When can you come after a caesarean section? Nutrition after caesarean section

Our world is structured in such a way that a person must overcome many difficulties during his life, especially for the weaker sex. Tests such as pregnancy and childbirth cannot be ruled out. Quite often situations arise when a child needs to be “delivered” from a woman’s womb through a caesarean section.

Many representatives of the fairer sex consider this termination of pregnancy more preferable, since they either do not know or forget about the potential threat of complications after a cesarean section.

Of course, a woman should also remember how difficult and lengthy the postoperative rehabilitation will be, how much patience, perseverance and strength will be required.

Negative aspects of delivery by caesarean section

Undoubtedly, abdominal delivery is no longer an operation of despair, when all possible techniques were resorted to to facilitate the birth of a child. Accordingly, the risk of postoperative complications, complications during the operation itself and during rehabilitation has also decreased.

However, it is not only possible, but also necessary to prevent various hypothetical consequences after surgical delivery. The percentage of complications occurring after surgery is directly proportional to:

procedure for performing the operation;

the time spent on the operation;

antibiotic therapy after surgery;

quality of suture material;

surgeon qualifications and other factors that may influence the operation in the postoperative period.

It is worth noting that any caesarean section (even if it is performed perfectly) cannot pass without a trace for the child and mother. Only the quantitative indicators of the consequences vary.

Consequences of caesarean section for the mother

Suture on the anterior abdominal wall.

The presence of an unaesthetic and rough scar on the anterior abdominal wall brings a lot of negative emotions. I would like such a negative moment to be the only one for a woman, because the main goal is not physical beauty, but a healthy mother and baby in the end.

Do not be upset about a “disfigured abdomen”, because today there are techniques with which you can make an intradermal suture (suturing the skin) or make an incision in the suprapubic area (transverse incision), which will allow a woman to wear even a swimsuit without fear.

The formation of a skin scar (wide, raised or invisible) depends on the secretion of certain enzymes by the body. Unfortunately, some produce more of them, while others produce less, as a result of which a keloid scar is formed. But even in this case, there is no need to be upset, because modern medicine offers a lot of ways to get rid of a scar (for example, laser correction, “resurfacing” the scar).

Adhesive disease.

After any surgical intervention, adhesions form in the abdominal cavity. There is a particularly high risk of developing adhesions if amniotic fluid and blood enter the abdomen, during a traumatic and long operation, as well as during complications during the rehabilitation period (purulent-septic diseases, peritonitis, development of endometritis).

Connective tissue adhesions and cords lead to tugging of the intestines, as a result of which its functionality is disrupted; the ligaments that hold the uterus, ovaries, and tubes also suffer. All of this could be the reason:

incorrect position of the uterus (bending backwards or bending), this affects the menstrual cycle;

tubal infertility;

development of intestinal obstruction;

constant constipation.

After 2 or 3 caesarean sections, consequences in the form of adhesive disease itself and its complications are more likely.

Postoperative hernia.

The formation of a postoperative hernia in the area of the surgical scar is also possible, which is associated with insufficient comparison of tissues during wound suturing (aponeurosis) and during the early period after surgery. Sometimes there may be a separation (diastasis) of the rectus abdominis muscles, a decrease in their tone and loss of functionality:

Digestion is disrupted and pain appears in the spine;

an umbilical hernia forms (the umbilical ring is the weakest point in the abdominal wall);

as a result of redistribution of the load on the remaining muscles, internal organs (vagina, uterus) may shift or descend.

Consequences of anesthesia.

The decision on the need for pain relief during a caesarean section is made by the anesthesiologist. Anesthesia can be either intravenous using tracheal intubation or spinal anesthesia. Among the frequent complaints when using endotracheal anesthesia are cough and sore throat, which are explained by the accumulation of mucus in the bronchopulmonary tract and microtrauma of the trachea.

Also, recovery from general anesthesia is often accompanied by drowsiness, confusion, vomiting (rarely), and nausea. These signs disappear within a few hours. Spinal anesthesia can cause headaches, so after such anesthesia, patients are recommended to remain in a horizontal position for 12 hours.

During spinal and epidural anesthesia, damage to the spinal cord roots can occur, which manifests itself in the form of back pain, tremors and weakness in the limbs.

Scar on the uterus.

After delivery by cesarean section, a scar on the uterus remains forever. The main criterion for a uterine scar is its consistency, which largely depends on the course of the postoperative period and the quality of the operation.

A thinned (incompetent) scar on the uterus can cause a threat of premature termination of pregnancy, and in some cases even uterine rupture, not only during childbirth, but also during pregnancy. This is why doctors advise women who are planning a second birth via cesarean section to undergo sterilization. During the third operation, they insist on tubal ligation.

Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is characterized by the accumulation of cells similar in structure to the endometrium in places that are atypical for them. Quite often, after a cesarean section, endometriosis appears on the uterine scar, since in the process of suturing the uterine incision, cells from its mucous membrane can get to the outer side, in the future they begin to grow into the muscular and serous layers, and endometriosis of the scar appears.

There are known cases of the development of endometriosis of the skin suture.

Endometriosis can cause future infertility, but the disease takes years to develop.

Women suffer from constant pain in the lower abdomen, the severity of which depends on the phase of the cycle (pain usually intensifies during menstruation).

Problems with lactation.

Many patients after surgery experience problems with the formation of lactation. This especially applies to those who had a planned cesarean section, before the onset of labor. The flow of milk to the glands after cesarean in women who went into natural labor and gave birth naturally occurs on the 3-4th day, otherwise it happens on the 5-9th day.

