Cesarian Section Recovery

Remember

• This is the "fourth trimester!"
• Pregnancy and childbirth takes an enormous toll on your body.
• Consider the postnatal period a rehabilitation process from the inside out. You need to lay good foundations to achieve your long term goals

Purpose

To know what is 'normal' to you, and being aware of any changes you notice that can be discussed with me at your 4 - week review

Further Info

Read the following handouts in your link:

• DRAM Recovery Back & Pelvic Care After Birth
• Pelvic Floor Exercises
• Healthy Bladder & Bowel Habits
• Improving Your Recovery After Birth
• Returning to Exercise After Birth
• Returning to Intimacy After Birth

What to expect in hospital

It is important to change positions in bed after your surgery.

About 10 to 12 hours after surgery, your nurse will help you sit up on the edge of the bed.

Within 18 to 24 hours, your nurse will help you to get up and walk around the room, then in the hall.

Be sure to call your nurse for help before trying to stand or walk.

When to see yor physio

• Scar tissue adhesions
• Returning to exercise
• Abdominal muscle separation
• Urinary of bowel incontinence
• Vaginal heaviness or dragging sensations
• Pain with sex

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

During the C-section, your baby was delivered through a surgical incision in your stomach and uterus. Full recovery after a C-section can take time.

Remember, the more active you are, the more likely you are to have an increase in your bleeding.

What should I expect during recovery?

While you recover, the following things may happen:

• Mild cramping, especially if you are breastfeeding
• Bleeding or discharge for about 4–6 weeks
• Bleeding with clots and cramps
• Dull ache at the incision site

Sleep - as much sleep as possible! This is the best way to promote healing for your whole body.

Rest- lie down to rest. This will elevate your pelvis and abdominal area, which will reduce swelling and improve healing.

For the first 3 days aim for 30 minutes of rest every 2 hours. From 3 days - 6 weeks gradually reduce to 1-2 hours of restlying down per day

To get in and out of bed - roll onto your side rather than use a sit up motion:

Decrease intestinal gas – chewing gum

Pain Management- soon after surgery,the catheter is removed from the bladder. The abdominal incision will be sore for the firstfew days.

Your doctor can prescribe pain medication for you to take after the anaesthesia wears off. A heating pad may be helpful.

If you have a TENS machine -the pads can be placed over the lumbar spine and sacral region, or above/ below the incision & setto: 200 – 250 pulse width, 15 – 200 Hz frequency, intensity as tolerated.

Compression - wear firm compression, i.e. shapewear to provide additional perineal and abdominal support whilst you are awake

Pelvic floor exercises - you can startthem now, provided there is no pain. Use the pelvic floor 'functional brace' when you need to cough/ sneeze/ lift. See the Pelvic Floor Exercises handout. PERFORMANCE PLUS 9815 255

See the Pelvic Floor Exercises handout. PERFORMANCE PLUS 9815 255

Use the pelvic floor 'functional brace' when you need to cough/ sneeze/ lift. See the Pelvic Floor Exercises handout. PERFORMANCE PLUS 9815 255

Pat your incision dry, don't rub over it. Hold a pillow against the incision when you laugh or cough and when you get up from a lying or sitting position.

Heavy lifting - if the movement or activity causes you to hold your breath, it is TOO hard! I.e. washing, cleaning, lifting the pram and toddlers, etc.

Post birth, you shouldn’t lift anything heavier than your baby. As your baby grows you can lift heavier loads.

Constipation and straining on the toilet- refer to Healthy Bladder and Bowel handout

High load abdominal work - sit ups, crunches, planks, standing weight lifting and jumping movements. If the exercise causes you to hold your breath, it is TOO hard! See the Returning to Exercise handout.

Activities and movements that cause lower back and pelvic pain - if this occurs, see your Women's Health Physiotherapist.

Sexual intercourse - wait until your 6 – week check with your healthcare provider. Once you have been given the all clear, it is a personal choice. See the Returning to Intimacy handout.

Scar tissue massage

Option 1 and 2 can be started straight away Scar massage - #3 - 5 can be started when the scar is no longer a wound, but a scar. Aim for 10 minutes per day. Use a coconut oil or almond oil, not vitamin E

Disclaimer

Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Remember your 4 - 6 week review with your physiotherapist to asses & monitor your

• Pelvic floor recovery
• C – section incision
• Exercises to close the abdominal separation
• Returning to exercise after birth