After a c-section it is important that you still take deep breaths and cough when you need to in order to get the phlegm off your chest.
Laughing, Sneezing, and Coughing Can Hurt—A Lot
While it's rare for your stitches to come apart, it is important to give yourself literal, physical support after a C-section. The best thing you can do when you feel like laughing—or coughing or sneezing—is to put a pillow over your stitches and press it onto yourself.
Use a pillow for support when coughing or laughing.
Therefore, we recommend taking a pillow and providing support to your abdomen when you need it.
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.
Common symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing [2].
Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia, constipation and blood clots. Avoid strenuous activities such as bicycle riding, jogging, weightlifting and aerobic exercise for six weeks or until your doctor says it's okay. Until your doctor says it's OK, don't lift anything heavier than your baby.
This term can be used to describe both hospital-acquired pneumonia (which develops within 48 to 72 hours after hospital admission) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (which develops 48 to 72 hours after endotracheal intubation).
The swelling typically peaks 3 or 4 days after delivery. The hand will be tight in the morning and the ankles will be swollen late in the day; and it can be WORSE than during pregnancy. Overall, you should just get better. Each day should be better than the day before.
The first 60 minutes after birth—often called “the Golden Hour”—is a magical period rife with bonding opportunities for mama and baby. Many mamas are able to experience this intensely wonderful first hour immediately following that final push or once the doctors have safely removed baby via C-section.
Hold your belly when you sneeze, cough, or laugh to keep it still. Ease your pain. A heating pad (set on low) or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. You may also need acetaminophen, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or other pain relievers.
If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus) was cut by your doctor or if it was torn during the birth, the stitches may make it painful to sit or walk for a little while during healing. It also can be painful when you cough or sneeze during the healing time.
Anaesthesia and surgery interfere with the normal ways in which the lungs keep themselves clear of secretions and infection. Pain from the surgical wound (especially after chest or abdominal operations) can make breathing and coughing more difficult.
Pain and swelling in abdominal wall scars that become more severe on coughing and straining, are typical symptoms of postoperative ventral hernias. Other abdominal wall lesions, such as hematomas, granulomas and neoplasms, can evoke similar symptoms.
Side sleeping is a great choice when you're recovering from a C-section. Research shows that sleeping on your left side can help increase blood flow to vital organs, aiding healing. It's also the most common sleeping position – you're bound to find this one relaxing.
Sudden increases in intraabdominal pressure, such as from laughing, coughing, or sneezing, can put a lot of internal pressure directly against our weakened tissues (lower abdominal incision and perineum).
Back sleeping is often recommended post-surgery, and it could be the most comfortable position as it doesn't put any pressure on your c-section wound. Try placing a pillow under your knees to keep your spine aligned.
Post Cesarean: Days 3-5
During this time, you should gradually regain your mobility and your pain will begin to subside, but you still need to take certain precautions. Strenuous movements, for example, can place undue strain on your incision site.
C-Section Recovery Red Flags
Persistent fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Severe abdominal pain. Heavy vaginal bleeding. Swollen legs, face or hands.
Increased bleeding after your lochia starts to decrease can be a sign you're overdoing it and need more rest. Seeing ongoing clots could mean your uterus is having trouble getting back to its pre-pregnancy size. In either case, it's always best to call.
One Day After C-Section
C-section pain typically spikes 18 hours after delivery.
The nerve to the diaphragm, the phrenic nerve, can be damaged or irritated during surgery, causing a cough that might last for months. Benzonatate is a nonspecific cough remedy: It is modestly effective at suppressing cough of any type.
The symptoms of pneumonia include fever, chills and a cough. You may have chest pain and shortness of breath. You may have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. You may feel fatigued.
Blood tests to confirm the infection and to try to identify the germ that is causing your illness. Chest X-ray to look for the location and extent of inflammation in your lungs. Pulse oximetry to measure the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream.