What to Expect After a C-Section
A cesarean section birth is usually performed when mother or baby is at risk during delivery. Many women also choose to have a C-section because it may be a lot smoother than a vaginal birth. Knowing what to expect after a C-section will ease fears and help you to understand the recovery process.
Hospital Recovery
The average hospital stay after a C-section is three to five days. Expect to be restricted to your bed for the first 24 hours. You will most likely need a catheter, and you will be receiving pain medication through an IV for the first day of recovery. Medications and antibiotics given to the mother are typically not harmful if passed to the baby during breastfeeding. After time, the IV will be removed, and you will be encouraged to walk around to prevent blood clots.
The Incision
The incision will be covered in gauze for the first day and may have draining devices to draw out excess fluids. The area around your incision may look irritated, red and bruised. You will most likely experience itching and numbness in the area, which should go away within a few weeks. You will have either stitches or staples; these will be removed after a few days, or they may dissolve.
Home Recovery
You will most likely need help around the house for a few weeks after a C-section. During recovery, expect to feel tenderness around the incision for several weeks. You will experience menstrual-like cramps and bleeding as your uterus contracts. While recovering, do not lift anything heavier than your baby. Expect to abstain from sexual intercourse and strenuous activities for at least six weeks. Caring for a new baby will be difficult after a C-section.
Emotionally
After a C-section, new moms experience a wide range of emotions. Some feel a sense of relief, especially if their labor was long and drawn-out. Some women feel cheated out of the experience of a vaginal delivery, especially if they were on anesthesia and couldn't hold their baby right away. They may feel this way especially if they were looking forward to the birthing process. New mothers may also become frustrated with the length of time it takes to recover from a C-section.
Note
Call your doctor or midwife if you experience any unusual symptoms. Keep an eye on the amount of vaginal bleeding you are experiencing. If the bleeding seems to get heavier or is still bright red after four days, contact your doctor. If you are soaking one pad with blood per hour for at least two hours, contact your doctor. Signs of infection include, fever, drainage or increased redness at the site of the incision. If your calves become red, swollen or painful this could be a sign of a blood clot. Your doctor will advise you of any other symptoms you may need to be aware of.
Tags: after C-section, most likely, will most, will most likely, contact your