Although it’s one of the most frequently practiced surgical procedures nowadays, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t a serious procedure. A C-section is a serious surgical procedure which requires recovery time as any other similar surgical procedure.

After the procedure

A C-section involves a horizontal incision over the pubis and the uterus to be able to get the baby out, and it is performed for different reasons that result in the baby not being able to be born through the birth canal. This surgical incision involves getting stitches in the uterus and skin in the area. You may feel some discomfort and might have to take painkillers to relieve the pain.

The first few hours you will probably have a catheter to help you urinate and perhaps a draining tube, to drain any liquids from the wound until it starts to heal. You might be given conventional stitches or have your wound stapled, which may be covered for the first few hours. You will also be given antibiotics to avoid a possible infection.

In general, after a C-section, if there are no complications, you will stay at the hospital between 48 and 72 hours.

Rest as much as possible

Taking time to recover from labor is very necessary. Your body will have gone through a great physical exertion and you will also have to feed your baby every 2 to 4 hours, which makes it more difficult to get the rest you need.

But if you have also had a C-section, finding ways to rest is essential. Seek help from friends or family, because you won’t be able to move around as you did before to do any housework. You should avoid lifting anything heavy for a few weeks, until the wound has healed properly.

The recovery time and the way each woman recovers from C-sections differ. There are women who feel better in just a few days but others experience great discomfort. As a rule, around six weeks after the surgery you will start feeling like you did before the operation. You can breastfeed your baby, and although they will probably bring the baby in soon after birth, your milk surge may take a little longer.

Although it is very important to rest and refrain from exerting yourself in any way so you can recover faster, your doctor will probably advise you to walk regularly. Moderate walking will help you avoid fluid retention and get your bowels moving again.

When to call your doctor

It’s normal for you to feel some discomfort or pain around the scar area, but you must be on the look-out for signs that might indicate that the recovery is not going well, such as any pain that doesn’t go away, reddening, oozing or a bad smell, fever, swelling or hemorrhages in the wound or vaginal area.

Since it is a very serious procedure, if you feel any unusual pain, don’t wait until it “goes away”. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible to make sure everything is all right. If there is a hemorrhage, go to the hospital immediately.