Car Rides

The car ride home can be quite a painful experience. Each bump will hurt, so tell your driver to take it easy and slow.

Driving

Do not drive until you have finished your pain medications. Taking medications can make you drowsy. Your doctor may give you instructions to not drive for at least two weeks or longer, even after you have finished your pain medications.

Drinks & Food To Avoid

After your Caesarean, you will experience some pretty painful gas. Avoiding greasy and spicy foods as well as carbonated, and hot and cold drinks will help to alleviate some of the gas.

Use Pillows

Because you will be so sore from the caesarean it will be difficult to sneeze, laugh or cough for quite some time. Try taking a pillow and gently pressing it against your abdomen if you have to do any of the above.

When Can I?

For the first 4-6 weeks your doctor will probably advise you to not do any heavy lifting or pushing. This means no vacumming, heavy laundry baskets, moving furniture. If you can afford it, a house keeper is a good idea for those first few weeks of recovery!

Adequate Help

It is important that you have adequate help available to you after your C-section. Having extra hands will give you time to rest and recover as well as ease your mind.

How Long Does It Last?

Post partum bleeding can actually last up to 3 months, and not the initial 6 weeks that everyone usually thinks

No Lifting

Do not lift or move anything heavy for at least four weeks after a caesarean section.

The Basics

The 6 week checkup usually includes a pap smear and internal check. The doctor will also check the incision area for any infection, tears or inflamation.

Convenience

Because you will have difficulty moving the first few weeks, you may want to set up a little basket or table with necessities such as diapers, wipes, powder, lotion, towels, tissues, burp cloth, blankets, remote control, drink, snacks or whatever else you may need!

Weakness & Fatigue

It is common to feel very weak or experience fatigue weeks after having a C-section. Your body is still repairing damaged tissues and muscle and going through a strenous healing process.

Pain Medications

The doctor will most likely offer pain medications for you to take once you get home. Don´t deny them, you will need them later on, no matter how you think you might feel about taking them!

Ask For Help

Before taking any steps, always have someone help walk you to where you need to go.

Let Your Doctor Know

You will go to the doctor at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and again at 6 weeks after your C-section. During this time, be sure to let your doctor know of any abnormalities with your incision, vomiting, or dizziness.

Let Family Help

Before your baby arrives you´ll probably think that once you get home, you will be able to do it all. The washing, caring for your baby, the housework. Unfortunately, unless you are superwoman, this won´t be the case.

It´s advisable to let your family help you out those first few weeks. Whether it´s your husband, mother or grandparents, if they offer to help, let them! You will be so exhausted from the 2 am feedings to lift a finger, let alone wash dishes. If you are bottlefeeding, let them participate in the feeding ritual. Let them change a few diapers, and better yet, let your husband take on a few of the early morning feedings.

When Is It Safe?

It is normally safe to assume an excercise routine 6-8 weeks after your C-section. It is important though, before resuming any exercising, to consult with your doctor. He or she will tell you how much exercise is safe at this point. Most likely he or she will instruct you to begin light exercise, avoiding crunches and situps at first. Try beginning with a light aroebic exercise. Remember, don´t jump into anything too quickly. If you begin to feel pain in your incision area, stop exercising at once. If the pain continues, be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible. As always, allow yourself time to get back into the "swing of things". Recovery can be tough!

Stairs

If you have a two story home, you might want to consider camping downstairs for the first couple of weeks until you have time to heal a little.

Abnormal Results

It is common to have abnormal results come back for your pap smear culture. The doctors will either run more tests, or tell you to come back after a few months to have another pap smear done.

Getting Out Of Bed Or Sitting Up

Recovering from a cesarean sections is no easy task. If you find that you can´t get in and out of bed without pain, try sleeping on a couch that has a large enough back to it that you can gently pull yourself up. Pulling up with assistance is a lot easier than having to use those tender tummy muscles!