This is due to the fact that during childbirth the body synthesizes oxytocin, which leads to uterine contractions. This component is also responsible for the production of prolactin, which in turn is responsible for the synthesis and release of milk.

It becomes clear that after a planned operation, a woman cannot provide the child with milk on her own; she has to supplement the newborn with formula, and this is not very good. Often, women after a cesarean section develop hypogalactia (lack of milk production) or even agalactia.

Consequences of cesarean section for a newborn

A caesarean section also affects the baby. Caesar babies often have breathing problems.

Firstly, if the operation was performed under intravenous anesthesia, then a certain part of the narcotic drugs penetrates into the child’s bloodstream, the respiratory center is depressed, which can lead to asphyxia. In addition, in the first days and weeks, mothers note the baby’s lethargy and passivity, and the baby does not latch on well.

Secondly, in the lungs of children born via cesarean section, fluid and mucus remain in the lungs, which are normally pushed out during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. In the future, the remaining fluid is absorbed into the lung tissue, and this causes the development of hyaline membrane disease. Remaining fluid and mucus are an excellent substrate for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, which later leads to respiratory disorders or pneumonia.

During natural delivery, the baby is in a state of sleep. With hypernation, physiological processes slow down, which serves to protect the newborn from pressure drops at the moment of birth.

During a caesarean section, the baby immediately enters the external environment from an incision in the uterus; he is not prepared for this pressure difference, which results in microbleeds in the brain (experts believe that such a pressure difference in an adult would result in painful shock and death).

“Caesarean babies” adapt much longer and worse to environmental conditions, because they do not experience stress while passing through the birth canal, they do not produce catecholamines - hormones responsible for adaptation to completely new living conditions.

Long-term consequences include:

frequent development of food allergies;

increased excitability and hyperactivity of cesarean children;

poor weight gain.

Problems arise with breastfeeding the baby. A child who was fed artificial formula while the woman was recovering from anesthesia and undergoing a course of antibiotic therapy becomes unmotivated to breastfeed, he sluggishly takes the breast and does not want to make an effort to get mother's milk from the breast (sucking from a bottle is much easier).

The specialist also believes that after a caesarean section there is no psychological connection between the child and the mother, which is normally formed during the natural birth process and is strengthened during early breastfeeding (immediately after birth and cutting the umbilical cord).

Recovery after caesarean section

Immediately after the operation, the woman is transferred to the intensive care unit, where she remains for 24 hours under the close supervision of medical personnel. At this time, you need to apply ice to the abdominal area and administer painkillers. After a caesarean section, healing of the body should begin immediately:

Physical activity.

The sooner a new mother restores motor activity after surgery, the faster her usual rhythm of life will be restored.

For the first day, especially if spinal anesthesia was used, the woman must remain in bed, but it is less strict and she can move.

You need to roll over from one side to the other right in bed and do exercises for your legs:

alternately bend your legs at the knee joint and then straighten it;

press your knees together and then relax them;

perform rotational movements with your feet in different directions;

pull your toes towards you.

Each exercise must be performed at least 10 times.

You should immediately start doing Kegel exercises (periodically squeezing and relaxing the vaginal muscles), they help strengthen the pelvic floor muscular system and prevent possible problems with urination.

You can get out of bed after 24 hours. To perform the lift, you need to turn on your side, lower your legs from the bed, then, supporting yourself with your hands, lift your upper body and sit down.

You should only get out of bed under the supervision of a nurse. Early physical activity has a stimulating effect on intestinal motility, thereby preventing the formation of adhesions.

Skin sutures are treated daily with antiseptic solutions (potassium permanganate, brilliant green, 70% alcohol), and the bandage is changed. Suture removal is performed 7-10 days after cesarean section (the exception is the intradermal suture, which resolves on its own after 2-2.5 months).

In order for the scar to resolve better and prevent the formation of a keloid, doctors recommend treating the sutures with gels (Kontraktubex, Curiosin). You can take a shower after the stitches are removed and the skin scar has healed, after about 7-8 days (it is forbidden to rub the seam with a washcloth), baths and baths should be postponed for 2 months (until the uterine scar heals).

Nutrition and intestinal gases.

The release of gases is one of the important elements in restoring intestinal functions. After a cesarean section, you should follow a certain diet. On the first day, you are allowed to drink only mineral water without gases or water with lemon juice. On the second day, you can take chicken or meat broth, kefir, rolled meat, low-fat cottage cheese.

After spontaneous bowel movement, which usually occurs on days 4-5, the woman is transferred to a normal diet. You should not hold back the gases; to make them pass more easily, you need to perform stroking movements clockwise, then roll over on your side, lift your leg and relieve yourself. If constipation occurs, you can resort to using Microlax or glycerin suppositories; they must be approved for use during lactation and breastfeeding.

Bandage.

Wearing a bandage will greatly facilitate a woman’s life in the first days after a caesarean section. But there is no need to abuse this device; in order for the restoration of the muscle tone of the anterior abdominal wall to occur quickly and fully, the bandage must be periodically removed and the periods of being without this device must be gradually lengthened.

Cough.

After surgery, women often suffer from coughing, especially if endotracheal anesthesia was used. At the same time, the fear that the stitches will come apart during a cough forces many to hold back. In order to strengthen the stitches, you can press a pillow or bandage with a towel, then inhale deeply and exhale completely, making a sound similar to “woof”.

Physical activity and restoration of elasticity of the anterior abdominal wall.

