20 C-Section Recovery Tips

Recovering from a c-section will take between six and eight weeks. After delivery you will stay in hospital for three or four days.

 

You will usually have a catheter inserted in your bladder for at least 12 hours after the delivery to drain urine from your bladder. Once it is removed you will be encouraged to move around as much as possible.

 

 Once you return home you will be monitored by your healthcare professional for a couple of weeks. You will usually attend a postpartum check six weeks after the delivery.

 

The dressing will be removed from your wound after a four or five days. Any clips or stitches will also be removed then unless you have disolvable ones. This may be uncomfortable but is not usually too painful.

 

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Once your wound is healed you will have a scar that is between 10cm and 20cm long. It will be situated just below your bikini line. Your scar may be quite red at first but will usually fade with time.

 

 

 

• Ensure you get plenty of rest. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Remember, it is going to take six to eight weeks for you to be fully healed.

• Make sure you have loose comfortable clothing to help minimise discomfort. Try to avoid clothing that will rub and irritate your wound. If you are going to wear trousers try and go for high waisted ones.

• Invest in some granny knickers! These will be much more comfortable and the waistband won’t rub on your wound.

• As soon as you are able take a good look at your wound and become familiar with it. This way you will be able to recognise changes changes as the healing process begins. Look out for redness, heat, and discharge as these could be signs of infection.

• Wash your wound daily. Always pat the wound rather than rub it and ensure that it is thoroughly dried.

• Hold your abdomen when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. This will help protect your wound site. You may find that you do this instinctively.

• Try peppermint tea to help ease post surgery trapped wind.

• Eat a high fibre diet and drink plenty of fluids to help prevent constipation.

• Keep to a regular schedule with painkillers for effective relief. Dont  just take them when you are already feeling the pain.

• You will have some vaginal blood loss from your womb, so ensure you have some maternity pads.

• Once your wound has healed you may find it beneficial to gently massage your scar. Use non perfumed lotion and small circular movements. This can prevent itching and help break up scar tissue.

 

• Applying silicon gel onto your healed wound can help reduced redness, itching, and aid collagen production. It can help reduce the raised appearance of your scar.

• Moving around as much as is possible for you will help with c-section recovery. This will reduce the risk of blood clots after surgery and help prevent constipation. However you must be aware of your limitations and not overdo it.

• A heating pad used over clothing make help ease pain in your abdomen.

• While you are recovering avoid heavy lifting. Your baby should probably be the heaviest thing you lift.

• Ask your doctor before you drive, resume strenuous exercise, have sex, and wear tampons.

• If you have decided to breastfeed you may find it more comfortable to feed while lying on your side or in a reclining position.

• Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have swelling, pain, redness, or heat in one leg. These are all signs of a blood clot.

• Don’t drive for at least 6 weeks after your surgery. It may be beneficial to arrange lifts and alternative transport before your baby arrives.

• Be patient with your recovery. Not only are you recovering from surgery, you are going through postpartum changes to your body, and you have a newborn to take care of. You aren’t going be your best self for a while. Go easy on yourself and accept as much help as you can.