Caesarean recovery

• A nurse will check on you every one to two hours for the first 18 to 24 hours and then twice a day or as needed.
• You will have an intravenous (IV) for at least 18 hours.
• You will have a tube (catheter) in your bladder to collect urine. It will be removed about 6 hours after your baby is born. Your nurse will help you go to the bathroom for the first time.
• Getting out of bed and moving around will help you to feel better.
• You can eat what you like as long as you're not feeling sick.
• Laughing and coughing may make your stitches hurt. Holding your tummy with a pillow will help with the pain.

Your nurse will check your bandage or stitches daily. On the first or second day the bandage will be removed. Once the bandage is off you can shower. Leaving your stitches uncovered will help healing. Your stitches will dissolve on their own.

During the second to third day you may be uncomfortable from the gas in your stomach after surgery.

• The anaesthetist gave you pain medication through the epidural or spinal at the time of your caesarean section.
• You will be given two scheduled medications called naproxen (also known as Aleve) and acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol). Both medications are used to relieve pain and are safe to use when breastfeeding.
• Should you need additional pain relief, medication has been ordered. It is important to take this additional pain medication when you begin to feel discomfort because the medication takes 15-20 minutes to work.
• If the pain medication you are taking is not relieving your pain, let your nurse know.