After delivery by cesarean section, the patient is limited to lifting weights to 3-4 kg for 3 months. Raising and caring for a child is not prohibited, but on the contrary, it is only encouraged. At the same time, all housework that involves squats and bending should be entrusted to another family member.

A month after a cesarean section, you can begin physical activity with light gymnastic exercises. After surgery to restore the abdomen, you can start working out your abs no earlier than six months later. By and large, a sagging belly will return to normal on its own after 6-12 months (muscles and skin will become elastic and their tone will be restored).

Sports activities to restore your figure after surgery (yoga, bodyflex, aerobics, fitness) should be carried out only after consultation with a doctor and only under the supervision of an instructor, no earlier than 6 months. Bodyflex exercises do an excellent job of restoring your figure and abdomen, 15 minutes a day is enough.

Sex life.

You can resume sexual intercourse 1.5-2 months after the operation (the period is the same as for natural childbirth). This period of abstinence is required for the healing of the placenta’s attachment to the uterus and the uterine suture.

It is important to think about contraception before becoming sexually active. After surgery, an intrauterine device can be installed only after 6 months from the date of surgery, while performing an abortion is a strict contraindication, since the scar is re-traumatized and its incompetence may develop.

Menstrual cycle.

There are no differences in the recovery of the cycle after a cesarean section and natural birth. If you are breastfeeding your newborn, menstruation may begin 6 months after birth or even later. If lactation is absent, the menstrual cycle is restored after 2 months.

Next pregnancy.

Obstetricians recommend abstaining from another pregnancy for at least two years, and preferably at least three. During this time period, the woman manages to fully recover both psychologically and physically. Complete healing of the uterine scar is also necessary.

Observation by a gynecologist.

All women after a caesarean section are required to be registered with the antenatal clinic, and observation is carried out for 2 years. The first visit after a cesarean section must be performed no later than 10 days later. An ultrasound scan of the uterus is mandatory. After the end of lochia (6-8 weeks), a second visit is performed. A visit every six months is necessary to assess the healing of the uterine scar; subsequent visits to the gynecologist should be carried out at least once every six months.

According to statistics, today every 3-4 pregnancies end in surgery. A new mother will have to deal not only with the postpartum period, but also with the condition after surgery.

And this is doubly more difficult. Nobody canceled the responsibilities for caring for the baby. No one else can put your baby to your breast except you. It is not without reason that women are interested in how to quickly return themselves to their previous shape.

How to recover after a cesarean section?

Changes in your body begin immediately after the baby is removed, while still on the operating table. The uterus reacts to the decrease in volume and contracts sharply. Thereby helping to stop bleeding.

From now on, it will decrease in volume every day. It will completely decrease by about 2 months. After the operation, an ice pack is placed on your stomach - this is also a means of improving uterine contraction and stopping bleeding. They will definitely prescribe injections that contract the uterus.

Postoperative scars on the uterus, anterior abdominal wall and skin will make themselves felt almost immediately. The pain is especially severe in the first 3 days. Pain contributes to the release of stress hormones: adrenaline and norepinephrine, which negatively affects the condition of the body, as well as the healing of scars and the pelvic organs.

In addition, the tone of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall decreases in order to protect the cut stomach. This may lead to the formation of hernias in the future. You must be prescribed painkillers.

The suture after a cesarean section will be treated daily. It will be removed within 7-8 days.

Doctors will tell and show, but only you can help yourself.

14 ways to recover faster after a caesarean section

1.Don't lie around after surgery! After the operation, 10-12 hours, and if you had spinal anesthesia, then 24 hours, you will have to remain in bed. The first time you need to go up in the presence of doctors. The sooner you get up, the better for you.

2. Physical activity. Almost immediately after the operation it is necessary to move and turn over in bed. The seam is tightly sutured with threads, it will not come apart. 3-4 hours after cesarean section you need to perform the first exercises. Bend and straighten your legs at the ankle and knee joints, hands.

3. Do breathing exercises.

Lying on your back, move your arm to the side - inhale, return to the i.p. - exhale.
Lying on your back, with your legs extended and arms along your body. Raise your straight arms up - inhale through your nose, lower your arms down - exhale through your mouth.
Lying on your left side, left hand under your head, right hand along your body, legs straight. Raise your right hand up, touch the pillow, inhale, lower it, exhale. Repeat 1-2 times. Repeat on the right side too.
Lying on your back, legs extended, right hand on your stomach, left hand on your chest. Inhale through the nose - inflate the stomach, exhale through the mouth - deflate.

After you can get up, on day 2, start doing the exercises while sitting on the edge of the bed, with your legs down.

Flexion and extension of the legs at the knee joints.
Inhale - pull your knees to your chest, helping with your hands, exhale - return to standing position.
Inhale - spread your arms to the sides, exhale - draw in your stomach and return to the position.

From 3-4 days:

Lying on your back, bend your knees, arms along your body. Raise the pelvis and turn it to the right - left, lower it.
We lie on our backs, knees bent, arms extended. We lower our knees to the right, outstretched arms to the left, lower our knees to the left, outstretched arms to the right.
We lie on our backs, legs and arms extended, raise one leg and begin to draw numbers from 1 to 6. Then do the same with the other leg. Every day we add 1 digit and reach 20.
To restore the tone of the perineal muscles, there is a set of Kegel exercises.

If you do gymnastics, your recovery after a cesarean section will go much faster. There will be no adhesions, over time the former elasticity of the tummy will return, and the uterus will shrink in a short time. But first you should consult your doctor.

