Cesarean section recovery

This is when the baby comes out through an incision in the uterus and uterus of the mother, rather than through the birth canal and out through the vagina.

Then you can expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital with your new baby while you recover.

After cesarean section

Most women stay awake before a cesarean section and you will be able to pick up the baby right away. You will be taken to the recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, and monitor you.

You may feel nauseous, nauseated, or itchy due to the medications that were used to relieve pain during the surgery. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication that passes through a thin tube into your veins.

In the days following your surgery, you can expect:

Vaginal discharge: you will probably have vaginal bleeding for several weeks after giving birth. This is how your body gets rid of excess tissue and blood in the uterus that kept your baby healthy during pregnancy. For the first few days, you will see bright red blood that will gradually clear up.
Afterpains: Feeling like menstrual cramps for a few days after giving birth is normal. They constrict the blood vessels in the uterus to prevent too much bleeding. Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Breast swelling and soreness: During the first 3-4 days after giving birth, your breasts produce what is called colostrum, a nutrient-rich substance that helps boost your baby's immune system. After that, your breasts will swell as they fill with milk. You can relieve soreness by breastfeeding or expressing milk, and by applying cold washcloths to your breasts between feeds. If you are not breastfeeding, wear a strong, supportive bra. Don't rub your chest.
Hair and skin changes: You may notice that your hair is thinning in the first 3-4 months. This is fine. This is due to changes in hormone levels. You may also see red or purple stretch marks on the abdomen and chest. They will not disappear, but will become silvery or white.
Feeling unwell: After you bring your baby home, you may run into emotions on a roller coaster. You may feel restless, anxious or very tired during the first weeks of motherhood. This is due to hormonal changes. If you experience this for more than a few weeks, call your doctor. You may be suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety, a more serious condition that affects about 15% of all new moms. Talking therapy or antidepressants usually help.

Cesarean section incision care

Your doctor will send you home with detailed instructions.

Here are some tips for caring for a cesarean section:

If the cut is closed with stitches, staples or glue, you should be able to remove the bandage and take showers, but check with your doctor first. Letting the water run down over the wound should also help with cleaning.
When you’re washing, use mild soap and water and clean it lightly. Pat dry.
Don’t soak in a bath or hot tub or go swimming until your doctor says you can.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage incision pain. Ask your doctor what they recommend.
A heating pad set on low or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly.

Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. Let your doctor know if:

Your incision is red, swollen or hot to the touch.
It’s leaking discharge
You develop a fever.
Your pain is getting worse not better.
You are having heavy bleeding

Tips for healing after a cesarean section

The area around the stitches, staples, or tape on your abdomen will be sore for the first few days. Keep it clean to avoid infections. You can do a few other things to speed up recovery:

Take it easy. A cesarean section is a major surgical procedure. Don't lift anything heavier than your baby for the first two weeks and keep everything you might need close at hand.
Support your stomach. Hold your stomach when you sneeze, cough, or laugh to keep it still.
Ease your pain. A heating pad or a warm washcloth can relieve stomach pain. You may also need ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other pain relievers. Most of them are safe to take if you are breastfeeding.
Drink fluids. You will need to replace the water you lost during childbirth, as well as the water you lost if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Eat fiber-rich foods and eat more often, but in small portions. Try fiber supplements if you suffer from constipation.

Breastfeeding after cesarean section

You can start breastfeeding almost immediately. Your body will produce milk about as fast as after a vaginal birth. Here's what you need to know:

Medications: You probably received pain medication such as an epidural during your cesarean section, but this is unlikely to affect the baby much. Your child may be sleepy, but this should pass and he should be hungry. You may be tempted to ask your doctor to reduce your pain medication, but it's important to feel comfortable. Pain can disrupt the production of the hormone responsible for milk production. If you have any questions about how medications you are taking may affect breastfeeding, ask to speak with a breastfeeding specialist at the hospital.
Breastfeeding positions: The surgical site can make it difficult to find a comfortable position for breastfeeding. You can put a pillow on your stomach to help reduce your baby's weight, or try the following:

Football hold. Take the baby's neck in your palm and place his back on your forearm. Tuck your feet and legs under your arms, then lift your baby towards your chest.
Side-lying hold. Lie down facing your baby and bring your nipple to his lips with your hand. You can put a pillow under his back to keep him from rolling.

Returning to physical activity after cesarean section

It is important to get out of bed and walk around for 24 hours after surgery. It can help relieve gas pain, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.

You can try gentle exercise a few days after your cesarean section:

Deep breathing: take 2 or 3 slow deep breaths every half hour. This can help prevent lung congestion from sitting too long in bed.
Shoulder circles: Sit up straight and rotate your shoulders back and forth 20 times every hour to relieve stiffness.
Gentle stretching: Stand against a wall and slowly raise both arms above your head until you feel a stretch in your abdominal muscles. Hold this position for 5 seconds, then relax. You can do this up to 10 times a day to increase flexibility around the seams.

Try not to do too much housework or other activities for the first two weeks. Check with your doctor before resuming any of these activities, but in general you will have to wait:

4-6 weeks before doing heavy abdominal exercises or lifting anything larger than your baby.
2 weeks before you can drive
3 weeks to take a bath or swim
Before having sex again, get your doctor's approval.

When to call the doctor

When you return home, check your surgery site regularly for signs of infection. Here are some things you should tell your doctor:

Your incision is red, swollen, hot to the touch, or leaking discharge
You have a fever higher than 38 C.
You have a lot of vaginal bleeding, it smells bad or has unusually large clots.
Your pain is getting worse, not better.
You have swelling, bumps, pain or heat in your calves
You have pain, redness or warmth, which are signs of infection
You get a very bad headache that does not go away.
You notice swelling in your hands, arms, or feet.
You notice vision changes or have difficulty seeing.
You have a cough, shortness or breath or pain in your chest, which could be a sign of a blood clot.
You will probably see a doctor about 6 weeks after giving birth. They will check your vagina, cervix and uterus, as well as your weight and blood pressure.