10 care after cesarean to recover faster

To speed up the recovery from a cesarean section, it is recommended to drink around 2 to 3 liters of water a day, therefore prioritizing a diet rich in proteins, vegetables and fresh fruits that will help the healing to be faster.

The total time to recover from a cesarean varies from one woman to another, although some can stay for hours after a surgery, others need more time to recover, especially if there is some type of complication during childbirth. Any way, the cesarean is a major surgery in which the body will need, on average, 6 months to recover.

Probably, a woman will require help from either a nurse or a person nearby to get into bed, get out of bed, do daily chores at the house, or pass the baby when she wants to eat.

Time in the hospital

Hospitalization time for childbirth is generally 3 to 5 days, and after this period, if the mother and the baby are happy, they can go home. In some cases, they may stay a few days at the hospital to recover from a specific situation.

Time to wait to have intimate contact

Thanks to the molestia and the pain during the cesarean section, the woman may need to wait 6 weeks or more to have sexual relations again. Furthermore, it is recommended that sexual intercourse does not take place before the medical check-up, as it is possible for the doctor to assess the healing process and indicate ways to reduce the risk of vaginal infections and other complications.

Care for postpartum recovery

After receiving hospital discharge, the woman must recover at home, for what is advised:

1. Get extra help

During the first 6 weeks at home, the woman will have to avoid stress, dedicating herself only to her well-being, breastfeeding and baby care. For this reason, it is important that, whenever possible, help is provided to carry out household chores and to take care of the baby while the mother rests.

See a beginner’s guide on how to breastfeed.

2. Perform pelvic exercises

The performance of pelvic exercises, known as pompoarism, is a good way to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, reducing the possibilities of urinary, fecal and hemorrhoids incontinence after childbirth. See other benefits of pelvic exercises and how to do them correctly.

3. Sleep on your side or mouth up

The most suitable position for sleeping is at the top, with a pillow under the rods to better accommodate the backrest and avoid pain. On the other hand, if the woman prefers to sleep on her side, a pillow should be placed between her legs.

4. Put hielo to reduce the pain and the hinchazón

It could be useful to place bandages on the cesarean scar, whenever it is not the moment. You should put the hielo in a cloth or towel or in a plastic bag and leave it on for approximately 15 minutes, every 4 hours to relieve the pain and discomfort.

5. Do light exercises

From the second day after childbirth, it is recommended to take light walks for 5 minutes daily to help with recovery. Around 6 weeks of cesarean section, it is possible to carry out light and low-impact physical activity, such as wider walks, whenever indicated by the doctor.

Some types of exercises, such as the abdominal plank and the hypopressive gymnastics, help to strengthen the abdominal muscles, reducing the flaccidity of the abdomen, which is common in the postpartum period. However, this type of solo exercise must be performed 6 weeks after childbirth, and always under the obstetrician’s authorization.

See how to do kegel exercises to treat urinary incontinence and how to do abdominal hypopressive exercises to lower the belly after childbirth, in the video below:

6. Avoid carrying weight and driving

It is recommended to avoid carrying weight and performing great physical efforts, at least during the 20 days after the cesarean. When the woman has another child and she needs to carry it in her lap, you must sit down before her. It is also recommended to carry out during the first 4 to 6 weeks after the cesarean section, as the pain and discomfort in the scar area can increase.

7. Use a healing ointment

After removing the bandage and the stitches, the doctor may recommend the use of a cream, gel or healing ointment to help make the cesarean scar become smaller and more discreet. The cream must be applied daily and a massage must be performed on the scar with circular movements.

8. Take a balanced diet

It is important to choose foods rich in proteins, such as eggs, chicken and cooked fish, and rice with beans, which are important for healing. Also, it is important to eat fresh vegetables and fruits daily, as they contain vitamins, antioxidants and fibers, which favor healing and good bowel function, preventing stress and gas.

In addition, it is essential to drink between 2 to 3 liters of water a day, which will help in the production of maternal milk, in the healing of the surgery and in the prevention of stress.

Know which are the foods that facilitate healing.

9. Use a contraceptive method

It is recommended to take the pills again 15 days after childbirth; without embargo, if the woman prefers another method, she can use a condom, it is important to talk to the doctor to know what is the most indicated and to avoid a new embarrassment before 1.^er year, in this case there is more risk of uterine rupture, a situation that can be quite serious.

10. Take diuretic tes to reduce the hinchazón

After the cesarean, it is normal to have fluid retention, and to reduce this disease, the woman can drink manzanilla and hierbabuena during the day, because this type of tesis does not pose contraindications and does not interfere with the production of maternal milk .

How to care for a cesarean scar

The cesarean scar may take 6 to 10 weeks to heal completely. However, cesarean points can be withdrawn between the 7th and 15th day, according to the obstetrician’s orientation.

The treatment of the herida is generally carried out by the nurse at the hospital with physiological suero and compresses, until the removal of the points.