Cesarean section: what awaits me immediately after
Whether you had a planned caesarean or an unexpected caesarean section, immediately following recovery can be a big new challenge. This article can prepare you for the many things that await you and thus help you relieve stress.
Cesarean delivery is a real abdominal surgery , very frequent in Italy. Despite this, there is a lack of information on what is to be faced next, on the physical and psychological recovery of the woman.
The hospital stay after a cesarean delivery
The hospital stay after a caesarean section varies from hospital to hospital but usually it is a 3-4 day hospitalization. Recommendations for getting up and walking vary based on the type of anesthesia that was given and how your body responded. Usually 6 hours after delivery, the midwives on the ward will help you take the first steps .
If the operation was performed at night in an emergency, one does not look so carefully at the clock and calmly waits for the morning to take a walk. Walking, even if the mere thought scares you, is important because it restores circulation to the lower limbs, promotes digestion and therefore the recovery of intestinal activity.
In the first few hours after your cesarean section, you will often be asked if you have breathed and this may embarrass you but it is important to know how the gastrointestinal tract works to make sure there are no complications.
Anesthesia, surgery, narcotic pain relievers, and impaired mobility can all contribute to constipation , so it’s important to drink, eat high-fiber foods, and get some exercise . If you feel the need, you can also ask for a suppository to soften the stool.
The ward midwives, in addition to the question about intestinal activity, will check you, placing a hand on your abdomen, to check the size of the uterus, its consistency and blood loss.
As after a spontaneous birth, even after a cesarean, the uterus works by contracting to expel blood and tissue left inside and to return to its pre-pregnancy size. Vaginal bleeding ( lochia ) lasts about 4-6 weeks.
The wound of the cesarean section
After surgery, the incision will be covered with a bandage or plaster which is usually not removed until the next day or even until you are discharged.
The incision will be closed with stitches (soluble or non-soluble), staples, steri strips.
Staples and some types of stitches will need to be removed by the doctor a few days after discharge. While for the other types of stitches these do not need to be removed. Don’t worry everything will be explained by the midwives on the ward during your stay.
To learn more, you can read how to cure a cesarean section scar , when and how to take a shower and how long it takes for the healing to be complete.
Don’t be frightened by the sight of the suture because this, once completely healed, shrinks considerably and flattens out.
It is normal, though annoying, to itch all around and feel a stitch pulling on only one part of the suture. It is important that you tell all your sensations to the midwives and doctors of the department so that you feel better and more serene!
Express your needs
It is important, especially the first few days, that there is a serene atmosphere around you and your child . This also applies to visitors and your family. If they do not know your wishes and your needs, they cannot follow them.
While well-meaning and enthusiastic for you, visitors and family often end up putting more strain on mom than providing support. If friends want to come and see the new baby, earn them a visit! Have him hold the baby while you take a shower or nap. Or fold a laundry basket while you cuddle your baby. Have lunch brought to you to put in the freezer for when you need it.
Have an older child? Ask friends to take them to the park for an hour. If the thought of a house full of people fills you with dread, ask your partner or a family member or friend for support to spread the word that you are not ready for visitors. You matter now!
Remember that once you get home, your recovery continues, so accept offers of help!
The suitcase I leave if you have to do the cesarean
If you have to have a planned caesarean section, we suggest you pack a slightly different delivery suitcase from that of a mother facing a spontaneous birth:
- Prepare soft clothing on the abdominal level , do not bring anything restrictive that could bother you in the wound area. Pants, sweatshirts and shirts that you used during maternity are all good options because they are soft on the abdomen
- Fiber-rich snacks . Constipation after a C-section is not uncommon. Having some high-fiber foods on hand to eat during your hospital stay can help normalize your gut. Pack some easy snacks to munch on between meals. Apples, oranges, pears, berries, nuts and dried fruit are all good options. Remember to drink as much water as you can!
- Shoes with rubber soles , to avoid slippers. You may have some balance issues post surgery so make sure your shoes have a good grip.
- Bring the sling with you to carry your baby . This can also be worn alone to create support and have that feeling of containment that is pleasant after an operation.
Breastfeeding after a cesarean section
The first few days, in addition to recovering, falling in love with your baby and getting to know him, your breasts also have a lot to do because they produce a nutrient-rich and antibody-rich yellow liquid called colostrum.
Colostrum is nature’s perfect first food for baby and provides all the nutrition, immunity and vitamins your baby needs.
Colostrum usually passes into mature breast milk within 2-6 days of birth.
With the cesarean, the milky flow comes later
Surely they have told you or you have heard that the milky flow , when you do a cesarean section, comes later. And it is true and this happens due to the use of liquids (drip) and medications.
Don’t let this scare you because there is a solution to everything! Just do a lot of skin to skin with your baby and stimulate the breast within two hours of delivery thanks to its suction or manual stimulation.
Some women have no additional difficulty breastfeeding after a cesarean delivery, but some find positioning difficult while their incision area is sore.
Use the nursing pillow to protect the area and help you position your baby.
Time to recover from cesarean section
The best way to encourage a speedy recovery after a C-section is to allow your body time to heal.
Do things when you feel like doing them. Try to have everything handy when you’re in bed, so you don’t get up every time. Remember, in the first few days, every time you have to get up, to first go from the lying position by rolling onto your side and then with the help of your hands, lift yourself up to avoid tiring the abdominal muscles. Instead of lying flat down, try placing pillows behind your back so you can sleep or rest in a reclined position. Try sleeping or with a pillow between your knees and ankles to relieve the pressure.
All women are different, there is no right timing for recovery and there are no rules to follow.
Listen to your body, slowly resume your routine and relax enjoying motherhood.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.