How To Manage After A Caesarean
After you have given birth it is natural that you want to give your baby lots of attention, but it is also important to take a little bit of time for yourself.
However it is slower to recover from a caesarean section and because you have had abdominal surgery you will get tired quickly. Do not expect too much too soon.
There are stitches in your lower abdomen that will take time to heal so gradually increase your activities as you feel able.
- Take regular pain relief
- When you return home accept all help offered to you.
- Minimise any activity that causes strain for first 6 weeks e.g. prolonged standing, ironing and vacuuming.
- Try not to lift anything heavier than your baby for first 6 weeks. If you have a toddler encourage them to come to you rather than picking them up.
Before driving again – check with your insurance company for their policy. This will normally be 4-6 weeks after delivery.
You must ensure you can wear a seatbelt comfortably and can perform an emergency stop.
For more information:
What to do after a caesarean birth
It is also important to do pelvic floor exercises as the muscles are stretched during pregnancy. These muscles help to support your back and pelvis.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
The pelvic floor muscles are at the bottom of your pelvis supporting the pelvic organs.
Pelvic floor muscles are needed to:
- Aid bladder and bowel control
- Help reduce any pelvic pain you may have experienced during your pregnancy
- Help prevent a prolapse of your pelvic organs
- Increase sexual enjoyment for you and your partner.
You can start your pelvic floor exercises as soon as you have had the baby.
If you have a urinary catheter inserted you may want to wait until it is removed and you are passing urine normally before you start the exercises.
For more information:
Some women can experience incontinence during or after pregnancy, this can be related to the pelvic floor muscles. For more information ??????Click Here???????