Recovering from a cesarean

A cesarean is major abdominal surgery, and you're recovering while also caring for your newborn. Knowing what's normal in the first weeks, how to look after yourself and which symptoms need a doctor right away makes this time easier.

The first days in the hospital

After the operation, a urinary catheter stays in for a while and your wound is covered with a dressing. You'll be encouraged to get up and walk as soon as possible; this lowers the risk of blood clots. If you're recovering well, you can eat and drink when you're hungry or thirsty. Depending on your clot risk, you may also be offered compression stockings or injections to prevent clots. How long you stay depends on the hospital and your recovery; if there are no problems, most women go home within a few days. Before you leave, ask your team about wound care, your follow-up appointment and who to contact if there's a problem. You won't be able to drive for a while, so arrange for someone to take you home.

Some pain around the wound is normal in the first days; for some women it lasts several weeks. Gas pains and difficulty taking deep breaths can also happen. Ask your doctor which painkiller you can use at home, and mention it if you're breastfeeding.

Wound care

• Gently clean and dry your wound every day.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear.
• Check your wound daily for redness, swelling, discharge or opening.
• If dissolvable stitches weren't used, ask your team when the stitches or staples will be removed.
• Use pads, not tampons, for postpartum bleeding.

The scar fades over time and often sits along the pubic hairline.

Movement, lifting and daily life

Gentle activity such as short daily walks helps you recover and lowers the risk of clots, but don't overdo it. You can hold and carry your baby, but avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby in the first weeks. You can go back to driving, heavy lifting and exercise when you feel fully recovered and no longer have pain; this often takes a few weeks. It's usually recommended to wait about 6 weeks (40 days) after the birth before having sex again. If you're not sure, ask your doctor at your postpartum checkup. Ask for help with housework and shopping. Postpartum bleeding can last up to six weeks, and its color gets lighter over time.

If your cesarean was unplanned or done as an emergency, you may want to talk with your team about why it was needed and about your options for future births. Most women who have had a cesarean can try a vaginal birth next time; talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you.

“Healing takes time, and accepting help is part of the process.”

See your doctor without waiting

If you have any of the following, contact your doctor or the hospital where you gave birth right away; they can be signs of a problem, such as an infection or a blood clot, that needs prompt treatment:

• Fever, chills or flu-like symptoms
• A wound that becomes redder, more swollen, more painful or opens up, or pus or foul-smelling discharge from the wound
• Severe pain in your belly or pelvis
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge
• Pain, swelling or redness in one leg, especially in the calf
• A cough or shortness of breath
• Pain when peeing or leaking urine

These symptoms can also appear weeks after the birth; don't wait for your checkup. If you have sudden, very heavy bleeding, chest pain, severe shortness of breath or fainting, call your local emergency number right away.