{Under the Hood} Ep 51: C-Section Recovery (Pelvic Floor PT Isn’t Just for Vaginal Births)

Recovering from a C-section can feel overwhelming for so many reasons, especially in a society that still largely treats it as “the easy way out.” 🙄 It’s major abdominal surgery (they go through seven layers of tissue), and then you go home with a newborn, often with limited instructions, and a lifting limit lower than the weight of the car seat. Plenty of people also labor for hours first, so they’re recovering from both the labor and surgery. In this episode, pelvic floor PT Dr. Alex DiGrado https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com/about and sex & relationship therapist Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy https://rebeccaeudy.com/ discuss the realities of C-section recovery, including how pelvic floor PT can be so helpful. They also talk about the emotional toll of a birth that didn’t go as planned, or of choosing a C-section and navigating all the unsolicited opinions that come with it. Dr. Alex also shares her own experience with having both a C-section and a VBAC, including both the empowering parts and the medical terminology that drove her crazy. We hope you leave this episode knowing that however you gave birth, and your recovery deserves compassion and support. And if you had either a C-section, a VBAC, or both, we’d love to hear from you! Please email us at underthehooddocs@gmail.com if you’d like to share your story. *What you’ll learn:* How pelvic floor PT can help with C-section recovery, from scar work to pain management to rebuilding core function. How to retrain a numb or oversensitive scar with common household items. How to set up your home and prep your support person for the realities of early recovery from a C-section. A simple pillow-and-“shh” trick for bowel movements when your abs feel “turned off.” A helpful phrase to use when it feels like decisions are being made too quickly during labor and delivery. What a “gentle C-section” can look like, including ways to enhance early bonding with your baby. *Tune in if you’ve ever thought:* “I had a C-section, so I didn’t think pelvic floor PT applied to me.” “Will the ‘shelf’ above my scar ever go away?” “My birth didn’t go the way I had hoped, and I’m still working through it.” “I chose to get a C-section, and now I feel like I have to explain myself to everyone.” “I can’t tell if my doctor is recommending a C-section because I actually need it or because it’s easier for them.” “If I had a C-section the first time, do I have to have it the next time?” *Helpful resources:* Reel: How Pelvic Floor PT can help with C-Section Recovery   / da0vfoay-cb   Blog post: C-Section Recovery with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com/blog/c... Blog post: How To Heal C-Section Scar Pain & Sensitivity https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com/blog/p... C-section scar massage how-tos HERE   / carzn5rnw4e   and HERE   / cdtyjargbgo   Dr. Alex’s Healthy Pelvis Project Scar Healing Mini Course https://thehealthypelvisproject.podia... **21:07: We could not find conclusive studies showing that pelvic floor physical therapy directly increases VBAC rates. But PFPT can help with several things that matter in labor. Research shows that prenatal pelvic floor training can shorten the pushing stage and lower the risk of severe tearing. A pelvic floor PT can also work with you on cesarean scar comfort, hip and pelvic mobility, relaxing the pelvic floor, and coordinating breath with pushing. Many different factors affect whether a VBAC is successful, and while more research is needed, pelvic floor PT may be a valuable part of preparing for a VBAC. Find a pelvic floor PT near you: https://pelvicrehab.com/ Parents in Love: A Guide to Great Sex After Kids by Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683738551? *Connect with us:* Dr. Alexandra DiGrado Website: bostonpelvicpt.com (https://www.bostonpelvicpt.com/) Instagram: @bostonpelvicpt (  / bostonpelvicpt  ) Newsletter: Under the Hood (https://bostonpelvicpt.myflodesk.com/...) Dr. Rebecca Howard Eudy Website: rebeccaeudy.com (https://www.rebeccaeudy.com/) Instagram: @rebeccahowardeudy (  / rebeccahowardeudy  ) Newsletter: Parents in Love Substack (https://substack.com/@parentsinlove) Under the Hood Podcast Instagram: @underthehooddocs (  / underthehooddocs  ) Website: underthehoodpod.com (http://underthehoodpod.com) YouTube: @underthehooddocs (   / @underthehooddocs  ) *** If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick rating or review. It takes just 30 seconds, but it’s one of the best ways to help Under the Hood grow and reach even more people. Thank you for listening!