The average hospital stay after a C-section is 2 to 4 days, and keep in mind recovery often takes longer than it would from a vaginal birth. Walking after the C-section is important to speed recovery and pain medication may be supplied too as recovery takes place.
Most women will remain in the hospital for 2 to 3 days after a cesarean birth (C-section). Take advantage of the time to bond with your new baby, get some rest, and receive some help with breastfeeding and caring for your baby.
After your caesarean birth, you will stay in hospital for about three to five days. A caesarean birth is major surgery, so your physical recovery is important. This is also a great time to get to know your new baby, with the support of hospital midwives and doctors.
People who give birth vaginally might stay in the hospital for one or two days, but those who had a C-section typically stay two to four days, barring any complications. After this, your C-section recovery timeline will continue at home.
After your caesarean, you'll probably stay in hospital for about 3-5 days. This can vary between hospitals. It depends on how you and your baby are doing. In some hospitals you can choose to go home early (in the first 2-3 days) and have your follow-up care at home.
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery.
During the early days of your recovery, you can sleep fully upright, but this is not recommended for the long term. Aim to position yourself at a 45-degree angle for a comfortable rest. Elevated back sleeping has also been found to treat pregnancy-related sleep apnea, as it keeps your airways from being obstructed.
The Golden Hour is the time right after delivery where mom and baby have uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact for at least the first one to two hours. As long as mom and baby are well, immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact is recommended.
1. Restrict solid foods for eight hours before the C-section. This step will reduce the likelihood of vomiting or lung complications. Up until a few years ago, we also recommended against drinking any forms of liquid prior to surgery for the same reason.
Some mums enjoy their time in hospital. Others find it stressful and can't wait to get home. If you're both doing well, you'll usually be ready to go home somewhere between 6 and 24 hours after birth.
Food items that can cause fatigue, lethargy, and slow recovery should be avoided. The diet chart after C-section recovery should also eliminate anything that takes a longer time to digest. Items like carbonated drinks, citrus juices, coffee, tea, and spicy food should be avoided as they increase bloating and gas.
How long does a C-section surgery take? The typical C-section takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. After your provider delivers your baby, they'll stitch your uterus and close the incision in your abdomen.
Things to Avoid:
Public pools and hot tubs. Lifting anything heavier than your baby. Repeatedly using stairs. Exercise, at least until your health care provider gives you the go-ahead.
Always sit well back on a supportive chair, your feet should be able to touch the floor in order to support your posture. Use pillows to support your back and to rest your baby on your lap to bring them into a comfortable feeding position. You can then use pillows to support your own arms.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
After a cesarean section you will be given post-operative restrictions from your surgeon outlining the do's and don'ts. Your restrictions are based on not pulling at your incision site or straining your tummy muscles (abdominals). Here are the do's: Walking within the first 24 hours of your procedure.
Say no to straining.
It's uncomfortable for one, and if a stitch were to possibly pop, intense straining is how it might happen. Straining can cause or worsen hemorrhoids too. Having to push hard or force are signs that your body isn't ready yet, so don't force it. Take a break and try again later.
Urinating after a cesarean section
If you're having difficulties urinating, then you might like to try some ways of triggering the urge – such as turning on a tap, hopping in a warm shower, or pouring a small amount of warm water over the area. If the difficulty persists, then the catheter might need to be reinserted.
When is it safe to leave the house with a new baby? There is no rush to go on an outing. In some cultures, women stay in the house with their new baby for a month or more. But it is also fine to take your baby outside as soon as you feel ready.
While six weeks has long been the traditional timeline for rest and recuperation after a birth, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends ongoing postpartum care from birth to 12 weeks. Six weeks is also the standard recovery time allotted for childbirth-related short-term disability leave.
It suggests that you spend the first five days in bed: get up only to use the toilet and maybe grab a shower. Spend the next five days on your bed: spend most of your time napping or resting with your sweet babe, but feel free to move with baby to the couch or a comfy chair outside once or twice during the day.