Against the background of fever, if there was a large blood loss during the operation, if you have thrombophlebitis, exercise is contraindicated. You should not perform gymnastics through force. Stop exercising if pain occurs.

Caesarean section is not compatible with intense physical activity. You can’t lift weights, pump up your abs, exercise on machines, run, or squat for the first 2-3 months.

Important! You should also remember that excessive exercise will not promote milk production. Therefore, it is contraindicated for nursing mothers.

3. Lactation. Breastfeed your baby. What will it give? When sucking a nipple, oxytocin is produced in the body. It stimulates the production of milk in the mammary glands and the contraction of smooth muscles, i.e. uterus.

In addition, it is a love hormone that helps develop maternal instincts. And they talk a lot about the beneficial properties of breast milk for a child and everyone knows that there is nothing better.

4.Anemia. The need for iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding is always increased. During a caesarean section, blood loss is several times higher than after a natural birth.

You may develop anemia after surgery. This disrupts tissue healing, uterine contraction and does not have the best effect on well-being. If the doctor says that your hemoglobin is low, then you need to take iron supplements.

5. Lie on your stomach. Already on the second day after cesarean you can lie on your stomach. This will speed up the contraction of the uterus.

You will have to endure a urinary catheter for the first 24 hours after surgery. This is not pleasant and makes movement difficult. It is placed before surgery to control the amount and color of urine, as well as to prevent injury to the bladder during surgery.

After the operation, they also calculate how much urine was released per day. This is important to assess whether there has been damage to the bladder or ureters. An empty bladder is an important condition for proper contraction of the uterus, and you will not be able to get on the bedpan on your own for the first 12-24 hours.

After surgery, you may experience constipation. This occurs due to decreased intestinal tone, hormonal load and, of course, a sedentary lifestyle. If by the third or fourth day there is no stool, you will be given an enema.

Drink more water, move more. At home, you should eat more vegetables and fruits, fermented milk products, soups and porridges with buckwheat and pearl barley, and vegetable oils.

7. Nutrition. The body needs strength to return to normal after surgery, as well as to feed the child. Therefore, eat more meat, protein is a building material, and you have scars that need to heal.

More fiber: vegetables and fruits, but exclude overseas fruits. Remember that you will be breastfeeding your baby. Therefore, your menu should not harm the baby. You should not eat food with preservatives, spices, hot sauces, smoked meats, grilled chicken, hot dogs, pizza, fatty or fried foods. Food should be stewed, boiled and steamed.

8. Massage and self-massage will help you recover. It improves skin tone, improves blood circulation and metabolism. Muscle tone also increases.

Interesting! In addition, massage has a positive effect on the nervous system. Normalizes sleep, reduces pain sensitivity. You can perform self-massage.

There are 4 techniques in the technique: stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration.

From the first hours you can stroke your stomach with your palm in a circle, from top to bottom and from bottom to top.

You can use a tennis ball. Make circular movements for them in a clockwise direction starting from the navel.

Perform a massage using a contrast shower.

9. Wear a bandage. It will relieve pain and support weakened abdominal muscles. The bandage is especially indispensable in the first days and weeks. When lying down, the bandage is not needed, only when moving. Do not wear the bandage for more than 3 hours. From 4-6 weeks the bandage is not needed, and wearing it for a long time can lead to the opposite effect, i.e. weakening the press.

10. Hygiene. Unfortunately, if you had a caesarean section, you will be allowed to take a shower only after the stitch is removed, and then only if it has healed well. This will happen in about a week.

Before this, you need to wash your face in parts so as not to wet the seam. Be sure to maintain intimate hygiene: you need to wash yourself with soap after each visit to the toilet.

11. Keep an eye on the discharge.

In the first 3 days they are bright red and very abundant.
From 4 to 10 days they are pink-brown or brown. Every day their number decreases, and the color becomes lighter.
By day 10, yellowish or white spotting.
By 3 weeks they contain streaks of mucus.
The discharge will stop completely by 6-8 weeks.

If they are very abundant, dirty in color and have an unpleasant odor, and you are worried about pain in the lower abdomen or have a fever, you should consult a doctor. Complications may have arisen that will slow down the recovery of the body after childbirth and the healing of the uterine scar.

12.Dream. The body must rest well. Sleep during the day with your baby.

13. Take proper care of your skin scar. The stitches will be removed within 6-7 days. If there are no complications, take a shower at home every day, but do not rub the seam area with a washcloth. After a shower, treat it with brilliant green, unless the doctor prescribes anything else upon discharge.

To avoid a rough scar, after a month you can use special ointments (controctubex, solcoseryl, clearvin), if you wish, you can go to a beauty salon.

Important! If pain, swelling and pus discharge occur in the suture area, you should consult a doctor.

14. Walking in the fresh air. Rapid healing of wounds and nutrition of tissues is impossible without oxygen. In addition, it will be useful for your baby too.

After 6-12 months, the scars will heal, muscle and skin tone will return.

Getting your body in order after childbirth and cesarean section is not so easy, but the joy of the birth of your baby will outshine all the difficulties.

What can you eat after surgery?

Like any abdominal surgery, a cesarean section is performed under general or epidural anesthesia. The speed of recovery after anesthesia depends on many factors. First of all, it depends on the type of medicine chosen, the correctness of the dose calculation by the anesthesiologist and the characteristics of the patient’s body.

On the first day after this operation, you can drink still water; you can acidify it a little with lemon juice. All nutrients are still supplied to the woman’s blood vessels using IV drips.

