Your Recovery at Home Following Caesarean Birth - Information about looking after yourself after discharge

This leaflet explains what to expect when you go home and how to look after yourself after your caesarean birth. It covers pain relief, wound care, returning to activities, and when to seek help.

Pain relief

It is important to have pain-relieving medication at home before you are discharged from hospital. Regular paracetamol and ibuprofen (if you can take them) are usually sufficient for managing your pain. Please ensure you have a supply of these at home.

You will feel sore for a few weeks after your caesarean birth. You may need pain relief for about one week to ten days, though some may need it for longer. Taking regular pain relief helps you to move around comfortably, care for your baby, and recover well from the surgery.

Getting in and out of bed can be painful at first. A helpful technique is to roll onto your side, drop both legs over the side of the bed and push yourself sideways into a sitting position. Reverse this movement when getting back into bed.

Preventing blood clots

After caesarean birth, there is an increased risk of blood clots forming in your legs or lungs. Moving around regularly helps to reduce this risk. Staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids also helps prevent blood clots.

You may be given a medication to help prevent blood clots. It is important that if you require this medication you take this as prescribed, even if you feel well. How long you need to take it for will depend on your individual circumstances and will be discussed with you before you leave hospital.

If you develop swelling and tenderness in the back of your leg, shortness of breath, or pain in your chest when breathing, contact the Rosie assessment line on 01223 217217 urgently. If you are very unwell, call an ambulance.

Diet and avoiding constipation

Good nutrition helps your body to heal. Try to eat three meals a day with plenty of protein such as meat, cheese, milk, fish, beans and pulses.

Constipation is common after caesarean birth but can be prevented. Keeping a healthy, well-balanced diet and staying well hydrated will help. Try to drink 2 to 3 litres of fluid a day, especially if you are breastfeeding. When using the toilet, placing your feet on a step can help relax your pelvic floor muscles and make bowel movements easier.

Clothing

Loose fitting clothing and high waisted cotton underwear are usually more comfortable as your scar heals.

Headaches

Headaches are common when you have a new baby as they can be caused by lack of sleep and tiredness. However, spinal or epidural anaesthesia can occasionally cause a severe headache after the procedure. If you develop a severe headache that does not improve with pain relief, or if you also experience drowsiness or nausea, call the Rosie assessment line on 01223 217217.

Looking after your wound

It is important to keep your wound clean to prevent infection. Wash your wound daily with water only, do not use soap. We recommend showers not baths. Pat the wound dry gently with a clean towel, avoiding rubbing the wound.

You should avoid touching your wound directly. If you do need to touch it, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water beforehand.

If your tummy covers your wound, take extra care to keep the area clean and dry. Try to lift your tummy up at various points throughout the day to allow air to circulate around the wound.

If your wound bleeds

Minor bleeding from your wound is not uncommon. If it starts to bleed, apply gentle pressure with a clean towel for up to 15 minutes. If the bleeding continues after this, seek advice from your GP or call the Rosie assessment line on 01223 217217.

Monitoring for infection

It is important to monitor your wound for signs of infection. On white skin, redness around the wound may be visible. On brown or black skin, this may be harder to see and the area may look darker, lighter, purple or grey. The wound may feel hot, swollen or increasingly painful despite pain relief, and there may be pus or blood leaking, an unpleasant smell, or you may feel unwell or have a temperature.

Some people have a higher risk of wound infection, including those with diabetes, those who smoke, or those with a raised BMI.

If you notice any signs of infection, contact your GP or the Rosie assessment line as you may need antibiotics.

Stitches and staples

Most stitches used for caesarean birth are dissolvable and will dissolve within 6 weeks. You may notice small knots at the edge of the wound as the stitches dissolve; these are normal and will fall off. If you have staples, half will be removed after 7 days and the remaining removed after 10 days.

Scarring

All surgery leaves a scar. Your caesarean scar will be approximately 10 to 15 centimetres long and situated horizontally along your bikini line. It is likely to be a thin scar. Scars can be many colours such as pink, red, purple, white, brown, skin-coloured or darker than the skin around it.

Some people develop raised scars known as keloid scarring. This is more common in people with black or brown skin. If you have concerns about how your scar is healing or its appearance, discuss this with your GP at your post-natal check-up.

Returning to normal activities

Recovery takes time. Until you feel fully recovered, which usually takes about six weeks, you should avoid strenuous exercise and only undertake walking. It is important not to lift anything heavier than your baby during this time.

For the first 6 weeks we advise that you do not return to work, drive, swim or do strenuous exercise. You should also check with your insurer as they advise when driving is considered safe. It is sensible to ask for help with young children as they are too heavy for you to lift safely. Take care with heavy shopping and baby car seats.

A physiotherapist will see you on the ward before you leave hospital to discuss early postnatal exercises. These exercises are important for your recovery so try to carry them out as discussed.

Sex and contraception

You can resume sexual activity when you feel comfortable and once any vaginal bleeding has stopped. Take things slowly and stop if you experience any pain. Having sex will not damage your wound, although some positions may feel uncomfortable. There is no rush and no "normal" timeline; some people feel ready soon after birth while others may not feel ready for many months. What matters is that you feel both physically and mentally ready.

Symptoms to report

Most people recover well, but it is important to know what symptoms require medical attention. Contact your midwife or GP as soon as possible if you experience feeling unwell, feeling hot and feverish, new pain or pain that is becoming worse, or signs of wound infection such as redness, swelling or oozing from the wound.

Contact your GP or the Rosie assessment line on 01223 217217 urgently if you experience swelling and tenderness in the back of your leg, shortness of breath, or pain in your chest when breathing. If you are very unwell, consider calling an ambulance.

Future pregnancies

If you plan to have more children, it is helpful to know what to expect. Most people (about 70%) who have had a caesarean birth can plan for a vaginal birth next time and will have one successfully, provided there is no ongoing medical indication for a caesarean birth. However, you may be advised to have a planned caesarean birth again depending on your individual circumstances.

When you become pregnant again, your doctor or midwife will discuss your birth options with you during your antenatal care and will advise you of any precautions you may need to take. It is recommended that you have at least a 12-month gap between pregnancies to allow your body to recover fully.

Follow-up arrangements

Your midwife will discuss any follow-up appointments you may need before you leave the hospital. This will include a check-up with your GP at around six weeks after birth.

More information

You will be given additional information before and after your birth, such as an information pack about your recovery and what to watch for. If you have any concerns at any time, please speak to your midwife.

• You can find our postnatal information video and links to useful postnatal information and support

If you have any urgent concerns after you come home, contact the Rosie assessment line on 01223 217217.