, lockdown has shown me just how much it helps my mental health. It makes life parenting 2 small people easier. It’s a tough ride at times!
Ruth
Recovery for many is very fast, considering you are recovering from major abdominal surgery, whilst sleep deprived and suddenly in the hardest job out there, but everyone is different. My advice for mums having a caesarean would be not to compare your recovery to anyone else’s. Go slowly in building your activity up at first. It feels like a long time to wait, but your future self will thank you for taking it easy.
Get a ‘Mummy MOT’ afterwards to assess your pelvic health, just because you had a caesarean, it doesn’t mean you won’t experience problems. I had a lot of pelvic and hip pain, and have since found out that kegels were making it worse, as my problem is tight muscles. It is always worth having a physio if you can afford it, or ask to be referred. People who have caesareans are more likely to have a hypertonic pelvic floor (too tight).
In the early days, get help from other people to push the baby in the pram or carry them in the sling so you can get out for walks in company. They will be happy to! I learnt to conserve my energy to look after the baby!
Aim low at first, just a small walk in a flat park, and then see how you feel. If you feel OK the next day, then slowly increase the distance. It is better to under do it than over do it!
Get a sling fitted by someone with expertise. All slings are different and I learnt the hard way that some are not suited to certain body types, and some are better than others for people post-surgery. I was able to walk so much further with a sling that had been recommended by an expert.
If you can afford it, treat yourself to new exercise clothes. You don’t want a tight waistband digging into your tender tummy. Yes, you might shrink down again, but treat yourself in the meantime. You deserve to feel comfortable walking with your baby, even if your trousers only fit for a few months. Charity shops have some great finds too.
Laura
I had both my boys through emergency Caesarean section. I recovered really quickly with both of them.
My youngest was in the sling from a few days old. I mostly used a stretchy wrap in the early days as the soft fabric and carrying him nice and high meant there was no pressure on my wound. It will depend on your body of course - I am quite tall so I think that’s why carrying didn’t interfere with my wound. I started using a more structured soft carrier (ergobaby) quite quickly too but I know for some Mums this can be uncomfortable depending where the waistband sits. Check out if you have a sling library near you who may be able to help you with the carrying after a C section.
I was out walking (carrying my newborn) after about a week. Really short, gentle, slow walks for a while. Building up gradually. After a month I could walk up hills, walking for around 7k whilst carrying baby (but I was very used to this from walking throughout pregnancy). After 6 weeks I started leading Blaze walks again. I never pushed myself, never felt pain - this was all in my comfort zone. Postpartum isn’t for breaking records. But those early walks helped me feel a little bit like me. And it was a lovely way to bond with my newborn. Him usually sleeping against my chest.
I have found so much of adjusting to being a Mum of 2 really hard, but my C section hasn’t contributed to that. I know I’m very lucky for my recovery and I’m grateful I was able to get out and about quickly as walking is my therapy.
And some ‘tips’…
Try and build up slowly. Like start with ten minutes! Try and get out each day but be super kind to yourself and if you don’t manage for a day or a few days don’t beat yourself up! You have a new body, a tiny human to look after, probably aren’t getting much sleep. But if you can get out even for 10 minutes that little bit of fresh air can do wonders.
Take a partner with you when you’re finding your feet who can carry / push baby if you decide it’s too much.
Walk places you know, close to home, maybe with benches or places you can rest.