The patient is transferred from the intensive care ward to the postpartum ward on the second day after cesarean section. What can you eat? As after another abdominal operation, broths, unsweetened fruit drinks, tea, ground boiled meat, low-fat cottage cheese, yogurt without fruit fillers, and pureed vegetable purees are allowed. Dense food is not recommended, as it is still necessary to spare the digestive organs.

After three days and thereafter, the normal diet is gradually introduced, taking into account the diet for a breastfeeding mother. Pediatric doctors in the maternity hospital will tell you what you can eat after a caesarean section for quality lactation. Milk porridges, vegetable side dishes and broths, fruit jelly, boiled meat and fish, and steamed cutlets are healthy. It is necessary to exclude fried, fatty, flour, salty, sweet, carbonated drinks and other foods that are difficult for the body in the postoperative period. It is allowed to completely resume the usual menu after the first independent bowel movement, which, as a rule, should be 3-5 days after the operation.

When can you move actively after a caesarean section?

How long after a cesarean section you can resume activity depends on the individual characteristics of your body. Listen to doctors' recommendations. And start moving only with their permission. Already on the second day after surgical birth, you will need to get out of bed on your own. Then slow walking is allowed. You can sit down only starting from the third day. In the first month after being discharged from the hospital, you should not lift anything heavier than your baby’s weight.

Starting sports after surgery

Again, it all depends on your body. But doctors usually recommend not starting regular exercise earlier than six weeks after surgery. Many women, puzzled by the restoration of their figure, are interested in when they can pump up their abs after a caesarean section. Loads on the abdominal muscles are recommended no earlier than a month later. Otherwise, you can cause deformations in the scar area and even a hernia on it.

Swimming in the pool, for example, after a caesarean section is allowed only after the discharge has stopped.

When is sex allowed after cesarean section?

There is no clear answer to this intimate question. Naturally, it is necessary that the discharge from the woman in labor stops. And it is worth understanding that the postoperative uterus is an extensive wound surface and an early return to sexual activity can not only lead to pain, but also poses a risk of infection of the mucous membrane. Sexual relations should be resumed no earlier than a month after surgical delivery.

As a standard, gynecologists, when asked when you can get pregnant after a cesarean section, recommend that at least 18 months should pass between the operation and the subsequent pregnancy. Therefore, even if you are breastfeeding your newborn and the menstrual cycle has not yet resumed, do not forget about contraception. After all, pregnancy soon after surgery poses a danger to both the fetus and its mother. And an abortion in this case can also negatively affect the condition of the already weakened uterus and can lead to infertility in the future.

When can you give birth after surgery?

When can you give birth to your next baby after a cesarean section is a question that worries many women. As a result of the operation, a scar remains on the uterus, which can rip apart during a new pregnancy, which poses a huge threat to the life of the mother and fetus. Therefore, between surgical birth and the next pregnancy, ideally at least 2-3 years should pass so that the scar tissue has time to fully form.

But too long a gap between pregnancies is not advisable, because it will be a strong argument in favor of repeated surgical births. It is important that the pregnancy after a previous cesarean section is planned and proceeds under the careful supervision of a doctor. First you need to assess the condition of the scar, for which methods such as hysteroscopy and hysterography are used.

First of all, it depends on the reason for which the caesarean section was performed. And if it has not yet been eliminated (for example, problems with the mother’s vision), then only surgical delivery is possible in the future. Is it possible to give birth after a cesarean section in other cases? If during a previous pregnancy the child simply lay incorrectly in the womb, which is why it was necessary to undergo surgery, then subsequent vaginal births are possible. But this takes into account the condition and type of scar (longitudinal or transverse), as well as the course of the new pregnancy. If a woman has a longitudinal suture, a natural birth is usually excluded.

With a transverse scar after a cesarean section, you can give birth yourself if there are no more contraindications for this. But the final verdict on the possibility of vaginal birth after previous surgical procedures is made after 35 weeks of pregnancy. This takes into account factors such as the size of the fetus, its presentation and position in the womb, the location of the placenta relative to the internal uterine os and suture, as well as the consistency of the scar itself. Only then will the woman be told whether she can give birth herself after a caesarean section.

Regarding how long you can give birth after a cesarean section, there is also no single answer. All this is individual and depends on the woman’s health condition. Since pregnancy with a scar on the uterus poses a danger to both the mother and the fetus, and each new operation is more difficult than the previous one, surgeons advise the permissible number of cesarean sections to be no more than three.

According to statistics, on average 20-25% of pregnancies end in a cesarean section. This method of delivery is considered relatively safe and has minimal complications. But doctors never tire of repeating that a caesarean section should be a necessity, and not a woman’s whim. A cesarean section is performed only according to indications: an anatomically narrow pelvis in the mother, complete placenta previa, a history of 2 or more cesarean sections, acute fetal hypoxia, etc. Recovery after a cesarean section is longer and more difficult than after a natural birth.

In this article we talk about recovery after a cesarean section: what difficulties may arise in the first days and weeks after childbirth, and how to cope with them.

The operation is performed under spinal or epidural anesthesia. The anesthesiologist decides which type of anesthesia to choose, based on the situation and the health of the mother. General anesthesia is given in some emergency cases when it is necessary to quickly remove the child from the mother's womb.

A catheter is installed into the urinary canal to drain urine. Thanks to this, the bladder does not put pressure on the uterus, and the doctor gets the baby out faster. Then the anesthesiologist administers anesthesia, and the woman in labor is fenced off with a screen. During the operation without general anesthesia, the woman is conscious.

