Pregnancy is a beautiful phase but can be challenging too. A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy and post-delivery. A woman can deliver a baby either vaginally or through a surgical procedure known as Ceaserean or C-section. C-section is a complicated procedure and women may have many questions on having a caesarean delivery. This section delves on the various factors to consider when C section delivery needs to be done.
Post C-section recovery takes time depending on a number of factors. A new mother may need support on various fronts such as recovery, breastfeeding, and psychological wellness. Family support and help will quicken the recovery process as the new mother gets back on track to her pre-baby body and her regular routine.
What is a C-Section Delivery?
A C-section delivery or a caesarean is a surgical procedure for delivering a baby. This method involves making incisions in the abdominal wall and the uterus to remove the baby (1).
Such delivery may be needed due to various reasons such as complicated pregnancy, threat to the fetus’ life, problems with the uterus anatomy, pregnant woman’s underlying health issues, etc. A C-section is also opted for when the mother’s life is in danger and emergency delivery of the baby is needed. (1A)
Challenges Associated With a Cesarean Delivery
A Cesarean is a major abdominal surgery. Recovering after you have had a baby is extremely important and takes time (2).
It does not matter whether your cesarean was planned or an emergency, you will need to take a lot of care of yourself so that you recover safely and at a good pace.
You will recover slowly and over months so take it easy until you have fully healed and don’t rush into things.
Here are some of the challenges associated with a C-section delivery that women often face (3).
- Anesthetic complication
- Pain in the abdomen
- Cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Problems with urination
- Postpartum Depression
Some of these happen due to the surgery itself while others can happen due to hormonal imbalances. Proper medical management and emotional support will help new mothers through this phase.
Some women also experience issues with breastfeeding, wound healing, infections, and mobilizations after a cesarean procedure.
10 Important Facts For Faster Recovery After a C-Section Delivery
Much research states that post-c-section a woman can recover within 4 to 6 weeks but each woman is different and each pregnancy is different. Some need more time to recover, some need less. (4)
1. Initial In-Hospital Recovery
After a c-section, a patient might stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days (5). This helps the mother to get rest and recover, get some help for breastfeeding and learn to care for the newborn.
The mother will learn breastfeeding and suitable positions while being monitored for recovery. Due to pain and numbness immediately post-delivery the mother might need help taking care of herself. The patient recovers around 50% by the next day (6).
2. Post Procedure Rest And Recovery
Immediately post c section the woman might feel a bit groggy and have nausea and sometimes vomiting. This is mainly due anesthesia given during c-section (7).
The nurses in the recovery room will monitor pulse, blood pressure, and urine output. The uterus should become firm and there can be bleeding per vagina and abdominal cramps. Post delivery you need to focus on your diet and rest to get faster recovery.
[Read: Best Diet After Cesarean Delivery]
3. Caring For Sutures And Incisions
In recent times obstetricians are using soluble material for the sutures so that there is no need for suture removal.
The incision should be kept dry, and the ointment prescribed during discharge should be applied. The patient should visit the doctor for follow-up after one month of the C-section.
However, if there is discharge, or unbearable pain when touched, or the wound is opening up, the patient should visit immediately (8).
4. Talking to The Doctor About Pain Management
Post-c-section, within 48 hours, the patient might feel pain in the abdomen, there can also be abdominal cramps.
The pain medication is prescribed and should be taken for the next 5 days. The pain generally subsides if the patient ambulates the next day of the c-section (9).
If after all these the pain is unbearable injectable painkillers should be given, but after the consultation with the doctor. The incision site can also be checked for any abnormalities.
5. Learning How to Make Breastfeeding Comfortable For You And Your Baby
Breastfeeding starts immediately after the delivery. Initially, nurses help the mother to breastfeed the baby since the mother will be groggy due to anesthesia.
The nurses or health care professionals will explain the procedure of how to breastfeed and how to hold the baby.
The elders in the house can also give insights about taking care of, breastfeeding, and holding the baby. Not only elders, but partners also should be helping the mother to take care of the baby (10).
6. Take Time to Bond With Your Baby
Breastfeeding plays a vital role in mother and baby bonding (11). The baby gets accustomed to the mother’s smell and touch and recognizes that as a care and safe zone for itself.
When there is skin-to-skin contact with the baby and the mother soon after the delivery this is called kangaroo care. This is generally done for infants who are born prematurely, smaller in size, and unable to feed breastmilk.
This gives the baby a sense of comfort and the bonding becomes stronger. Not only mothers, fathers can also do this procedure.
7. Understand What Activities You Can Do And What to Avoid
For 3 months post c section a woman should not bend forward and not lift heavy weights (12). This might strain the incision site and increase pain.
During the initial weeks, breastfeeding the newborn becomes exhausting, and getting out the bed itself becomes a big task. However, at least 10 minutes of walking twice a day can help improve movement and reduce post-operative complications (13).
The new mother needs physical and psychological support in breastfeeding and raising the newborn as well (14). It is important to understand that she undergoes hormonal imbalances post-delivery and needs extra emotional support as she faces the challenges of motherhood.
8. Focussing on A Healthy Diet And Staying Hydrated
Immediate post-c-section patients should be kept nil by mouth till 6 hours post-delivery. After that slowly liquid is started and followed by a normal diet if no issues.
