It usually takes longer to recover from a caesarean birth than a vaginal birth.
Recovery in hospital
You may feel uncomfortable after a caesarean. Ask for painkillers as often as you need them. You will have a drip in your arm to give you fluids. You'll usually stay in hospital for 3 to 4 days.
During this time it's important to do deep breathing and leg exercises regularly. This will reduce the risk of chest infections and blood clots in your legs.
Catheter
There will be a tube called a catheter in your bladder. This is put there during the operation to keep your bladder as empty as possible.
You may not feel the need to pee until the anaesthetic wears off. Also, it can be hard to get in and out of bed to go to the toilet. So the catheter takes away these worries.
It is usually removed within 12 hours of surgery.
Tummy injections
You'll probably get injections in your tummy to prevent blood clots developing in your legs or lungs. The first dose is usually given within 6 hours of the caesarean.
The risk of developing clots is higher in the 6 weeks after a caesarean.
If you have other risk factors for clots, you will give yourself anti-clotting injections after you go home. You doctor or midwife will show you how to do this. You will usually need these injections for up to 6 weeks.
Everyday tasks
You may have to wait a few hours before you're allowed to eat anything.
You will get help to shower the day after the birth. The healthcare team will encourage you to move around as soon as possible. A physiotherapist may help with this.
Avoid driving for up to 6 weeks after a caesarean.
Getting in and out of bed
There are some things you can do to help yourself get in and out of bed more easily.
- Lie on your back in the centre of the bed with both knees bent.
- Roll over to your side without twisting too much (keeping your knees bent).
- Use your arms to push your upper body forward and up, and allow your legs to go down at the same time - keep breathing as you do this.
- From this sitting position, straighten your body and stand up.
- Stand up with your back straight.
Recovery at home
Caring for a newborn baby is demanding and can make your recovery more difficult.
Like any operation, your body needs time to recover after a caesarean birth. Rest is part of this recovery process.
Try to rest whenever you can. Get help from family and friends to ensure you get as much rest as possible.
Postnatal support
Your public health nurse (PHN) will arrange to visit you at home. You can talk to them about any concerns you may have.
Some hospitals have postnatal hubs where you can get postnatal care. Check this with your hospital or PHN.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP, obstetrician, midwife or PHN immediately if you have:
- heavy vaginal bleeding, particularly if there are large clots in the blood
- severe pain
- a vaginal discharge that has a bad smell
- a red, swollen or painful wound
- shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough
- a swelling or pain in your lower leg
- a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
Caring for your caesarean wound
Your obstetrician or midwife will tell you how to care for your wound.
This may involve:
- gently cleaning it every 1 to 2 days
- patting it dry
- changing the dressing
Hold a pillow against the wound area when you:
- laugh
- cough
- get up from a lying or sitting position
Wear loose comfy clothes and high-waisted pants, so the waistband does not irritate your wound.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP, PHN or midwife urgently if
you are worried you have signs of infection including:
- the wound becomes red, painful or swollen
- a high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
- oozing or pus around the wound
Painkillers
Take painkillers as prescribed by your obstetrician or anaesthetist. When these are finished, paracetamol may be enough to manage the pain.
If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor before they prescribe medicine. Some medicines can pass in small amounts to breast milk.
Often these are harmless to babies. But it is important that your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding so they can prescribe the safest medicine for you and your baby.
Taking medicine while breastfeeding
Bleeding after caesarean
You may bleed from your vagina for several weeks after a caesarean birth. Use maternity pads or sanitary pads. Do not use tampons for this bleeding.
The more active you are, the more likely you are to have more bleeding. If you are breastfeeding, you may have more bleeding when your milk production increases.
Urgent advice: Contact your doctor or midwife urgently if:
- you bleed heavily or pass several large clots
Returning to normal activities
At first, you should not carry or lift anything heavier than your baby.
Try to go for short gentle walks. Keep moving around. This will reduce your risk of blood clots.
You may have to wait up to 6 weeks before:
- driving
- having sex
- exercising
- lifting or carrying anything heavier than your baby
Trying for another baby after caesarean
You should wait for at least 6 months after a caesarean before trying for another baby.
