How to Recover From a Cesarean Section

A recovery from a cesarean birth can be more difficult than recovery from a vaginal birth. You will need follow some rules in order to have a speedy recovery.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Help from a family member if possible
• Postpartum surgical belt

1. Most of the time cesarean sections are done while you are awake. However, sometimes you will be put under with anesthesia. If anesthesai has been used, keep this in mind. You will probably be extremely thirsty when you wake up. Be very careful about how much you drink at first. Take a few small sips and then wait a few minutes. Try a few more small sips again. If you drink too much too fast, you might throw up. That is the last thing you want right now.

2. Try different positions for holding your baby when nursing. Try to avoid plopping the baby directly over your incision. A nice sideways hold works well.

3. After your catheter is removed, the nurse will make you get out of bed. You have to do it so just move slowly and carefully. It is not as bad as you think.

4. During your hospital stay, the nurses will encourage you to take walks around the hospital halls. Although you might not feel up to it, it is important to do so. Getting up and about will help you get some strength back. It will also help to alleviate the inevitable gas you will have after a cesarean section.

5. Once you are home, take it easy!! If you have someone to help you, let them help you as much as possible. Although getting up and about is good, you don't want to overdo it. Do not lift anything heavier than the baby. Your housework can wait because your physical recovery is more important.

6. A surgical postpartum belt can give your abodomen nice support. You will find it helpful because it reduces the strain on your tender muscles. If you do not have one, support pantyhose with the legs cut off can be used instead. When you are lying down, a pillow tucked up nice and firm to your abdomen is helpful as well.

7. Call your doctor if you have any concerns at all. Follow up with your doctors for your postpartum checks. The scar area will remain numb for a few months but usually the feeling comes back. It will also fade very nicely in time.

Tips & Warnings

• Pat your incision dry, do not rub.
• Take naps when the baby naps.
• Avoid stairs as much as possible.
• Don’t take a tub bath or use douches or tampons for 4 weeks.
• Don’t drive until your doctor says it’s okay.
• Don’t have sexual intercourse until after your doctor has said it is okay.
• Call your doctor if you have:
• Bleeding that requires a new sanitary pad every hour
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Redness, pain, or drainage at your incision site
• Severe pain in the abdomen
• Repeated clots of blood (the size of a quarter or larger)

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[hollyhunter]

on 9/16/2008 Also - I would highly recommend these panties for support and comfort after a c-section. http://www.cpanty.com/ They just felt so comfortable to me and the silicone helped my incision not feel as itchy as it did before I got them.

[hollyhunter]

on 9/16/2008 I had two c-section births and the first few days are the worst. It is absolutely true that you need to go ahead and walk as soon as you can. I felt miserable until I made myself (with my nurse and husbands help) get up and walk. The first few steps were the worst, but it got much better quickly.