The mother should have a proper protein, carbohydrate-rich diet so that it helps in the good production of milk (15).
Liquids in the form of juice, coconut water, and electrolyte water should be taken at least 3 to 4 liters per day to avoid dehydration and also proper production of milk (16).
9. Start Physical Activities And Movement
Normal walking should be started 1 day post-delivery but heavy weight lifting and bending forward should be avoided for at least 3 months.
Normal exercise in the form of gym, weight lifting, running, and dancing can be started 3 months post-c-section. This helps to uplift mood and also lose weight post-pregnancy (17).
10. Focus on Emotional Wellness
After delivery, the woman can undergo a small period of mild depression, lethargy, and not feeling like doing any work known as postpartum blues. These can be due to the change in hormonal levels that the woman experiences.
If these symptoms persist and become severe it can turn into postpartum depression which can in turn harm both mother and baby. The healthcare professional should be consulted immediately (18).
[Read: Things You Should Totally Avoid After A Cesarean]
When to Consult a Doctor During C-section Recovery?
After c-section delivery post discharge the mother should get herself checked after 1 month. If there are some other problems with wounds and pain or problems with breastfeeding then healthcare personnel should be informed immediately.
C-section delivery can be tough on the mother and the new mother will need a lot of support on having a cesarean. In case of any difficulty, the woman should consult health care professionals for the proper support and treatment for the same.
FAQ’s
1. What Happens if You Have a Cesarean Section?
Immediately post c section you may experience pain, grogginess, nausea, and bleeding per vagina. But all of these usually resolve within a few days. C section does not affect day to day normal life within a week.
2. Can I Live a Normal Life After a C-section?
A C-section does not stop a person from leading a normal life. Although you might have initial difficulties for a few days after the procedure, you can quickly get back to your normal life and routine.
References
- Sung S, Mahdy H. Cesarean Section. [Updated 2023 Jul 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546707/
- C-Section Recovery Timeline and Aftercare, Cleveland Clinic – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/c-section-recovery
- Duran S, Vural G. Problems Experienced by the Mothers in Post-Cesarean Period: A Narrative Review. Iran J Public Health. 2023 Oct;52(10):2036-2041 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10612559/
- Chin-Jung Wang, Huei-Jean Huang, Angel Chao, Yu-Pin Lin, Yi-Jung Pan, Shang-Gwo Horng, Challenges in the transvaginal management of abnormal uterine bleeding secondary to cesarean section scar defect, European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Volume 154, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 218-222. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301211510005105
- Going home after a C-section Information, Mount Sinai, New York – https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/discharge-instructions/going-home-after-a-c-section
- Federspiel JJ, Suresh SC, Darwin KC, Szymanski LM. Hospitalization Duration Following Uncomplicated Cesarean Delivery: Predictors, Facility Variation, and Outcomes. AJP Rep. 2020 Apr;10(2):e187-e197. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7305021/
- Biruk Adie Admass, Hailu Yimer Tawye, Nigussie Simeneh Endalew, et.al, Assessment of post-operative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis usage for cesarean section, 2021: A cross sectional study, Annals of Medicine and Surgery, Volume 75, 2022, 103399 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2049080122001595
- Caring for your wound after having a caesarean section, Milton Keynes University Hospital – https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/caring-for-your-wound-after-having-a-caesarean-section
- Kerai S, Saxena KN, Taneja B. Post-caesarean analgesia: What is new? Indian J Anaesth. 2017 Mar;61(3):200-214. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372400/
- Leixi Li, Wenlin Wan, Chan Zhu, Breastfeeding after a cesarean section: A literature review, Midwifery, Volume 103, 2021 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613821001972
- C-Section Recovery Time and What to Expect, UPMC Health Beat – https://share.upmc.com/2023/03/c-section-recovery/
- Engel O, Haikin Herzberger E, Yagur Y, Hershko Klement A, Fishman A, Constantini N, Biron Shental T. Walking to a better future? Postoperative ambulation after cesarean delivery and complications: A prospective study. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 May;157(2):391-396. – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34214190/
- Leixi Li, Wenlin Wan, Chan Zhu, Breastfeeding after a cesarean section: A literature review, Midwifery, Volume 103, 2021 –
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613821001972 - Liu J, Leung P, Yang A. Breastfeeding and active bonding protects against children’s internalizing behavior problems. Nutrients. 2013 Dec 24;6(1):76-89. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3916850/
- Foods That Promote Breast Milk Production, UPMC HealthBeat – https://share.upmc.com/2022/09/foods-to-promote-breastmilk/
- Nursing Your Baby — What You Eat and Drink Matters, Eatright.org, Academy of Nutrition And Dietetics – https://www.eatright.org/health/pregnancy/breastfeeding-and-formula/nursing-your-baby-what-you-eat-and-drink-matters
- Pregnant & Postpartum Activity: An Overview, Physical Activity Basics, CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/healthy-pregnant-or-postpartum-women.html
- Hui Xu, Yu Ding, Yue Ma, Xueling Xin, Dongfeng Zhang, Cesarean section and risk of postpartum depression: A meta-analysis, Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Volume 97, 2017, Pages 118-126 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022399917300521
Read Also: Top 13 Postpartum C-Section Essentials