The surgeon cuts the abdominal wall. If there is already a scar on the uterus, then another one is made in the same place, after cutting off the old one. The subcutaneous fatty tissue, muscles, aponeurosis, and abdominal wall are cut. Remove the bladder to the side. An incision is then made in the lower segment of the uterus. In this place the muscle layer is the thinnest; upon healing, a small scar remains. The amniotic sac is cut and the baby is removed. In reverse order, the incision is sutured with silk, self-absorbing threads, or closed with staples.

Removing the baby during a caesarean section

The operation lasts 30-40 minutes. The child is removed 15-20 minutes after the start of the operation. If the mother is conscious and non-endotracheal anesthesia was performed, then the child can be immediately put to the breast.

Negative consequences of cesarean section

The operation is considered safe in our time, but complications after it are quite common.

The recovery period is complicated by the following factors:

Suture on the stomach. In 90% of cases, a horizontal intradermal or external suture is made above the pubis. Only in emergency situations is a vertical suture made, when there is a risk to the life of the mother and child. How quickly the scar heals depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Some people are predisposed to developing keloid scars, where fibers of the skin's connective tissue grow in the area of the scar. You can get rid of a keloid scar using laser resurfacing.
Suture on the uterus. Before the next pregnancy, at least 2-3 years must pass for the scar to heal thoroughly. Otherwise, during childbirth or pregnancy there is a risk of uterine rupture at the seam. After three caesarean sections, tubal ligation is indicated.
Spikes. Surgery almost always leads to the formation of adhesions (fusions of internal organs). They glue together the internal organs of the small pelvis, intestinal loops, and fallopian tubes like a film. This happens due to inflammation, which provokes contact with non-sterile operating room air, blood getting into the open wound, and even particles of talcum powder from the doctor’s gloves. Can lead to infertility, digestive disorders, constipation, endometriosis. In severe cases, removal of adhesions using laparoscopy is indicated, in mild cases - treatment with physiotherapy.
Consequences of anesthesia. If general anesthesia is used during surgery with a tube inserted into the trachea, trauma to the mucous membrane occurs. Sputum accumulates and a cough appears, causing tension in the abdominal muscles. Spinal anesthesia leads to microtrauma of the spinal cord roots. This causes back pain, dizziness, and headaches.
Delayed onset of lactation. After natural childbirth, milk comes in 3-4 days. In case of caesarean section - after 7-9 days. The onset of labor triggers lactation hormones. A cesarean section is usually performed as planned, when the body may not yet be ready for childbirth. In this case, lactation hormones are produced with a delay.
Large blood loss. During natural childbirth, a woman loses 250-300 ml of blood. The body recovers such blood loss quickly. During CS, blood loss is 500 - 1000 ml. To maintain the body after surgery, blood-restoring drugs, plasma, and red blood cells are infused.
Weak contraction of the uterus. Due to the suture on the front wall, the uterus contracts weakly. To avoid subinvolution, the postpartum woman is prescribed auxiliary therapy for rapid uterine contraction.

External and cosmetic seam

The success of the operation depends on the experience of the surgeon, how quickly and efficiently the operation was performed, the quality of the suture material, and whether postpartum antibiotic therapy was used.

Recovery in the first days after cesarean

The first days after surgery are the hardest. Most women complain that the seam hurts. Some suffer from the effects of anesthesia.

The woman spends the first day after the operation in the intensive care ward under the supervision of medical personnel. Her blood pressure is measured, blood loss is restored, and painkillers are given. A heating pad with ice is placed on the stomach to make the uterus contract more intensely. If there are indications, antibiotic therapy is carried out. It all depends on how the operation went. On the second day, the woman is transferred to the postpartum ward, where she can, if she wishes, take care of the baby herself.

You are allowed to sit up on the bed on the second day after a caesarean section. You need to sit down carefully, first lower your legs from the bed, then, supported by your hand, rise to a sitting position. Before getting up, you need to sit for a while, and get up for the first time with the help of a nurse or at least leaning on the back of a chair. To relieve stitch pain, use.
After a caesarean section, urinary retention often occurs. During the operation, a catheter is installed in the urinary canal, and after a day it is removed. But damage to nerve endings and microtrauma to the mucous membrane cause pain that goes away after 1–2 days. Even if there is no urge to urinate, you need to urinate every 2-3 hours. Otherwise, an overfilled bladder will put pressure on the uterus and prevent it from contracting.
Every day, the suture on the abdomen is treated with an antiseptic solution and the bandage is changed. You cannot get the seam wet for the first 7-8 days until the stitches are removed. Showering is allowed after discharge from the hospital and removal of stitches. And take a bath only after 1-2 months, when the seam has healed. The bath should not be hot. For the first 2 days, the stitch hurts very much. The doctor prescribes painkillers that are safe for a breastfed baby.
If a woman has a cough after general anesthesia, then she should not be afraid to cough. The accumulated mucus in the trachea after anesthesia should come out. During a coughing attack, place a pillow or palm on your stomach. Inhale deeply and as you exhale, release the air slowly but forcefully with a sound.
In the first days after a cesarean section, you need to improve the functioning of your gastrointestinal tract. Due to abdominal surgery, intestinal motility is weak, the first stool appears on the 3-4th day. Constipation should not be allowed, as strong straining can lead to seam divergence. For the first day after surgery, you are only allowed to drink still water. Nutrition enters the body through an IV. From the second day, easily digestible food is introduced, which gently initiates bowel function. We wrote more about nutrition after cesarean section.
To stimulate intestinal motility and blood circulation in the pelvic organs, you need to move as much as possible. On the first day after surgery, you can do gymnastics in a supine position.

