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.
Comfortable clothes: A caesarean is major surgery and you will be uncomfortable for a few days. Make sure you pack a nightie with buttons or some oversized pajama pants or tracksuit – just make sure they don't rest on your scar. A dressing gown and slippers are always nice too for walking around the hospital.
Ask your doctor when it's fine to exercise, go back to work, and drive. Also wait to have sex or use tampons until your doctor gives you the green light. Avoid strenuous exercise, but do take gentle walks as often as you can. The movement will help your body heal and prevent constipation and blood clots.
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. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your provider tells you it is OK.
Dressings are typically left in place for 24 to 48 hours following cesarean section to allow ample time for healing and re-epithelialization.
Your first shower can be 24 hours after surgery. You can take a bath, too, but it may be too difficult getting in and out of the tub for the first 2-3 weeks.
Sleeping on your left side aids in optimum blood flow which is great for your recovering body. You may still need that full-body pregnancy pillow around to support your belly and hips. This position also makes it easier to get into and out of bed and may just be a transition for you as you get into and out of bed.
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.
Coughing and Sneezing Will Hurt
Eskridge, who underwent two c-sections of her own, experienced the same thing—and offers some useful advice: “Splinting (holding a pillow against the abdomen over the incision) is very helpful in preventing pain with coughs, sneezes and laughing,” she says.
“It's recommended that you get up and walk around,” says Dr. Higgins. “We don't want someone lying in bed for two weeks.”
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 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.
Yes you will need a nightie at least to start with, for the catheter and so that they can check your wound and change your pads for you.
Try to relax, meditate, and stay positive. It can be hard to control your worries before a C-section. But deep-breathing exercises can help you stay calm and focused.
It's important for mothers to care for themselves after a a cesarean delivery. After any delivery, a mother needs to allow her body to rest and heal. Ideally, this means little to no housework, and no running after other little ones.
A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby.
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.
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'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.
Unfortunately, submerging yourself in water is only safe once the incision has healed, which is generally seven to 10 days after surgery. At this point in your C-section recovery timeline, you'll be wearing a pad for postpartum vaginal bleeding, which may last several weeks following delivery.
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.
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.