C-SECTION RECOVERY

After a c-section, most mothers and babies stay in the hospital for about three days.

You will be encouraged to get up and walk very soon after the procedure. Moving around can speed your recovery and help prevent constipation and potentially dangerous blood clots. During your hospital stay, the nurses will monitor your incision for signs of infection and also monitor your movement, how much fluid you’re drinking, and bladder and bowel function. Discomfort near the incision can make breastfeeding somewhat challenging. Ask your nurse or the hospital’s lactation consultant to guide you on how to position yourself and support your baby so that you’re comfortable. Sometimes trying to breastfeed when you’re in pain might make the process more difficult. Don’t refuse medications for your post-surgical pain. It takes around four to six weeks for a c-section incision to heal. Fatigue and discomfort are common. You are not only post-partum but also post-surgery!

■ TAKE IT EASY. Rest when possible. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. For the first few weeks, avoid lifting from a squatting position or lifting anything heavier than your baby.

■ SUPPORT YOUR ABDOMEN. Use good posture when you stand and walk. Hold your abdomen near the incision during sudden movements, such as coughing, sneezing or laughing. Use pillows or rolled-up towels for extra support while breastfeeding.

■ DRINK ENOUGH FLUIDS. Drinking water and other fluids can help replace the fluid lost during delivery and breastfeeding, as well as prevent constipation.

■ TAKE MEDICATION AS NEEDED. Most pain-relief medications are prescribed with breastfeeding in mind.

■ AVOID STAIRS AND LIFTING until your doctor says these activities are okay.

■ DON’T DRIVE UNTIL YOUR DOCTOR SAYS IT’S OKAY. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.

■ AVOID SEX. Doctors usually recommend waiting four to six weeks to have sex to reduce the risk of infection, increased bleeding, or re-opening healing tissue. Begin slowly, with kissing, cuddling, and other intimate activities.

You’ll probably notice reduced vaginal lubrication (this is due to hormones), so a water-based lubricant might be useful. Try to find positions that put less pressure on sore areas and are most comfortable for you.

Pain is greatest in the first few days following surgery and should gradually subside. Your doctor will advise you on precautions and considerations to take after surgery.

Whether you had a vaginal delivery or c-section, it’s important to know when to contact your health-care provider.

See the doctor if you experience any of the following:

■ Any signs of infection such as a fever higher than 38ºC, severe pain in your abdomen, or redness, swelling and discharge at your incision site or episiotomy/tear site

■ Breast pain accompanied by redness or fever

■ Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

■ Painful urination

■ Bleeding that soaks a sanitary napkin within an hour or contains large clots

■ Leg pain or swelling