Exercises can be like this:

Pull your socks toward you, away from you;
Bend your knees;
Squeeze your buttocks;
Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles for 5-10 seconds;
Turn the body from side to side.

A bandage after a cesarean section helps relieve pain during movement.

They are discharged from the maternity hospital 7-8 days after the sutures are removed, having previously performed an ultrasound of the uterus to make sure that involution is occurring at a normal pace.

What happens to the body after discharge from the hospital

The recovery period after cesarean continues even after discharge from the hospital. Mom needs help with housework. The most important thing is to rest more and establish breastfeeding.

Whether a mother will be able to breastfeed after a cesarean section depends only on how often she puts the baby to the breast. Organizing feeding on demand is the right decision. Then oxytocin and prolactin, which are responsible for milk production, will be produced. Lactation hormones also cause uterine contractions.
For the first three months after birth, lifting weights weighing more than 4 kg is not allowed. The maximum that a mother can afford is to carry her child.
It is allowed to start playing sports no earlier than a month after giving birth, when the lochia ends and the stitches heal. We wrote about exercises allowed after cesarean section.
You can return to sexual activity after 1.5-2 months, when the postpartum discharge ends. Contraception after a CS is a matter of first necessity. You need to wait a break of at least 2-2.5 years. During this time, the suture on the uterus will heal. If you rush, there is a risk of the seam coming apart during pregnancy or childbirth. A condom is the most suitable method of protection after childbirth.
Menstruation resumes after 2-3 months if the mother does not breastfeed, and within 1-2 years if she feeds the baby with breast milk.

Video: how to establish breastfeeding after a caesarean section

Recovery after a cesarean section takes longer than after a natural birth. But the more actively the mother begins to move immediately after the operation, the faster the process of healing of the sutures and involution of the uterus proceeds.

Quite often, expectant mothers are interested in a cesarean section (hereinafter referred to as CS). Reading various heart-warming stories about natural childbirth, women think that surgery is the best way. However, in reality recovery after cesarean progresses at a slower pace. The operation is abdominal, which means you will need to prepare for it in advance. There are times when KS- only decision.

When is a caesarean section necessary?

The procedure itself is relatively simple and frequent. - This is an incision (dissection) of the walls of the uterus. It is necessary in several cases: when natural childbirth poses a threat to the life of the mother and baby, with high blood pressure, the presence of a narrow pelvis, the breech position of the fetus, abruption or placenta previa, diabetes mellitus, heart defects, operations on the uterus, and a high degree of myopia. In such cases, giving birth naturally can have a negative impact on the mother's body. At such moments, a planned operation is indicated.

An emergency operation is performed in case of weak labor, prolonged ineffective contractions, the threat of fetal hypoxia, or a sudden change in the position of the fetus.

How is a caesarean section performed?

If you have been told that you cannot do without a caesarean section, then you should find out in advance how the operation itself goes, as well as how to quickly recover from a caesarean section afterwards.

The operation can be performed either under epidural anesthesia(planned), and under general anesthesia(emergency and planned).

Stages of a caesarean section operation

During general anesthesia, you are placed on a couch and the pubic area is treated with brilliant green, and a urinary tube is also placed. Then the pressure is measured and anesthesia is injected into a vein in the arm, after putting on a mask. You don't feel like you're falling asleep. After this, the surgeon makes a thin transverse incision, removes the baby and then the placenta. The incision is then sutured layer by layer. self-absorbing or non-absorbable threads. Instead of threads, staples can be used. The stitches are removed at 6-7 day. If the threads were self-absorbable, then gradually they disappear without a trace, and "tails" disappear on their own after a few weeks.

The incision can be either vertical or horizontal. Recently, incisions for caesarean sections have been made horizontal. When healed, such a seam becomes almost invisible and allows you to show off in a swimsuit and underwear. But the most important thing is that such an incision allows the woman to give birth naturally in the future (if there are no additional contraindications).

What complications can there be?

Sometimes complications occur after a caesarean section. A woman loses 3 times more blood than during natural childbirth. To restore severe blood loss, plasma or other blood substitutes are administered through IVs. The number of IVs is proportional to the amount of blood lost.

Sometimes there may be adhesions on the intestines(as a result of the cut). This does not always happen and can be cured with physiotherapeutic procedures. As a last resort, adhesions are removed surgically.

Also, after surgery, the uterus contracts much worse than after natural childbirth. To improve contraction, oxytocin is injected or uterine massage is performed for 1-2 days, which can be painful after surgery. In this case, you just need to be patient. At the same time, antibiotics will drip through the IV to prevent infection of the uterine cavity.

Recovery after surgery

How to quickly recover after a caesarean section? Doctors will take you to intensive care and will carefully monitor your condition. Immediately after surgery, an ice pack is placed on the abdomen. This procedure is accompanied by measurements of pulse and blood pressure. Doctors will watch how well your uterus contracts after a cesarean section and also monitor your discharge. In the first hours after surgery, you will have a catheter to help you urinate.

Recovery from anesthesia- an unpleasant thing. Your stomach will hurt and you will be thirsty. You just need to wait this time out. Don't worry, the nurses will administer pain medications to help relieve the pain. These drugs are not discontinued for 1-3 days.

Don't be surprised if you are forced to move after 6-8 hours. This is very important for quick recovery. After the intensive care unit (usually the next day), you may be transferred to the postpartum ward, where you will continue to receive intravenous and intramuscular medications, be told to move more, and begin to treat the stitch. Processing is usually done with brilliant green. Then the seam is sealed with special tape. Later you will process it yourself.

