Recovering From a Cesarean Section: From Hospital Discharge to Recovery

Having a cesarean section is different for every woman. In fact, having a cesarean birth is different in each pregnancy. I know from experience that my first planned c-section due to a breech presentation resulted in a much more difficult recovery than my second c-section, which was also due to my baby's breech presentation. Whether you have had an unexpected c-section or a scheduled c-section, here is what you can expect when you are discharged from the hospital and begin your recovery at home.

Begin your recovery by making sure that you get the most you can from your hospital experience. By the time you are discharged, you should have asked any questions you have about caring for your baby, caring for your wound, and recovering after your surgery. Talk to the nurses for your immediate concerns, but be sure to raise any issues you have with your doctor and with your baby's doctor as well. They are your service providers, and you should not feel intimidated or nervous about asking questions. You are not bothering them - you are doing your job as a new parent to make sure everyone in your household is getting the care they need.

When you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will give you instructions about when you should make a follow up appointment (usually about two weeks after your surgery), whether you can drive, and how to take care of your wound. Both of my doctors placed very few restrictions on my recovery. I was able to walk up and down stairs, taking them one at a time if necessary. Once I felt able to stomp on the gas pedal, I was free to drive.

Your doctor may also give you a prescription for pain medication to use during your recovery from your c-section. While you may have felt great in the hospital and think you can do without the pain medication, you may want to have the prescription filled anyway. That way if you overdue it and have pain that Tylenol or Ibuprofen will not tackle, you will have a backup plan available for you at your house.