Lymphatic Drainage Massage After C-Section for Swelling

Lymphatic drainage massage after C-section can help your body move excess fluid out faster when you’re dealing with postpartum swelling.

While your body will naturally process that extra fluid over time, it’s a gentle technique that you can use to support the process and feel more comfortable during recovery.

I’m a certified lymphatic specialist and a physical therapist, but I’m also a mom who’s been through C-section recovery myself.

I know how uncomfortable swelling can be, especially when you’re trying to heal from major abdominal surgery while taking care of a newborn.

This is why I want to share the lymphatic drainage routine that helped me with fluid retention during my own recovery. You can easily do it at home!

Does a C-Section Affect the Lymphatic System?

Yes, a C-section has a big impact on your lymphatic system.

During pregnancy, your body holds onto extra fluid to support your baby. After delivery, your lymphatic system and kidneys need to get rid of all that excess fluid, which naturally takes time.

But when you have a C-section, you’re dealing with more than just postpartum fluid.

The surgery causes your body to send extra fluid to the area to help with healing, which is why you’re likely seeing swelling around your incision and in your abdomen.

Plus, the incision can also slow down the normal flow of lymphatic fluid in your belly area. Your lymphatic vessels are small and sit just under your skin. When they’re cut during surgery, they need time to reconnect and work again.

On top of all of this, you’re probably still retaining IV fluids from the hospital.

Overall, swelling after a C-section is very normal, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make the recovery process go just a little bit faster.

Research from the World Health Organization shows that C-sections are becoming more common around the world. By 2030, nearly 29% of all births are expected to be C-sections. With so many moms going through this, we need better information about recovery and how to reduce swelling.

Learn more about postpartum swelling and how you can support the healing process.

What Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage?

Lymphatic drainage massage is a technique that uses very light and gentle strokes to encourage lymph fluid to move through your body’s natural drainage pathways.

Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump as your heart does. Instead, it relies on muscle movement and breathing to move fluid along. When you’re recovering from major surgery and not moving much, the fluid can pool in areas like your abdomen or legs/arms.

Lymphatic drainage massage works by stimulating lymph nodes and vessels just under your skin.

The strokes follow the natural direction of lymphatic flow in your body, moving fluid to major drainage sites like the lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, and groin.

It’s one of my favorite postpartum recovery tools, especially after a C-section, because it promotes healing and improves circulation.

Take a look at this before and after a lymphatic drainage massage.

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Help Reduce Swelling During C-Section Recovery?

Yes, lymphatic drainage massage can help reduce swelling after a C-section. It’s something I can personally vouch for, but it’s also something I see in the PT clinic.

The massage helps your immune system move trapped fluid at the C-section incision, your belly, and other parts of your body.

This can make you feel less puffy and more comfortable during postpartum healing. It’s also a gentle massage that uses light pressure, which can feel nice as you’re recovering.

Learn more about the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage After C-Section Routine

Keep your touch light throughout the routine. Since lymphatic vessels are right under the skin’s surface, you don’t need deep pressure like you would for a muscle massage. A soft touch is all you need!

If one spot seems puffier than the rest, you can work on that area a bit longer.

1. Start with deep breathing

Get comfortable lying down or sitting back in a chair. Begin with deep breaths to activate the deeper parts of your lymphatic system and get fluid moving through the larger vessels.

Rest one hand on your belly and press down lightly. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat this 3-5 times.

2. Prepare your drainage pathways

Using light pressure, make 8-10 small circles on the lymph nodes by your collarbone (do both sides). Next, do the same circular motion at your armpits. Then, massage 8-10 circles on each side of your groin. You’re opening up the main exit points for fluid draining from your abdomen.

Lymphatic drainage massage after C-section step: Upper right section.

3. Work on your upper right section

Now you’ll massage your belly area.

Picture your torso split into 4 parts: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. You’ll work through each section one at a time.

Begin with the upper right section. Using soft and sweeping strokes, guide the fluid toward your right armpit. Do 3-5 sweeps.

Lymphatic drainage massage after C-section step: Upper left section.

4. Work on your upper left section

Switch to your upper left section. Use the same soft sweeping motion to direct fluid toward your left armpit. Do 3-5 sweeps.

Lymphatic drainage massage after C-section step: Lower right section.

5. Work on your lower right section

Move down to the lower right part of your abdomen and guide the fluid toward your right groin with 3-5 sweeps. If your incision has healed and your doctor approved it, you can gently massage over the scar.

Lymphatic drainage massage after C-section step: Lower left section.

6. Work on your lower left section

Do the same thing for your lower left section, sweeping fluid toward your left groin. Use 3-5 gentle strokes.

7. End with deep breathing

Close out the routine with more deep breaths to get the deeper lymphatic vessels working.

Is Lymphatic Drainage Massage Safe After a C-Section?

Yes! Lymphatic drainage massage is safe after a C-section as long as you wait for your doctor’s approval and your incision has healed.

The technique uses very light pressure, so it shouldn’t cause any harm as long as you do it correctly.

It’s also important to clarify that at no time should fluid be pushed out through the incision area. This is not lymphatic drainage and can be dangerous.

This massage should feel calming and comfortable. If you notice any pain, redness, or anything that doesn’t feel right, stop right away and call your doctor. Lymphatic drainage shouldn’t cause you any discomfort.

There are very few dangers of lymphatic drainage massage, and they typically don’t apply to C-section moms. But if something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to check with your doctor.

FAQs

Is lymphatic drainage good for a C-section scar?

Yes, lymphatic drainage can be helpful for your C-section scar once it’s fully healed. The gentle massage can reduce puffiness around the scar and help with fluid buildup in that area. Just make sure that your doctor has cleared you before massaging over the scar, and keep your touch very light.

For softening scar tissue over time, you can also try scar massage physical therapy.

How soon after a C-section can I get a lymphatic drainage massage?

You can start lymphatic drainage massage as soon as your doctor clears you. Every mom heals differently, so your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to begin based on how your body is recovering. If you want to massage directly over your incision, wait until the scar is completely healed.

Does lymphatic massage break up scar tissue?

No, lymphatic drainage massage is for moving extra fluid, not breaking up scar tissue. That said, it can help reduce swelling around your scar, which sometimes makes the area feel softer. If you want to work on scar tissue, you’ll need different massage techniques called scar mobilization or myofascial release.

Does lymphatic massage affect breast milk?

No, lymphatic drainage massage won’t affect your milk supply or change your breast milk in any way. The massage works on your lymphatic system, which is separate from your milk production. You can safely do lymphatic massage if you’re nursing. If anything, better fluid balance in your body might help you feel more comfortable overall when breastfeeding!