Having a cesarean section is different for every woman. In fact, having a cesarean birth is different in each pregnancy. I know from experience that my first planned c-section due to a breech presentation resulted in a much more difficult recovery than my second c-section, which was also due to my baby’s breech presentation. Whether you have had an unexpected c-section or a scheduled c-section, here is what you can expect when you are discharged from the hospital and begin your recovery at home.
Begin your recovery by making sure that you get the most you can from your hospital experience. By the time you are discharged, you should have asked any questions you have about caring for your baby, caring for your wound, and recovering after your surgery. Talk to the nurses for your immediate concerns, but be sure to raise any issues you have with your doctor and with your baby’s doctor as well. They are your service providers, and you should not feel intimidated or nervous about asking questions. You are not bothering them – you are doing your job as a new parent to make sure everyone in your household is getting the care they need.
When you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will give you instructions about when you should make a follow up appointment (usually about two weeks after your surgery), whether you can drive, and how to take care of your wound. Both of my doctors placed very few restrictions on my recovery. I was able to walk up and down stairs, taking them one at a time if necessary. Once I felt able to stomp on the gas pedal, I was free to drive.
Your doctor may also give you a prescription for pain medication to use during your recovery from your c-section. While you may have felt great in the hospital and think you can do without the pain medication, you may want to have the prescription filled anyway. That way if you overdue it and have pain that Tylenol or Ibuprofen will not tackle, you will have a backup plan available for you at your house.
After your c-section, it may take several weeks before you can get out of bed or in and out of chairs without pain. The doctors and nurses encouraged me to hold a pillow to my stomach for extra support when I got up out of bed or out of a chair. I did not find this technique particularly useful, but other women I have talked to say it worked for them. You may find it easier to sit in a firm chair rather than a recliner or deep couch because getting up will be easier. As the days go on, you will find that you adapt to your limitations and begin feeling better. You will also gain confidence and become more adept at caring for your newborn, making your recovery easier.
Remember not to overdue things during your c-section recovery. Refrain from lifting heavy objects, vacuuming, or strenuous exercise until your doctor gives you the all clear. When you are tired or especially sore, get help from your spouse or partner for even the easiest tasks during the first few weeks at home.
If you have extra weight to lose after your pregnancy, just be patient with your body. Your doctor will probably advise you not to begin any exercise routine until after your first check up, and even then she might advise you to wait until closer to the six-week mark. However, you will likely be encouraged to take lots of walks and keep moving. During your recovery from your cesarean section, you may become frustrated at the fact that exercising seems impossible. Even though you may not be able to exercise, you can eat a balanced diet and get plenty of rest when time allows.
What your doctor may not tell you is that your stomach may look like a strange shelf for a few weeks while your uterus returns to its normal size. During this time period, keeping your wound clean and dry is essential. It sounds strange, but you may want to use a blow drier on the cool setting to dry your wound after you shower.
If you notice redness or swelling, your wound feels hot to the touch, or your incision begins to open, contact your doctor right away. You may be suffering from an infection that will need to be treated. After my second cesarean section, part of my wound began to open on one side. Of course, I feared the worst. However, I was advised to clean the wound twice daily with peroxide, and no infection developed.
During your physical recovery, you may also find that you are healing emotionally as well. A c-section may not have been the birth experience that you prepared for or that you expected. In fact, you may have done everything you could to avoid a c-section. If you find that you are overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, depression, or anxiety, do not hesitate to make an appointment to talk to your doctor right away.
As you recover from your c-section, try not to compare yourself to other women who have also had cesarean births. Your body is unique, just like your new baby is unique. After my first c-section, it took about two months for me to be pain free on a regular basis, and another month or two to be pain free getting in and out of bed or putting my baby in her crib. My lower abdomen was completely numb for about four months, and my scar was raised and purplish. When I found out that I would need another c-section, I was very nervous about having to undergo a similar recovery with a toddler in tow.
However, my second c-section recovery was much easier. Even during the first few days I had less pain. After two weeks, I was virtually free from pain and did not need even over the counter pain relief. Furthermore, the numbness I experienced with my first c-section was not present after my second c-section. My scar now has a much cleaner appearance since I had sutures rather than staples the second time around. It turns out that my anxiety about having a second c-section was unfounded.
Not every cesarean birth has to be a horror story. While I am not an advocate for unnecessary cesarean births, I do think it is important for women to have a realistic idea about what to expect during their recoveries from c-section births. A fear of the unknown is worse than being prepared for some pain, scarring, and discomfort. As a new mother, you can enjoy your newborn and recover from surgery at the same time if you have patience, recognize your limitations, and allow yourself to heal physically and spiritually.
