A Cesarean birth is a major surgery and the recovery period is longer than it is after a vaginal birth. Special care and attention is needed during recuperation after a C-section and it is especially important to keep an eye on the incision as it heals. If any of the following symptoms should occur, call our office:
Red, hard, tender or hot area around your incision
Separation and/or bleeding of incision
Moderate or large amount of oozing or drainage
Fever higher than 100º F
However, if there are no concerns with healing after a Cesarean section, a heating pad can help with localized pain. You should wait two weeks to drive after a cesarean section and lifting should be limited to 15 to 20 pounds for the first six weeks.
Nursing and Breast Care
Initial attempts at nursing can be painful, but tenderness and discomfort should decrease once let-down has occurred and should cease altogether within a few days. However, if you have sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples, express a few drops of breast milk on the nipples after nursing and allow to air dry. To prevent future irritation, always keep your nipples clean, change the nursing pads when they become moist and avoid wearing pads with plastic liners.
For a more comfortable breastfeeding experience, experiment with different nursing positions to see what works best for you and your baby. For example, try holding your baby so that he is lying on his side with his head resting in the bend of your arm and make sure that his mouth covers one inch or more of your nipple and areola when sucking. For additional comfort, use pillows to help support your arm and baby.
If you are not nursing, wear a good support bra at all times while your breasts are engorged. You may use ice packs under the armpits and to the side of each breast during the first couple of days of engorgement and take ibuprofen for discomfort. Do not be surprised if you have a slight elevation in temperature for a day or two while your breasts are engorged, and you should expect milk to lbe eaking from the breasts during this period. Read our article about breastfeeding for more information.
Exercise
You may start mild exercise after two weeks rest and recovery after giving birth, but more strenuous exercise should be delayed for four to six weeks. Begin with easier exercises and increase them gradually if you are comfortable and it does not cause pain. If you had a Cesarean, do not begin an exercise program for at least six weeks after delivery and with your physician’s permission.
Postpartum Diet
It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet while pregnant and you should continue prioritizing your personal nutrition after your baby is born. Eat a wide variety of foods, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy proteins. Limit processed foods and empty calories from high starch and sugary foods as much as possible.
Do not rush into dieting in an effort to lose your pregnancy weight, but if you are concerned about reducing, cut down on high fat and high sugar foods and alcohol, but do not over-restrict breads and cereals or fruits and vegetables. If you are nursing, you will need to consume a few hundred additional healthy calories a day, and you should continue taking prenatal vitamins.
Sexual Intercourse and Contraception
Sexual intercourse is appropriate when it is comfortable for you, usually six weeks after giving birth, but is preferable to wait until your vaginal discharge is clear. Vaginal tenderness may be eased by using a water soluble cream, or a contraceptive foam or cream to lubricate the area, but do not use.
Before intercourse is resumed, you and your partner should consider your contraceptive options. Condoms, foam or vaginal suppositories may be used without a prescription and are compatible with breastfeeding. Be sure to discuss other forms of birth control with your doctor at your postpartum checkup.
Causes for Concern
After leaving the hospital, call our office if you have any of the following:
Heavy vaginal bleeding, soaking a pad every hour for three hours
Severe chills or fever over 100.4º F
Frequency or burning with urination (emptying your bladder)
A red, hard, tender area on the breast
A red, hard, tender or hot area along the leg veins
Shortness of breath and/or chest pain
Any other unexplained signs or symptoms
Postpartum Medical Checkups
Your healthcare provider at Vadodara City Ob & Gyn will need to see you for your postpartum checkup, usually five to six weeks after you give birth. This appointment provides an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you have, including contraception, physical recovery, and your emotional well-being. Call our office to schedule a doctor’s visit before leaving the hospital or soon after going home.
Postpartum Emotional Care
Having a baby is a special time in your life, full of anticipation and joy, but it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety as you adjust to life with a child. In the weeks and months after giving birth, try to be especially attentive to your own emotional feelings and those of your partner. It is perfectly normal to experience complicated and even difficult emotions after you have a child, but be mindful if those feelings become extreme.
Postpartum Depression
After having a baby, some women may experience overwhelming feelings of frustration, inadequacy, fatigue, and worry. These are normal emotions related to becoming a new parent and these feelings may also be further compounded by ordinary life stresses, such as finances, feelings of isolation, and being overwhelmed by other work or home responsibilities. If you are experiencing difficult emotions try to be patient with yourself – take time to adjust to your new life.
If depression persists or increases and you are experiencing thoughts and feelings that go beyond the normal anxieties of being a new parent, or if you think your feelings are impairing your ability to care for yourself and your family, call us immediately and we will refer you to Vadodara City area support groups or counselors that specialize in postpartum depression.
Postpartum Care for Partners
Parenthood is just as life-changing for new fathers as it is new mothers and men can experience conflicting feelings of elation, overwhelming responsibility, depression, pride, and even jealousy in response to becoming a dad. Allow yourself to process the complex experience of parenthood and support your partner through her adjustment, too. Learn along with your partner how to care for your newborn by helping with feeding, dressing, bathing, and diaper duties, and take the time to get used to your new baby. Enjoy the new addition to your family and try not to let the new responsibilities get in your way of sharing this special time with your family.
If you have any questions about postpartum care plans after you give birth to your new baby, please contact Ami Hospital Vadodara today
Call at 0265 – 699 – 9007 OR Mail us : info@amihospital.org
Maternity Home Vadodara 