A
cesarean section is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made through a
woman's abdomen and uterus to deliver her baby according to the dictionary.
This procedure is really tough not only to undergo, but to recover from.
Personally my sister has had her 3 children through a C-section and it is quite
the experience. This surgery takes a toll on your body and prevents you from
fully being in the moment with your child because of the pain medication you
will most likely be on. So for this post I will be sharing some of the things
that come with the territory of having a C-section and what can be done to
alleviate some of the discomfort and pain.
Along
with the typical post partum symptoms like sore breasts and vaginal discharge
you will experience other symptoms that mothers who gave birth vaginally will
not have to experience. First, women who go through a C-section stay in the
hospital for a longer period of time because the doctor will most likely want
to monitor the incision. Once you are approved to go home your recovery will
still going on. You will need help taking care of yourself as well as you baby
because your abdomen is still going to be healing.
 |
| Woman with a healed c-section scar |
During
the first few days your incision site will be sore and even itchy. Any kind of
pressure or even coughing will be painful but with medication and time it will
begin to heal. When sneezing or coughing it is best to place a pillow on your
abdomen to alleviate some pain. Nurses often recommend walking around so that
your intestines get back to running like they normally did along with
preventing blood clots. Although it is recommended it will be very hard trying
to get out of bed let alone walk around the hospital. A couple hours after
surgery the nurse will provide you with liquids and prune juice if you would
like to help with the gas and constipation.
 |
| Woman getting her staples removed |
The
main difference about a vaginal birth versus a C-section is the pain. Around
the third or fourth day your doctor will most likely remove the staples from
the wound. This is an indicator that your doctor thinks you are ready to head
home soon. Once you are home the pain will not be completely gone. You will
most likely still be on prescription meds for about a week and you should
slowly lower your dose.
As
for activity level take it very easy. It is not a good idea to begin lifting
heavy objects or exercising because you could cause even more harm to yourself.
Walking is about the only kind of
exercise you want to do and as the week’s progress. Remember that your body
needs time to heal and you have just been through tough abdominal surgery so it
is going to be a while for you to feel like yourself again.
Web Links:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_recovering-from-a-cesarean-delivery_221.bc?page=4
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cesarean+section
Picture Links:
http://drjennifermercier.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/c-section-graphic.jpg
http://byebyedoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/c-section-scar-pictures.jpg
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7VF9sXAs2Po/maxresdefault.jpg
http://img.ehowcdn.com/default/ds-photo/getty/article/117/231/86529362_XS.jpg
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