For a quick recovery from a cesarean section, it is important to drink around 2 to 3 liters of water per day, as well as prioritize a diet rich in proteins, vegetables and fresh fruits that will help with healing.
The total recovery time from a cesarean section varies from woman to woman. While some are able to stand within a few hours after surgery, others need more time to recover, especially if there is some type of complication during birth. In any case, a cesarean section is a major surgery and the body will need, on average, 6 months to fully recover.
During the first few days after giving birth, the woman may feel pain and discomfort and need help from a nurse or someone close to her to get in or out of bed and with daily household tasks, for example.
Recovery time after cesarean section
Due to the pain and discomfort after the cesarean section, the woman may need to wait 6 weeks or more to have sexual intercourse again. Furthermore, it is recommended that sexual intercourse does not take place before the medical review consultation, as this allows the obstetrician to assess how the healing process is going and indicate ways to reduce possible discomfort, the risk of vaginal infections and other complications.
Non-hospital time
After the cesarean section, the woman usually stays in the hospital for about 3 to 5 days and, after this period, if she and the baby are well, the doctor releases them home. However, in some cases, it may be necessary for the woman or baby to stay in the hospital longer to recover from some situation.
Caesarean section recovery time
Cesarean section recovery time may vary from woman to woman depending on the care taken. In general, recovery time can vary between 10 and 15 days, and it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions so that recovery happens in a healthy way, such as resting, eating well and avoiding carrying weight, for example.
Care to recover at home
After discharge from hospital, the woman can recover at home, but during this period, various precautions are still recommended, such as:
1. Have extra help
In the first 6 weeks at home, the woman should avoid exertion, dedicating herself only to her well-being, breastfeeding and caring for the baby. Therefore, it is important that, whenever possible, she has help at home, not only with regard to household chores, but also to help take care of the baby while she rests.
2. Perform pelvic exercises
Performing pelvic exercises, known as pompoarism, is a great way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, reducing the chances of urinary and fecal incontinence and hemorrhoids after childbirth. Check out other benefits of pelvic exercises and how to do them correctly.
3. Sleeping on your side or on your back
The most recommended postpartum position is on your back, with a pillow under your knees to better accommodate your back and avoid pain. However, if a woman prefers to sleep on her side, she should place a pillow between her legs.
4. Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling
It may be helpful to place ice packs on the cesarean scar, as long as it is not wet. To do this, it is recommended that the ice be wrapped in a cloth before being placed on the scar or use an ice pack, leaving it in place for around 15 minutes, every 4 hours to relieve pain and swelling.
5. Do light exercise
From the second day after giving birth, it is recommended to take light walks for 5 minutes a day to help with recovery. Around 6 weeks after the cesarean section, it is possible to do light, non-impact physical activity, such as longer walks, as long as it is approved by your doctor.
Some types of exercises, such as the abdominal plank and hypopressive gymnastics, help to strengthen the abdominal muscles, reducing the sagging belly that is common postpartum. However, this type of exercise should only be done 6 weeks after giving birth, and with approval from the obstetrician. Understand better how to do hypopressive gymnastics.
6. Avoid lifting weights and driving
Before 20 days, it is not recommended to make great physical efforts, nor to carry weight that is greater than the baby’s weight. Likewise, it is not recommended to drive between 4 and 6 weeks after the cesarean section, as it may increase pain and discomfort at the scar site.
7. Use healing ointment
After removing the bandage and stitches, the doctor may recommend the use of a healing cream, gel or ointment to help remove the cesarean scar, leaving it smaller and more discreet. When applying the cream daily, massage it over the scar, using circular movements.
8. Eat a balanced diet
It is important to give preference to foods rich in protein, such as eggs, cooked chicken and fish, rice and beans, which are important for healing. Furthermore, it is important to eat fresh vegetables and fruits daily, as they contain vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, which help with the healing and proper functioning of the intestine, preventing constipation and gas.
Furthermore, it is essential to drink between 2 and 3 liters of water per day, which will help with the production of breast milk, healing from surgery and preventing constipation.
9. Use contraception
It is recommended to resume taking the pill 15 days after giving birth. But if the woman prefers another method, it is important to talk to the doctor to find out what is best to avoid a new pregnancy before 18 months. A pregnancy in these first few months increases the risk of uterine rupture, which can be very serious.
10. Take diuretic teas to reduce swelling
After a cesarean section, it is normal to retain more liquid and, to reduce this discomfort, women can drink chamomile and mint teas throughout the day, as these types of tea have no contraindications and do not interfere with milk production.
How to care for a cesarean section scar
A cesarean section scar can take 6 to 10 weeks to heal completely. However, cesarean section stitches can be removed between the 7th and 15th day, according to the obstetrician’s instructions.
Wound treatment is generally carried out by a nurse at the hospital, with saline solution and sterile compresses, until the stitches are removed.
It is important that the guidelines related to scar care and protection are followed, as this makes it possible to prevent bleeding, clot formation, wounds in the area, inflammation in the region and infection in the uterus.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to go to the doctor if:
- Blood loss with a strong smell or purulent appearance;
- Fever;
- Severe pain, inflammation or pus in the scar;
- Pain when urinating.
After a cesarean section, it is normal for the uterus to gradually return to its normal size and it is common for women to experience some blood loss similar to menstruation. However, if the blood loss is very profuse, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately.
