Post-caesarean section: here are the processes and stages of healing

The desire to give birth normally may have crossed the minds of every pregnant woman. Unfortunately, there are certain medical conditions that you inevitably have to legowo when doctors recommend doing a cesarean section. The pain you feel during a cesarean section may not be as severe as a normal delivery. But usually, the pain will get worse after the caesarean section is over.

What will happen to the body after completing a cesarean section? Check out the review here, ma'am!

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Various stages that occur after cesarean section

Mothers who are about to or have had a cesarean section may wonder how long the pain will be afterwards until it is completely healed.

The pain that occurs during a cesarean section is usually not as painful as a normal delivery process.

However, the pain is inversely proportional to post-cesarean section.

Yes, not a few mothers complain that they feel pain in the abdominal area after a cesarean section is complete.

The answer to how long it hurts after cesarean section or post-cesarean section until it is completely healed can be caused by the effect of anesthesia (anesthesia) which is slowly disappearing.

The total length of time until the body is completely healed after cesarean section can vary from mother to mother.

Some can heal within 4-6 weeks, but there are also those who still experience pain in the incisions from the caesarean section at the 24th week after surgery.

Overall, here is a series of recovery steps that take place after the cesarean section is complete:

Postpartum by caesarean section

After having a cesarean section, you will be supervised by a doctor until your body is completely healed.

The medical team will routinely monitor your condition, including checking how much postpartum bleeding, blood pressure, and your body temperature.

Administration of intravenous (IV) fluids or infusion is usually still done during the treatment period after cesarean section.

In addition, there are mothers who have catheters placed to make urination easier during post-treatment or after cesarean section, but some are not.

Using a catheter will usually make it easier for you because you don't have to get out of bed and go to the bathroom.

Based on the NHS website, catheter placement is usually done for approximately 12 hours after delivery.

Before the caesarean section, you will be given an anesthetic to numb certain parts of the body.

That's why, it took a few hours to feel back to normal.

In some conditions after cesarean section, the effects or side effects of intravenous fluids may make you feel a little shaky and dizzy.

If there are no complications or severe side effects after cesarean section, the mother can immediately pet and breastfeed the baby.

To reduce the pain or abdominal pain that occurs due to the loss of the anesthetic, your doctor may give you pain relief medication after a cesarean section (cesarean section).

The pain reliever drug is given by insertion through intravenous fluids.

One of the things that doctors may give during the healing period or after cesarean section is opium medicine.

These pain relievers tend to be safe and effective at reducing pain after childbirth.

1st day recovery

Mothers are usually advised to start moving and doing light activities after a few hours after cesarean section if there are no complaints and complications.

The more you move around, the faster your recovery process after cesarean section will be.

In addition, don't forget to eat to replace the energy lost during surgery.

You may be given soft foods that are easier to digest first during the treatment or recovery period after cesarean section.

Then, you will be given regular food during the recovery or recovery period after cesarean section.

Pain or pain in the stomach will generally increase within 18 hours after cesarean delivery.

This is because the action of the anesthetic previously given to relieve pain begins to gradually disappear.

However, it is possible that there are several conditions that you can experience during the treatment or healing period after cesarean section, such as:

Blood clotting

Most blood clots usually occur in the legs and this is one of the side effects or risks of caesarean section.

This condition tends to be more often experienced by women who are overweight or who leave their bodies still and do not move actively for a long time after giving birth.

Cramps

Usually cramps appear right in the area where the cesarean incision was used, especially during post- or post-operative treatment when the uterus begins to shrink.

The sensation of cramps due to caesarean section is similar to menstrual cramps, but with a more intense degree.

Risk of infection

Doctors and other medical teams will routinely check the incisions from the caesarean section to prevent infection.

Mothers can also prevent infection by taking proper care of the caesarean section.

2nd day recovery

Entering the 2nd day of the puerperium, you will be asked to get out of bed more often and do activities.

That way, it is hoped that it can help the body to return to normal as it was in the recovery period or recovery after cesarean section.

The infusion and catheter that was previously inserted will also be removed on this second day.

That means, you will start to get up and go to the bathroom yourself to pee.

On the other hand, you have also started to be able to shower and clean your body completely after cesarean section.

Apart from making the body feel fresher and smell good, bathing also helps to prevent the possibility of infection in the caesarean section incision scar.

Not infrequently, maybe you will feel sore or sore when the scar is touched or exposed to water.

Don't worry, the wound dressing will usually be changed every 24 hours until a few days after cesarean section.

Once changed, the bandage can usually get wet, as it is waterproof.

After that, all you have to do is dry the bandage area covering the scar after cesarean section by tapping it slowly.

The incision usually takes 7-10 days or more to improve depending on your condition.

After giving birth, either by vaginal or caesarean section, the mother will usually experience profuse vaginal bleeding that lasts for several weeks.

Normal bleeding after childbirth is called lochia.

Due to the large amount of bleeding, it is recommended that you use a band that is large enough.

Unlike in the beginning after cesarean section, at this time you may also have been given regular food.

Changes in the texture of food are usually determined by your abilities and conditions.

4th day recovery

After the cesarean section treatment after giving birth in the hospital is over, you are usually allowed to go home within 3-4 days.

However, the doctor will make this decision by paying attention to your health condition first.

Before you return home, the doctor will examine and change your dressings as needed.