To avoid touching the already painful seam, wear low-waist panties made from natural fabrics. After the crust falls off on its own, you won’t have to apply tape, but you shouldn’t forget about processing either.

Showering is allowed on day 7. In this case, the seam cannot be touched. Discharge after cesarean section is carried out on days 7-10. It may be difficult for you to straighten up at first, and you will feel a feeling of tightness. This is normal and such unpleasant sensations will disappear over time.

After the operation, profuse lochia (bloody discharge) also appears. Don't be afraid of them, just stock up on absorbent pads. Gradually, the lochia will begin to decrease and disappear completely. During this period, be sure to wash yourself without touching the seam area.

Possible problems after surgery

Uterus. This hollow organ should contract after a natural birth or cesarean section. Contractions are necessary to return the uterus to its natural state. When breastfeeding, a hormone is released oxytocin and this allows the uterus to contract faster. You may feel pain in the lower abdomen as soon as you put your baby to your breast. This is absolutely normal and necessary. Contractions are also necessary to prevent blood accumulation and inflammation. To make the process less painful, the woman is prescribed painkillers.

Bowel movement. This becomes difficult after abdominal surgery. Therefore, an enema is given immediately after the CS. Next, in the maternity hospital, the woman is shown a diet that helps get rid of processed food and prevent. Fermented milk products are shown. Fiber (pasta, bread) and raw fruits/vegetables should be avoided. The fact is that they cause the accumulation of gases in mother and baby. Increased gas formation for the mother during the postoperative period can be painful. The drug Lactusan has proven itself to be excellent, as it softens stool in the intestines and helps to get rid of them. In addition, this drug has a bactericidal effect, which is necessary after surgery.

Abdominal muscles. After surgery, they should not be put under pressure to avoid sutures coming apart. At such a moment, the woman should wear a bandage, which will gradually bring the abdominal muscles back to normal and will fix the seam.

Recovery after caesarean section - step by step

1. During a planned caesarean section, you cannot drink or eat for exactly 24 hours.

2. Recovery from a cesarean section includes good hygiene. You need to wash yourself 2 times a day.

3. The bandage will help you reduce pain and recover faster after a cesarean section. Put it on as soon as you wash your face. It will help you lie down and get up.

How to properly wear a postpartum bandage after a caesarean section

4. Ask you to bring the child not the next day, but on the same day. Place the baby on your chest. You will feel pain in the uterine area, but such contractions are necessary for a speedy recovery. In addition, you will establish contact with your child faster.

5. Insert glycerin suppositories into the anus to facilitate bowel movements. In a few days the stool will improve.

6. Apply ice wrapped in a handkerchief. This will help relieve pain and promote contractions.

7. Drink more fluids and take small trips to the toilet more often.

In the maternity hospital after surgery

Help. Ask a relative to be with you in the postpartum ward. To do this, a paid ward is usually ordered in advance. With your loved one, you can recover very quickly after a cesarean section, both physically and mentally. In addition, they will help you with your child.

Movement. No matter how painful it may be after a cesarean section, you absolutely need movement. Remember: the more you move, the sooner it will become painless.

Communication. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff questions about how to recover from a cesarean section and breastfeed your baby. They will tell and teach you everything. Often, after the first feeding, the nipples begin to hurt because they are not used to it. In this case, you will need Bepanten cream or special pads.

Caring for the baby. Always wash your hands before changing a diaper or touching your baby at all! To recover from a cesarean section, you need to be more distracted from heavy thoughts about your abdominal pain and take care of your baby.

At home after surgery

Registered. As soon as you are discharged, you will need to register your baby with the pediatrician at your place of residence within a week.

Dream. Sleep as much as possible and whenever you have free time. How long does it take for the body to recover after a caesarean section? This may take several months. But if you rest more, your recovery will go faster.

Drink. After surgery, you should drink as much as possible. Water helps replenish fluid loss in the body after a caesarean section.

Food. Eat more light, lean foods to help you recover after a C-section. Boiled poultry, steamed rice, kefir or yogurt are suitable.

Movement. Avoid squats, sudden movements, bending, heavy lifting, pressure on the abdomen and excessive strain to prevent dehiscence after a cesarean section.

Scar. Take proper care of the suture after a cesarean section - wash it with soap and treat it several times a day with brilliant green.

Sex. Avoid sexual intercourse for 3 weeks or more after surgery.

Hygiene products. Use only pads and forget about tampons for a while.

Breastfeeding after caesarean section

After a caesarean section, the baby may be delivered the next day or on the second day. You need to start feeding your baby as quickly as possible so that he receives a portion of valuable colostrum. In addition, breastfeeding will help you recover faster after a cesarean section.

Life after caesarean section

In order for a mother to quickly recover after a cesarean section, she needs to remember that she should not lift heavy objects. Now your most valuable and permitted cargo is a child. But not more!

Also, don’t think about your figure just yet. To recover from caesarean section, time needs to pass. Light physical activity is acceptable for 2-3 months after surgery. However, you will have to forget about abdominal exercises for a long time. If it is difficult for you to lift the stroller, ask one of your relatives to accompany you on a walk, or after a caesarean section, walk with the baby in your arms.

Carefully monitor the suture after a cesarean section, avoid overwork and overexertion, monitor your mental health and walk more in the fresh air. This will help the body quickly recover after a cesarean section and focus on the baby.

Caesarean Section – School of Doctor Komarovsky (video):

Personal experience of how to survive a caesarean section (video):