How to recover after a cesarean section

Due to various factors, many pregnant women choose to have a caesarean section. Pregnancy itself has a relatively large impact on the female body. Coupled with the caesarean section, the expectant mother's body is greatly affected. She needs to be well adjusted to gradually recover. So, how to recover after a cesarean section? Here is a detailed introduction to the common factors that affect recovery from cesarean section.

Within 6 hours after delivery:

Lying posture: Mothers who return to the ward after surgery need to lie flat with their heads tilted to one side and without a pillow. The reason for lying flat without a pillow is that most cesarean sections use epidural anesthesia. Lying flat without a pillow after surgery can prevent headaches. At the same time, lying flat with the head tilted to one side can also prevent aspiration of vomitus. The nurse will properly secure the urinary catheter drainage bag and infusion tube in the appropriate position, place a sanitary napkin under the mother's buttocks, and massage the mother's uterus regularly to observe uterine contractions and vaginal bleeding.

Placing a sandbag on the abdomen: Sometimes the nurse will place a sandbag on the abdomen of the parturient to reduce bleeding from abdominal wounds. Nurses will measure the mother's blood pressure, check her complexion, measure her pulse and body temperature at regular intervals as required, observe the color of her urine, the amount of urine, whether the catheter is unobstructed, etc. at regular intervals, and record these conditions.

Breastfeeding in time: When the baby is hungry, the nurse will hold him to the mother, and the mother must feed the most precious colostrum to the baby. This is an experience worth remembering, for your baby and for yourself. The baby's sucking can also promote uterine contraction, reduce uterine bleeding, and make the wound heal as soon as possible.

Fasting: Do not eat or drink within 6 hours after surgery. This is because surgery can easily irritate the intestines and inhibit intestinal function, slow down intestinal motility, and cause gas accumulation in the intestinal cavity. Therefore, there will be a feeling of abdominal distension after surgery. To relieve intestinal bloating, do not eat for a while.

First day after delivery (after 6 hours)

Lying posture: The mother can use a pillow 6 hours after lying flat. At this time, it is best to adopt a side-lying position. You can put a quilt or blanket behind your back to make the body and the bed at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees. This can reduce the vibration and pulling pain of the wound when the body moves, and you will feel more comfortable.

Pain relief methods: After the anesthetic wears off, most women will feel pain in the abdominal wound. At this time, you can ask the doctor to prescribe some prescription drugs, or you can use a pain pump to relieve the pain.

Eat as soon as possible: You can drink some gas-relieving soups, such as carrot soup, 6 hours after cesarean section to enhance intestinal motility, promote gas discharge, reduce bloating, and also replenish water in the body. However, some foods that are easily fermented and produce a lot of gas, such as sugars, soybeans, soy milk, and starchy foods, should be eaten less or not eaten to prevent the bloating from becoming more severe.

Move as soon as possible: At this time, special attention should be paid to keeping warm and the patency of various pipes; change sanitary napkins frequently to keep them clean; the sandbag on the abdomen should be placed for 8 hours; after 12 hours, the mother can change her position, turn over, and move her legs with the help of her family or nurses.

After consciousness is restored after the operation, you should engage in limb activities. After 24 hours, you should practice turning over, sitting up, and getting out of bed and moving around slowly. If conditions permit, you should also walk around. Exercise can promote blood circulation, speed up wound healing, enhance gastrointestinal motility, expel gas as soon as possible, and prevent intestinal adhesions and thrombosis that may cause embolism in other parts of the body.

After a cesarean section, the damage suffered by women is very serious. We must pay attention to the care of women, especially the details mentioned above, and help pregnant women recover from weakness correctly. It should be noted that women who have just given birth should pay attention to their daily diet, which is an important factor affecting their rapid recovery.