A cesarean is a major operation that would affect your daily life directly after birth. You may feel that you cannot perform any task on your own and you would need the help of your partner. The healing phase is different for each woman. It all depends on the operation, the complications that occurred and the facts that lead to the c-section. You may feel tired and your stitches might hurt you. A cesarean section can be followed by some side effects as:
Bleeding and uterine rupture
Infection of the urinary tract
Lesion of the urinary tract
Reactions on the anesthesia
Infection
Blood clots in the veins
How long does it take to recover from a C-section?
After a C-section you will stay in the hospital for a minimum of 4 days during which the midwife will be checking on you and taking care of your incision. The stitches will be removed around the 10th day after the surgery unless they dissolve.
The IV and urine catheters will be removed after 24hours. The midwife will wait for the first gas emission to administer food. This indicates that the anesthesia effect on your intestine has gone. When you leave home your doctor will give you some instructions:
You should avoid carrying heavy things. Always ask someone to do so.
You should avoid getting pregnant soon. It would affect your uterine stitches.
You will feel pain in your lower belly part especially when you will have to get up from a sitting position. Hold it with your hands or pillow when you get up.
Vaginal bleeding will last for around 10 to 15 days.
You have to keep moving and walking to avoid any blood clots.
Do not perform any abdominal or heavy exercises for at least 3 months.
Avoid constipation. Pushing will aggravate the pain and may cause a stitch rupture.
Your doctor may have cleaned the scar area when you leave home. Ask a nurse or visit a clinic to clean your wound as per your doctor’s instructions.
While breastfeeding use a cushion to support the baby’s weight.
Drink lots of water to avoid urine infection.