The night before a scheduled C-section, focus on fasting (no food/drink after midnight) as instructed, potentially showering with a special soap, gathering hospital bags with loose clothing and toiletries, removing makeup/jewelry, and resting while managing anxiety with deep breathing. Crucially, confirm fasting times and any specific instructions with your doctor or hospital, as these can vary and are essential for your safety during anesthesia, and avoid shaving or lotions in the surgical area.
The Night Before Your C-section
You may brush your teeth in the morning. Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication. Take a shower before coming to the hospital. Please leave valuables at home and keep your luggage in the car until you are transferred to the postpartum unit.
The 5-5-5 rule for postpartum C-section recovery is a guideline for the first 15 days, emphasizing 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, and 5 days around the bed, focusing on rest, gradual movement, bonding, and healing by limiting activity and staying near a resting spot for essential needs only. It's a structured way to encourage vital rest and set boundaries with visitors, preventing overexertion during the critical initial healing phase after major surgery.
Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help calm your nerves and reduce anxiety. These techniques can also be beneficial during the recovery process, when you may be feeling uncomfortable or in pain. Finally, having a support system in place is essential.
The Day Before Your C-Section
Eat a healthy dinner the night before, but please remember, do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to surgery, including mints or gum.
Preparing your skin for surgery
Shower or bathe with soap the night before your C-section. If you have time, shower again on the day of your delivery. hair, before surgery. Shaving and waxing can create tiny cuts that increase the risk of infection.
The “Golden Hour” is the first 1-2 hours after baby's birth, an extremely precious time for both you and baby. A period of uninterrupted time, ideally skin to skin, to rest and regulate after labour and birth. Even before the placenta is birthed the golden hour can begin.
Keep the wound area clean by washing it with mild soap and water. You don't need to scrub it. Often, just letting the water run over your wound in the shower is enough. You may remove your wound dressing and take showers if stitches, staples, or glue were used to close your skin.
Discomfort is expected after a C-section, especially around the incision and abdomen. Pain typically peaks in the first few days and improves over several weeks.
Why should I drink clear liquids before a cesarean birth? Clear liquids and carbohydrate drinks give you energy to heal after delivery. You'll feel less hungry and more hydrated.
C-section Recovery Time
You need to give your body at least 6 weeks for the incision to heal, and for the abdomen to recover from the trauma. The doctor will advise bed rest on day 1 but after that, they will ask you to start moving. You need to start with short slow walks and gradually push your limits.
15 C-Section Recovery Essentials Real Parents Swear By
In reality, the third week might be the hardest week postpartum, since everything seems to feel “normal,” but so much is happening at the same time. This being said, the third week will be an important week to focus on your mental health.
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.
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
You can eat and drink normally up until 2.00 am on the morning of your operation. Do not chew gum or eat sweets after 2.00 am. Between 2.00 am and 6.00 am you may drink still plain water. At 6.00 am have 2 bottles of your pre-op drinks with your pre-medications.
A c-section is major surgery and your partner will need time to recover. It can take at least 6 weeks, but they may have discomfort for much longer than this.
As a general rule, it's best not to eat solid foods for eight hours before the operation, instead having clear liquids such as juice, broth, clear tea and water. Do not eat or drink anything for two hours before your scheduled C-section.
Peri bottle
Peeing might sting if you have stitches, and the vaginal area might be extra sensitive, so using regular toilet paper may not be comfortable. Peri bottles are also helpful for C-section moms, as they won't have to bend to wipe. “ A peri bottle is always my number-one recommendation.
How long do you bleed for after a c-section? You will have some vaginal bleeding (called lochia) for 2-6 weeks after the birth.
Up-breathing is going to be your friend during a caesarean. The theatre environment can be quite busy and any major surgery is enough to get your mind racing, so using your breathwork to calm you down is incredibly powerful.
Nutritional Recommendations After a Cesarean Delivery
Post-cesarean mothers should include the following foods in their diet: Iron-rich foods: pumpkin, egg yolks, grapes, bananas, nuts and seeds. High-protein foods: beef, pork, chicken, cheese, plant-based options such as tofu, seeds, and plant-based milk.
The 2-hour rule for babies means they shouldn't stay in a car seat (or travel system seat) for more than two hours at a time, whether in or out of the car, because the semi-upright position can strain their developing spine and restrict their breathing, increasing the risk of low oxygen levels, especially for newborns and preemies. For long journeys, parents should take breaks every two hours to take the baby out, allow them to lie flat for a while, stretch, and feed, ensuring they get proper head/neck support and circulation.
Less than 3% of babies were born each hour between midnight and 7 a.m. However, this number rose on Saturday and Sunday, when births were more likely to occur overnight.