What to expect after a C-section

Here is how life will be out of the OT after a C-section.

Most mothers yearn for a normal delivery during labour. But things don t go as planned always. 'At times, a surgical birth or a C-section seems to be the best option to birth a baby depending on the mother and baby s medical condition and other health parameters,' says Dr Anil Magdum consultant gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, Sunrise Hospital, Mumbai. However, in many cases, women deliberately choose to go under the knife to avoid complications of labour. Whether you opt for an elective C-section or it is an emergency, here is all that you need to know about what happens exactly after a C-section. Here are 12 reasons that could lead to a C-section.

The initial moments after the surgery

A C-section is usually performed under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, so even after the surgery is over, there is still time for you and your body to come back to the same level of consciousness as it was before the surgery. If you had a regional anesthesia, you would be still lying on the operation table with your lower part of the body unable to make any movement voluntarily. If you have to undergo general anesthesia, it will take some hours for you to regain consciousness completely even after you have birthed your baby.

What you can do:

• Once you arrive in your room, and you are made to lie comfortably on your bed try to breathe and relax.

• 'Ask the staff and the family members about your baby s health and her condition. When your baby is shown to you, try to have eye contact with her and smile to send out positive vibes,' says Dr Magdum.

• Since a breast crawl or breastfeeding immediately after a C-section isn t possible, ask your family members or the hospital staff to place your baby next to you on your bed so that you can see, touch and talk to your baby to establish the mother-baby bond. Here are a few tips that could ensure better bonding between the mother and the baby after the birth.

• If you wish to give your baby skin-to-skin contact despite a C-section, ask the hospital staff to keep your baby on your bare chest and pull a blanket over to stay warm. It is possible to do this entire skin-to-skin practice by including the dad too. This will help bond as a family and relieve both the baby and the parents from a lot of stress and instill a feeling of calmness. Here are few reasons why dads should practise kangaroo care.

• After the initial few moments, it is possible that your baby goes to sleep to catch some rest after the laborious process of birthing (even though it is not a vaginal birth).Try to get some rest yourself to gain some vigour.

The first few hours after the surgery

The first hour after the surgery is crucial where you would be monitored for your heart rate, blood pressure and given certain medications. A hospital staff or nurse might attach certain monitors to you to keep a track of your health and heart rate along with saline drips. If you were operated under spinal anesthesia, your limbs might still feel numb. It takes around four to five hours for the effect of the anesthesia to wear off so that you can start moving your legs. Keep in mind that as you gain back sensation in your limbs and lower body, you might also feel some discomfort and pain at the site of the surgery. Try and get as much rest as possible during the first few hours of the surgery. Once you gain back strength in your lower body you might still need support to get up from the bed and do basic tasks like using a restroom. However, you might be advised to remain in bed at least for one night or 24 hours after the surgery.

What you can do:

• When you feel sensations in your limbs, try to move them a little without hurting the site of the operation. This will ensure proper blood circulation and prevent blood clot. For the same reason refrain from using a pillow as you lie on the bed after the surgery.

• If you feel pain or discomfort at the site of the surgery ask for help from the hospital staff and report about the same immediately.

• Adjust to your environment, if you are feeling too hot switch on the air conditioner or a fan. If you feel cold, make sure you keep yourself warm enough.

• 'If you are asked to leave your bed and move, make sure you have enough support, from the staff and your family to help you get out of the bed. Don t shy away from asking for help as and when required,' advises Dr Magdum.

• Don t force yourself to stand erect immediately after the surgery. You might feel dizzy after the operation so ensure that you have help around when you need to go to the washroom or even move around for a while.

• 'Try to take as much rest as you can by staying in bed. If you can, try shifting your position from lying straight to being on your side, with some help, to make you feel comfortable. This is only possible if your doctor has already asked you to do so,' says Dr Magdum.

• Vaginal bleeding after birth is common. But in case you experience severe bleeding report it to the hospital staff or the doctor. Know about things that happen to you after birth that no one talks about.

• After the surgery, if you are still on drips you will not be able to eat or drink anything. In case you feel thirsty, ask your hospital caregiver for help.

• The most common troubles that you might face after a C-section are nausea, vomiting, pain at the surgery site and vaginal bleeding. However, if you notice breathlessness, difficulties in passing urine or severe vaginal bleeding report it to the doctor soon.

The day after the surgery

If you were not asked to get up and move around the previous day, you will have to do the same now. So be very careful and try not to hurt the site of your wound. In case you are allowed to eat or drink, go slow and start with just few sips of fluids at a time.

What you can do:

• Remember even with the scar and pain of the surgery it is important for you to get up and start moving to initiate healing, so don t delay it.

