And preparation means reading up.

Or have your partner do the looking, if youre too squeamish.

Here are some of their top tips, as well as mine:

Read This Next

1.

c-section tips and essentials, mom with baby in hospital, heidi murkoff

Prepare your home.Fill your fridge and freezer with meals and snacks, of course.

Have a good supply of pillows handy (read on to find out why).

Also essential: anti-itch lotion or ointment (ask your doctor for a recommendation).

c-section tips and essentials, mom with baby in hospital, heidi murkoff

Give yourself props.Pillows will be your best buddies, so keep several by your side, always.

Massage yourself.Your incision will be numb, probably for months to come.

This may also prevent thebuild-up of scar tissue, and result in a flatter scar.

c-section tips and essentials, mom with baby in hospital, heidi murkoff

But also be prepared to ask for extra help from the lactation department at the hospital, as needed.

Heres to a smooth C-section recovery!

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c-section tips and essentials, mom with baby in hospital, heidi murkoff

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