You'll need to fast before an elective caesarean birth. This usually means having no food or drink, including water, for 6 hours before the surgery. The length of fasting before surgery varies from hospital to hospital, so make sure to ask your hospital about their fasting requirements.
The Night Before Your C-section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
Cesarean deliveries with no trial of labor were much more concentrated during the day, especially around 8 a.m. "This makes sense, as C-sections are usually scheduled during the daytime hours and wouldn't be scheduled overnight or into the early hours of the morning," says Jennifer Wu, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at ...
Keep drinking clear liquids until 2 hours before your C-section. 2 hours before your C-section, drink 8 ounces of apple juice. Starting 2 hours before your C-section, do not take anything by mouth.
At first you may be asked to only eat ice chips or take sips of water, at least until your provider is certain you are not likely to have very heavy bleeding. Most likely, you will be able to eat a light diet 8 hours after your C-section.
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.
Side sleeping position
For some people, right after back sleeping, side sleeping is the second most comfortable position. For people recovering from abdominal surgery, it's a great option since it doesn't put additional pressure on your incision, and makes getting in and out of bed easier.
Under most circumstances, undergoing a c-section via Spinal Anesthesia or Epidural Anesthesia (rather than General Anesthesia) is preferred since it involves less risk and has the advantage of allowing you to be awake during your baby's birth.
Second, apple juice helps to keep the stomach empty. This is important because an empty stomach reduces the risk of vomiting during surgery. Third, apple juice helps to prevent dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious complication during surgery and can lead to complications such as infection.
Try to relax, meditate, and stay positive. It can be hard to control your worries before a C-section. But deep-breathing exercises can help you stay calm and focused. You can learn these and other ways to relax in childbirth classes.
You may remove your wound dressing and take showers if stitches, staples, or glue were used to close your skin. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your provider tells you it is OK. In most cases, this is not until 3 weeks after surgery.
When can I go home after a c-section? You will usually stay in hospital for 2-4 days after your c-section. If you and your baby are well, and you have someone to help you at home, you may be able to go home after 24 hours.
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
Sleeping on your left side aids in optimum blood flow, which is great for your recovering body. You may still need that full-body pregnancy pillow around to support your belly and hips.
In the five-to-six week postpartum period after giving birth, it's common to experience bowel and digestion issues, and that's true whether you had a c-section or vaginal birth.
How Long Does a Cesarean Surgery Take? Though every woman's situation is unique, the delivery of a baby via cesarean may take as little as 15 to 20 minutes, with a further 45 minutes needed to stitch up the uterus and abdominal incision.
“Sometimes, after a C-section, the bowels can take some time to wake up since you've just gone through a major surgery,” explains Dr. Newlin. “It can take three or four days for your first poop after delivery.” That same timeframe holds true if you're taking opioid pain medications.
Iron-rich food helps regain the blood lost during delivery. Diet after C-section should contain spinach, quinoa, chicken, ham, turkey, dried apricots, sesame and pumpkin seeds, peanuts, roasted almonds, and sunflower seeds. Easily digestible food like yogurt, paneer, soups, broths helps in great snacking options.
Your stomach must be empty for surgery. We do not want food from your stomach to get into your lungs during surgery. Your surgery will be delayed if you do not or cannot follow these instructions.
Generally speaking, you'll want to avoid bottoms with buttons, snaps, and zippers as they may irritate your C-section incision. Instead, focus your postpartum wardrobe search on pieces that are light and breathable; look for super-soft clothes that will provide the comfort you crave while you heal.
Maternity pads - You'll need these as you'll still experience some bleeding from your womb (uterus), or lochia, as with a vaginal birth. You may need as many as 24 pads, though you may want to buy more than this and keep some at home for when you leave hospital.
What should I wear to a planned C-section? Wear something comfortable to the hospital. You will need to be in a hospital gown for the surgery, but you may have some time sitting around and waiting before your C-section. Loungewear and yoga pants are both excellent options.