Tips for Cesarean Section Recovery

The days of cesarean section recovery are known as the post-partum period.

Because a cesarean is a major surgical operation, a woman is at risk for many potential complications afterwards and so special care and plenty of rest is required in this sensitive period.

Try to set up a support team that will help, so that you will have time to rest and heal. Make sure you have someone to turn to for emotional support too, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed. It is no easy task to care for a newborn after a major abdominal surgery.

Cesarean Section Recovery at Hospital

Within 24 hours of surgery you will be encouraged to get up and walk and use the bathroom. The sooner the better.

Regular, gentle walking will help speed up the recovery process.

Staples in the wound will probably be removed.

You will possibly be given a prescription for pain medication. Find out any side-effects and discuss your preferences with your caregiver.

One woman's advice was: "Get home and out of the hospital as fast as you can so you can rest!"

Cesarean Section Recovery at Home

• Keep visitors to a minimum and entertain them in your bedroom. Stay in bed in pyjamas and let them make themselves tea or coffee.
• Check your wound and look out for any disturbing changes - swelling, redness, discharge or signs of infection.
• Shop online and order frozen meals so you won't have to cook.
• Stay well hydrated and eat healthy meals to keep your energy levels up and to prevent constipation.
• Get breastfeeding and emotional support. Use a pillow to cushion your wound when breastfeeding.
• Accept any offers of domestic help that you may get. Let others do your cleaning, laundry and other chores if they offer.
• Let your partner care for the baby as much as he is willing. The more he is involved early on the better their relationship will be for life!
• Don't lift anything heavier than your baby - no toddlers, car seats, laundry baskets or other heavy items.
• Avoid sexual intercourse and exercise until your caregiver says it is safe.

Symptoms to Bring to Your Caregiver's Attention

• swelling or discharge at the incision wound
• pain
• urinary problems - burning sensation or blood in the urine
• feeling dizzy or faint
• sore or tingling skin
• high temperature
• a persistent bad head-ache
• excessive bleeding or passing of clots
• foul smelling vaginal discharge
• pain in the calves
• shortness of breath
• embolism
• signs of post-natal depression

More Pages Related to Cesarean Recovery

Planned Cesarean Section

Risks of Cesarean Section

Cesarean Birth Videos

Birth Video Report on Cesarean Rate

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