C-section Recovery Guide

A cesarean section, often referred to as a C-section, is when a baby is delivered surgically instead of vaginally. An incision is cut through the mother’s abdomen into the uterus, and the baby is lifted out. C-sections can be scheduled in advance or are performed because a complication has developed in the pregnancy. Currently, nearly a third of births in the United States are done by C-section. It’s a straightforward procedure – but it is surgery, and even though a new mother wants to focus on her baby, it’s important to pay attention to her C-section recovery as well.

What to Expect in the Hospital

After a C-section, a woman is taken to the recovery room for several hours, the length of time determined by the level of anesthesia used during the procedure (e.g., epidural, spinal catheter, general). Vital signs are monitored as the anesthesia wears off. As with a vaginal delivery, she’ll probably feel contractions as her uterus begins to return to its pre-pregnancy size. After being taken to her regular hospital room, the new mother should be reunited with her baby. Depending on their condition, the baby may or may not stay in the room with her. It’s okay to start breastfeeding once out of the recovery room.

As soon as possible, hospital personnel will want the new mother to start moving around a bit, to help you recover faster and also to prevent blood clots from developing in your legs. It’s likely you’ll feel dizzy the first time you sit or stand up, but this is normal and will pass shortly. Pain is also normal once the anesthesia has worn off and for a few days afterwards, but it gradually diminishes. Pain medication, given either orally or via an IV, will help you rest more comfortably; if an epidural catheter was used during the C-section this might be left in place for a day or so to offer continuous relief. Gas pains are also common, and your first post-op bowel movement may be uncomfortable. Following a C-section, women usually stay in the hospital for 2-4 days, depending on their recovery progress – and insurance coverage.

Healing after the Incision

Even though you can only see the outside staples and/or stitches, healing is also going on inside, where layers of muscle, fat and uterine tissue were cut. It’s important not to overexert while your body is recovering from a C-section. Do not lift anything any heavier than your newborn and don’t bend over or lean forward. Holding a pillow to your stomach might help with some discomfort and soreness. The incision area will begin to itch, but don’t scratch or pick at it. If staples fall out, don’t panic. This means the skin is healing. You can shower and bathe, but don’t get the incision area wet. Your health care practitioner will remove most of the staples at your post-op visit. (You can ask then when you can drive again and when it’s okay to go back to a pre-pregnancy exercise routine.) It usually takes about four weeks for C-section incisions to completely heal, and women often feel numbness in that general area – this is because nerves and muscles that were cut during the C-section need time to regrow.

Recovering at Home

Once you’ve been released from the hospital, it’s important to take things easy at home while recovering from a C-section. The focus should be on you and the baby and not much else. If you have other children, make sure they know that Mom’s not going to be up and around for a few days. Walk around a little when you can but avoid going up and down stairs. Drink lots of water and be sure to eat high-fiber food that will get your digestive system back on track and keep you from getting constipated. Bleeding for a few weeks is typical, just as if you’d had a vaginal delivery. Emotionally, women who have C-sections sometimes feel badly, as if they missed out on the “normal” way to have a baby. This can become more heightened if a woman is suffering from postpartum depression. It’s important to deal with these feelings as part of the healing process.

Cesarean Section Support Message Board
Support forum for moms who are having a c-section.

C-Sections: The Not So Easy Way Out
Why would any woman choose to undergo a major surgical operation where the womb is cut open to remove the baby as opposed to a vaginal birth where the body naturally accommodates the passage of the infant out of the mother’s body? The main reason is the mistaken belief that c-sections are ‘easier’.

The Baby Blues
I remember when I was lying in my hospital bed after the birth of my fourth child, Coleton. I had endured a full day of labor and a difficult delivery (who says the fourth one comes easily?), and I was tired beyond explanation.