What should you pay attention to during the confinement period after a cesarean section?

Cesarean section is actually what we often call caesarean section. This type of mother generally needs more recovery time than mothers who give birth naturally, because this method of delivery will cause the mother to lose more energy and there will be remaining wounds. Women who have delivered by cesarean section need to pay attention to many things during the confinement period, such as drinking plenty of water, taking care of the wound, wearing loose clothes, etc.

1. Drink plenty of water. Women who have undergone caesarean section should drink plenty of water during the confinement period. This not only prevents constipation but is also beneficial for breastfeeding.

2. Take care of the wound. Try not to make any big movements after giving birth. Even when coughing or laughing, you should support the wound with your hands or use a pillow to support your stomach, and your pain will be relieved. In particular, wounds should be well cared for to prevent infection. If you notice any symptoms such as fever, redness or swelling, you should seek medical attention immediately.

3. Observe the lochia carefully. There will be a lot of vaginal discharge after giving birth. But over time, the amount of lochia will decrease. The color should gradually change from bright red to pink and then yellow-white. Careful inspection of lochia is a must for women who have undergone cesarean section. If any abnormality is found in the lochia, they should seek medical attention immediately.

4. Wear loose clothing. Mothers should choose a larger size of drawstring underwear or boxer briefs.

5. You can do moderate exercise. You can start doing some moderate exercise 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, but you must get the doctor's approval before doing so. It may take several months to return to your original physical condition.

6. Contraception should be used after childbirth. If you feel well after delivery, you can resume sexual life in 4 to 6 weeks. However, women who have had a caesarean section are not suitable for immediate pregnancy. Therefore, if you want to have sex after giving birth, you must take contraceptive measures.

What are the sequelae of cesarean section?

Sequelae 1: Unsightly scars

Some pregnant women will find that the caesarean section scar from their second pregnancy is much uglier than that from their first. This is because women who are expecting their second child often take it lightly and over-supplement their diet, or because their abdominal muscles are stretched and unable to recover after multiple pregnancies. These can cause the lower abdomen to protrude and increase the tension on the wound, making the scar particularly obvious.

Sequelae 2: Affecting the relationship between mother and child

Research results show that natural childbirth stimulates the production of hormones in the cervix and vagina of mothers, enhancing their feelings for their babies, which is crucial for becoming good mothers in the future. Brain research shows that the intense brain activity during natural childbirth can regulate the mother's emotions and daily behavior, helping them to successfully care for their children in the future. Cesarean section involves making an incision in the mother's abdominal wall to take the baby out of the uterus directly, which changes the mother's "neurological and hormonal experience" during childbirth and may reduce the intimacy between mother and child.

Sequelae 3: Cesarean section incision pregnancy

It is easy to cause cesarean section incision pregnancy. Cesarean section incision pregnancy is when a woman becomes pregnant again within one or two years after having a cesarean section. The gestational sac is easily attached to the incision scar, and heavy bleeding is likely to occur during miscarriage. If you don't want to have an abortion and want to have another child, it is not possible as it will endanger the life of the fetus.