• 'When you do get to eat or drink something, make a slow start with liquids like tea, coffee, juice, etc., and watch for symptoms of nausea, vomiting or dizziness. If you experience any of them then wait for a while till the symptoms settle. However, keep the hospital staff and doctor informed about the same,' says Dr Magdum.

• By this time, you would be able to hold your baby in your arms (for many women this might be the first time) try to enjoy every moment of it despite the pain and stress of the surgery.

• If you can sit upright after the day of the surgery with good back support and you are lactating well, start breastfeeding your baby soon. Your baby might have been on the top feed the day before after the surgery. Here is a step by step guide to ensure smooth breastfeeding in new mothers.

• Even if you are allowed to move around and walk, ensure that you take adequate rest throughout the day. Sleep when your baby is asleep and don t try to exert yourself with strenuous movements.

• Once the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and dizziness subside, eat light through the day.

The first week after the surgery

After a C-section, you might have to stay in the hospital for around four or five days. In case your baby suffers from neonatal jaundice it might take up to seven days. 'These are the most crucial days after the surgery. There might be pain, stretching sensation and itchiness around the wound. Avoid fidgeting with the scar and call the on duty staff for help if needed. Your doctor might decide to remove your stitches during your stay at the hospital or give you an appointment for the same later,' says Dr Magdum. During your stay ensure that you have all your questions on post-operative care answered by your doctor and gathered enough tips to take care of your newborn.

What you can do:

• After the first two days of the surgery, you might get back most of your strength and vigor. However, some women might still need support to get off the bed and walk a few steps, and it isn t a cause of worry. Every time you get out of the bed keep a hand on the wound to support it so that it doesn t hurt. Turn to your side before you try to leave your bed to avoid putting strain on your stomach.

• Keep up with your medications as advised by your doctor to counter pain sensations and for faster healing.

• Remember to keep walking a few steps at a time so that you can help yourself heal fast. However, don t exert yourself.

• Take enough care so that you don t get a seasonal cold. Keep yourself covered to be warm. Remember sneezing or coughing could exert pressure on the operation site and escalate pain sensations.

• 'There could be some pain, stretching sensation and redness on the area of operation. The area could also look swollen and itchy. These symptoms will soon reduce and is a part of the healing process,' says Dr Magdum.

• Frequent urination is important to reduce the post-operative urinary tract infection as well as for faster contraction of the uterus, so don t delay nature s call.

• 'Your bowel movements can be sluggish after the surgery that might give rise to bloating and constipation. Have plenty of liquids and include fibre in your diet to counter this problem. Constipation after a C-section is the last thing you would want to deal with,' says Dr Magdum.

• Vaginal bleeding after birth is common and is called lochia, but if you notice unnatural heavy bleeding from the vagina, report it to the doctor.

• If you are breastfeeding, during the initial days you might encounter engorgement and also soreness in the nipples. Talk to a lactation expert if the need be or check on the same with your doctor. Remember continuing to breastfeed your child will help you deal with most of the issues promptly. Try to feed your child after a gap of two hours throughout the day or opt for demand feeding. Eventually, you will learn what works best for you. Here are some of the common breastfeeding woes and how to dodge them.

• At the home front, go slow with household work. Work according to your comfort level and do not stress yourself with physical labour. Avoid lifting heavy weights apart from carrying your baby, standing for too long and putting any pressure on your abdomen.

• In case you get fever, notice discharge from the cesarean section site, foul smelling vaginal discharge, persistent heavy bleeding, headaches swelling in the legs, report the symptoms to your doctor at the earliest. These symptoms could indicate some medical urgency.

• Talk to your doctor about the vaccinations you would need, contraceptive methods and how to start exercise to get back in shape. Remember after a C-section you should refrain from becoming pregnant within the next six months. When it comes to exercise, wait for your scars to heal and get the go-ahead from your doctor before you start with a schedule.

• Postpartum depression is common post delivery, whether it is a C-section or a normal delivery. Some amount of anxiety, irritability, and sadness is common during this period. It resolves on its own within a few weeks. But if it persists for a longer period and you feel extremely lonely, depressed, and sad or sense that you cannot take care of yourself or your baby on your own; or worse have feelings that you might hurt your baby, consult your caregiver immediately. Here are the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression and how to deal with the same.

• Follow up with your doctor s appointments diligently to keep a tab on your health and that of your baby.

Life after a C-section

It will take time, but eventually you will come to terms with your surgery and start enjoying the bliss of motherhood. Your scar might be your companion for life, a reminder of the birth and the blessing you endured. Most women after C-section regain their strength and go about doing chores they did post the surgery. However, refrain from using very heavy weights, putting too much pressure on the abdomen or resorting to physical labour that could lead to hernia. Remember, women with C-section always harbour a risk of developing hernia later in life.

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

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