Get plenty of rest
Expect to stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days after your delivery. If there are complications, your stay will be longer. Give your body 6 to 8 weeks to fully heal.
The classic back sleeping position
While back sleeping isn't recommended once you're more than 20 weeks pregnant, this position is recommended for those recovering from surgery. It places the least amount of strain and pressure on your incision site and ensures that your body is aligned in a neutral position.
In most cases, sleeping on your back may be the best option to relieve any pressure on your incision. Try placing a pillow under your knees or sometimes a smaller pillow for your neck to find a balance that works for you. If you're sleeping on your back, it is very important not to sit up directly from this position.
Walking after c-section is encouraged and should be your go to for the first few weeks. You'll start to notice day to day movement getting easier and less discomfort lifting baby or moving around.
It is OK to shower and pat your incision dry with a clean towel. They should fall off in about a week. If they are still there after 10 days, you can remove them, unless your provider tells you not to.
The Night Before Your C-section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
Take walks. Walking will help your body heal. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water. You may shower.
Tips for preparing your home
There are also some extra things you can do if you're having a c-section: bring all your baby items closer to your bed and sofa so you can reach them without getting up. keep a nappy bin close to where you'll be changing nappies. have lots of pillows on the sofa.
Physical Care After a Cesarean: Before leaving the hospital: You will be encouraged to get up and try to go to the bathroom within the first 24 hours after surgery. This will help start the healing process and get you used to move around with your incision.
You likely won't need any pain medication after those first few weeks. And by 6 to 8 weeks, most people feel much better. “Your overall health, mobility, and support system at home play a major role in easing the pain following C-section delivery,” says Blindt.
C-section pain typically spikes 18 hours after delivery.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre every day.
“There can be some pain when pooping, particularly if your stools are hard,” says Dr. Newlin. “We often give you medication after delivery just to keep those stools soft.
You'll want high-waist underwear (think granny panties) that reach above your incision site, and dresses or loose-fitting pants that won't rub against your incision or squeeze your abdominal area. In short, anything that chafes your scar (like elastic) will not feel good.
The average hospital stay after a C-section is 2 to 4 days, and keep in mind recovery often takes longer than it would from a vaginal birth. Walking after the C-section is important to speed recovery and pain medication may be supplied too as recovery takes place.
You will need to buy at least two or three packets of 10 maternity pads each to begin with, though some women may need to use more. You may need to change your pad every hour or every two hours immediately after giving birth. This will reduce to every three hours or four hours over the next two days.
It is recommended to avoid using tampons, exercising intensely, taking stairs, or having sex until you have your doctor's permission. Moreover, you should shower normally instead of baths until your postpartum bleeding and incision have healed.
Urinating after a cesarean section
If you're having difficulties urinating, then you might like to try some ways of triggering the urge – such as turning on a tap, hopping in a warm shower, or pouring a small amount of warm water over the area. If the difficulty persists, then the catheter might need to be reinserted.
Remember, that first 6 weeks you are still dealing with uterus and fluid. For up to 12 weeks, muscles are naturally accommodating and shortening. C-moms can also have mild swelling up to 12 weeks.