The doctor will also advise you to treat and maintain the cesarean section suture wound properly so that it is clean and does not cause infection.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic page, you are not recommended to lift heavy objects.

Not only that, sports activities, having sex, or douching vagina also should not be done just yet.

Various taboos after or after cesarean section are done for a while until the doctor gives the green light.

7th day of recovery (1st week)

After 1 week of birth, you may still feel a little pain or pain in the stitches after cesarean section.

Usually, post-caesarean section pain relievers, such as opioid drugs, are not addictive but still have side effects.

If you are given pain relievers, please ask your doctor about the safety of taking these drugs during the breastfeeding period.

No need to worry, the various complaints that arise after cesarean section will usually gradually improve over time.

14th day recovery (second week)

Stepping on the second week, you are usually scheduled to return to the doctor and do an examination.

The doctor will check your health condition, as well as see if there is swelling or signs of infection in the suture marks after cesarean section or not.

Usually doctors use threads that can be absorbed by the body, so that the stitches do not need to be removed.

Naturally, if you still occasionally feel cramps after giving birth due to cesarean section.

This is a healing process for the contracting uterus to return to its normal size.

Also tell the doctor about any complaints and questions you have felt so far, for example, wanting to know when your period will be after giving birth.

28th day of recovery (fourth week)

Recovery or care after cesarean section usually begins to improve in the fourth week.

Your movements also feel more comfortable and easier than when you were in early childbirth.

Try not to compare your healing process with other people.

Because everyone has different conditions and recovery times.

We recommend that you consult these conditions and complaints with your doctor so that you can find out the cause and the right treatment.

42nd day recovery (sixth week)

Recovery or care after cesarean section without complications can range from 4-6 weeks.

Therefore, now usually the body feels much better and comfortable to do activities as before.

The mother can feel the stitch marks have dried up, the uterus has returned to its normal size, and is able to have sex after giving birth.

The good news is, in the recovery period after a cesarean section, mothers are allowed to do activities such as driving a car.

If done before 4-6 weeks after cesarean section, the condition of the stitches has not completely dried up and often feels pain.

It is for these various considerations that you are advised to wait until the condition is healthy and strong enough to start driving again.

Tips to speed up the recovery process after cesarean section

Normally, you will be discharged from the hospital 4 days after the cesarean section and your condition will fully recover within 6 weeks.

However, this process will be easier to achieve if you take good care of your body.

Well, here are some tips to speed up the recovery of your body after cesarean section.

1. Adequate rest after cesarean section

Just like other operations, the body also needs adequate rest time after cesarean section.

Maybe this feels difficult because you also have to divide the time to take care of your little one.

It's best to take breaks when the baby is resting so that the body doesn't get tired.

A few days after giving birth you may need help from someone else to help take care of the baby so that you are also less tired.

So, one of the taboos that should be avoided after or after cesarean section is lack of rest.

Doing physical activity that is too strenuous after or after a cesarean section is also a taboo that should not be done by the mother.

However, this does not mean that you can stay in bed for long.

Try to do whatever activities you can.

This is done to train body movements and speed up the recovery or healing process after cesarean section.

2. Pay attention to things that should be avoided

In addition to adequate rest, the body also needs more attention after cesarean section.

You are advised not to lift heavy weights and climb stairs first.

This includes abstinence that needs to be done after or after a cesarean section.

We recommend that you place all your needs in a place that is easily accessible.

Other post- or post-caesarean section abstinence is having sex and inserting something in the vagina for several weeks to prevent infection.

Something that is prohibited from being inserted into the vagina, for example using a tampon or menstrual cup.

In addition, make the most of your moves as much as you can.

Because the more you move, the faster the recovery process after cesarean section.

Getting plenty of movement can also help prevent constipation and blood clots.

These various things are part of postnatal care.

All of the above suggestions you should do for up to six weeks after cesarean section.

After six weeks, your body usually has recovered sufficiently and is able to carry out normal activities.

Meanwhile, if you are wondering whether you can squat after cesarean section, you should consult your doctor again.

Whether or not squatting after cesarean section may be adjusted to the condition of the mother.

3. Fulfill the nutritional needs after cesarean section

Adequate nutrient intake is also important to fulfill in an effort to speed up recovery or healing after cesarean section.

In addition to speeding up the recovery process, nutrients from postpartum food and daily drinks are also needed because you are currently breastfeeding.

Eating a variety of foods can help you meet the various nutrients your body and baby need.

That way, it can help support the baby's growth and development process.

Don't forget to drink a lot and eat foods that are high in fiber.

This is useful for preventing constipation because usually there will be complaints of constipation during the treatment period after or after cesarean section.

So, other taboos that need to be avoided after a cesarean section are having a strict diet and not drinking enough and eating fibrous foods.

4. Treat stitch marks well

Mothers still have to treat cesarean section suture scars at home because they have not dried completely.

Stitches that have not dried are at risk of infection.

Pay attention to the stitch marks every day for signs of infection, such as pain or redness in the wound.

Do not delay telling the doctor if this happens during the treatment period after or after cesarean section.

If the wound is still covered with a bandage, replace the bandage regularly every day and keep the post-caesarean wound clean and dry.

Usually, within six weeks, the stitch marks will begin to shrink and change back to their original skin color.

You may feel a little itchy as the wound heals, but you shouldn't scratch it.