Consider a scenario where in spite of the best efforts of mother and her care providers it becomes necessary for a c-section to be performed, solely considering the health of baby or mother. Certainly, at the Healthy Mother Birthing Center, The Sanctum, we have had nearly 20% of our mothers undergo c-sections because of a medical reason. It is necessary for care providers to take extra care in such situations because of the longer time it takes for mothers to recover. Further, increased difficulty in breastfeeding means care providers have to put in more efforts to help mothers breastfeed their babies as soon as they are ready. Our mothers benefit from the continuous and exclusive care they receive from our staff. But what should mothers do after they leave the hospital for their homes? following points provide a guideline for mothers to follow after they leave the hospital:
Take it Easy – Give yourself time to rest. Do not lift any object which is heavier than your baby. Your husband and you should plan and keep everything that you or your baby might need within close reach so that you dont have to spend much effort
Maintain good posture – Use good posture when you stand and walk. If there are sudden movements such as sneezing and coughing, hold your abdomen near the incision.
Limit your company – At this time you need maximum rest. So discourage too many visitors by politely telling them that you need rest
Drink lots of fluids – Drink lots of fluids to replace those lost during delivery and breastfeeding. Drinking fluids also reduces constipation.
Avoid sex – It is best to avoid sex for at least six weeks after your operation. But certainly don’t avoid intimacy with your partner. Take time out from the stressful initial periods of new parenthood for the two of you, even if it is just a few moments in the morning or after your baby has gone to sleep
Don’t drive – It is best to avoid driving for at least six weeks because sudden movements can affect the incision. Also it is very important to have a good car seat for your baby which meets safety standards
Take medications when required – Your doctor will have prescribed medicines when you were discharged from the hospital. Common ones are Paracetamol for pain relief, or stool softener or laxative such as Dulcolax for constipation or painful bowel movements
Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor – Promptly report any signs of of infection such as severe pain in your abdomen area, redness or flu-like symptoms. Postpartum depression is also something that needs to be reported so that your care provider can help you. We at Healthy Mother encourage our new mothers to visit us or keep in touch with us as many times as they feel necessary. We are always available to talk to new mothers and listen to their concerns, fears, precious moments, thrills, and cherished moments.
Avoid immediate exercise – Start on gentle exercises only after six to eight weeks and that too, after checking with your doctor
At the Healthy Mother Birthing Center, we counsel mothers who have had a c-section that their and their babies’ health were more important that the method of delivery in their situation. Therefore, they should not deprive themselves of the joys and adventure of caring for their babies because it is likely to overshadow all the physical and emotional pain.