A cesarean section (C-section) delivery can have a huge impact on a mother’s mental and physical health in the weeks following the birth. The recovery period after a C-section delivery is about 4-6 weeks, which is longer as compared to routine vaginal delivery, which is why rest is pivotal to help your body heal faster.
Besides that you may need to follow a number of other precautionary methods such as being extra-cautious about your movements and the wound, your diet, and sleep cycle to name a few. To help you recover faster, we have listed all the precautions you should take after a C-section delivery so you can enjoy this new phase with ease.
What to Expect After A C-Section Delivery
Before we get to the tips to help speed up your postpartum recovery, let’s take a look at what happens to your body after a C-section delivery.
Immediately After Giving Birth
Before undergoing a C-section, you will receive an epidural or spinal block. This may cause your lower body to become numb and it can take several hours after childbirth to regain much feeling in that area. After waking up, you may experience grogginess, nausea, and a feeling of confusion.
The First 24 Hours After Birth
The first 24 hours following a C-section are crucial and might pose the same challenges as a vaginal delivery. You may experience pain at the site of incision, cramps, and difficulty in breastfeeding. During this time, your doctor might advise you to stay at the hospital for 2-4 days to monitor your condition and watch out for blood clots or infections.
The First Few Weeks
The risk of infection is the highest in the first few weeks after a C-section. You should take proper care of your stitches, maintain hygiene, and restrict movement/physical activity to avoid putting pressure on your incisions. You may continue to feel the incision pain even after a week of your surgery. Additionally, you will notice certain other challenges such as urinary incontinence and constipation. We recommend you consult your doctor immediately if these conditions arise.
9 Precautions To Take After A C-Section Delivery
You cannot completely avoid the challenges that come with C-section delivery, but you can follow precautionary methods to speed up your recovery and maintain your health and well-being. Here are nine precautions that you should take after your c-section delivery:
Restrict Your Physical Activity
Rest is crucial for recovery from any surgery, and having a C-section is no different. You should refrain from all kinds of heavy-duty work and avoid activities that require too much exertion. Avoid working out or lifting heavy objects at least six weeks after your delivery. We know rest can seem difficult when you have just welcomed a newborn, but try to get as much as you can from family members or friends. Because the more rest you take, the faster your body recovers.
Take Your Medications Regularly
During your recovery period, you might experience pain in your incision areas and in the lower back. To prevent this, make sure to take your medications timely and regularly. Taking your pain medications consistently will prevent unnecessary pain and help you relax better. Apart from pain medications, you can also consider taking medicines that soften your stool to combat postpartum constipation and reduce discomfort. Make sure to consult your doctor before taking any medicine.
Make Sure Your Stitches Are Clean To Avoid Infection
You should pay proper attention to your stitches and make sure that they don’t get infected. Always wash your hands before inspecting or cleaning the wound area. Watch out for infections or discharge near the area and report your condition to your doctor regularly. Also, during recovery, you will notice itching at your incision site. Even if you feel the urge, try your best not to scratch the area. Apply an ice pack near the area to reduce itching, swelling, and any other uncomfortable sensation.
Focus On Your Nutrition
Consuming a combination of protein and carbs such as veggies with hummus, whole wheat grain crackers, toast with peanut butter, and hard cheeses can enhance your recovery process. In addition to consuming healthy food, you should drink at least eight glasses of water every day and avoid drinking caffeine as it can interfere with your sleep cycle and mess up your mood.
Pay Attention To Your Breasts
You may experience sore breasts and engorgement after a C-section delivery. A gentle massage and a cold or warm compress can bring relief to your achy breasts. You can also try wearing a comfortable nursing bra to air dry your breasts after feeding your baby. Apply a plant-based nipple cream to soothe cracked nipples.
Follow A Bowel Routine
Don’t freak out if your first bowel movement happens one or two days after childbirth. More importantly, do not force things. Rather, include more fibre-rich foods in your diet, take a short stroll, and use a mild stool-softener to help return to your normal washroom routine. Do not strain yourself as it can harm your C-section scar or perineal tear.
Move Carefully
Remember you just gave birth to your baby and had a major surgery. It’s important to keep your activity levels to a minimum for at least six to eight weeks now. Do not indulge in sudden or rigorous movements as it can affect your incision site and cause bleeding or infection.
Sleep More
You will experience multiple interruptions of sleep at night while caring for your newborn. Therefore, we recommend you take naps during the day, or rather, sleep when your baby sleeps. This will boost the body’s healing process and help you recover faster.
Avoid Sex For Some Time
Until you get an all-clear from your doctor, you should avoid having intercourse immediately after a C-section. Wait till your incision stitches have dissolved and other discomforts such as backache, abdominal pain, and urinary incontinence are under control.
Having a C-section delivery can put your body under a lot of stress. You may experience several discomforts such as vaginal pain, breast soreness, abdominal pain, and constipation. However, following preventive measures such as restricting movement, eating healthy, and taking proper care of your incision site after childbirth can help you recover faster.
