Recovery Tips after a C- Section

A C –section delivery of a baby has become a norm of the day and new mothers experience happiness at the birth of a child and also the post delivery discomfort after the surgery. Presenting a few tips which might help you go through this brief phase in the hospital comfortably and you go back home with your baby in tow joyfully.

1. You will be encouraged to get out of bed even on the day of surgery – to walk. (First take the support of the nurse and get down. You may feel drowsy at first because of the medication and anesthesia. So at first get the blood flow by wiggling your feet, rotating your ankles, and moving and stretching your legs.

2. You will have a vaginal discharge called lochia, which consists of blood, bacteria, and sloughed-off tissue from the lining of your uterus. For the first few days, this discharge will be bright red. Remember to change your pads and keep the vaginal area clean.

3. You will shown how  to cough or do deep breathing exercises to expand your lungs and clear them of any accumulated fluid, which is particularly important if you've had general anesthesia. This will reduce the chance of getting pneumonia.

4. Start off by eating a light diet if you feel like it – within six to eight hours after your surgery. You will also need to increase your fluid intake as this is necessary for the breast milk production and to cleanse you internal system.

5. Gas tends to build up because the intestines are sluggish after surgery, leaving you feel bloated. Drinking fluids and moving around as much as you can is the only solution. If you feel constipated take a purgative after checking with your doctor.

6. Urinating frequently is necessary as a full bladder makes it harder for the uterus to stay contracted and increases pressure on the wound.

7. Coming to the scar you may feel numb and sore at the incision. The doctor will clean and dress the scar daily till you are in the hospital. Another tip for the wound to heal is to clean it and use a blow drier to dry the place .It works wonders. Just see to that you don’t put too much heat there and blow from a distance.

8. To reduce pressure on the abdominal area use your hands or a pillow to support your incision when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.