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C-sections report for 31.7 % of all deliveries in the U.S. As with any major operating room, it takes time for your body to heal. So what can you do ? And what should you not do ?
Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, explains what your recovery will look like and what to expect.
How long does it take to recover from a C-section?
It takes about six weeks to recover from a cesarean delivery, but each person ’ randomness timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal geld made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal .
During that time, it ’ mho recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Don ’ t have sex or participate in rigorous practice either .
Your sophisticate may recommend a cesarean delivery if :
- You’ve had one in the past.
- If your baby is in distress or in a breech position.
- The labor is not progressing.
- If you’re giving birth to multiple children at once.
Recovery timeline
While most individuals recover in about six weeks, it ’ second important to remember each person ’ s travel is different. here ’ s what to expect .
Week 1
Most people will spend two to four days in the hospital after a cesarean delivery .
During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure you ’ rhenium eat and drink in enough and help you move around. This is all in addition to bonding with your newborn, which can include attempting to breastfeed. once you return home, it ’ sulfur important to take it easily and keep off rise, twisting or any movements that can put pressure on the incision. “ Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, ” says Dr. Higgins. “ It can be uncomfortable. ”
Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. To manage pain at base, Dr. Higgins recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen on a regular schedule. An abdominal binder, a wide compression belt that goes round your digest, can besides be used to offer extra support and avoid putting stress on sutures .
It is besides normal to have vaginal bleeding after a cesarean delivery, though it ’ s typically not adenine heavy as after a vaginal delivery. “ It can last up to four to six weeks postnatal, ” says Dr. Higgins. “ Generally, the first few days are the heaviest with the ephemeral of blood clots up to the size of a golf ball. ” Contact your sophisticate if you ’ re soaking one pad per hour or passing large clots.
Having a corroborate organization around you is key during your convalescence. Dr. Higgins suggests having your spouse, syndicate members or friends help with tasks like plan and making meals, doing laundry and even helping to care for your baby .
And do get up and move around, which can help avoid blood clots. “ It ’ s recommended that you get up and walk around, ” says Dr. Higgins. “ We don ’ thyroxine want person lying in bed for two weeks. ”
Weeks 2 through 5
Your first postnatal inflict should happen during the second gear week. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along .
Dr. Higgins says you should reach out to your doctor early if you experience the come :
- Excessive pain.
- Infection at the incision site.
- Abnormal discharge.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fever.
- Pain or swelling in your legs.
Over the following respective weeks, you might besides experience “ baby blues, ” caused by short-run fluctuations in hormones that can affect your temper. This is convention, says Dr. Higgins. But if you experience feelings like being depressed or feeling hopeless, talk to your doctor of the church about postnatal depression and what it means. “ If those feelings start disrupting your life and cause problems bonding with your baby, your doctor of the church can offer some discussion options, ” says Dr. Higgins. Options can range from medication, therapy or flush support groups for new parents .
Week 6
At this point, you should have your final postnatal appointment with your doctor. Remember that everybody heals and recovers at different rates so it ’ randomness important to talk to your doctor of the church about how you feel — and it ’ s all right if you need more time .
“ physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, ” says Dr. Higgins. “ Resting and allowing your consistency to heal is identical authoritative. ”
If your pain has decreased and the incision is by rights healing, you may be given the green sparkle to resume normal daily liveliness .
“ When a person has fully recovered, we view it as their graduation day, ” says Dr. Higgins. “ Sex, exercise — I recommend that they start those things slowly and gradually increase activeness. ”
Tips to recovery
Having a neonate and recovering from surgery doesn ’ t leave a distribute of time for self-care. But it ’ s crucial you take time to take care of yourself. here are a few tips on what to do .
- Get plenty of rest. Your body needs to heal, so don’t push yourself to return to your normal activities too soon.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects. You shouldn’t lift anything heavier than your baby.
- Talk a walk. Skip the heart-pounding exercise like running or lifting weights, but walking will help your body heal.
- Remember to eat. It can be overwhelming those first few weeks with a newborn but it’s important to make sure you’re eating a healthy diet — for you and your baby.
- Monitor your pain. Use a heating pad to provide relief and follow any directions from your doctor when it comes to pain medication.
