Postpartum Care After a Caesarean Birth
Activity
Usually women are encouraged to sit up with in 6 hours after the birth and to resume
walking by the following day. Gentle walking helps with digestion and gas and also
improves circulation, which decreases the risk of a blood clot. Frequent walking can also
help to ease the pain and discomfort of recovery. It is still important for women to “take
it easy” after surgery. Arrange for family/friends if possible to help with meals,
housework and childcare. By 6-8 weeks postpartum women can usually return to their
normal routine. However, in the initial 6 weeks it is important to avoid driving, minimize
walking on stairs and to avoid heavy lifting to avoid straining your abdominal muscles.
You should not be lifting anything heavier than your baby and do not lift the baby in the
carseat. When lifting, try to use your arms by holding them close to your body and bend
your knees, rather than use your abdominal muscles.
Pain Relief
Women are usually given morphine, which provides pain relief for the initial 24 hours
post operation. It can cause nausea and/or itchiness, which can be treated by
medications. Ask your nurse if you are experiencing these symptoms if you can take a
medication to remedy the symptom. Women usually start to feel the pain from the
operation at about 24 hours. It is normal to experience pain around the site of the incision,
the pain should improve over time. Medication is prescribed or over the counter
medication is recommended in the hospital. Once discharged home, extra strength
ibuprofen and extra strength Tylenol can be used to manage the pain. These are safe for
you to take while breastfeeding. Do not take more than 4000mg/day of Tylenol or 2400
mg/day of ibuprofen. Do not take ibuprofen if you are taking Naproxen or Diclofenac.
Always ask a pharmacist if medications are compatible before taking if
you are taking other medications.
Incision Care
Before going home the dressing will be taken off of your incision. If staples were used
they can be removed by your midwife at home or by the OB in her/his office on day 3-4
postpartum. It is okay for your incision to get wet when bathing; however, make sure
that it dries well afterwards. Symptoms of infection include: fever, swelling, redness,
pussy discharge, and pain around the incision. If you are experiencing any of these
symptoms in the hospital tell your nurse, if you are at home then notify your midwife. It
is normal for watery fluid to leak from your incision, if there is blood in it, it has a foul
smell or there is a lot of fluid please inform your midwife.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can usually be initiated soon after the delivery while the woman is in the
recovery room. Once the mother is able to sit up, she may find the football hold to be the
easiest position. The cross cradle hold may be uncomfortable as it puts pressure on the
mother’s abdomen. After a Caesarean birth it may take a little bit longer for the woman’s
milk to “come in”, it usually takes 3-4 days. Until the milk comes in, the baby usually
gets enough nutrition from the mother’s colostrum. It may be recommended that a
woman pump her breasts postpartum to encourage the milk to come in earlier and/or to
supplement with formula with a tube at the woman’s breast. If a baby needs to receive
formula as a supplement this is an effective way for baby to receive the formula and to
nurse and stimulate the mother’s breasts at the same time.
Nutrition
Post operation women usually start with clear fluids and gradually progress to a regular
diet over the first couple of days. It is important to eat nutrient rich, easy to digest foods.
Avoid foods that cause gas (brocolli, beans, cabbage and onions) and avoid foods that are
overly processed. Drink lots of water, and eat fruits and vegetables and other high fiber
foods to prevent constipation.
Elimination
Once the woman is mobile the urinary catheter is removed. Women who have had an
indwelling catheter are at an increased risk of a urinary tract infection. If you have any
symptoms of stinging and/or burning with urination tell your nurse if in the hospital, or
notify your midwife if you are at home. It is normal for women to feel gassy after the
surgery. Drinking peppermint tea and gentle walking will “get your bowels moving”.
Taking a stool softener, eating high fiber foods and drinking plenty of water will help to
prevent constipation. Many women do find it difficult to have their first bowel
movement, allowing yourself to have plenty of time in the bathroom can help, as well as
holding your abdominal muscles together, and trying to avoid straining.
Emotional Support
Many women experience different emotions after having a Caesarean birth. There is a
wide spectrum of normal emotions. Some women feel a sense of relief, others may feel
angry or sad that they did not have the experience that they had planned for. It is
important to speak with your partner, friends and/or midwife about your birth experience
and how you are feeling. It is common for women to want to mentally process their
experience and many have questions after the birth regarding why certain decisions were
made. If you have any concerns or want to spend some time talking over how you are
feeling or the details of your birth discuss it with your midwife.
