Days after the birth  of your baby (postpartum period )can be challenging especially for  moms who has a c-section. Maternal mortality is highest during the postpartum period so special consideration needs to be given to the mother. It is very common for a new moms  to feel emotionally and physically drained. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
 

Care after  C-section

In the hospital :

• you will be encouraged to get up and try to go to the bathroom within 24 hours after surgery to enable the healing process start. You need to move around slowly because you may experience shortness of breath and dizziness
• if staples were used for your incisions, they may be removed before you go home
• talk to your doctor about managing pain after  surgery and get prescription for any pain medication you may need
• you uterus will begin to contract to it’s original size. You may therefore experience heavy bleeding ( lochia)  which may continue until about 6 weeks. You will need heavy absorbent pad which the hospital will provide after delivery. Do not use tampons at this time.
• try a gentle stroll around the hospital or sit in a rocking chair. This will help speed up recovery and help with gas that develops after an abdominal surgery

At Home
Incision care :

• keep the area around the wound clean by washing with mild soap and water. Just letting water from the shower run over your wound is enough
• your doctor will let you know when to stop keeping the wound covered
• you may remove the  wound dressings such as bandages if sutures (stitches), staples, or glue were used to close your skin.
• do not soak in a hot tub or bathtub or swimming until your doctor gives you his okay or before 3 weeks after surgery

If  strips (Steri-Strips) were used to close your incision :

• you need to cover them with a plastic wrap before taking a shower for the fist week. Do not try to wash it off
• they should fall off within a week. However you can remove them if they  are still  there after 10 days unless your doctor tell you not to

Things to avoid :

• sexual intercourse until your doctor says its okay or after 6 weeks of delivery
• public pools and hot tubs
• the use of tampon and douche
• lifting anything heavier than your baby
• taking baths until you are no longer bleeding or incision is healed
• exercising  until your doctor gives you the okay
• repeatedly using the stairs
• do not drive a car  for about 3 weeks

Other self-care

• drink about 8 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated and prevent constipation
• eat lots of fruits and vegetables
• try to eat smaller portions of foods and have healthy snacks in between
• take pain medications if need be
• hold the abdomen near the incision during sudden movements such as coughing, laughing and sneezing

Some women feel guilty and disappointed for needing a C-section. All these feeling are normal even for women who had vaginal delivery. Talk to your partner, family and friends about your feelings. If these feelings do not go away or get worse, seek professional help.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of infection such as

• red, swelling or leaking discharge from the incision
• a fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C)
• Increasing pain around the incision

Other reasons to call your doctor include :

• foul odor from vaginal discharge
• headaches that begins right after birth and does not decrease in intensity
• burning urination or blood in urine
• sore painful red breast that is accompanied by flu-like symptoms
• pain, swelling and redness in the leg
• appearance of rash or hives
• if you have a feeling of anxiety , depression or panic