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Caesarean recovery

Your stay in the hospital will be 24 to 48 hours. A nurse will be checking on your condition every one to two hours for your first 18 to 24 hours and after that twice a day or as necessary.

During this time, pace yourself and try not to do too much too soon. Your body needs a lot of rest to recover. It is a good idea to rest when your baby is quiet.

Getting up (your postpartum stay)

  • 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.

Medication for your pain:

  • You were given pain medication through the epidural or spinal at your caesarean section.
  • This will provide pain relief for the first 12 hours.
  • Your nurse will give you pain medication that is safe to use when breastfeeding.
  • If the pain medication you are taking is not helping you feel better let your caregiver (doctor/midwife) know.

Your stitches

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.

Report any of the following to your caregiver:

  • Fever
  • Redness or swelling around the stitches.
  • Bleeding or discharge from the stitches.
  • If the stitches come apart.
  • Bad or foul smell from the stitches.

Gas

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

Tips to help with gas:

  • Walk.
  • Lie on your left side.
  • Drink when you are thirsty.
  • Chew gum.

Managing pain

  • 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.