From the Guidelines
The best recovery tips after a C-section include taking prescribed pain medications as directed, typically including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, with stronger opioid medications as needed for the first few days, as well as following a multimodal pre-, intra- and postoperative analgesic strategy that combines basic analgesics, local/regional analgesic techniques, and surgical approaches like the Joel-Cohen incision and non-closure of the peritoneum 1.
Key Recommendations
- Rest as much as possible while gradually increasing activity, starting with short walks around your home.
- Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for 6-8 weeks.
- Keep your incision clean and dry, gently washing with mild soap and water, and watch for signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and consider using an abdominal binder for support.
- Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods rich in protein, fiber, and iron to promote healing and prevent constipation.
- Use a pillow to support your abdomen when coughing or laughing.
- Accept help from others for household tasks and childcare.
Pain Management
- A combination of basic analgesics such as paracetamol, NSAIDs or cyclo-oxygenase-2–selective inhibitors, and i.v. dexamethasone, along with a local/regional analgesic techniques like intrathecal morphine or diamorphine, is recommended for optimal pain management after elective caesarean section performed under neuraxial anaesthesia 1.
- Analgesic adjuncts such as listening to music via headphones and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation may be used when available.
Surgical Techniques
- The Joel-Cohen incision, non-closure of the peritoneum, and the use of abdominal binders are recommended as they yield positive analgesic effects after caesarean section 1.
Recovery Time
- Most women need 6-8 weeks for substantial recovery, though complete healing may take longer.
- It is essential to prioritize rest, nutrition, and pain management to ensure a smooth and safe recovery.
From the Research
Recovery Tips Following a Cesarean Section (C-section)
- Effective postoperative analgesia is crucial for recovery, with neuraxial morphine being the most effective form, as stated in 2.
- Multimodal analgesia regimens, including intraoperative intravenous dexamethasone, fixed doses of paracetamol/acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can reduce postcesarean opioid use, as mentioned in 2.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been shown to decrease postoperative opioid use, shorten length of stay, and decrease pain after cesarean delivery, as found in 3 and 4.
- ERAS protocols typically include education, pain management, nutrition, and early ambulation, with patients receiving scheduled acetaminophen and ibuprofen, and oxycodone as needed, as described in 3.
- Postoperative care should include routine measures such as oxytocin infusion, mechanical thromboprophylaxis, and early removal of indwelling bladder catheters, as recommended in 5.
- Early ambulation, starting 4 hours postoperatively, and incentivized by pedometer, can aid in recovery, as suggested in 5.
- Multimodal pain control recommendations, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, should be continued upon discharge, with short-acting opioids prescribed as needed, as stated in 5.
- Evidence-based postoperative care protocols can decrease length of stay, surgical site infection rates, and improve patient satisfaction and breastfeeding rates, as found in 5 and 4.
- Predictors of timely recovery after cesarean section include antenatal care follow-up and discharge from the wound site, as identified in 6.