Recovery time after caesarean section

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. The doctor has more than 30 years of experience in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The doctor used to teach at Hai Phong Medical College, Hai Phong Medical University and worked at Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital before becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

1. Recovery time after cesarean section: From surgery to hospital discharge

1.1 Immediately after surgery Immediately after surgery, the mother may feel unbalanced and nauseous. Nausea can last for up to 48 hours, and medical facilities will usually provide some medication to minimize this.
In addition, many mothers also experience itching all over, especially those who receive epidural or spinal anesthesia. If this occurs, notify your doctor.
Immediately after surgery, a mother can completely breastfeed in the recovery room, even right after birth. Note the breastfeeding positions of the baby to avoid affecting the mother's incision.

1.2 The first few hours after surgery The nurse will check in on the mother's health every few hours. They will determine other indicators and signs to make sure the uterus is stable again and there is no vaginal bleeding.
Women who have just given birth, the vagina will start to discharge. Vaginal discharge consisting of blood, bacteria, and tissue is shed from the lining of the uterus. For the first few days, a bright red vaginal discharge is completely normal.
1.3 After the next 6 to 12 hours Within 12 hours, if everything is fine, the nurse will proceed to remove the urinary catheter after the surgery. They will also teach mothers how to cough and practice deep breathing to expand their lungs and remove stagnant fluid in the lungs, especially in cases where general anesthesia has been given. This reduces the risk of pneumonia.
1.4 One day after giving birth One to two days after giving birth, expectant mothers will be encouraged to get out of bed a few times to walk around the ward. This greatly helps the blood circulation to avoid the formation of blood clots. More than that, it will help the body feel less sluggish and feel much more comfortable.
The mother may also feel numbness and pain at the incision site and the scar will gradually form, raised and darker than the natural skin color. Your doctor will check in daily to see if the incision is healing or if there are any abnormalities.

1.5 Two to four days later Women may experience constipation, pain, and bloating for the first two days. When there is a tendency to build up because the intestines react slowly after surgery. You should often get out of bed to move around to help your digestive system gradually return to normal.
Pregnant women will be encouraged to walk every day, after taking pain relievers to feel more comfortable. It is important to urinate often, to avoid water retention in the bladder, which will make it harder for the uterus to contract and increase pressure on the wound.
Usually women will be discharged from the hospital 3-4 days after surgery. The length of a woman's hospital stay will depend on the condition of the incision and whether her body is recovering quickly enough.

2. Medicines for post-surgery recovery and pain relief

Doctors will give several different medications after surgery to reduce pain and speed healing. Tell the doctor or nurse when the body has any uncomfortable feeling that you experience for the fastest and most accurate treatment.
Here are some common medications that women often receive after a cesarean section:
Pain relievers : If a woman is given an epidural, spinal, or general anesthetic before the surgery, the Your doctor may give you an injection of morphine or another pain reliever that will help relieve postpartum pain for up to 24 hours. In many cases, mothers may need intravenous pain medication after surgery.

Laxatives: Stool softeners and laxatives can also be used to counteract the constipating side effects of pain relievers. Medicines containing simethicone: If you experience gas and indigestion, your doctor will give you some medicine containing simethicone. Simethicone helps the air bubbles come together and the gas escapes more easily. Simethicone is safe for nursing mothers. Vaccines: Before leaving the hospital, pregnant women will be given any necessary vaccines that they have not been given including rubella, chickenpox, seasonal flu....

3. C-section recovery after leaving the hospital

Pregnant women will need more help from relatives after leaving the hospital to go home. Postpartum women need a lot of time to recover and should minimize jobs that can cause pressure and cause injury to the incision.
Here's what pregnant women should do after being discharged from the hospital
Painkillers: The use of pain relievers should be maintained for at least a week after surgery. In addition, it is also necessary to take laxatives and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. Wound healing: Anything that affects the abdomen, especially the incision area, will make the mother feel pain. This condition will improve after a few days as the incision heals. Incision care: It is necessary to clean the incision gently with clean water while bathing, making sure to keep the incision dry after rinsing. Currently, the incisions are sutured mainly with self-destructing medical sutures, so cutting is not necessary. Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding and discharge should subside, although in many cases it can last up to 6 weeks postpartum. Vaginal discharge will gradually change from bright red to pink and to yellow-white. Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is the most important thing, having a great influence on a child's development. Try to let the baby breastfeed in the most comfortable position without affecting the mother's incision.

Walking: After a cesarean section, rest is necessary, but mothers are also encouraged to walk gently and often. Walking helps prevent blood clots. Start slowly and gradually increase your activity day by day. Exercise: 6 to 8 weeks postpartum is a time when mothers can think about exercise. However, you should only do light to moderate exercises, avoid exercises that are too heavy. Sex: You will not be able to have sex for at least 6 weeks. Tampons: To prevent infection, don't put anything in your vagina for a few weeks after giving birth. Talk to your doctor about when you can start using tampons. Bathing: To avoid infection, do not soak in water for at least 6 weeks postpartum. After giving birth, a woman needs a period of rest to recover both physically and mentally, this period is often longer for women who have a caesarean section. In addition to the time for the uterus and vagina to return to normal, they also need time for the incision to heal. A woman's recovery at home after discharge from the hospital will require a lot of help from relatives in housework or child care.
Understanding the process of carrying a painful labor and wishing to relieve the pain of childbirth, Vinmec offers a full Maternity program with a complete "painless delivery" service during and after birth. The biggest obsession of women who have a caesarean section is the pain after giving birth because the anesthetic has worn off. Every movement, even the smallest, makes the incision painful.
When giving birth by cesarean at Vinmec, women will be able to relieve pain after surgery by using an anesthetic of the lumbar squamous muscle under ultrasound guidance. This is an anesthetic method that helps prevent pain signals from being transmitted to the brain, making the mother feel no pain, helping the mother relax, recover, take care of the baby and fully enjoy it. joy of motherhood.
In addition, Vinmec also applies the technique of nerve anesthesia to help relieve pain in the perineum and lower abdomen, whether it is a natural birth or a cesarean section, this method also supports the mother to "go through labor" in the easiest way. .
After birth, the baby will be cared for in a sterile room before being returned to the mother. Pregnant women will rest in a high-class hospital room, designed according to international hotel standards, 1 mother 1 room with full facilities and modern equipment. Mothers will be consulted by nutritionists on how to feed the baby before being discharged from the hospital. Postpartum follow-up with both mother and baby with leading Obstetricians and Pediatricians.
For detailed information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: babycenter.com
SEE MORE
After caesarean section, how long will the incision heal? Sex after vaginal birth: What you need to know Mobility guide for women after cesarean section