About this topic
Cesarean birth is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby. It is also called a C-section. The baby is taken out through a cut in the mothers belly. A C-section may be planned or unplanned. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You can go home 3 to 4 days after the C-section. It may take 6 weeks before you fully recover.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over the weight of your baby. Do not lift older children. Let the child climb into your lap.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Always wash your hands before and after touching your cut site.
- You can expect some bleeding from your vagina for a few weeks. You may use pads but not tampons.
- Your bowel movements may take some time to get back to a normal pace. Eat small meals high in fiber to avoid hard stools.
- Make time for you and your partner to be alone and talk.
- Make time for you and your partner to enjoy your baby.
- Breastfeeding is good for the baby and for you.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may have stitches or staples at your cut site. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others need to be taken out. Talk to your doctor to find out about your stitches or staples.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Wound opening
- Heavy blood loss
- Blood clots in your legs or lungs
- Upset stomach, throwing up, and very bad headache because of the anesthesia
- Low mood
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Problems with pain that does not go away or gets worse
- Swollen, hard, or painful breasts
- You feel very sad or depressed
- Problems passing urine or with bowel movements
- Sudden, large amounts of vaginal bleeding
Helpful tips
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your cut site. This can make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
- Have people help with house work, cooking, and watching the baby. This will let you get lots of rest.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have large amounts of vaginal bleeding, swollen or painful breasts, or feel very sad or have a low mood.
Where can I learn more?
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/~/media/For%20Patients/faq006.ashx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