What is the best way to take care of yourself after a caesarean section?

The biggest difference between a caesarean section and a natural birth is that one does not cause much pain when giving birth, while the other will be slightly more painful. However, in terms of confinement, the former is obviously not as good as the latter. After all, it is an operation on the body, so mothers who undergo caesarean section should pay more attention to details during the confinement period to avoid leaving any root of disease. So, what is the best way to spend the month after a caesarean section? The following precautions must be kept in mind!

Things to note after caesarean section

1. Relax your mind

Once you get home from the hospital, don't expect to be back to normal immediately. After a caesarean section, it may take about 6 months for the body to fully recover, so you need to adjust your mood and be prepared for a "protracted battle."

2. Take your medication regularly

If the doctor prescribes medication for the mother to take at home when she is discharged from the hospital, she should take it insistently and not stop taking it as soon as she returns home. If you are breastfeeding, be careful not to take aspirin or medications containing salicylates.

3. Drink plenty of water

During the confinement period, mothers should drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. This is also beneficial for breastfeeding.

4. Wear oversized underwear

Choosing a size larger of drawstring or boxer briefs may help the wound feel more comfortable. Sometimes you may also need to wear loose maternity clothes for a period of time.

5. Protect the wound

If the wound shows signs of infection, including warmth, redness, or swelling; drainage from the wound site; worsening or sudden pain; or fever, seek medical attention promptly.

6. Observe lochia

Vaginal bleeding and discharge will gradually decrease as your body recovers, and lochia may last for nearly 6 weeks. If lochia secretion is abnormal, you should go to the hospital for examination.

7. Timely activities

Don't lie in bed all day, get up regularly and walk around. Walking can promote postoperative recovery and help prevent complications such as blood clots, but activity should not be excessive. Start slowly and gradually increase your activity.

8. Don’t carry weight

Women who have undergone cesarean section should not lift heavy objects after delivery to avoid pulling on the wound.

9. Don’t drive

In the UK, doctors are likely to advise women who have had a caesarean section not to drive for five or six weeks because the turning of your body can be painful, especially when you brake suddenly. In China, although doctors may not have very clear advice in this regard, mothers may still wish to refer to the practices of British doctors. If you have any special circumstances, be sure to consult your doctor.

10. Postpartum contraception

If you feel well after delivery, you can resume sexual intercourse 4-6 weeks after delivery with the doctor's consent. However, since many doctors recommend that it is safer to get pregnant again at least 2 years after a caesarean section, it is best to take contraceptive measures.