Alert your midwife if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
● Fever
● Swelling, redness or pussy discharge from your incision site
● Increasing pain around your incision or abdomen
● Heavy vaginal bleeding
● Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
● Leg pains
● Difficulty breathing or chest pain
● Symptoms of depression
Activity
Usually women are encouraged to sit up with in 6 hours after the birth and to resume
walking by the following day. Gentle walking helps with digestion and gas and also
improves circulation, which decreases the risk of a blood clot. Frequent walking can also
help to ease the pain and discomfort of recovery. It is still important for women to “take
it easy” after surgery. Arrange for family/friends if possible to help with meals,
housework and childcare. By 6-8 weeks postpartum women can usually return to their
normal routine. However, in the initial 6 weeks it is important to avoid driving, minimize
walking on stairs and to avoid heavy lifting to avoid straining your abdominal muscles.
You should not be lifting anything heavier than your baby and do not lift the baby in the
carseat. When lifting, try to use your arms by holding them close to your body and bend
your knees, rather than use your abdominal muscles.
Pain Relief
Women are usually given morphine, which provides pain relief for the initial 24 hours
post operation. It can cause nausea and/or itchiness, which can be treated by
medications. Ask your nurse if you are experiencing these symptoms if you can take a
medication to remedy the symptom. Women usually start to feel the pain from the
operation at about 24 hours. It is normal to experience pain around the site of the incision,
the pain should improve over time. Medication is prescribed or over the counter
medication is recommended in the hospital. Once discharged home, extra strength
ibuprofen and extra strength Tylenol can be used to manage the pain. These are safe for
you to take while breastfeeding. Do not take more than 4000mg/day of Tylenol or 2400
mg/day of ibuprofen. Do not take ibuprofen if you are taking Naproxen or Diclofenac.
Always ask a pharmacist if medications are compatible before taking if
you are taking other medications.
Incision Care
Before going home the dressing will be taken off of your incision. If staples were used
they can be removed by your midwife at home or by the OB in her/his office on day 3-4
postpartum. It is okay for your incision to get wet when bathing; however, make sure
that it dries well afterwards. Symptoms of infection include: fever, swelling, redness,
pussy discharge, and pain around the incision. If you are experiencing any of these
symptoms in the hospital tell your nurse, if you are at home then notify your midwife. It
is normal for watery fluid to leak from your incision, if there is blood in it, it has a foul
smell or there is a lot of fluid please inform your midwife.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can usually be initiated soon after the delivery while the woman is in the
recovery room. Once the mother is able to sit up, she may find the football hold to be the
easiest position. The cross cradle hold may be uncomfortable as it puts pressure on the
mother’s abdomen. After a Caesarean birth it may take a little bit longer for the woman’s
milk to “come in”, it usually takes 3-4 days. Until the milk comes in, the baby usually
gets enough nutrition from the mother’s colostrum. It may be recommended that a
woman pump her breasts postpartum to encourage the milk to come in earlier and/or to
supplement with formula with a tube at the woman’s breast. If a baby needs to receive
formula as a supplement this is an effective way for baby to receive the formula and to
nurse and stimulate the mother’s breasts at the same time.
Nutrition
Post operation women usually start with clear fluids and gradually progress to a regular
diet over the first couple of days. It is important to eat nutrient rich, easy to digest foods.
Avoid foods that cause gas (brocolli, beans, cabbage and onions) and avoid foods that are
overly processed. Drink lots of water, and eat fruits and vegetables and other high fiber
foods to prevent constipation.
Elimination
Once the woman is mobile the urinary catheter is removed. Women who have had an
indwelling catheter are at an increased risk of a urinary tract infection. If you have any
symptoms of stinging and/or burning with urination tell your nurse if in the hospital, or
notify your midwife if you are at home. It is normal for women to feel gassy after the
surgery. Drinking peppermint tea and gentle walking will “get your bowels moving”.
Taking a stool softener, eating high fiber foods and drinking plenty of water will help to
prevent constipation. Many women do find it difficult to have their first bowel
movement, allowing yourself to have plenty of time in the bathroom can help, as well as
holding your abdominal muscles together, and trying to avoid straining.
Emotional Support
Many women experience different emotions after having a Caesarean birth. There is a
wide spectrum of normal emotions. Some women feel a sense of relief, others may feel
angry or sad that they did not have the experience that they had planned for. It is
important to speak with your partner, friends and/or midwife about your birth experience
and how you are feeling. It is common for women to want to mentally process their
experience and many have questions after the birth regarding why certain decisions were
made. If you have any concerns or want to spend some time talking over how you are
feeling or the details of your birth discuss it with your midwife.
Alert your midwife if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
● Fever
● Swelling, redness or pussy discharge from your incision site
● Increasing pain around your incision or abdomen
● Heavy vaginal bleeding
● Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
● Leg pains
● Difficulty breathing or chest pain
● Symptoms of depression
