First 24 to 48 hours
Diet and wind pain
Moving around
The stitches
First 24 to 48 hours
The first 24 to 48 hours will involve having an intravenous drip in your arm (for fluids and often antibiotics) and a urinary catheter in place to keep your bladder empty. The epidural tube may be left in place to administer further pain relief for the first day or two. All these 'tubes' can make moving, and feeding your baby, a little restrictive but with help it is possible.
Breastfeeding your baby can be achieved by lying on your side, sitting up with the baby on a pillow or placing the baby in the 'football' position (baby's body lying under your armpit) to help prevent any pressure on your tender belly. Ask for help from the staff and your family to lift, change and handle the baby in the first few days, organise for your partner to stay with you in the hospital if possible. Many hospitals will now provide fold out beds for partners or support people to stay overnight, if the woman is not sharing the room with anyone else.
Image 9-11 shows the woman feeding after a Caesarean on her side.
Diet and wind pain
You will be allowed to eat a fluid diet (juices, jelly, ice cream, water etc) until you start to pass wind. This indicates that the bowel or intestines have started to move again (the bowel often 'spasms' and stops functioning for a day or two after any abdominal surgery). The passing of wind is often accompanied by wind or gas pains in the belly, which can come in 'waves' and be very painful. Peppermint water or peppermint tea can help with this.
Let the midwives caring for you know when you start to pass wind (although they will probably ask you this question every now and then). They will then arrange for you to start a light diet of solid food.
Moving around
You will be encouraged to become mobile (get out of bed and move around) as soon as possible (within 24 hours) after the operation.