Confinement Food Guide for Natural & C-Section Birth

One of the most common enquiries we’ve ever gotten is about mothers who have gone through C-Section or Cesarean delivery – whether they can eat this or that. More often than not, the ideal confinement food principles that apply to mothers who have gone through natural birth are the same ones recommended to C-Section mothers, i.e. a healthy and balanced meal with adequate fruits, vegetables and whole grains while still applying Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and herbs.  

Regardless, we are here to look at all the main dietary concerns for both delivery methods and compare their differences (or similarities). Let’s dive right in!

	Vaginal Birth	C-Section Birth
Protein & Iron	✓ Sufficient protein for muscle reparation	✓ Sufficient protein for muscle reparation✓ More iron-rich foods to promote wound healing and replenish the lost blood
Chicken & Eggs	Generally consumed by postpartum mothers.	Traditionally, some mothers prefer to avoid these during the first 2 weeks of confinement.
Alcohol in Cooking	According to TCM, it provides warm elements suitable for mothers in confinement.	According to TCM, it provides warm elements suitable for mothers in confinement.

Why is watching what you eat important after C-Section?

The mother’s nutrition after giving birth is crucial for her speedy recovery and breastfeeding of the newborn child. 

Breast milk is the baby’s principal source of nourishment during the first few months. Thus, the mother must consume a healthy diet. 

Good nutrition and rest will also speed up the recovery of the abdominal wall and uterus, which were sliced during the C-section. 

A healthy diet may also help the woman lose the weight she gained while pregnant… provided it is adhered to and done right.

A healthy diet is essential for proper digestion and uncomplicated bowel movements that do not strain the abdomen, as well as providing necessary nutrients to the baby and aiding in the mother’s body’s recovery. Proteins, minerals, calcium, fibre, and iron should be included in the diet promptly after caesarean delivery.

Constipation is one of the most prevalent symptoms experienced by women after giving birth. Several reasons include high iron levels in prenatal vitamins, medications used during surgery, dehydration, and weak pelvic muscles after childbirth.

Another reason for constipation in new moms is psychological – fear that their sutures may be damaged or will hurt.

1. Protein & Iron

No matter your delivery method, pregnancy can tire you out and overuse your muscles and joints. Hence, postpartum mothers are generally advised to load their meals up with sufficient protein sources such as pork, meat, fish, chicken, egg, tofu, beans and legumes. They give your body the building blocks to repair muscles and wounds, thus promoting a faster and smoother wound recovery. 

Protein is vital for healing and recovery after a Cesarean section. It helps tissue repair, wound healing, and overall strength and energy levels. Consuming adequate amounts of protein is crucial for anyone undergoing this type of surgery.

Protein is found throughout the body. It is in muscle, bone, skin, and hair. Protein is also in every other part of the body. There are at least 10,000 different proteins that make you who you are and keep you healthy.

Some well-known sources of proteins include the following:

• Legumes
  • Lentils, beans, peanuts, soy products, etc.
• Nuts & seeds
  • Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, etc.
• Whole Grains
  • Quinoa, wild rice, oats, buckwheat, millet, etc.
• Meats
  • Chicken, pork, beef, eggs, lamb, etc.
• Low mercury-containing fish
  • Salmon, cod, Atlantic mackerel, seabass, snapper

As for C-Section, there is likely a higher risk of blood loss and more wounds. To hasten the recovery progress, you should have more iron-rich foods to promote wound healing and replenish lost blood. Iron helps the body maintain haemoglobin levels and aids in the recovery of blood lost during the delivery process. Egg yolk, red meat, oysters, cow liver and leafy greens are all high in iron. 

On top of that; you should also have more foods that are rich in vitamin C as they work to increase your absorption of iron to help replenish blood loss after delivery. For this, we’ve got you covered as well! Our meals contain common Vitamin C ingredients such as broccoli, tomato, potato, and spinach. Altogether, these can help to promote collagen formation for wound healing.

2. Fibre-rich foods

Constipation can hinder healing by placing pressure on wounds and incisions, and fibre is an important meal that helps avoid constipation by ensuring smooth bowel movements.

Oats and ragi are abundant in fibre, carbohydrates, calcium, proteins, and iron.

Lentils, green grains, and pulses are high in protein and fibre and can be included in the diet.

3. Chicken & Eggs